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Audit of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Use of Operating Experience in Emergency Diesel Generators Oversight

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
OIG-NRC-25-A-10
Report Type
Audit
Description
The OIG found that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) effectively uses operating experience (OpE) information to inspect Emergency Diesel Generators (EDGs) at operating nuclear power plants. However, the agency could strengthen the Reactor OpE Program by updating guidance and assessing the program, and ensuring the EDG Technical Review Group (TRG) members know their roles and responsibilities.Currently, the guidance provided in Office Instruction LIC-401, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) Reactor Operating Experience, and NRR’s Operating Experience Staff Handbook is outdated. In addition, the NRC does not have an assessment process for the Reactor OpE Program. Assessing the Reactor OpE Program periodically could help staff and management determine whether the program meets its objectives and staff are using relevant guidance to process OpE information. Moreover, the NRC lacks policies and procedures for the EDG TRGs, which may lead to inconsistent practices, reduced productivity, and missed opportunities to disposition EDG-related OpE information.The OIG makes seven recommendations to strengthen the Reactor Operating Experience Program implementation process.
Joint Report
No
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations systematically inform EDG TRG members about their membership, update the OpE SharePoint site to show the current membership of TRGs, and record TRG evaluations in a centralized location.

Agency Response Dated July 7, 2026: Completed Actions: The staff have updated the TRG rosters on the Reactor OpE SharePoint site within the “Technical Review Group (TRG)” Section and TRG Members were contacted. The staff continues to provide updates and communications regarding membership changes to accommodate regular staffing changes. The staff included a “TRG Sign Up Link” to allow for prospective staff members seeking to join TRGs with their area of expertise. In lieu of a stand-alone desktop guide, the staff updated the respective “How-To” instructional sheet and membership information to ensure membership information remains accurate and up to date. The TRG evaluations are also centrally housed in the “Technical Review Groups” section and can be accessed using the “TRG Evaluations” link on the Reactor OpE SharePoint site. Status: Complete. The NRC recommends closure of this<br />
item.<br />
OIG Analysis: The proposed actions described in the agency’s response do not meet the intent of this recommendation. The OIG reviewed the TRG roster included in the Reactor OpE SharePoint site and noted the listing of EDG TRG leads and members. However, the agency did not provide evidence to confirm that the EDG TRG members were informed of their<br />
current membership status. In addition, we reviewed the information included with the “TRG Evaluations” link on the Reactor OpE SharePoint site and concluded that it does not include EDG TRG analysis. The OIG will close this recommendation upon reviewing updated documentation demonstrating that EDG TRG members were systematically informed about their membership, and the centralized location where EDG TRG evaluations are documented via the “TRG Evaluations” link. This recommendation remains open and resolved.<br />
<br />
Agency Response Dated October 2, 2025: A self-assessment of the TRG process was completed on July 15, 2025, identifying areas for improvement in the TRG program. The Division of Reactor Oversight’s Generic Communications and Operating Experience Branch is currently conducting an audit of TRG leads and members to verify lists are accurate in branch records and relevant databases. Processes for developing, communicating, and recording TRG evaluations will be included as part of the desktop guide being developed for administering the TRG process to ensure a more systematic administration of the process. Target date for completion: June 2026.<br />
OIG Analysis: The proposed actions meet the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation<br />
after (1) receiving and reviewing the agency’s self-assessment report completed on July 15, 2025; (2) verifying the accuracy of the TRG leads and members list; and (3) verifying the processes the agency developed for creating, communicating, and recording TRG evaluations as part of the desktop guide. This recommendation remains open and resolved.

The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations provide and promote EDG TRG training to current members on all SharePoint sites.

Agency Response Dated July 7, 2026: Completed Actions: The staff updated the TRG training<br />
materials and provided the updated material on the Reactor OpE SharePoint site. The TRG training materials are a continuous improvement item which staff continue to update and improve with any new training feedback. Status: In progress. The staff are coordinating with the<br />
Technical Training Center (TTC) to have the updated TRG training materials hosted in TMS.<br />
Revised Target Date for Completion: December, 2026 OIG Analysis: The proposed actions meet the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation after reviewing the updated training material for TRG members and the Talent Management System training<br />
module. This recommendation remains open and resolved.<br />
<br />
Agency Response Dated October 2, 2025: Training materials are being updated, and the staff is exploring the potential development of a Talent Management System training module to provide centralized, easily accessible resources for all TRG members. Target date for completion: January 2026.<br />
OIG Analysis: The proposed actions meet the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation<br />
after reviewing the updated training material for TRG members and the Talent Management System training module. This recommendation remains open and resolved.