Implications of Nuclear Power Plant Regulation for Future Nuclear Plants Based on Risk and Performance Information Available to Purchase

A largely probabilistic regulatory framework using best estimate, goal-driven, risk-informed, and performance-based methods is proposed. This framework relies on continuous probabilistic assessment of performance of plant systems, structures, components and operators that assure attainment of a broad set of overarching technology-neutral protective, mitigative, and preventive goals in all phases of plant operations. Required levels of performance are set through formal apportionment such that they are consistent with the overarching goals. Regulatory acceptance would be based on the probability bounds or confidence levels with which the required levels of performance have been attained.