Scope and functions of the U.S. nuclear safety analysis center

Abstract

The Nuclear Safety Analysis Center (NSAC) was set up at EPRI t in April 1979, soon after the Three Mile Island accident, at the request of the nation's electric power utility industry. NSAC was conceived as one of the nuclear utility industry's responses to the TMI accident. Industry leaders perceived a need for the industry's own impartial and objective investigation and analysis of the TMI accident. NSAC was instructed to carry out this investigation and analysis, and to draw lessons applicable to the industry generally. It was to indicate areas where safety-related improvements were desirable, and to set up mechanisms for better exchange of safety information among the nuclear utilities. Administratively, NSAC operates as a division of EPRI and is served by similar administrative and facility support, and advisory committee structure as is EPRI. NSAC is supported by special funding assessments which are separate from those which support EPRI or the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations. Both public and private companies of the utility industry participate, including APPA (American Public Power Association); NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperatives) and the investor owned companies of EEI (Edison Electric Institute). NSAC's output is information data analysis and advice on matters of nuclear plant safety. To be valid, such information and advice must be independent, objective, and technically sound. These important requirements are generally recognized and respected by the utilities which support NSAC. The work of NSAC is organized in four departments. These include (l) Plant Engineering Department (Significant Events Program); (2) Instrumentation and Control Department (Safety Display Panel, Human Factors, Safety Instrumentation and Control); (3) Operations Analysis Department (Degraded Core studies, environment and health