Re: NRC Regulatory Guides

[Leo Bobek <bobek@WPI.EDU>]

At the ANS Winter meeting, there were some presentations by the NRC on the 
subject on NRC BBSs.  From what was presented, the only Reg. Guides 
that appear to be electronicly available are for the new Standard Tech Specs 
for power reactors.  Among several BBSs, the NRC has also set up a system
called NUDOCS which contains numerous NRC documents.  The number for 
technical assistance is 301-504-2062.   Please let us know if other Reg 
Guides are available.

Also, regarding the thread on audits, there was mention that the NRC Reg. 
Guides are simply guidance and do not denote requirements.  I am sure 
many in the nuclear power industry would strongly disagree.  In the strict 
sense, Reg. Guides are not regulations.  Unfortunately, the NRC inspects 
programs to determine both if and HOW their regulations are being met.  
For most inspectors, there's the right way (NRC Reg Guides) and the wrong 
way.  The nuclear power industry has been unsuccessfully arguing against 
this regulatory approach for years.

Regards

L. Bobek, WPI