Bill Bateman

From 1999 - 2008, managed a staff consisting of 4 supervisors and approximately 45 engineers assigned responsibility for regulatory oversight of all materials, nondestructive examination (NDE), welding and brazing, chemical and mechanical engineering issues involving operating commercial nuclear plants. This involved hiring, training, and managing staff and accountability for resource management. Actively participated in updating and developing materials related Standard Review Plan (SRP) sections and certain Regulatory Guides to be used in review of new reactor designs. Reacted to emergent materials issues including primary water stress corrosion cracking, degradation of reactor coolant pressure boundary components by boric acid corrosion, and degradation of steam generator tubes by various erosion/corrosion mechanisms. Involved in materials selection challenges, analyzing welding techniques and their contribution to stresses in pipe welds, and flow accelerated corrosion of primary and secondary piping. Actively interacted with various industry groups including EPRI, ASME, NEI, MRP, MTAG, BWRVIP, WOG, BWROG and internationally as well on specific materials issues. Developed ASME Code Cases in the welding and NDE areas and associated rulemaking (10CFR50.55a). Granted relief to licensees from specific requirements of federal regulations particularly related to the ASME Code and U.S. NRC issued Orders when justification was appropriate. Reviewed and approved in-service inspection and risk informed in-service inspection plans. Participated in development of license renewal review criteria and reviewed materials and chemical portions of license renewal applications. Developed new technical specifications for steam generators to better ensure tube integrity. Developed new rulemaking for reactor pressure vessel pressurized thermal shock considerations. Evaluated chemical and downstream effects on ECCS sump performance.

From 1996 to 1999 was Project Director in a project management capacity with responsibility to regulate activities of a number of nuclear power plants. Activities included maintaining technical specifications and the design basis, reviewing and approving amendments to the plants’ license to ensure continued compliance with NRC regulations, interaction with the media and public on a number of regulatory positions and issues, evaluation of plant performance, interacting with Regions on various technical and regulatory issues, and coordination between the various engineering and legal components of the agency to achieve these activities.

From 1987 to 1996 held two Section Chief positions involving evaluation of operating plant performance for use in senior agency management and supervision of a portion of the staff of the Executive Director of Operations.

From 1978 - 1987, as a senior resident inspector at both a new construction plant (Hope Creek) and an operating plant (Oyster Creek), was involved in inspecting activities in many areas including plant construction, testing, operations, maintenance, radiation control, security, and emergency preparedness. Specific technical areas included nondestructive examination, welding, brazing, corrosion/erosion, erection of structural steel, installation, NDE, and pressure testing of piping; pipe support and loss-of-coolant-accident restraints fabrication and installation; reactor vessel installation followed by installation of internals; installation/construction of other large components; containment fabrication and testing; and effectiveness of quality assurance and quality control. Extensively involved in inspection of concrete and electrical activities. Familiar with codes and standards governing new construction and plant outage and maintenance activities including ASME, ASTM, AISC, AWS, and others. Authored multiple inspection reports and took enforcement action on numerous occasions to address negative inspection findings.