Great question....thanks. The ASME XI committee is really looking ahead and I think(hope) will lead the way for exciting changes in welding administration in and outside the power industry.
The utility I work for is in the process of having the NRC review this Code Case in a relief request. This relief request probably won't make it back to me for several months. The sibling Code Case N-573 (sharing WPS/PQRs amongst Owners) is now accepted or soon to be accepted for the entire industry. Several utilities have gotten that approved on a site by site basis.
I'd like to clarify the code case language a little. Welders would be required to test for the owner to demonstrate proficiency. The benefit lies in having the more difficult and costly tests transferrable. My understanding is that if a welder has several tests (hvy wall, inconel, SS, small dia, etc) this one demonstation test will suffice. There are conditions that pipe welding certs can only be supported by a pipe demo test and that all claimed processes must be used in that demo.