ML110280247
| ML110280247 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/14/2011 |
| From: | Leeds E Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Pietrangelo A Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Keefe, Molly, NRR/DIRS/IHPB 415-5717 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML110280289 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML110280247 (3) | |
Text
February 14, 2011 Mr. Anthony R. Pietrangelo Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Nuclear Energy Institute 1776 I Street, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006-3708
Dear Mr. Pietrangelo:
This letter acknowledges receipt of your letter dated January 4, 2011, Industry Initiative on Nuclear Safety Culture. You have indicated an interest in continuing to work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff in the near future to discuss NEI 09-07 [Revision 0],
Fostering a Strong Nuclear Safety Culture. We acknowledge your request and will continue to support discussions and meetings regarding NEI 09-07. The staff also acknowledges that the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) plans to conduct a final pilot at Hope Creek Generating Station in February 2011 which NRC staff will observe.
As we have indicated during previous meetings, NRC is supportive of industry initiatives to address safety culture at commercial nuclear power facilities. The NRC staff agrees with NEI that the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining a positive safety culture at these facilities rests with the licensee management team. In addition, NRC acknowledges that licensees have access to informational resources that could provide valuable insights into organizational safety culture. As such, NRC strongly encourages NEI and the industry to proactively leverage those resources to promote and monitor a culture that strives for enhancing safe plant operation.
NRC recognizes that NEI 09-07 makes use of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations Principles for a Strong Nuclear Safety Culture. The staff has drafted a Safety Culture Policy Statement for Commission consideration in communicating expectations for licensees to foster and maintain a positive safety culture at NRC regulated facilities. This Policy Statement will outline a definition and traits of safety culture which will be used during implementation as each NRC program office determines how best to include the Policy Statement within their existing processes. The Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation staff will work with industry and stakeholders to develop a common terminology, where appropriate, for use in addressing the Commissions Safety Culture Policy Statement within the Reactor Oversight Program for operating reactors. As with any significant initiative that results in improved safety and security
A. Pietrangelo February 14, 2011 at licensed facilities, NRC will continue to consider and assess potential changes to its regulatory oversight processes to enhance the agencys effectiveness and efficiency in achieving its safety and security mission.
The NRC staff looks forward to continued discussions of the proposed NEI 09-07 with NEI and other stakeholders.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
A. Pietrangelo February 14, 2011 at licensed facilities, NRC will continue to consider and assess potential changes to its regulatory oversight processes to enhance the agencys effectiveness and efficiency in achieving its safety and security mission.
The NRC staff looks forward to continued discussions of the proposed NEI 09-07 with NEI and other stakeholders.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION:
RidsNRRDIRSIHPB RidsNrrOd MKeefe Accession Number: ML110280247 OFFICE NRR/DIRS/IHPB BC/NRR/DIRS/IHPB DD/NRR/DIRS D/NRR NAME MKeefe UShoop MCheok EJLeeds DATE 01 /28 /11 01 /28 /11 01 / 28 /11 2/14 /11 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY