ML18345A385
| ML18345A385 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/02/2019 |
| From: | Kristine Svinicki NRC/Chairman |
| To: | Brian Lee State of TN, Governor |
| Lynch J | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18345A373 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML18345A385 (3) | |
Text
April 2, 2019 The Honorable Bill Lee Governor of Tennessee 1st Floor, State Capitol Nashville, TN 37243
Dear Governor Lee:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I would like to extend congratulations to you on your recent inauguration as Governor of the State of Tennessee.
I am writing to request your appointment of a State Liaison Officer to act as the State of Tennessees primary liaison to the NRC. Ms. Debra Shults, Division of Radiological Health Director, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, was previously appointed as State Liaison Officer for Tennessee. I request your written affirmation that you desire Ms. Shults to remain as your selected appointee, unless you choose to appoint a new State Liaison Officer.
I am providing you with a copy of the NRC brochure entitled, State Liaison Officer Program, which provides background information on, and describes the role of, the State Liaison Officer. I am also enclosing a copy of the NRC 2018-2019 Information Digest, which provides information describing the NRCs mission and its regulatory programs.
In 1976, the NRC adopted a recommendation from several State organizations, including the National Governors Association, that each State appoint a single person to act as a liaison to the NRC to help improve Federal/State cooperation. The NRC looks to the Governor-appointed State Liaison Officer to be the primary communication channel between the State and the NRC. The State Liaison Officer serves as the key person in the State to inform the Governor and other State agencies about issues under the NRCs jurisdiction (specifically matters addressing nuclear regulation, nuclear security, nuclear emergency preparedness, and radiological public health and safety) and to provide the NRC with State information on particular nuclear safety, security, and environmental issues.
Since inception of the State Liaison Officer Program, State Liaison Officer responsibilities have continued to evolve. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the NRC increased its security-related communications with the Governor-appointed State Liaison Officers. Your appointed State Liaison Officer will serve as a recipient for sensitive unclassified information, including Safeguards Information (SGI), from the NRC. SGI is a special category of sensitive unclassified information authorized by Section 147 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, to be protected from inadvertent release and unauthorized disclosure. Although SGI is sensitive unclassified information, it is required to be handled and protected in a manner similar to classified National Security Information.
The NRC will keep you informed of our programs and activities through Ms. Shults or your other selected appointee. At the same time, we will continue to work with other individuals in Tennessee State agencies with whom we have established relationships. If you or your staff have any questions concerning this correspondence or wish to obtain additional information about the State Liaison Officer program, please contact Ms. Andrea Kock, Director, Division of Materials Safety, State, and Tribal Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, at (301) 415-2368 or via e-mail at Andrea.Kock@nrc.gov.
I thank you in advance for your assistance. The Commission looks forward to your response and to continuing an excellent working relationship with the State of Tennessee.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Kristine L. Svinicki
Enclosures:
- 1. NRC Brochure, State Liaison Officer Program
- 2. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 2018-2019 Information Digest, NUREG-1350, Volume 30 cc: w/o enclosures Ms. Debra Shults, TN Department of Environment & Conservation
SUBJECT:
LETTER TO GOVERNOR BILL LEE FROM CHAIRMAN SVINICKI CONGRATULATING HIM ON HIS RECENT INAUGURATION AS GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE AND REQUESTING DESIGNATION OF STATE LIASION OFFICER (DATE) APRIL 2, 2019
- This correspondence addresses policy issues previously reserved by the Commission, transmits factual information, or restates Commission policy.
- concurred with edits ADAMS Package Accession No. ML18345A373 OFC NMSS/MSTR RSLO NMSS/MSTR NMSS/MSTR NAME JLynch JPelchat DMarcano AKock DATE 1/7/19 1/7/19 1/31/19 2/27/19 OFC TechEd NMSS EDO OCM NAME CTyler for:* SMoore KSvinicki LMoorin DATE 2/28/19 3/11/19 4/2/19 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY