ML19270E966
| ML19270E966 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/08/1978 |
| From: | Lawroski S Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Udall M HOUSE OF REP. |
| References | |
| ACRS-R-0803A, ACRS-R-803A, NUDOCS 7901100401 | |
| Download: ML19270E966 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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June 8, 1978 The IIonorable Morris K. Udall, Chairman Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States !!ouse of Representatives Washington, D.C.
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Dear Congressman Udall:
The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) has considered the suggestion in your letter of January 27, 1978 for establishmnt of an independent, quasi-judicial board, patterned after the National Trans-portation Safety Board (NTSB), for accident analysis within the con-text of the current nuclear regulatory process.
The Committee considered also the questions which you raised concerning the role of the ACRS vic-a-vis such a Board, should it be created.
Discussions ~'with representatives of the NTSB's Bureau of Accident Investi-gation have indicated that, although the Insa is responsible for investi-gating accidents in surface, air, and marine transportation, the criteria, procedures, and scope of the investigations vary depending on the specific mode of transportation involved. Air transport events, however, represent the bulk of NTSB m rk and range from minor incidents to serious accidents.
It probably is the most well established area of inSB's responsibility.
In response to your inquiry the ACRS cm1 pared the nuclear power program requirements with air transportation investigation procedures.
Mille the NTSB reports on all aviation accidents, the bulk of the investi-gations, which are concerned with minor accidents or incidents, are dele-gated to the FAA, the involved regulatory agency, inEB investigations are reserved for major accidents, generally involving fatalities.
Analo-gous major accidents have not occurred in commercial nuclear power plant operat'sn.
Indeed, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the ACRS devote a significant effort to reviewing operational experiences, proposed changes in operating procedures, and plant design features intended to forestall such accidents and continuing discussion of this process with the NRC Staff is planned.
For this reason, the ACRS believes that exist-ing institutional arrangements are adequate for tbc rarrJe of incidents thus far experienced in nuclear power plant operation.
Should there be 790110o Ol
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The Ilonorable Morris K. Udall June 8, 1978 an accident comparable in magnitude and significance to those now investi-gated by 17fSB, it is within the mandate of the ACRS to conduct a compre-hensive and independent investigation of it.
Therefore, our opinion is that no need exists to establish an independent board to carry out this function.
Sincerely yours, Stephen Lawroski Chairman
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