ML19274E807
| ML19274E807 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/05/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Kouts H BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19274E808 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7904240487 | |
| Download: ML19274E807 (2) | |
Text
.
/
['
UNITED STATES
[.,
[\\
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
[C%
gj M /;l Coa 8-April 5, 1979 CH AI RMAN Dr. Herbert Kouts, Chainnan Departmert of Nuclear Energy Brookhaven National Laboratory Associated Universities, Inc.
Upton, New York 11973
/
l
Dear Dr.,
Xouts: kM, We appreciate your recent letter concerning the Commission's January 18 policy statement on the Risk Assessment Review Group's Report on the Reactor Safety Study.
Since you participated in the Risk Assessment Review Group, your comments are most relevant and welcome.
I regret that you found our policy statement too negative in tone, for that was not our intent as regards risk assessvent methodology.
In fact, you may recall that our Policy Statement c'oses on a rather posi-tive note:
"Taking due account of the reservati(ns expressed in the Review Group Report and in its presentation to the Commission, the Comission supports the extended use of probabil'stic risk assessment in regulatory decisionmaking." Therefore, "The Comnission has provided additional detailed instructions to the NRC staf f concerning continued use of risk assessment techniques and results ir response to specific criticisms raised by the Risk Assessment Review Group."
As you know, the Risk Assessment Review Group raised a series of tech-nical issues that will have to be examined and dealt with by staff.
These issues include questions about statistical methods, the availa-bility and quantity of data bases, consequence modeling, human factor considerations, earthquakes, fires, and common cause failures.
Work is already underway on all of these matters as part of our confirmatory research program and we will soon be considering what additional efforts are needed in order to address all of the areas requiring improvement in WASH-1400.
7 904 24 0 4q
Dr. Herbert Kouts I note your observation that the Reactor Safety Study was never used as a basis for Commission determination that nuclear power is safe. Follow-ing publication of the review group's findings, the Commission asked Mr. Harold R. Denton, Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, to review the extent to which licensing or other regulatory actions relied upon WASH-1400.
In his report, Mr. Denton stated that he has "found no actions which, because of their reliance on RSS, should now be over-turned." He noted "the record as a whole as showing an ancillary use of the RSS in licensing actions.
Its principal application has been to supplement or confirm the mainstream of analyses and judgments reached by the staff."
I am enclosing for your information a copy of my testimony and the remarks of Commissioner Bradford at the recent hearing before Mr. Udall's subcommittee on reactor safety and the report of the Risk Assessment Review Group.
I share your desire to see that effective use is made of a valid. risk assessment methodology, and. believe the steps we have taken toward that goal are appropriate, in view of the Risk Assessment Review Group's findings.
fl Sincerely, 64-4 Joseph M. Hendr.s
Enclosures:
1.
Testimony of J. M. Hendrie, February 26, 1979 2.
Testimony of P. A. Bradford, February 26, 1979
.