ML19330C425
| ML19330C425 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/24/1980 |
| From: | Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Inouye D SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19330C426 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8008080365 | |
| Download: ML19330C425 (1) | |
Text
-
' g neo 9,{-
UNITED STATES 8
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
, gg s 3
g
. s?c;gg7gg
)
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
~s*****/
July 24,1980 4
CHAIRMAN The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye United States Senate Washington, D.C.
20510
Dear Senator.Inouye:
Thank you for your recently expressed interest in the NRC staff report entitled, " Potential Threat to Licensed Nuclear Activities from Insiders."
The recommendations you referenced concerning psychological evaluation are being considered by the NRC staff along with a number of other possible methods for protecting against insider malevolence at licensed nuclear facilities. Although not currently required to do so by the NRC, many licensees already conduct employee screening programs which include psycho-logical evaluation and observation.
In the course of rulemaking on a clearance program for individuals who have access to or control over special nuclear material, the Commission ordered a public hearin5, which was conducted in 1978. The Report of the Hearing Board, published in April 1979, included a recomendation that employee screening, if necessary, be conducted by industry based on an NRC standard to include background investigation, psychological screening and continued observation by supervisors.
On June 24, 1980, the Comission, by a vote of 5-0, requested the NRC staff to prepare a proposed rule along the lines of the hearing board's recomenda-tion with respect to clearance procedures for power reactors. This proposed-rule is to be published for public comment without further Comission review.
Accordingly, the NRC staff is now preparing a proposed rule and guidar.~e for an industry-run clearance program to include psychological screening and continued observation of employees in licensed nuclear power plants. The Comission intends its public notice and rulemaking activities to provide ample opportunity for all interested persons to be kept informed of these matters.
I would be pleased to answer any further questions you may have on this subject.
Si erely C
f Q John F. Ahearne 8008080 C3.(g5
,