ML19347D348
| ML19347D348 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/26/1981 |
| From: | Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Stockman D OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8103170306 | |
| Download: ML19347D348 (2) | |
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'4 UNITED STATES c '- ) P E
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 4
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OFFICE OF THE February 26, 1981 CHAIRMAN 9
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E The Honorable David A. Stockman 8/N
.C Director
/A f Office of Management and Budget
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Washington, D. C.
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Dear Mr. Stockman:
I request that travel related to the NRC Office of Inspection and Enforcement (IE) be exempt from the reduction outlined in OMB Bulletin No. 81-7. The NRC FY 1981 travel appropriation [0bject Class 21], is
$10,970,000 and a ten percent reduction amounts to $1,097,000. A ten percent reduction for IE would be $452,000.
NRC inspectors play a critical role in assuring the safe operation of nuclear facilities.
In recognition of their importance, inspectors were exempted from the FY 1980 hiring limitation. The proposed reduction in travel funds would directly restrict the frequency and scope of inspection / enforcement activities performed by these personnel.
Escalating travel costs over the last 18 months have already had the cut (ten percent)g travel and if IE has to absorb a $452,000 effect of reducin travel
, there will be a significant impact on the inspection /
enforcement program. This translates directly to a reduction in NRC's inspection / enforcement of power reactors, fuel facilities, and other nuclear material licensees.
Increasing and maintaining the physical presence of NRC inspectors at licensee facilities has been a high priority of both the previous Administration and the Congress, and the need for increased NRC presence has been reinforced by the findings
'of the TMI accident investigations.
The accomplishment of inspection and enforcement functions is essential to fulfill NRC's statutory responsibilities to ensure continued protection of the public health and safety. The NRC has considered the absorption of these costs in other parts of our overall travel program. Since the travel budget of IE represents about half of the total NRC travel budget, the abs 7ption by the remainder of the NRC would result in severely limiting NRC's ability to perform its other regulatory functions. The OMB reduction in the NRC travel budget has effectively eliminated nearly all travel that is not directly related to the licensing of facilities. Although the 81031703 6
i The Honorable David A. Stockman deferral of licensing actions would save travel funds, the resultant delays in bringing nuclear power plants on line would represent a net loss to the United States economy.
Therefore, I request that the travel program for IE be exempted from the ten percent travel reduction, adjusting our overall reduction to
$645,000.
Si
- erely, j
f Jo1n F. A earne Chairman a