ML20010D581
| ML20010D581 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/13/1981 |
| From: | Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Markey E HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20010D582 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8108280280 | |
| Download: ML20010D581 (1) | |
Text
-
l f Csc UNITED STATES a
E NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION I
W ASHINGTON. D.C. 20655
\\...*/
s OFFICE OF THE August 13, 1981 g I J /, J CHAIRMAN i
87
%F
/
9 2
WG1 g#
The Honorable Edward J. Markey AMI$$*
b United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515
Dear Congressman Markey:
.. Thank you for your letter o.f July 6,1981 concerning the adequacy of the safety surveillance by the Department of Energy (DOE) of its nuclear reactor program and expressing your belief that the Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC) could make a positive contribution in this area. NRC has reviewed the design of and modification to a number of DOE reactor facilities in accordance with the provisions of an earlier Energy Research and Development Administration - NRC Interagency Agreement and the now effective Memorandum of Understanding (M00) made between the NRC and.D0E which was signed on February 24, 1978.
We have included a limited amount of resources to continue this level of effort during the coming years which is based on the existing MOV and the historical level required.
In addition to the safety reviews that the Commission staff and the Advisory Comittee on Reactor Safeguards perform upon request by DOE, the NRC routinely provides DOE with NUREG reports, monthly licensee event reports, quarterly abnormal occurrence reports and the NRC Office of Inspection and Enforcement bulletins and circulars. We have also provided documents that describe our activities and actions being taken in response to the " Lessons Learned from the Accident at Three Mile Islanc'" for the use by both their field organization and their head-quarters staff.
To significantly increase NRC's role to that of providing an expanded safety overview of DOE reactor facilities, a significant increase over our present level of resources for that effort would be required. Any extension of NRC oversight of DOE defense related facilities must be considered in the context of a balancing between national security considerations and enhanced protection of public health and safety.
While NRC does not have the responsibility to do this balancing, NRC.is willing to cooperate with the Department of Energy in defining and scoping increased involvement in DOE programs if this is determined to be desirable by DOE or Congress. Should a proposed expanded role result which exceeds our available resources we woul'd, of course, request that adequate resources be made available.
Sincerely,
) &( Pa 6&AO 8108200200 810813 )
REPOhD E PDR~i Nunzio J.
dino Chairman m
cc: Honorable James B. Edwards