ML20056G583
| ML20056G583 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/04/1993 |
| From: | Cook G NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V) |
| To: | Faulkenberry B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20056G560 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9309030296 | |
| Download: ML20056G583 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION p
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REGION V S
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1450 MARIA LANE WALNUT CREEK. CALIFORNIA 94596-5368 l
June 4, 1993 i
MEMORANDUM FOR:
B. H. Faulkenberry Regional Administrator FROM:
G. N. Cook Senior Public Affairs Officer j
SUBJECT:
COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT REGION V REALIGNMENT STUDY Within the scope of the study, I believe the study group has done a good job of encompassing the issues to be considered in a realignment of Region V.
I do wish to comment in three areas:
public affairs presence under Option 1; projected FTE reductions, cost savings, and cost recovery times under all options; and underlying assumptions about the materials and Agreement States programs.
j Under Option I there would be no public affairs presence on the west coast, Proximity to a source and availability of that source are common considerations when local news reporters and editors decide whether to seek other input, comment, background or a local angle to a story. Without a west I
coast presence, NRC's perceived accessibility will decline, contact with local media will deteriorate, and we will have fewer chances to communicate with the public through the press.
Forced to cover half of the United States, the Region IV PA0 will not be able to maintain the degree of familiarity with local reporters that is typical today, and the trust necessary for clear and open communication will be impacted. Reduced familiarity with local reporters and licensee public affairs people undercuts crises communications, when we t
most need to be effective to assure clear communication with the public.
l Additionally, the time zone difference presents image problems with the press and the public in day-to-day contacts; inevitably, we would be perceived as having "gone home early" by closing shop when the west coast is in the middle of the workday afternoon.
f Regarding FTE reductions, the study notes on page 48 that under Option 1 the entire Region V staff would be offered transfers. The number of employees who r
would move is estimated at 58 to 71..
Yet the FTE savings for Option 1 appear l
to be based on positions in the realigned organization, not on actual employees retained.
The additional office space reQJired in Region IV also does not appear to account for the additional transferred staff These factors would appear to increase the payback time, as may be seen'in the phrase "If the Agency actually realizes this 39 FTE savings by October 1995,
" (Page 4).
Similar problems exists with the FTE savings, cost savings and payback time projections of the other options.
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9309030296 930612 *
.PDR COMMS-NRCC 91 CORRESPONDENCE PDR L l
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In the area of the materials and Agreement States programs, my personal experience in Region V over the last eight years leads me to believe that presence on the west coast is more than a nicety.
State personnel rely on our
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proximity, our availability, and our expertise.
Leaving the west coast will inevitably cause a sense of abandonment, which will be replaced by resentment when we ask the str.te to help us with a problem at our licensee's facility!
The further away we are, the less we will be perceived as understanding the state's concerns.
Time zones become very significant when discussing regulation in Hawaii and Alaska, in particular.
If we are willing to regulate 3
materials licensees in Hawaii on a five hour time difference and Alaska on a three hour difference, I fail to understand why we would not handle all materials licensees from Headquarters.
This is, in fact, the crux of the question.
Is the Agency willing to spend money and FTE to maintain regional presence, or have we reached a point at which, for cost considerations, we are willing to accept the attendant risks and inherent criticism certain to come with a withdrawal from the western half of the nation?
cc:
J. Fouchard i
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