ML20059L726

Discusses Author Testimony on 931028 at Hearing Before Committee on Energy & Natural Resources of Us Senate Re Us Efforts to Improve Safety of soviet-designed Nuclear Reactors

ML20059L726
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/05/1993
From:	Selin I, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Birkhofer A, Blix H, Brinkhorst L, Harbison S, Hoegberg L, Krenzler H, Lacoste A, Joseph Mcmanus, Naschi G, Rouvillois P, Toepfer K, Togo Y, Tsutsumi T, Uematsu K, Vuorinen A AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CANADA, FINLAND, GOVT. OF, FRANCE, GERMANY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF, ITALY, GOVT. OF, JAPAN, SWEDEN, GOVT. OF
References
NUDOCS 9311170317
Download: ML20059L726 (24)

Text

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CHAIRMAN l

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Mr. Andrd-Claude Lacoste, Director

.l Directorate for the Safety of Nuclear Installations' i

99, rue de Grenelle 75353 Paris CEDEX 07 France

Dear Mr. Lacoste:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at_ a hearing before the Committee on Energy l

and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy i

of my statement before the Committee for your infomation.

l l

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during.my recent trip to-i Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison.to what I saw during my previous-visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the j

material condition of many of-the plants, in the. sensitivity of the leaders of i

these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore.and Prime Minister.

i Chernomyrdin. The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. 0' Leary l

in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the ' context 1

of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power pl ants.

l I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this l

important international safety issue.

Sincerely, W

(

Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin l

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Mr. Philippe Rouvillois Administrator General i

Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique 31-33 rue de la Federation 75752 Paris Cedex France

Dear Mr. Rouvillois:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy.

and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's' efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on l

Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister l

Chernomyrdin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the i

U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary J

~

in Moscov, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the-countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces,-market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on' this important international safety issue.

Sincerely,

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Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin i

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Dr. Kunihiko Uematsu 4

Director General j

OECD, Nuclear Energy Agency j

Le Seine St. Germain

-i 12 boulevard des Iles 92130 Issy les Moulineaux j

France 1

Dear Dr. Uematsu:

i On October 28, 1993 I testified at a hearing before the Committee on: Energy-

l and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this' country's efferts..to 1

improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

l l

t My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent-trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous-j visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the i

material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of i

these countries to the safety concerns of the West,.and in the development of.

independent regulatory bodies.

l I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint-Commission on-l Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister i

Chernomyrdin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the i

U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F'.'0' Leary

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in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in'the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the. context i

of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces,- market f

pricing of energy, and viable alternatives-to the least safe nuclear power plants.

j

-f I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this i

important international safety issue.

l Sincerely, j

JM Ivan Selin

.l

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin

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f November 5, 1993 CHAIRMAN Dr. Hans Blix International Atomic Energy Agency Wegramerstrasse 5 P.O. Box 100 A-1400 Vienna Austria

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Dear Dr. 4 ix:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Co: mission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint C:mmission in the U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this important international safety issue.

Sincerely, i

A-Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin

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Mr. A. Vuorinen Director Center for Radiation and l

Nuclear Safety (STUK)

Box 268 SF-00101. Helsinki Finland 4

Dear Mr. Vuorinen:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy.

l and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to j

improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a' copy i

of my statement before the Committee for your information.

l My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to I

Central and Eastern Europe. 'In comparison to what I saw during my previous j

visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of-i these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of i

independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister j

Chernomyrdin. The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the i

U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives' to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this important international safety issue.

Sincerely, je Ivan Selin l

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin l

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Novemoer 5. 1993 CHAIRMAN

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i Mr. H. Krenzler i

Director General i

Commission of the European Communities i

DGI (External Affairs)

~l Rue de la Loi 200 i

B-1049 Brussels, Belgium l

i

Dear Mr. Krenzler:

[

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee. on Energy i

and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your'information.

i My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw'during my previous-i visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I_can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister i

l Chernomyrdin. The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the i

U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the l

countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the.~ context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market l

pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear pr,wer l

plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperatior, on this important international safety issue.

Sincerely, af Ivan Selin j

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Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin j

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'lovember 5. 1993 CHAIRMAN 3

Mr. Laurens Jan Brinkhorst Director General Commission of the European Communities Directorate General - Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels, Belgium

Dear Mr. Brinkhorst:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the cevelopment of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint C:mmission in the U.S., ano of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow. lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces. market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this important international safety issue.

Sincerely, Y

Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin

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UNITED STATES

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CHAIRMAN b

Mr. Lars Hoegberg Director General l

Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate (SKI)-

Box 27106 S102 52 Stockholm Sweden

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Dear Mr. Rcegb. erg

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On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

l My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my' previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the j

material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of -

these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in-the development of independent regulatory bodies.

l I am equally encouraged by the recent formation ~ of a Joint Commission on-Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyroin. The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the l

U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary 3

in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear, safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern' Europe will now be undertaken in -the context j

of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market i

pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least_ safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this j

important international safety issue.

1 Sincerely, i

i

/

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i Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin f

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f'pR RfCut}o UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f ';,,,

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November 5. 1993 CHAIRMAN Dr. Giovanni Naschi Director Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Health Protection, (DISP), ENEA Via Vitaliano Broncati, 48 00144 Rome, Italy

Dear Dr. Naschi:

On October 28, 1993. I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission ~ on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister.

Chernomyrdin. The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary.

in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this important international safety issue.

Sincerely, Y:

Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin

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Mr. J. McManus Secretary General Atemic Enegy Control Board of Canada l

P.O. Box 1046 Ottawa, Canada KIP 559

Dear Mr. McManus:

l On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hea3 ing before the: Committee on Energy l

anc Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's-efforts to imorove the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

i My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to l

Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous l

visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in_ the sensitivity of the leaders of j

these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of l

l inoependent regulatory bodies.

1 I am eaually encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister' l

Chernomyrdin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the U.S.. and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary i

in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the -

countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context t

of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least. safe nuclear power pl ants.

I I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this imoortant international safety issue.

l Sincerely, h

L' *

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Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

l Statement of Ivan Selin u

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CHAIRMAN

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Mr. T. Tsutsumi j

Director General Agency of Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE)

Ministry of International Trade and i

Industry (MITI) j 1-3-1 Kasumigaseki. Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100, Japan

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Dear Mr. Tsutsumi:

- i j

On October 28, 1993,. I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Naturil Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to j

l improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent' trip to l

j Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to tha same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the l

material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in.the development of j

independent regulatory bodies.

l t

~

I am equally encouraged by-the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister

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Chernonyrdin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in-the j

U.S., and of a follow-up rneeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary i

in Mosccw, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces,- market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe _ nuclear power-i plants.

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I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this-l important international safety issue.

i Sincerely, j

sg Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Seliri

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Mr. Y. Togo i

Chairman Nuclear Safety Commission 2-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100, Japan

Dear Mr. Togo:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of l

independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin. The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this important international safety issue.

Sincerely,

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Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin 1

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CHAIRMAN Dr. Sam Harbison j

HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII)

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Health and Safety Executive Baynards House (Room 209) 1 Chepstow Place London W2 4TF, England l

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Dear DMalttison:

1 On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing'before the Committee on'EnergyL i

and Natural Resourecs of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors._ I am enclosing a copy t

of my statement before the Committee for your information.

l My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to j

Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the j

material condition of many of the plants,.in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of i

independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice Presidant Gore and Prime Minister i

Chernomyrdin. The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the--

i U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements'in'the~

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countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context

'i of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces market f

pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power l

plants.

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I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation.on this important international safety issue.

j Sincerely,

-l t

n Ivan Selin I

l Enclosure.

Statement of Ivan Selin l

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!Jovemoer 5, 1993 CHAIRMAN i

Minister Klaus Toepfer Federal Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)

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Kennedyalee 5 5300 Bonn 2 Federal Republic of Germany F

Dear Dr. Toepfer:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a ' copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the U.S., and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow, lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of 1 overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market 2

pi;ing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on' this important international safety issue.

Sir.cerely, f.

-.A.,. y/v.,

Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin

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UNITED STATES

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i Dr. Adolph Birkhofer Gesellscnaft Fur Reaktorsicherheit(GRS)MBH D-8046 Garching Federal Republic of Germany Dear 0

$ )ofer:

On October 28, 1993, I testified at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the U.S. Senate regarding this country's efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.

I am enclosing a copy of my statement before the Committee for your information.

My remarks were based on the impressions I formed during my recent trip to Central and Eastern Europe.

In comparison to what I saw during my previous visits to the same areas in 1991 and 1992, I can report progress on the material condition of many of the plants, in the sensitivity of the leaders of these countries to the safety concerns of the West, and in the development of independent regulatory bodies.

I am equally encouraged by the recent formation of a Joint Commission on Energy and Space co-chaired by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrcin.

The results of the first meeting of the Joint Commission in the U.S.. and of a follow-up meeting by U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel F. O' Leary in Moscow. lead me to believe that nuclear safety improvements in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will now be undertaken in the context of an overall energy strategy that will emphasize market forces. market pricing of energy, and viable alternatives to the least safe nuclear power plants.

I look forward to our continuing exchange of views and cooperation on this important international safety issue.

Sincerely,

/

wnn Ivan Selin

Enclosure:

Statement of Ivan Selin

i b

b STATEMENT OF IVAN SELIN I

CHAIRMAN UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES UNITED STATES SENATE CONCERNING U.S. EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF SOVIET-DESIGNED NUCLEAR REACTORS-OCTOBER 28, 1993

'4

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i Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I am pleased to be given the opportunity to address the important issue of improving the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet j

Union (FSU), particularly the Nuclear Regulatory Comission's role in this i

effort.

j I have just returned from a trip to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), during which I served as a member of the United States delegation at the General i

Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

All eyes and ears seemed tuned to what had transpired only three weeks earlier in Washington when Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin met with Vice President Gore to discuss, among other things, improving nuclear reactor safety in Russia.

This was my third trip to this area, having visited a number of the same countries and sites both in 1991 and 1992, and I can report progress: on the ground, in the material condition of many of the plants that were so seriously flawed as late as just two years ago; in the sensitivity of the leaderships of these countries to the safety concerns of *.;e West; and, most importantly from my point of view, the growth (however sla) of strcag and independent regulatory bodies that will eventually be capable of exercising the same kind of authority over safe operations that the NRC does in the United States.

The NRC has developed into a unique nuclear regulatory body, one, I might add, after which a number of other similar bodies have patterned themselves'in other countries. We have the authority to take action to close down plants we i

find to be operating in an unsafe manner in order to protect the public health l

and safety. NRC regulations are used as models for many of the safety codes and guides of international bodies such as the IAEA. NRC experts are called on to participate in working groups to develm iternational consensus on new i

safety princ.ples. We operate an Independent, W irmatory research capability that enables as to develop our own perspoctive on problems fron severe accidents, to the quality of the nuts and bolt used in our reactors; from the relative risks involved in operating these plants, to the ultimate question of how long these plants should be allowed to operate. We do not need to depend on vendors or utility operators for these judgments.

J The countries uf Central and Eastern Europe, and particularly the former Soviet Unies, do not have this tradition of regulation.

In Russia, for example, the anclear regulatory body does not operate under a national nuclear law such as that which set up the NRC, but has derived its authority as a part 4

of the Ministry of Atomic Energy. One of the goals of the Gore /Chernomyrdin Commission (OCC) is to improve both the legal and political stature of the regulator in Russia, to give it a place at the table so to speak, so that it commands the respect of both the Ministry and the utilities operating the nuclear power plants.

The shutdown of unsafe plants in these countries will ultimately depend upon the strength and independence of their regulators.

)

With the level of effort we in the U.S. Government have exerted over the last two years, the short-tern phase of western assistance programs to the former Soviet Union and Cer. tral and Eastern Europe is beginning.to show signs.of real success.

Even one of our usual critics, Viktor Mikhailov (head of Russia's I

4 I

2 Ministry of Atomic Energy) recognizes this progress.

He told the European Parliament on September 22 that bilateral nuclear relations with the U.S.,

while more recent than those with the European comunity, had produced "better 1

results."

As we settle the liability question in Russia and Ukraine and in the Baltic States, near term improvements will buy time to improve overall energy efficiency and should make possible the closure of the least safe plants. The NRC's role in this assistance effort b unique, since it is manpower, rather than equipment, intensive.

NRC programs involve inspector training and institution building, rather than hardware backfits, and are thus quite economical to implement.

Government and regulatory leaders from many of these countries personally expressed their appreciation to me for this assistance, and I was able to witness some of the effects in my visits to various sites.

I Paradoxically, western success in securing near term improvements in safety, will require us to confront earlier the basic problem of closing down the least-safe reactors as soon as practicable.

The program of western nuclear i

safety assistance developed at the 1992 G-7 Munich Summit was not intended to l

extend the life of these reactors indefinitely.

However, it is admittedly difficult to draw a fine, bright line between near-term safety upgrades and i

improvements which could encourage an operator to think in terns of long-term life extension.

The task of identifying and financing replacement power for these facilities is a very difficult one, potentially involving many billions of dollars of capital which neither we nor the affected countries have readily available.

Relevant international financial institutions (the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and International Energy Agency (IEA)) have prepared useful studies of these long-term issues, but it will be difficult to engage the Russians (and other nations operating i

Soviet-era plants) to take the hard decisions needed to close the worst plants.

Measuring success in our assistance program will, therefore, be difficult, and, much as we would like to see the many unsafe reactors shut down i

immediately, it is not likely to happen any time soon. Accordingly, the U.S.

has tried to direct attention to business-like ways of finding replacement sources of electric power, without which the Russians will not begin shutting down even their oldest and riskiest plants, and this is a key element of the Administrattee's fellow up to the Gore /Chernomyrdin meetings. Russian energy price decoetys) will be crucial to encourage conservation and to facilitate commercial fteding and repayment of loans for safety enhancements and replacement peser.

One sign that will indicate progress will be when the regulatory bodies in the NIS and CEE have the authority and the will to shut down nuclear power plants for safety violations. A significant portion of the NRC effort to implement the Gore /Chernomyrdin Commission mandates will be to strengthen the Russian nuclear regulator -- Gosatonnadzor (GAN).

During the September meetings, the Vice President was able to elicit a commitment from the Prime Minister to a much strengthened. nuclear regulatory body, a goal towards which the NRC has been working since 1988. As one

3 possible outcome of our efforts, on October 16 President Yeltsin issued a i

decree significantly expanding the authority of GAN.

It has now been officially declared the lead nuclear safety oversight organization in Russia and its sphere of influence has been expanded to cover all nuclear facilities.

Its funding will derive from a separate line item in their Federal budget.

While we see this as forward progress, we have yet to learn the size of the separate budget for GAN, but we expect to press the Russian Government at the highest levels to assure full and adequate funding for all GAN's responsibilities, including salaries for its inspectors.

In addition, GAN will sit at the table with Minatom during all future Gore /Charnomyrdin negotiations on nuclear safety matters.

NRC is in a position to deal with Russian regulators thanks to a cooperative U.S./ Soviet technological effort that has been underway since 1988.

The recent meetings between Vice President Gore and Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin are a continuation of this relationship, and they have taken the relationship a giant step into the future.

To illustrate this, perhaps a brief review of recent summit activity on nuclear safety would be useful.

The Lisbon Initiative In May 1992, at the Lisbon Conference on Assistance to New Independent States, the U.S. announced several initiatives.

Prominent among these was a nuclear safety initiative to spend $25 million on:

Cooperative activities with Russia and Ukraine, building on prior work o

done by the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under a 1988 Memorandum of Understanding; l

Establishment of two regional training centers, one in Russia and the o

other in Ukraine; Immediate operational safety enhancements for VVER 1000s and YVER o

440/213s; Risk reduction measures for RBfKs and VVER 440/230s; and, o

Regulatory assistance in developing consistent and effective safety o

standards and procedures, as well as training in their use.

This initiative, along with a broader nuclear safety initiative launched at the G-7 Summit Meeting in Munich in July 1992, marked a significant new departure in efforts to improve safety in Central and Eastern Europe by involving the U.S. Government at the level of head of state.

The 1992 and 1993 G-7 Sumeits About a month after the Lisbon Conference, the Group of Seven (G-7) heads of state, meeting at Munich, recommended a Program of Action that had been prepared by a Nuclear Safety Working Group in May 1992.~.

The Working Group l

4 found a growing international consensus that the remaining 15 RBMKs in the former Soviet Union and the 10 VVER 440/230s in the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe should not be operated any longer than necessary, although short-term risk reduction measures would be justified, and that the better-designed plants (VVER 1000s and 440/213s) should be upgraded to achieve j

an acceptable level of safety.

In addition, reactors of the newer design j

under construction could be completed if economic conditions warranted, and funded through commercial loans.

(There are a total of 17 VVER 1000s in Russia and Ukraine, two each in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic; there are four of the smaller VVER 440/213s in the Czech Republic, two in Slovakia, and four in Hungary.)

While western countries had no authority or leverage to demand that the worst plants in Russia be shut down, the Summit reconnendation was intended to promote agreement in principle with the republics of the former Soviet Union to limit the remaining lifetime of the less safe plants.

In addition, the program was to create the basis for longer-term safety improvements by examining the scope for replacing less safe plants by the development of alternative energy sources and more efficient use of energy, and the potential for upgrading plants of more recent design.

Further, the Summit members promised to pursue the early completion of a nuclear safety convention.

I should emphasize one key principle of our joint assistance efforts, namely, that improving the regulatory structure in the countries of concern is an essential element in achieving nuclear safety.

But equally important, ln seeking upgrades for nuclear plants and improving operational safety, is the achievement of a fundamentally new attitude towards energy economics on the part of officials in Russia and its neighbors.

It will be necessary to assist them in developing the legislative, regulatory, and liaM iicy frameworks for an effective, independent regulatory infrastructure, anc lead them to a market based energy economy to generate revenues adequate to maintain their nuclear power plants.

The tore /Chernostyrdin Commission At the Vancouver summit between Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin in May of this year, the U.S. pledged $15 million to assist Russia in nuclear safety.

There will be an additional $15 million for Ukraine. Of perhaps even greater importance, hauever, the two Presidents asked the Vice President of the United States.and the Prime MiP hte of the Russian Federation to establish and chair a Joint Caumelssion on Energy and Space. The Comunission was founded to establish a dialogue between the two governments at the political level for expanding cooperation in energy, nuclear safety, and space technology as well as in several other areas, and to serve as a forum for jointly resolving practical problems in this expanding relationship.

U.S. objectives in providing nuclear reactor safety assistance are to help Russia:

reduce the near-term risk of operating the less safe Russian reactors; o

and

1 5

I reinforce the authority of an independent Russian regulatory regime; o

while.

1 rationalizing the Russian energy economy through market pricing, conservation, and use of alternative energy sources.

o In support of these objectives, the Gore /Chernomyrdin Commission had as its goal the communication of Western safety concerns and policy perspectives to the highest levels of the Russian government. Although we would like to see i

the VVER 440/230 and RBMK plants closed down, it appears for various reasons that the Russians and others are going to operate them for a while, and we cannot ignore this fact. Therefore, the U.S. has made significant investments in short-term risk reduction which we hope will have the additional benefit of I

improving national confidence such that we will have laid a solid basis for discussions concerning their decision to continue operation of their less safe reactors in the future.

I The two key messages the Vice President wished to give Prime Minister Chernomyrdin was to express U.S. and Western concern about the continued operation of the least-safe reactors, and to press for a strengthened nuclear regulatory authority. NRC helped with preparations for the meetings, which emphasized U.S. policies:

to encourage the Russians to introduce risk reduction measures in.their

)

least safe plants; j

to give greater autonomy and authority to the regulatory body f

Gosatonnadzor (GAN);

to improve operational training through the use of simulators; to develop emergency operating procedures; to complete arrangements for liability protection to enable U.S.

industry to provide safety assistance, and, to gradually replace their obsolete Chernobyl-type RBPK reactors with modern PM's equipped with containment and augmented safety systems on the model of most western reactors.

The NRC aise teek the lead in arranging a visit to the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant in Florida for Prime Minister Chernosyrdin.

I was privileged to host l

the visit, and we held frank and productive discussions with Prime Minister Chernomyrdin and his top advisers, both in Washington and Florida.

Prime J

Minister Chernomyrdin indicated that he was great'y impressed with his St.

Lucie visit and said he believed U.S. cooperation could provide a valuable i

contribution to advancing nuclear safety in Russia. The Vice President raised j

the importance of an independent nuclear regulator. The Russians agree that the ultimate responsibility for. nuclear safety resides with the operators'of the power plants, not with the regulators. Nevertheless an independent, legally constituted, well funded safety regulator can assure that the operators achieve the proper degree of vigilance and devote proper attention 1

6 to safety. The Vice President and Prime Minister suggested that this issue should also be followed up in further Comission activities.

Prime Minister Chernomyrdin comitted Russia to examine carefully ways to strengthen the independent regulatory body.

The U.S. will work with Russia to improve its regulatory structure, based on comonly agreed criteria for such a body.

NRC is the appropriate U.S. agency to take the lead in assisting Russia in regulatory enhancement. The insight gained by NRC through our Joint Coordinating Comittee on Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety (JCCCNRS) which has been in operation since 1988, as well as certain internationally agreed principles of regulation and reactor safety, provides a solid foundation for l

the conceptualization and development of a set of recommendations.

During the Gore /Chernomyrdin session the two sides agreed to form a subcomittee on nuclear safety.

Secretary O' Leary and I are co-chairs for the U.S.; the Atomic Energy Minister and the Nuclear Regulator are the Russian co-chairs.

The key elements of nuclear regulation should include (but not be limited to):

Development and acceptance of a legal basis for a strong and independent o

regulator; Provision of adequate resources, both material and personnel, toufund o

and staff an organization with the ability to monitor plant safety and operations; The authority to intervene in operations to insist on safety and, when o

and if necessary, to shut down a plant in the face of danger to the public; The adoption of internationally agreed safety principles; and, o

Public accountability through openness about reporting incidents and o

accidents at plants which have safety implications, and a public voice in reactor licensing.

In fact, many of MRC's assistance activities focus on these key points.

Prime Minister Chernosyrdin also expressed his willingness to sign agrscaents on both 1) Radiation Health Effects with the United States, and 2) Liability Protection for western companies doing business in Russia.

The Departments of State and Energy have the lead in the development of the Health Effects Agreement; the State Department in its negotiation, and the Department of Energy in its implementation. The NRC will participate and assist in the negotiations, and was represented on the negotiating team in Moscow in mid-September, where such an agreement was initialed.

Russia has neither acceded to existing international liability regimes nor enacted domestic legislation related to nuclear liability.

The U.S. began negotiating a bilateral agreement with Russia in early 1993 to provide adequate legal liability protection for U.S. companies providing nuclear

7 o

safety assistance to Russia.

The proposed agreement is intended to ensure that the Russian Federation is held legally responsible for the operation of its nuclear power plants, including responsibility for the consequences of any incidents that may occur, as is the case in most western countries.

Prior to the Commission meeting, although Russia had expressed its intent to conclude arrangements, indications were that it could take several years to -

complete this process. During the Consiission meetings in Washington, Prime Minister Chernomyrdin and Atomic Energy Minister Mikhailov indicated their determination to resolve the liability question as soon as possible.

In addition to a bilateral agreement with the U.S. to resolve the near-term 2

assistance problem, the Russians need to move forward with domestic legislation to deal with the liability issue in a more regular way.

Secretary O' Leary followed up the Washington discussions in meetings with the Russian leadership in Moscow late last month.

(My own follow up meetings were preempted by the battle for the Russian White House on October 4.) The U.S.

has effectively engaged the Russian political leadership in a fruitful dialogue on nuclear safety in the context of overall economic and energy development.

This is a major achievement, and one without which it might have been impossible to have a significant impact on Russian nuclear safety plans for the future. While the details of an expanded joint U.S. - Russian nuclear safety program are only now under negotiation, and are expected to be finalized during a visit by the Vice President to Moscow in December, I believe we have turned a corner into a new, more productive path in which l

l nuclear safety improvements will be taken in the context of an overall-energy strategy that will emphasize market forces, market pricing of energy,.and viable alternatives to Russia's least safe nuclear power plants.

i Evaluation of Status Today

[

While the U.S. is placing high national priority on assistance, particularly to Russia, improvements are slower than we hoped. There has been significant progress in short-ters risk reduction at the plant level.

Nevertheless, while they praise the U.S. programs, Russian officials continue to complain that assistance is not getting through to the plant and operator level. We will be discussing this matter with our Russian counterparts under the new structures for cooperation set up by the Gore /Chernosyrdin Commission. Too much of the western funds continue to be spent in donor countries.

Economic conditions-and decisions in many of the recipient countries today do not favor improved nuclear safety.

I In addition, because of their need for power, Russia and Ukraine have shown an i

interest is voeusing construction on several nuclear power plants.

Last week the Ukrainian parliament lifted a moratorium on nuclear plant construction, which will enable them to finish soms needed new capacity in VVER 1000's, but at the same time they decided to continue operation of Chernobyl. Most worrisome is the attitude displayed in Russia that there are no fundamental problems with the R8pt s and therefore that their lifetime can be extended safely to a full 40 years.

Of particular urgency is the continuing need for regulatory authorities to be strengthened in Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine is slowly developing a government infrastructure for dealing with nuclear safety and is facing energy needs that they believe require keeping the Chernobyl plant open. We at NRC are responding to what the regu ators in these countries have asked for, and we need to stay the course. We have also established project agreements with the '

I Czechs, Slovaks, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Lithuania, to help them improve

8 regulation.

But our task will require a long term effort and continued funding, both bilateral and multilateral, public and private.

With regard to Eastern European regulators, I am pleased to report that in a recent meeting in Vienna on Septemoer 30, all regulators from countries owning VVER 440 reactors agreed to collaborate and meet on a regular basis jointly to address problems in operating these Russian designed reactors.

The NRC and the German regulators have been asked to participate in these meetings as associate members of the group.

The NRC can work through this group when we are providing common assistance.

Most importantly, this group can share experience in operations, training, maintenance, and other areas of regulatory interest for VVER 440 reactors.

Not only does the U.S. need to maintain current levels of funding for short i

term programs, we also must encourage market pricing of energy to increase financing, or the conditions for financing, of long-term energy options.

Finally the U.S. needs to support multilateral funding efforts through international development institutions such as the World Bank and the EBRD.

Mr. Chairman, this completes my statement.

I will be pleased to answer any~

j questions that you and the Committee may have.

l l

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