ML20083J382
| ML20083J382 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Catawba  |
| Issue date: | 11/01/1983 |
| From: | Udall M HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS |
| To: | Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20083J357 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8401100133 | |
| Download: ML20083J382 (2) | |
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The Honorable.Nunzio Palladino Chairman United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
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Dear Mr. Chairman:
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1 I am writing to express concern over the Commission's efforts to pursue allegations of saf ety-related deficiencies at nuclear construction sites.
Events of recent weeks are evidence that the NRC has not yet learned to cope with ' the 1
potential for actual existence of major flaws at nearly i
completed plants.
i Recent allegations of a QA breakdown at the Catawba site have been one such in s tan ce.
Testimony before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has revealed that safety problems were I
repeatedly brought. to the attention of NRC staff who then proceded to disclose the substance and the source of the inf ormation to the licensee.
I understand the board has now taken the unprecedented step of soliciting testimony from current. employees under an express grant of confidentiality. 'Thus it appears that the licensing' board, as well as the. employees of the licensee, are unwilling to place confidence in the NRC staff.
This episo.de pinpoints the problem encountered by workers l
who report saf ety problems - to the NRC and who, in doing so, may fear disclosure of their identities and subsecuent retaliation.
I am aware of the report issued in September by the " Advisory Committee for Review of Investigation Policy en Rights of Licensee Employees under Investigation."
I understand this committee was formed, in part, to respond to the problems of "whistleblowers."
The committee's report, however, fails to address the selective use of grants of
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co'nfidentiality.
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. The Honorable Nunzio Palladino Novembe r 1, 1983 The use of confidentiality in selected instances is a powerful tool in investigations.
It is used. ef fectively by any number of federal agencies and now is apparently being used by the Catawba licensing board.
The history of liRC investigations demonst. rates the need for procedures to allow use of this important tool in a manner providing protection to licensee employees and the public.
Accordingly, I believe the NRC should adopt procedures which assure that employees will receive confidential status when the information provided by such employees will aid NRC in ve s tig a tion s.
Sincerely,
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MORRIS K.
UDALL Chairman 9
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