ML20122A127
| ML20122A127 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/07/2020 |
| From: | Michael Layton NRC/NMSS/DMSST |
| To: | |
| Rakovan L | |
| References | |
| STC-20-038 | |
| Download: ML20122A127 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 May 7, 2020 ALL FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBES INFORMATION ABOUT THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS ACTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (STC-20-038)
Purpose:
To inform Indian Tribes about the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) commitment to our mission and our Principles of Good RegulationIndependence, Openness, Efficiency, Clarity and Reliability during the COVID-19 public health emergency. No action on your part is required.
Discussion: In this unprecedented time for our country, you can remain confident that the NRC has assured, and will continue to assure, that the facilities we license will continue to operate safely.
Due to changes in the way we live and work, such as travel restrictions and social distancing, the NRC recognizes that some changes to our rules and procedures may be appropriate for certain licensees to ensure that the use of nuclear materials remains safe and secure and that the spread of the virus is minimized. The NRC is taking the steps necessary to maintain the safety and security of nuclear facilities, while supporting national, state, and local efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.
Many organizations within the NRC are reviewing regulations to determine those activities that may be safely deferred in order to minimize the spread of the disease. To make the communication between the NRC and the licensees more efficient and effective, we have sent letters to our power plant and radioactive materials licensees to inform them about their continued responsibilities during the public health emergency and, if appropriate, how they may seek temporary relief from requirements that they cannot meet while still maintaining their focus on public health and safety. Specific information on how we're adapting our regulatory approach during the public health emergency can be found here for nuclear power plant licensees and nuclear materials licensees.
Some of our actions include:
- Identification of regulations that could pose challenges during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and the issuance of temporary flexibilities, such as regulatory exemptions, to maintain the safe and secure operation of NRC-licensed facilities during the pandemic. The NRC is using a transparent process to communicate these decisions through teleconferences that are open to the public.
- Issuing general enforcement guidance on how the agency will examine COVID-19-related potential violations of NRC regulations. The NRC has also issued specific enforcement guidance on COVID-19-related potential security training and qualification violations.
STC-20-038 2
- Despite NRC staff working remotely, the NRC continues to hold public meetings via teleconferences and virtual collaboration tools and is committed to openness, transparency, and public engagement as part of our decision making process.
- Evaluating the need for extending public comment schedules, on a case-by-case basis, depending on the unique circumstances of each activity, specific impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and the activity's significance to the NRC's mission.
The NRC will continue to take actions to adapt to these evolving circumstances. Updates to our activities will be posted at: https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/covid-19/. Most importantly, as stated previously, you can be assured that our activities during this public health emergency are intended to provide for the safe and secure use of nuclear materials while minimizing the spread of the disease.
If you have specific questions concerning this letter or the NRCs activities during the public health emergency, please contact me at (301) 415-3340 or the individual named below.
POINT OF CONTACT: David Alley E-MAIL: David.Alley@nrc.gov TELEPHONE: (301) 415-2178 Michael C. Digitally signed by Michael C.
Layton Layton Date: 2020.05.07 10:36:35
-04'00' Michael C. Layton, Director Division of Materials Safety, Security, State and Tribal Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
ML20122A127 OFFICE NMSS/MSST/MSTB NMSS/MSST/MSTB NMSS/MSST/SLPB NAME LRakovan DAlley LCuadrado DATE 5/1/20 4/30/20 5/5/20 OFFICE NSIR/DRO NRR/DORL NMSS/MSST NAME BThomas for RFelts CErlanger MLayton DATE 5/6/20 5/6/20 5/7/20