ML20128G065
| ML20128G065 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/31/1979 |
| From: | Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| To: | Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20128G024 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-84-352 NUDOCS 8505300066 | |
| Download: ML20128G065 (2) | |
Text
. [+%,jo, UNITED STATES
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July 31, 1979 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY MEMORANDUM FOR:
Lee V. Gossick, Executive Director for Operations FROM:
Samuel J.
Chilk, Secretary
SUBJECT:
SECY-79-387 - RESPONSE TO GAO RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING NRC HIGHER CIVIL PENALTY AUTHORITY (COMMISSIONER ACTION ITEM)
This is to advise you that the Commission (with three Commissioners concurring, Commissioners Gilinsky and Bradford non-concurred) approves the proposed response to the GAO recommendations subject to the attached modifications.
Commissioners Gilinsky and Bradford would have preferred to reply to the effect that we have a new I&E Director who is reviewing enforcement policy among other areas and that this subject is currently being reassessed by the NRC and would modify the response to reflect this position.
The staff is requested to prepare the letter with its enclosure for the Chairman's signature.
(SECY Suspense:
August 15, 1979)
Attachment:
Modified Page 2 cc:
Chairman Hendrie Co-issioner Gilinsky Commissioner Kennedy Comissioner Bradford Co=issioner Ahearne General Counsel Acting Director, OPE Direc cr, OCA Director, OPA Director, I&E CONTACT:
SJS Parry (SECY) 41410 8505300066 841023 PDR FOIA SAMPB4-352 PDR y
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Recommendation - Establish procedures to ensure that NRC.promptly..
clarifies regulatory requirements which are being misinterpreted by licensees.
o NRC Acti~ n - NRC' agrees'that' timely clarification of.misirxterp' ehd r
regulatory requirements, is necessary and that procedures -to assure -
such timely clarifications are appropriate.
All affected DfficeW; Directors will'be directed to establish appropriate procedures.. ~ ~ -
4.
Reconnendation - Notify appropriate state utility conmissions when NRC imposes civil penalties on utilities operating nuclear power plants.
A NRC Action - Currently NRC has a contact in(M all cases of each state, a State Liaison Officer designated by the Governor.
elevated enforcement action or other NRC actions of importance to the state, NRC routinely notifies the Liaison Officer.
Even prior to the GAO recomendation, the staff had begun examirning the usefulness of notifying regulatory commissions directly.
This examination will be completed by July 1979 after which.
appropriate recommendations will be forwarded to tne Comission and a decision reached on the matter.
5.
Recomendation - Assign a higher prioritf to processing procosed civil penalties, including eliminating the present 5-day ad vance notice to Commissioners.
NRC Action - Civil penalties are given a high priority witt-in the Comission.
The staff has renewed its emphasis en seeking aays cf s reamlining the processing of civil penalties.
Both the regions' timeliness in initially proposing actions and the Head-
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cuarters review and coordination of cases, 5": icin7 examined for methods of improving timeliness.
"c :ntici;;t; :.;' thc. cf the m + 5 9 - hy June ic70 *M W
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m2 It should be noted that the advance notice to the Conmissiom is now 3-days.
Elevated enforcement cases have, en occasion, caused interest by the media or the affected parties.
This prior notification is for the purpose of informing the CL...ission ers cf elevated actions in the event these actions cause concern or cc.Trt.en t.
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