ML20128R212
| ML20128R212 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/21/1985 |
| From: | Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Markey E HOUSE OF REP., ENERGY & COMMERCE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20128R188 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8507150193 | |
| Download: ML20128R212 (2) | |
Text
4 O "C W cd g O" & UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION W ASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
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OFFICE OF THE June 21, 1985 ;
CHAIRMAN I
The Honorable Edward J. Markey, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Power Committee on Energy and Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr.~ Chairman:
In accordance with the statutory obligation to respond to recommendations by the General Accounting Office (GAO) within 60 days of publication, we hereby submit our responses to the recommendations made by the GA0 in their report, "Better Inspection Management Would Improve Oversight of Operating Nuclear Plants."
The recommendations contained in the GA0 report are largely based upon a 1983 confidential survey questionnaire which was responded to by nearly 400 regional inspection personnel and utility representatives. The Commission is pleased to note that, on the basis of the questionnaire response, GA0 found that the inspection program has improved since the Three Mile Island accident. The report further indicates that 80% of NRC respondents and 60% of the utility representatives believe that the NRC inspection program has been effective in ensuring that nuclear power plants are safely operated. (Utilities that rated the inspection program as ineffective in ensuring safe operation took the position that plant safety is a utility's responsibility.) Nevertheless, the GA0 report does contain useful recommendations for further improvements in the effective utilization of the limited agency resources which are available for inspection activities.
In responding to the GA0 recommendations, the-Commission notes that many improvements in the inspection program which address GA0 findings have already begun. A description of many of these initiatives was provided to GA0 in staff comments on the draft report. In the final report GA0 has recognized NRC's improvement initiatives and indicated that these initiatives "will satisfy the intent of GA0's related recommendations if completed." Completion of these inspection program improvements will be given a high priority by NRC. These initiatives should result in more effective and efficient management of NRC inspection activities.
8507150193 850621 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPDNDENCE PDR
The Honorable Edward J. Markey Of the eleven specific recommendations made by GAO, the staff agrees with the substance of nine of the recommendations. As described in the enclosed Responses to GA0 Recommendations, the staff does not completely accept the GA0 recommendations that the.NRC compile a list of all INP0 reports and that the Performance Appraisal Team (PAT) inspection frequency be keyed to whether or not NRC receives INP0 evaluation reports.
Sincerely, ktwf?Q (i $h thm' Nunzio J. Palladino
Enclosure:
Responses to GA0 Recommendations cc: Rep. Carlos Moorhead
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