ML20136H221
| ML20136H221 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/12/1985 |
| From: | Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Denton J SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20136H226 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8508200233 | |
| Download: ML20136H221 (4) | |
Text
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AUG 121985 The Honorable Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.
United States Senator Suite 510 101 Governor's Dr., S.E.
Huntsville, AL 35801
Dear Senator Denton:
Thank you for your letter of July 1,1985. Your letter requested a response to questions received by you from Mr. Fred E. Wells pertaining to enforcement actions taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission against Tennessee Valley Authority. Our reply to Mr. Wells' questions is as follows.
Mr. Wells expresses a concern over the issuance of civil penalties to the Tennessee Valley Authority and the potential that the ratepayer will have to pay these fines. One of the reasons that civil penalties are used in enforcement is to emphasize to licensee managers the importance NRC attaches to the violations for which enforcement sanctions are proposed. The NRC also believes that civil penalties are effective in achieving increased compliance with regulatory requirements. The NRC has no control over the manner in which a civil penalty is funded by the licensee. That is determined by state public utility commissioners.
Even though a civil penalty is passed through to the ratepayers or stockholders, the NPC believes that corporate officials will take steps to avoid such penalties and that they therefore have deterrent value. We do believe that enforcement is necessary to ensure the overall safe operation of nuclear facilities.
Mr. Wells asked why the NRC does not punish individuals for violations. He states that individuals are apt to be careless if they know that they will not be held accountable for their acts. The NRC can and does take actions against individuals in appropriate cases, normally those involving some deliberate violation of requiremer.ts. However, generally, the NRC holds the facility licensee responsible for ensuring compliance with NRC regulations and license conditions and for the acts of its employees. The NRC encourages the licensee to take an aggressive approach in ensuring the full performance of all employees to make sure the facility is operated in a safe manner.
Please let me know if we can provide any further assistance.
Sincerely, (Signed) T. A, Rehm by V
William J. Dircks 8508200233 850812 che Wector for Operadons PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR
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EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL j
FROM:
DUE: 08/09/85 EDO CONTROL: 000868 DOC DT: 07/01/85 SEN. JEREMIAH DENTON FINAL REFLY:
TO:
OCA FOR SIGNATURE OF:
GREEN SECY NO: 85-625 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESC:
ROUTING:
ENCLOSES INQUIRY FROM FRED E. WELLS REGARDING DENTON NRC POLICY RELATING TO FINES GCUNNINGHAM GRACE DATE: 07/26/85 ASSIGNED TO: IE CONTACT: TAYLOR SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
RETURN INCOMING WITH REPLY TO HUNTSVILLE, AL OFFICE.
1
CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET San Jeremiah D:nton 4fs' SECY NUMBER: 85-fr(
LOGGING' DATE 7/25/85 0FFICE OF THE SECRETARY ACTION OFFICE:
JDOPU AUTHOR:
Sen Jeremiah Denton AFFILIATION:
U.S. Senate LETTER DATE:
7/1/85 FILE CODE ADDRESSEE:
SUBJECT:
NRC policy as it relate to fines ACTION:
Direct Reply.... Suspense: Aug 5 DISTRIBUTION:
OCA to Ack SPECIAL HANDLING:
None BAC SIGNATURE DATE:
FOR THE COP 9tISSION Rec'd Off. EDO Date.....l g ~..====
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EDO --- 000868
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