ML20137H899
| ML20137H899 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/19/1997 |
| From: | Hoyle J NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| To: | Callan L, Cyr K, Scroggins R NRC, NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO), NRC OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20137H889 | List: |
| References | |
| COMSECY-96-054, COMSECY-96-54, DS1-4, NUDOCS 9704030146 | |
| Download: ML20137H899 (3) | |
Text
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,4 TO THE POR g
UNITED STATES y
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION.
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WASHINGTON,0.C. 20555-0001 4
date initials
= =............ >........ ',
March 19, 1997 i
- sss*
7 SECRETAM MEMORANDUM TO:
L. Joseph Callan
~
Executive Director for Operations Karen D.
Cyr General Counsel Nj Ronald Scroggins Act g Chief Financial Officer l
k FROM:
Jh C. Hoyle, Secretary
SUBJECT:
STAFF REQUIREMENTS - COMSECY-96-054 - NRC's RELATIONSHIP WITH AGREEMENT STATES (DSI 4)
The Commission continues to support its preliminary view to continue the current' Agreement States Program, including adopting current initiatives (Option 3), subject to the following additions and modifications.
With regard to the funding of Agreement State travel, training, and technical assistance, the Commission modifies the present policy to allow NRC funding of such costs in those instances where Agreement States demonstrate that state funds are not available or cannot be used for these purposes.
The staff should develop criteria, for the Commission's consideration,.for making this determination.
The criteria should be stringent enough to provide adequate assurance to the Commission that the state has thoroughly explored funding alterr.atives available to the state and a determination by a high ranking state official Ie.g.,
state agency head or chief financial officer) has been made that funds are not available In such cases, states should also explore partial funding of costs.
Such an approach must be designed to ensure t'.at such certifications are not " pro forma" and that use of NRC-licensee funds for these purposes are in the public The staff's proposals should provide for funding and interest.
should be provided to the Commission in a time frame that would allow implementation of the modified policy beginning in FY-98.
training should be made available on a " space Otherwise, available" basis with Agreement States funding their own travel and per diem costs.
(EDO/CFO)
(SECY Suspense:
7/11/97)
Staff should develop guidance for offering assistance to states on a case-by-case basis that would help the states' agencies 9704030146 970401 PDR NRCSA I PDR 4
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t 4 identify and clarify their training needs to their appropriate i
authorities, e.g., the State Cabinet Secretary or legislative body.
NRC should be prepared to offer such nelp (e.g.,
a letter) 2 if requested by the Agreement States.
l (EDO)
(SECY Suspense:
9/30/97)
The staff should also exar.ine cost-effective alternatives for l
providing training and technical' assistance to Agreement States.
1 The staff should provide the' Commission with a report on available alternatives and recommendations for assuring that NRC training and technical assistance are provided in a cost-i effective manner.
1 (EDO)
(SECY Suspense:
9/30/97) 4 Public comment on the use of seed money or other tangible l
benefits to encourage states to become Agreement States did not the concept.
The Commission finds that the use of such support incentives is inappropriate and inconsistent with the intended l
role of the NRC as it fulfills its mission under the Atomic Energy Act.
The Commission believes that the NRC should continue to respond to incoming requests from individual States that i
s express an interest in pursuing Agreement State status and work with each State to achieve this goal.
i For the longer term, the NRC should request Congress to enact legislation that would exclude Agreement State funding from NRC's user fee base and provide a separate appropriation to cover these I
costs.
It is the Commission's view that the Agreement States themselves should be more proactive on this matter.
Moreover, to the degree that funding for the Agreement States program remains
.in the user fee base, the Agreement States should be more l
forthcoming with methodologies for bearing a larger share of the costs.
(CFO/OGC/EDO)
(SECY Suspense:
9/30/97)
In the absence of specific comments cn the related icsue of whether to continue NRC's Independent Radiation Monitoring (IRMP), the Commission requests that the staff evaluate Program the cost effectiveness of the program and make recommendations on the pros and cons of continuing with the program.
(EDO)
(SECY Suspense:
7/11/97) cc: Chairman Jackson Commissioner Rogers Commissioner Dicus Commissioner McGaffigan Commissioner Diaz D.
Rathbun (OCA)
H. Bell (OIG)
A. Galante (CIO)
W. Beecher (OPA)