ML20137J137
| ML20137J137 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/28/1997 |
| From: | Diaz N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Dicus G, Shirley Ann Jackson, Mcgaffigan E, Rogers K, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20137J058 | List: |
| References | |
| 2.206, COMSECY-96-063, COMSECY-96-63, DSI-14, SECY-96-063-C, SECY-96-63-C, NUDOCS 9704030228 | |
| Download: ML20137J137 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ;
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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 fW St2--
January 28,1997 COMMISSIONER MEMORANDUM TO:
Chairman Jackson Commissioner Rogers Commissioner Dicus Commissioner McGaffigan
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Commissioner Diaz L
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SUBJECT:
COMSECY-96-063 - PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES (DSI 14)
I support the Commission's Preliminary Views on Public Communications Initiatives (DSI 14), with certain additions. I support the comments that Commissioner Dicus offered regarding option 3 and the 2.206 process in her memorandum dated January 10,1997. I believe that the Commission's final views should state that general public outreach (option 3)is also important and
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will be pursued as resources allow, with particular attention to assuring the clarity l
for the general public of the Commission's communications regarding NRC i
programs and activities. I strongly believe that we should promote public understanding of the responsibilities of the agency and how they are discharged.
I agree with Commissioner Rogers that the implementation of the preliminary view (early identification of public concerns and methods for public interaction while meximizing effectiveness and economy) has sufficient flexibility to allow for development of such communications to be factored into the implementation of the Commission's strategic direction.
In a memorandum dated January 16,1997, Chairman Jackson suggested that the Commission add a statement to its Final Views that would identify " Build [ing]
t Public Trust and Confidence" as the Commission's objective for public communication. Public trust and confidence are critical to the entrustment to the Commission of its fundamental responsibilities, and they support regulatory j
stability and efficiency. However, it is my vie.n that the Commission's objectives
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should be clearly directed to the performance of our responsibilities in a manner that will earn public trust and confidence.
97o4o3o228 97o4o1 PDR NRCSA I 14 PDR
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.. As a matter of law to some extent, and certainly as a matter of policy, we have several objectives for public communications, the principal ones of which are closely tied and are well-characterized as informing and involving the public (in its broadest sense). We strive to inform the public through clear and candid dissemination of information, both at our initiative and in response to anticipated or expressed public concerns. By effectively " informing" licensees and other interested segments of the public about NRC activities, we provide the critical ingredients for public response and interaction that contribute to informed decision-making. Thus, I believe that informing and involving the public are more appropriate over-arching goals. Performing them well should engender public trust and credibility as a by-product.
Measuring whether we perform well in informing and involving the public also strikes me as more appropriate than measuring whether we have achieved certain levels of public trust and confidence, either generally or with particular segments of the public, if public trust and confidence constitute the Commission's objective for public communications, it may appear that we view public relations as more important than the fundamentai components of our mission or the enabling components of public communications that support that i
mission.
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