ML20149H763
| ML20149H763 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/15/1997 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Baucus M, Chafee J SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20149H764 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9707250171 | |
| Download: ML20149H763 (2) | |
Text
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,,,,, . July 15, 1997 CHANN AN The Honorable John H. Chafee, Chairman
. Comittee on Environment and Public Works
, United States Senate Washington. DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
I am pleased to respond to your letter of July 14, 1997, requesting our views on a provision in the Comittee report to the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for fiscal year 1998. The provision concerns the development of a small DOE NRC pilot program to evaluate the costs and benefits of independent oversight of certain DOE nuclear
- activities or facilities.
Secretary Pena and I have discussed the potential benefits of independent oversight of certain DOE facilities and the possibility that the NRC might provide that oversight. Based i I
on these discussions, we are in agreement that a pilot program approach offers the best opportunity to evaluate the costs and benefits of possible NRC regulatory oversight. This approach is consistent with the Commission's previously stated position that it is willing to provide external regulation of certain DOE facilities, and wiFing to implement alternative approaches in its regulation of DOE facilities, provioed that the necessary statutory authority, sufficient' resources outside of the current fee base, and an appropriate transition period are included. This approach also obviates the need for the l NRC to divert resources from its fundamental mission of ensuring the safe use of civilian nuclear material and facilities.
Given these considerations, the NRC has estimated that it will need approximately $1 million in FY 1998 to carry out NRC activities associated with the pilot program. The report i language is compatible with the NRC's ability to carry out its mission of ensuring the safe civil'ian use of nuclear materials and facilities, as long as the funding level proposed is provided to the NRC. The funding for this effort is in addition to the resources the NRC has separately requested to carry out its existing health and safety mission.
I trust this response will assist the Committee in its deliberations. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely.
I[
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\,,, July 15, 1997 The Honorable Max Baucus Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate
-Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Baucus:
I am pleased to respond to your letter of July 14, 1997, requesting our views on a provision in the Committee report to the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for fiscal year 1998. The provision concerns the development of a small DOE-NRC pilot program to evaluate the costs and benefits of independent oversight of certain 00E nuclear activities or facilities.
Secretary Pena and I have discussed the potential benefits of independent oversight of certain DOE facilities and the possibility that the NRC might provide that oversight. Based on these discussions, we are in agreement that a pilot program approach offers the best !
opportunity to evaluate the costs and benefits of possible NRC regulatory oversight. This approach is consistent with the Commission's previously stated position that it is willing to provide external regulation of certain 00E facilities, and willing to implement l alternative approaches in its regulation of DOE facilitie:,, provided that the necessary statutory authority, sufficient resources outside of the current fee base, and an appropriate transition period are ncluded. This approach also obviates the need for the NRC to divert resources from its fundamental mission of ensuring the safe use of civilian nuclear material and facilities.
Given these considerations, the NRC has estimated that it will need approximately $1 million l in FY 1998 to carry out NRC activities associated with the pilot program. The report '
language is compatible with the NRC's ability to carry out its mission of ensuring the safe civilian use of nuclear materials and facilities, as long as the funding level proposed is provided to the NRC. The funding for this effort is in addition to the resources the NRC has separately requested to carry out its existing health and safety mission.
I trust this response will assist the Committee in its deliberations. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson
,