ML20151V761
| ML20151V761 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/30/1998 |
| From: | Diaz N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Hoyle J NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20151V707 | List: |
| References | |
| SECY-98-089-C, SECY-98-89-C, NUDOCS 9809150070 | |
| Download: ML20151V761 (2) | |
Text
... -. _ -. _. _.
NOTATION VOTE RESPONSE SHEET TO:
John C. Hoyle, Secrdtary l
l FROM:
COMMISSIONER DIAZ l
SUBJECT:
SECY-98-089 - PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE (DSI-14) i part in part Approved Xj isapproved x 0
Abstain Not Participating Request Discussion COMMENTS:
See attached comments c
SidNATUR'E Q Release Vote / x /
6.h Rb DATE l
Withhold Vote /
/
Entered on "AS" Yes x No
= = 1,8 m o CORRESPONDENCE PDR 9707 6 0070
P Comments of Commissioner Diaz on SECY-98-089:
The staff has put a lot of work into this effort and there are some good ideas from which to drtw.
The general theme of the paper has merit:
Improve public communications and interaction to the extent possible within existing resources by maximizing the effectiveness of existing programs.
In addition, placing the responsibility for implementing the methodology with the program offices and the regions as enumerated below has merit:
reinforce the perspective that effective public communication and interaction is part of e
regulatory effectiveness and excellence reinforce the line organization's responsibilities in public communication e
provide a focal point for methodology and policy development e
provide a focal point for measuring effectiveness of initiatives e
I agree with the Executive Committee's recommendations concerning the foundation path initiatives of enhanced training on public communications and techniques, writing executive summaries in plain English and conducting public meetings.
However, I fail to see a commitment that the agency will move to improve communications with the public. The March 14,1997 and the May 7,1997 requests from the Commission have been taken to a level of detail of enormous proportions, in other words, I do not see a commitment to change both the " culture" and the " attitude" that has permeated throughout the agency over many years. I believe mt the Commission should focus on what it is we have to achieve, and that is improving this agency's communication with the public that we serve. What it, needed is a simple, permanent, easy to implement statement of Commission policy, with consideration of feedback from the public and the Congress. This policy should address the " cultural" and
" attitudinal" changes which need to be accomplished to better communicate with the public. In other words, the agency needs to take steps to improve its performance in providing correct and clear information in its public statements, without either overstating or minimizing the safety significance of events, particularly in cases of incidents that could generate anxiety or fear, and in ensuring full coordination of the texts of its public statements with the appropriate NRC technical, legal, and public communications professionals. As I stated in COMNJD-97-001, we "do our job best when we accurately explain in plain language the safety significance of the information. Our public messages should clearly communicate the issue and the action to be taken."
The Commission voted for change. I am willing to expend resources for change, not for the status quo. This is a very important issue. Thus I request that the Commission direct the staff to develop general principles for effective communications with the public which are simple and include a series of milestones which can be easily implemented.
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