ML20154A298
| ML20154A298 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/03/1997 |
| From: | Diaz N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Dicus G, Shirley Ann Jackson, Mcgaffigan E, Rogers K, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| COMNJD-97-003, COMNJD-97-3, NUDOCS 9810020260 | |
| Download: ML20154A298 (2) | |
Text
.b Y Y
b Ma uq UNITED STATES Ao E
NUCLEAR RECULATORY COMMISSION COMNJD-97-003
{
y WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 e
.....c..................
g\\g
- RELEASED TOTHE PDR June 3,1997 S
h e
Commissioner CM9 frdth MEMORANDUM TO:
Chairman Jak.=ca s
Commissioner Rogers Commissioner Dieus n
Commissioner McGaffiga Commissioner Diaz #f FROM:
REEVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF THE ADVISORY
SUBJECT:
COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS (ACRS) in an SRM dated August 21,1996, the Commission directed the ACRS to estabHsh a set of performance criteria for Commission consideration, and to periodically reevaluate itself against these criteria to detemine their centribution to NRC's mission. This reevaluation is timely because, as the review of the evolutionary plants and the advanced plants comes to a close, the worklos.1 of the ACRS will be changed and is increasingly determined by the number of matters referred to it by the Commission for review. At the same time the ACRS is reevaluating its role, we are considering new members to fill vacant committee positions. Consideration of these nominations is obviously influenced by the needs of the committee to be able to focus on those issues of importance to the Commission. A recent memorandum from the ACRS providing a list of subcommittee assignments (memorandum from S. Duraiswamy dated March 27,1997) has resnforced the importance of a full reevaluation of the structure and functions of the ACRS. This memorandum lists 34 subcommittees for a committee with only 12 members.,
A review of the list of subcommittees identifies a number of subcommittees that have very similar roles. For example, there are four subcommittees that deal with various issues of new reactor designs, i.e., Advance Reactor Designs, Evolutionary Plant Designs, improved Light Water Reactors and Westinghouse Standard Plant Designs. Similarly, multiple subcomn-deal with various plant systems, e.g., Auxiliary & Secondary Systems, Containment Systena, and Decay Hedt Removal Systems, multiple subcommittees deal with plant operations issues, e.g., Maintenance Practices and Procedures, Nuclear Power Plant Activities, and Plant Operations, and two subcommittees deal with replatory policy and safety philosophy.
Additional overlap is apparent when looking at the list of subcommittees.
As you are aware, I believe the ACRS should play an important role in its position as the dominant independent safety advisory body to the Commission. This can only be accomplishe if its functions and working infrastructure are fully in tune with the present needs tf the Commission. The independent technical oversight role of the ACRS should be a vital, accountable and effective component of the Commission's safety mandate. Therefore, I recommend the ACRS reevaluate its subcommittee stnacture as discussed below, as well as establish a more clearly discemable accountability for its operation.
The number ci primary subcommittees should be limited to no more than 11 (this is one less than the number of members). This will allow each member to chair one sub l
one member the full committee chair). The administrative functions should be v
j gJ 9810020260 970603 a.l tl
(
i M PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR C: 1 II
~l []c (
g
2 responsibility. (The Naval Reactors Subcommittee functions should be reconsidered and dealt with differently.) The subcommittees should focus on the areas of current need of the Commission. This will also provide a better focus on needed areas of experuse when selecting new members for the committee. An additional benefit of limiting the number of subcommittees is that it will allow for increased leadership by the subcommittee chairs in their areas of expertise and, more importantly, should also enhance the ownership and responsibility for recommendations by each subcommittee chair. Finally, with fewer subcommittees, there can be more direct interaction between ACRS (through subcommittees chairs) and the Commission.
This interaction will provide for more accountability and ownership for recommendations to the Commission, and will allow for direct guidance by the Commission on areas of interest.
I respectfully request Commission review and approval of the above recommendation and provide your comments by June 20,1997.
SECY: plesse track SECY OGC EDO NJD97217 i
l l
I 1
1 i
I
!