ML20209C372
| ML20209C372 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/15/1987 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Burdick Q SENATE, ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20209A941 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8704280663 | |
| Download: ML20209C372 (2) | |
Text
A s ca ta e ug'o , UNITED STATES g E'4 g,
} c NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 oi ,Y
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CHAIRMAN April 15, 1987 The Honorable Quentin N. Burdick, Chairman Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
In its report to the Senate Committee on the Budget, the Committee on Environment and Public Works made several observations regarding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) FY 1988 appropriation. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you and your Committee on actions we have underway concerning these observations.
We have recently reorganized and realigned the NRC staff functions as we outlined in our testimony before your Committee. A key element in this action is the restructuring of the functions of the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES). We have broadened the functions of RES by adding responsibility for technical resolution of the remaining unresolved reactor safety issues and generic issues and by consolidating, in RES, responsibility for agency-wide rulemaking and standards development activities. Key technical staff members from the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation have been transferred to RES, which will enhance the utilization of research results into the regulatory process. This reorganization was effective on April 12, 1987.
At our request the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) undertook a study of the future role of nuclear safety research in the NRC.
Their report, Revitalizinc Nuclear Safety Research, has been issued and copies proviHec to your CoEETttee. Re believe this report contains many valuable suggestions for improving the scope of the research program and the underlyino philosophy behind project initiation and execution. We plar. to carefully consider the recommendations of the NAS. We expect a revised research program plan to be available this fall. That document will be provided to your Committee as early as practicable after Commission review and approval.
8704280663 B70422 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR
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k I appreciate the opportunity to have presented the Commission's views on safety programs to your Committee. I assure you of our strong and continuing commitment to maintaining the health and safety of the public and to the effective management of a sharply focused program of regulatory research.
Sincerely, A w.
Lando W. Ze . Jr.
cc: The Honorable Robert T. Stafford 1
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