ML20211K110
| ML20211K110 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/25/1999 |
| From: | Dicus G, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Ehlers V, Sensenbrenner HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20211K115 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9909070107 | |
| Download: ML20211K110 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES j
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20H64001 August 25, 1999 CHAMMAN The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
L Chairman, Committee on Science United States House of Representatives l
Washington, D.C. 20515-6301-
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Thank you for sending the Commission a copy of your science policy report, Unlocking Our Future: Toward a New National Science Policy. I have asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff to consider the recommendations of your committee and identify those recommendations that are particularly relevant to our mission.
The NRC recognizes the important role of scientific research in today's technology dependent j
society and suppods research efforts in the nuclear area. While NRC has a number of 1
technical research efforts underway, one subject area, highlighted in your report, that is q
receiving heightened attention at this time is risk assessment.
Risk assessment, more specifically probabilistic risk assessment, plays an integral role in the.
NRC's regulatory decisions. Risk analysis and insights are used in the agency's risk-informed.
decision making processes across a breadth of applications. We are assessing the technical
.requiivments associated with our regulations and will make changes that will enhance our regulatory focus on plant equipment and technical requirements tha' contribute most to nuclear t
reactor safety. To further the use of risk assessment in our regulatory decision making,' we
- continue to focus our research resources in those areas where important gaps in information still exist, where uncertainties exist about the significance to risk, and where the degree of conservatism may be excessive and should be made more realistic. We are maintaining tools and methods for decision making that reflect recent scientific information and consider remaining uncertainties.
Mindful of our respective roles, the NRC is seeking oppodunities to interact with and, when
_ appropriate, initiate cooperative programs with industry to minimize duplication of efforts. In addition, we are participating in intemational cooperative research programs and exchange research related information with various universities.
Thank you for the opportunity to review your report.
Sincerely, h
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G eta Joy Dieus
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August 25, 1999 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Vernon J. Ehlers Vice-Chairman, Committee on Science i
United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515-6301
Dear Congressman Ehlers:
Thank you for sending the Commission a copy of your science policy report, Unlocking Our Futuro: Toward a Now National Science Policy. I have asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission "
.) staff to consider the recommendations of your comrr.ittee and identify those recommenr m that are particularly relevant to our mission.
The NRC recognizes the important role of scientific research in today's technology dependent j
society and supports research efforts in the nuclear area. While NRC has a number of technical research efforts underway, one subject area, highlighted in your report, that is receiving heightened attention at this time is risk assessment.
Risk assessment, more specifically probabilistic risk assessment, plays an integral role in the NRC's regulatory decisions. Risk analysis and insights are used in the agency's risk-informed decision making processes across a breadth of applications. We are assessing the technical requirements associated with our regulations and will make changes that will enhance our regulatory focus on plant equipment and technical requirements that contribute most to nuclear j
reactor safety. To further the use of risk assessment in our regulatory decision making, we continue to focus our research resources in those areas where important gaps in information still exist, where uncertainties exist about the significance to risk, and where the degree of conservatism may be excessive and should be made more realistic. We are maintaining tools and methods for decision making that reflect recent scientific information and consider remaining uncertainties.
Mindful of our respective roles, the NRC is seeking opportunities to interact with and, when appropriate, initiate cooperative programs with industry to minimize duplication of efforts. In addition, we are participating in international cooperative research programs and exchange research related information with various universities.
Thank you for the opportunity to review your report.
Sincerely, CIro
- ]
Greta Joy Dieus
.Y