ML20236R760
| ML20236R760 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/14/1998 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Dingell J, Markey E HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20236R762 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9807220259 | |
| Download: ML20236R760 (4) | |
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'4 UNITED STATES 4
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION y,9 eo WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 I
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July 14, -1998 CHAIRMAN l
The Honorable Edward J. Markey Subcommittee on Energy and Power Committee on Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Markey:
Thank you for your letter expressing concern about the budget proposal from the Senate l-Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy'and Water Development, which would have reduced the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by more than 700 staff and up to $90 million from the FY 1999 President's budget over a two year period. As you are aware, the final Senate Appropriations Committee bill (S. 2138) and report, and the subsequent bill passed by the Senate, did not reflect the FTE reductions or the magnitude of dollar reductions included in the Subcommittee report. The bill passed by the Senate reflects a $17.8 million reduction from the l
NRC-requested level of $488.6 million for FY 1999. Also, the bill passed by the House on June 22,1998 (H.R. 4060) reflects a $21.1 million reduction from the NRC's request for FY
.1999.
1 While the House and Senate bills provide a higher level of funding than the Senate j
subcommittee bill, the accompanying reports continue to express concern and the need for i
reform in the NRC regulatory approach. The Commission agrees that there is room for improvement in the NRC regulatory program. The Commission and the NRC staff have been I
actively engaged, during the last three years, in identifying and implementing such improvements, including laying the groundwork for an overall shift to a more risk-informed regulatory paradigm. In pursuing these improvements, the NRC must continue to ensure that t
public health and safety is adequately protected during operation of nuclear reactors.
Before deciding on further specific improvements to our programs, we need time to conduct the necessary analysis and discussions to ensure that changes are made in a responsible j
manner and that safety is not compromised, as well as to assess the impact of the budget L
reductions contained in S. 2138 and H.R. 4060. Subsequent to this analyses, we will respond l
to your specific concerns and questions. The NRC already has efforts underway which focus i
on assessing regulatory functions and structure as well as on developing mechanisms for
' making changes to these programs. In addition, the NRC is soliciting externalinput, in various forms, to ensure that issues of concern are properly identified and characterized. As one example, we have scheduled a Commission meeting on July 17,1998, with our stakeholder to
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facilitate a broader dialogue with the industry and the public.
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.sa 9907220259 980714 PDR COPMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR E_____________________________-.-.-
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The Commission appreciates your concern regarding NRC programs, and your support for ensuring that the NRC remains uncompromised in its ability to fulfillits public health and safety mission. We look forward to working with you to continue efforts to improve our regulatory practices.
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Sincerely, l
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f UNITED STATES 4
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g,
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WASHINGTON, O C. 20h0001 E
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l July 14,1998 CHAIRMAN l
The Honorable John D. Dingell Ranking Member Committee on Commerce United States House of Representatives i
Washington, D.C. 20515 l
Dear Congressman Dingell:
Thank you for your letter expressing..ncern about the budget proposal from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which would have reduced the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by more than 700 staff and up to $90 million from j
the FY 1999 President's budget over a two year period. As you are aware, the final Senate Appropriations Committee bill (S. 2138) and report, and the subsequent bill passed by the 1
Senate, did not reflect the FTE reductions or the magnitude of dollar reductions included in the Subcommittee report. The bill passed by the Senate reflects a $17.8 million reduction from the NRC-requested level of $488.6 million for FY 1999. Also, the bill passed by the House on June 22,1998 (H.R. 4060) reflects a $21.1 million reduction from the NRC's request for FY 1999.
While the House and Senate bills provide a higher level of funding than the Senate subcommittee bill, the accompanying reports continue to express concern and the need for reform in the NRC regulatory approach. The Commission agrees that there is room for l
improvement in the NRC regulatory program. The Commission and the NRC staff have been l
actively engaged, during the last three years, in identifying and implementing such l
improvements, including laying the groundwork for an overall shift to a more risk-informed regulatory paradigm. In pursuing these improvements, the NRC must continue to ensure that public health and safety is adequately protected during operation of nuclear reactors.
I Before deciding on further specific improvements to our programs, we need time to conduct the necessary analysis and discussions to ensure that changes are made in a responsible manner and that safety is not compromised, as well as to assess the impact of the budget reductions contained in S. 2138 and H.R. 4060. Sutsequent to this analyses, we will respond to your specific concerns and questions. The NRC already has efforts underway which focus on assessing regulatory functions and structure as well as on developing mechanisms for making changes to these programs. In addition, the NRC is soliciting external input, in various forms, to ensure that issues of concern are properly identified and characterized As one example, we have scheduled a Commission meeting on July 17,1998, with our stakeholder to facilitate a broader dialogue with the industry and the public.
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. The Commission appreciates your concern regarding NRC programs, and your support for ensuring that the NRC remains uncompromised in its ability to fulfill its public health and safety mission. We look forward to working with you to continue efforts to improve our regulatory practices.
Sincerely, i
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