ML20238B761
| ML20238B761 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/14/1987 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Defazio P, Gejdenson S, Hansen J, Geoffrey Miller, Danni Smith, Udall M, Young D HOUSE OF REP., HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20238B762 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8708210456 | |
| Download: ML20238B761 (4) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NRC PDR E'
'n NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION t N I/f E
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 JTaylor
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TRehm August 14, 1987 JMurray CHAIRMAN EBeckjord TMurley JSniezek.
The Honorable Sam Gejdenson, Chairman RStarostecki Subcommittee on General Oversight FMiraglia and Investigations JPartlow Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs JBlaha United States House of Representatives JFunches Washington, D. C.
20515
.DMossburg 3014 EDO 3014
Dear Mr.. Chairman:
I am responding to your July 13, 1987 letter concerning NRC's regulation of matters dealing with the fitness for duty of nuclear power plant personnel.
In.0ctober 1984tthe2 ommissio am.aj,oritygaggegtodefe rulemaking on fitness for diity in deference to an 16du.r a C
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,.,y stry ~ ~~ ~ ~ s initiative.
The industry Fitness for Duty Program was to include, as a minimum:
A commitment from the chief executive officer of every nuclear utility to establish a fitness for duty program which provides reasonable assurance that all persons with access to nuclear power plants are free of the effects of drugs and alcohol.
Acceptance of the guidelines developed by the Edison l
Electric Institute (EEI) for use by utilities in developing their program.
Provisions for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INP0) to evaluate the adequacy of each utility's program against the EEI Guidelines.
The Commission provided a fixed period of time for evaluating the effectiveness of the industry's progress, to be.followed by a Commission determination as to the best long-term course of action.
A Policy Statement articulating these elements was published in the Federal Register on August 14, 1986 (51 FR 27921).
The use of a Policy Statement was appropriate in encouraging the establishment of-basic fitness for duty standards by each utility with due regard for their employees and unions, their numerous contractors, and local law.
NRC routinely monitors licensee Fitness for Duty program 4/J results through our resident inspectors, the Regional inspection staff, and headquarters-based inspections zfk pN#
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. to ensure that appropriate actions are taken by licensees.
The results of NRC's monitoring are documented in daily reports, preliminary notifications, and in special inspection reports.
Even in the absence of a rule on this subject, the NRC presently has full authority to take whatever action is appropriate where the safety of the public is threatened by substance abuse.
Today, I remain convinced that the judgment exercised by the Commission in 1984 was a responsible decisior made in full recognition of our obligation to the public.
I signed the Policy Statement on Fitness for Duty of Nuclear Power Plant Personnel on July 30, 1986.
The 18 month evaluation period ends on February 1, 1988.
During the ensutnt; months, we will evaluate all information available to us, including that provided by the NRC staff and oy'INPO,, and we will make a decision on our future regulatory policy.
Clearly, the alternatives will include (1) continuation of the current Policy Statement, (2) modifications to improve the effectiveness of the Policy Statement, or (3) rulemaking to i.ncorporate into federal regulations the Commission's expectations ::nd requirements.
'L I assure you that the Subcommittee's recommendation that,ve issue a rule on fitness for duty will be seriously considered by the Commission.
l Sincerely, E
obtuo(v.
'l 1.ando W. Ze h,
1 l
The Honorable Sam Gejdenson 1 I
IDENTICAL LETTERS SENT TO:
1 1
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The Honorable George Miller United States House of Representatives l
Washington, D.C.
20515 i
The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 The Honorable Morris K. Udall, Chairman Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 The Honorable Denny Smith United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 The Honorable James V. Hansen United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 The Honorable Don Young United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 i
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UNITED STATES f,g f l'id (h
'I f g(I NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION yE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 h
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EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL i
FROM:
DUE: 07/23/87 EDO CONTROL: 003014 i
DOC DT: 07/13/87 SAM GEJDENSEN, ET AL FINAL RFPLY:
l SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS l
TO:
j CHAIRMAN ZECH j
I FOR SIGNATURE OF:
- PRIORITY **
SECY NOr 87-819 l
I CHAIRMAN DESC:
ROUTING:
I URGES NRC ISSUE A RULE THAT REQUIRES UTILITIES TO STELLO PROTECT AGAINST fi[.i AND ALCOHOL ABUSE TAYLOR REHM DATE: 07/14/87 MURRAY ASSIGNED TO: NRR CONTACT: MURLEY BECKJORD
. ~ _. _. _ _ _ _ _
1 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
NRR RECEIVED: JULY 14, 1987 ACTION:
DRIS:PARTLOW NRR ROUTING:
MURLEY/SNIEZEK STAROSTECKI MIRI4 GLIA BLAHA FUNCHES f0SSBURG
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:
CRC-87-0819 LOGGING DATE: Jul 13 87 ACTION OFFICE:
EDO AUTHOR:
S. Gejdenson, Miller, Udall AFFILIATION:
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LETTER DATE:
Jul 13 87 FILE CODE:
SUBJECT:
Drug abuse at nuc power plants ACTION:
Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION:
OCA to Ack, Cmrs, RF, OGC SPECIAL HANDLING: None NOTES:
DATE DUE:
Jul 27 87 SIGNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
AFFILIATION:
Rec'd 0!!. EDO Date 9'/Y T 7 fMS time ED3 --- 003014
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