ML25196A186
| ML25196A186 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/11/1977 |
| From: | Bender M Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Gossick L NRC/EDO |
| References | |
| Download: ML25196A186 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS WASHINGTON. D. C. 20555 April 11, 1977
.Mr. Iee V. Gossick Executive Director for Operations
- u. s. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555
==Dear Mr
- Gossick:==
Subject:
ACltS COMMENTS REGARDING PROPOSED AUTHORIZATION BILL FOR NRC APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY 1978 In response to your request for ACRS comments regarding the proposed bill, the Committee has limited its specific comments only to Sec-tion 6 which relates directly to the activities of the COrrnnittee.
A proposed revision of this section of the bill is attached.
Changes proposed in Section 6 regarding the report on reactor safety research \\IX.)uld provide appropriately for the cooperation of other government and non-government agencies in providing information that will be needed by the Committee in its evaluation of the NRC safety research program and its relation to other similar progra.rns. In ad-dition, the proposed changes related to the ACRS fellowship program would provide for increased flexibility in obtaining assistance of the type needed by the committee in the conduct of its activities.
The appropriation of $600,000 appears to be adequate for the accom-plishment of the fellowship program.
In connection with new Section l(b), the Committee recommends that NOC request funds to maintain an adequate program, including an appropriate level of basic research, to provide a degree of corrpe-tence within the staff and a body of relevant background data with respect to the safety and safeguards aspects of anticipated nuclear facilities and fuel cycles which are likely to come before t.~e NRC and ACRS for review either as concepts or actual Construction Per-mit applications.
This base level program ~uld help preclude undue delays in the licensing process and undue reliance on the 2786
Mr. L. V. Gossick 2 -
April 11, 1977 work and conclusions of reactor developers and vendors until confirma-tory research information and staff competence can be developed. It would also serve to help develop safety criteria for designers to use ab initio.
Attachment:
Proposed Revision for Section 6 cc: C. Karmnerer, OCA S. Chilk, SECY B. Huberman, OPE Sincerely, 9'h.~
M. Bender Olairman 2787
ATI'ACHMENT - PROPOSED REVISION FOR SECTION 6 the design and operation of reactor power plants.
Such plan shall provide that such projects shall be sponsored by the Off ice of Nuclear Regulatory Research. 11 Fellowship Program Sec. 6.
Section 29 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 is amended by adding the following at the end thereof:
"In addition to its other duties under this section, the Committee shall undertake a study of reactor safety research and prepare and submit annually to the Con-gress a report containing the results of such study.
Agencies of the government and their contractors having information relevant to nuclear safety research and development shall cooperate with the Cormtittee in making such information available to the Corrmittee; and other sources having such information, including international sources, are encouraged to oooperate with the Committee in making this information available to the Committee.
The first such report shall be sutmitted to the Con-gress not later than December 31, 1977.
'lb assist the Comnittee in carrying out its functions, the Committee shall establish a fellow-ship program l.ll'lder which qualified persons from engineering and scien-tific programs in institutions of higher education or other sources of expertise are assigned particular tasks relating to the functions of the Committee.
Such assignments shall not be for more than two-year periods, am the recipients shall be selected pursuant to such criteria as may be established by the Committee in accordance with its statutory duties."
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