Press Release-IV-98-004, International Nuclear Regulators Continue Conference with Visits to Livermore Laboratory, Yucca Mountain

Press Release-IV-98-004 International Nuclear Regulators Continue Conference with Visits to Livermore Laboratory, Yucca Mountain

ML003708368
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Site:	WM-00011
Issue date:	01/09/1998
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region IV
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Category:Press Release
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Press Release-IV-98-004
Download: ML003708368 (2)

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Public Affairs, Region IV Walnut Creek Field Office 1450 Maria Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-5378 RIV 98-04 CONTACT: Mark Hammond January, 9, 1998 Office: (510) 975-0254 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Home: (415) 674-1024 Pager: (800) 916-4952 INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATORS CONTINUE CONFERENCE WITH VISITS TO LIVERMORE LABORATORY, YUCCA MOUNTAIN The International Nuclear Regulators Association, created in May 1997 in an effort to enhance international cooperation and communications among top nuclear regulators and to improve nuclear safety and regulation worldwide, wrapped up the initial portion of its semi-annual meeting Friday morning in Walnut Creek, California. INRA consists of top nuclear regulators from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The group met at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV Field Office in Walnut Creek. From the NRC office, the group proceeded on a tour of the U.S. Department of Energys Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on Friday afternoon. At Lawrence Livermore, INRA members met with the Laboratorys senior management and toured the Labs Atomic Vapor Laser Separation, National Ignition and Plutonium facilities.

On Monday, Jan. 12, INRA members are scheduled to tour the DOEs Yucca Mountain site, which is being considered as a repository for the spent fuel generated by commercial power reactors in United States.

During the meeting, INRA members discussed how national regulatory approaches impact nuclear safety. Members are identifying common key elements in nuclear safety regulation to form a basis for evaluating and strengthening the safety of nuclear power programs worldwide. They also are discussing how to best plan for and coordinate approaches to assisting other nations in developing robust nuclear safety programs.

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman of both the NRC and INRA, will conduct a news conference at 6 p.m. Monday at the Yucca Mountain Science Center, 4101 Meadows Lane in Las Vegas. She will make brief introductory remarks and be available, along with other INRA members, for questions. Chairman Jackson also conducted a news conference on Thursday in Walnut Creek.

The INRA meets twice a year. Besides Dr. Jackson, INRA members are:

Canada--Dr. Agnes Bishop, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atomic Energy Control Board.

France--Andre-Claude Lacoste, Director, Directorate for the Safety of Nuclear Installations.

Germany--Gerald Hennenhofer, Director-General for Nuclear Safety, Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Japan--Yasumasa Togo, Chairman, Nuclear Safety Commission Tomihiro Taniguchi, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Spain--Dr. Juan Manuel Kindelan, President, Council for Nuclear Safety Sweden--Lars Hogberg, Director-General, Nuclear Power Inspectorate United Kingdom--Dr. Sam A. Harbison, Director and Chief Inspector, Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, Health and Safety Executive