ML18345A376

Letter Extending Congratulations to Addressee on Recent Inauguration as Michigan New Governor

ML18345A376
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/02/2019
From:	Kristine Svinicki NRC/Chairman
To:	Whitmer G State of MI, Governor
Lynch J
Shared Package
ML18345A373	List: ML18345A374 ML18345A375 ML18345A376 ML18345A377 ML18345A378 ML18345A379 ML18345A380 ML18345A381 ML18345A382 ML18345A383 ML18345A384 ML18345A385 ML18345A387 ML18345A388 ML18345A389 ML18345A390 ML18345A391 ML18345A392 ML18345A393 ML19010A144
References
Download: ML18345A376 (3)

Text

April 2, 2019 The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer Governor of Michigan P.O. Box 30013 Lansing, MI 48909

Dear Governor Whitmer:

On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I would like to extend congratulations to you on your recent inauguration as Governor of the State of Michigan.

I am writing to request your appointment of a State Liaison Officer to act as the State of Michigans primary liaison to the NRC. Mr. David Asselin, Radiological Protection Section Acting Manager, Office of Waste Management and Radiological Protection, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, was previously appointed as State Liaison Officer for Michigan. I request your written affirmation that you desire Mr. Asselin to remain as your selected appointee, unless you choose to appoint a new State Liaison Officer.

I am providing you with a copy of the NRC brochure entitled, State Liaison Officer Program, which provides background information on, and describes the role of, the State Liaison Officer. I am also enclosing a copy of the NRC 2018-2019 Information Digest, which provides information describing the NRCs mission and its regulatory programs.

In 1976, the NRC adopted a recommendation from several State organizations, including the National Governors Association, that each State appoint a single person to act as a liaison to the NRC to help improve Federal/State cooperation. The NRC looks to the Governor-appointed State Liaison Officer to be the primary communication channel between the State and the NRC. The State Liaison Officer serves as the key person in the State to inform the Governor and other State agencies about issues under the NRCs jurisdiction (specifically matters addressing nuclear regulation, nuclear security, nuclear emergency preparedness, and radiological public health and safety) and to provide the NRC with State information on particular nuclear safety, security, and environmental issues.

Since inception of the State Liaison Officer Program, State Liaison Officer responsibilities have continued to evolve. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the NRC increased its security-related communications with the Governor-appointed State Liaison Officers. Your appointed State Liaison Officer will serve as a recipient for sensitive unclassified information, including Safeguards Information (SGI) from the NRC. SGI is a special category of sensitive unclassified information authorized by Section 147 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, to be protected from inadvertent release and unauthorized disclosure. Although SGI is sensitive unclassified information, it is required to be handled and protected in a manner similar to classified National Security Information.

The NRC will keep you informed of our programs and activities through Mr. Asselin or your other selected appointee. At the same time, we will continue to work with other individuals in Michigan State agencies with whom we have established relationships. If you or your staff have any questions concerning this correspondence or wish to obtain additional information about the State Liaison Officer program, please contact Ms. Andrea Kock, Director, Division of Materials Safety, State, and Tribal Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, at (301) 415-2368 or via e-mail at Andrea.Kock@nrc.gov.

I thank you in advance for your assistance. The Commission looks forward to your response and to continuing an excellent working relationship with the State of Michigan.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Kristine L. Svinicki

Enclosures:

1. NRC Brochure, State Liaison Officer Program

2. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 2018-2019 Information Digest, NUREG-1350, Volume 30 cc: w/o enclosures Mr. David Asselin, MI Department of Environmental Quality

SUBJECT:

LETTER TO GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER FROM CHAIRMAN SVINICKI CONGRATULATING HER ON HER RECENT INAUGURATION AS GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN AND REQUESTING DESIGNATION OF STATE LIASION OFFICER (DATE) APRIL 2, 2019

• This correspondence addresses policy issues previously reserved by the Commission, transmits factual information, or restates Commission policy.

• concurred with edits ADAMS Accession Package Number ML18345A373 OFC NMSS/MSTR RSLO NMSS/MSTR NMSS/MSTR NAME JLynch ABarker DMarcano AKock DATE 1/7/19 1/9/19 1/31/19 2/27/19 OFC TechEd* NMSS OCM NAME CTyler for: SMoore KSvinicki LMoorin DATE 2/28/19 3/11/19 4/2/19 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY