ML20203J905

Provides Summary of Focus Group Workshop on Public Communications Initiatives Conducted by Communications Coordination Committee on 971211.Initiative Builds on Commission Decision on Dsi 14.Workshop Transcript Encl

ML20203J905
Person / Time
Issue date:	12/18/1997
From:	Beecher W, Cameron F NRC
To:	Blaha J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
Shared Package
ML20203J911	List: ML20203J905 ML20203J974
References
NUDOCS 9712220130
Download: ML20203J905 (2)

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NUCLEAR RECULATORY C2MMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 30066 0001 - i

't December 18,1997 MEMO TO: James Blaha, Secretary, Executive Council FROM: William Beecher and Francis Cameron, Co-chairs, I/gMew A Communications Coordinating Committee Qggd

SUBJECT:

Transcript of Focus Group Workshop on nublic Communications initiatives On December 11,1997, the Communications Coordination Comrnittee (CCC) &nducted a .

Workshop with stakeholders to discuss issues related to public communications. Ti.:s initiative builds upon the Commission's decision on DSI 14, "Public Communications initiative." In order to provide background and context for this workshop copies of the NRC's Strategic Plan, the Staff Requirements Memorandum for DSI 14, and a brief summary of communications issues were provided to the participants prior to the workshop.

Participants in this workshop included representatives from public interest groups, the press, Agreement States, and the nuclear industry, including both medical and reactor licensees. An unedited transcript is attached, it presents a variety of opinions and insights discussed during this meeting, insights from the meeting will be reflected in the report being prepared by the CCC. In addition to providing specific examples of how we might improve our public communications and involvement efforts, several of the participants expressed opinions on more generalissues which they believe undermine the credibility of the NRC. For example, the overall failure to respond favorably to 10 CFR 2.206 petitions; the belief that the real, unstated mission of the NRC is to lower operating costs and keep plants 'on line'; efforts to eliminate safety requirements, such as the technical specification improvement program; and efforts to minimize meaningful public involvement in important safety issues, such as cask certification and the decommissioning of reactors.

This memorandum forwards copies of the transcript to senior managers in order to provide

-them with a better understanding of the perceptions of some stakeholders. Additionally, we

~i)Ih recommend that the transcript be forwarded to the Commission in advance of the CCC's report -

on public communications initiative *. Copies of the transcript will be sent to the meeting g 7 participants and are being placed in the Public Document Room and on NRC's Intemet website. -

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