ML20248F723
| ML20248F723 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/13/1997 |
| From: | Brian Holian NRC |
| To: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20248F498 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-COR98-114 NUDOCS 9806040398 | |
| Download: ML20248F723 (2) | |
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November 13. 1997 .
' Note To: Chairman -Jackson I' From: Brian Holian i f'f. H Ml Coordinated With: Karla. Victor. Marty l
Subject:
Meeting with Paul Blanch (11/14/97: 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.)
BACKGROUND Following his request, you mety with Paul Blanch on April 9.1996. The meeting lasted for approximately 45 minutesi attendees included members of the Chairman's staff and John Zwolinski, NRR (the staff's primary point of contact for Mr. Blanch).
Mr. Blanch had three key points that he discussed:
~1) Forthcoming Policy Statement on " Freedom of Employees in the Nuclear Industry to Raise Safety Concerns Without Fear of Retaliation"
- 2) Timeliness in addressing and resolving generic issues
- 3) Spent Fuel Pool drainage and Part 100 consequences.
Recent Millstone-specific issues were not discussed.
'A highlighted meeting summary is attached (along with background notes for that meeting).
THIS MEETING At the end of the last meeting, you invited Mr. Blanch to stop back in about a year's time for a further discussion of his issues.
Mr. Blanch introduces himself as a "past whistleblower" - and his prime message is that NRC'should do everything possible to protect whistleblowers.
He is currently an NU employee (hired back on with them in the Spring of this year, following a 3 year absence). He is assisting in the employee concerns area.
He is visiting as a member of the public.
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e During our last meeting you commented, primarily, on three issues:
- 1) Forthcoming Policy Statement on " Freedom of Employees in the Nuclear Industry to Raise Safety Concerns Without Fear of Retaliation"
- 2) Timeliness in addressing and resolving generic issues
- 3) Spent Fuel Pool drainage and Part 100 consequences
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PaulM. Blanch Energy Consultant December 13,1997 Dr. Shir, ley Jackson Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission l Washington, DC 20555
Dear Dr. Jackson,
l I very much appreciate your willingness to meet with me on November 14,1997.
As I mentioned during our discussions, my primary concerns are the safety of the nuclear plants and the health and safety of their employees and the public. As professionals
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l concerned about the future of nuclear power, we must all work together on the challenging issues which face us.
I would like to stress several points we discussed, as I feel they affect the public's confidence in the safety of nuclear power and the perception of the NRC on its performance ofits health and safety mission: ,
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+ 1 am pleased that the NRC continues to make progress on addressing whistleblower issues. I still believe the NRC must take more prompt and vigorous i enforcement actions when violations of 10 CFR 50.7 are identiGed.
+ The NRC, the public and the industry should work at arm's length, yet cooperatively, to strike the proper balance between accident prevention and
- accident mitigation. For nuclear plans to operate safely and in a cost-efficient manner, a shift of emphasis towards accident prevention must be achieved.
+ I attended the recent NRC workshop on Public Communications held on December 1
11,1997. As I discussed at this meeting, the NRC needs to look at NU and how they have progressed in the re-establishment of public trust Communication alone will not succeed until the basis of the mistrust is recognized and addressed.
+ lt would benent the NRC's public image if you could visit Millstone in the near future. As part of your visit, spending some time to meet with members of public and local citizen groups would be panicularly beneGeial. It would demonstrate to the public the NRC's commitment to address issues and meaningfully involve the public in the mstan process.
Again, I thank you for your openness in considering these issues. I look forward to l our ongoing discussions and to observinc, your leadership of this imponant federal agency.
Sincer ly, l
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