ML13151A033

Clarify Communication Responsibilities at Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center While Searching for New Director

ML13151A033
Person / Time
Site:	Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Issue date:	04/25/2013
From:	Mecca S, Gromet L P, Kadak A C, Nassersharif B State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm
To:	Alexander Adams Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML13151A033 (2)

Text

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMISSION Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center 16 Reactor Road Narragansett, RI 02882-1165 April 25, 2013 Alfred Adams Chief of Research Reactor Licensing Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Dear Chief Adams:

Following up on our telephone conversation today I want to clarify the communication responsibilities at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center especially during the period we are in search of a new Director.

Normally, the Commission empowers the Director to communicate on a day to day basis with the NRC and other external agencies in connection with safety and operations of RINSC. When the RIAEC learned of the sudden retirement of the Director, we directed the staff to carry on their duties and responsibilities as usual and to funnel matters that would normally be handled by the Director to the Commission, which decided to pick up some of the administrative workload of the Director and to delegate the balance to senior staff. Jeff Davis, AD for Operations was expected to continue his work and direct communications with the NRC on the re-licensing RAI work. He recently followed through with the remaining handful of questions.

However, he has not been empowered to communicate with the NRC on other matters that were normally handled by the Director or the Director in consultation with the Commission.

His recent letter submitting a Technical Specification change regarding the RSO qualifications is an example of a communication which was an unauthorized since it was not approved by the Commission.

So, to make it clear going forward, until a new Director is hired, all administrative communications from the RIAEC will bear the Chairman's my signature or, in my absence, that of the Vice Chairman, Dr.Bahram Nassersharif, or in the absence of both these persons, that of our Secretary, Dr. Andrew Kadak.All communications to the RIAEC should be addressed to Jeff Davis in his role as AD for operations who is our go-to person for factual knowledge on our license. During the transition period to a new Director, one of the aforementioned Commissioners will countersign communications from Jeff to the NRC. This is not an ideal situation but the Commission is a volunteer body and not on-site at the RINSC every day..It t is as simple as we can make things under the circumstances.

Should there be an emergency notification, it will be done as required by NRC regulations by the operating staff.Let me repeat from our conversation today that the RIAEC is working to restart operations as soon as we have in place a qualified temporary RSO as we simultaneously are working work to secure a permanent solution to the LER recently filed by Dr. Kadak.A-kDD C Thank you for your call today and for your guidance through a difficult transition.

Sincerely, Stephen Mecca, Ph.D., Chairman L. Peter Gromet, Ph.D. Commissioner Andrew Kadak, Ph.D. Commissioner Bahram Nassersharif, Ph.D. Vice Chairman cc: Jeff Davis Stephen Guarino