Re: Meeting public demand

[RuthWeiner@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 2/26/02 10:54:26 AM Mountain Standard Time, KINGVA@INEL.GOV writes:



> our current laws regarding releases of
>
> radioactive materials 


Let us get one thing straight: standards for radiation exposure are not laws, they are regulations promulgated by agencies of the executive branch (EPA, NRC, etc.)  Laws are almost always written in very general terms, giving agencies the authority and responsibility to promulgate these regulations:  the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 gave the NRC the responsibility to protect public health and safety, but 10 CFR 20, 10 CFR 63, 10 CFR 50, etc. are regulations promulgated by NRC.  similarly, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act gave EPA the authority to set standards for the Yucca Mountain repository, but the standards themselves are in 40 CFR 197, promulgated by EPA.  Regulations are not voted on by Congress.  It is easier to change a regulation than a law (note I didn't say it was easy, just easier).


Federal regulations (codified in the Code of Federal Regulations) are  posted for public comment in the Federal Register and promulgated after public comment has been received.  Any individual can petition an agency to change a regulation (again -- it isn't easy, but it isn't like changing laws, either).


The people who write and promulgate regulations are not elected -- they are civil servants and they answer to the heads of departments, who are political appointees of the administration in the White House.  These political appointees reflect the President's policies more than the policies of any member of Congress.  However, the civil service staff usually has a lot of influence on regulations.


Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.

ruthweiner@aol.com