Re: GAO Opens DB Investigation]

[RuthWeiner@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 9/9/02 6:13:13 AM Mountain Daylight Time, liptonw@DTEENERGY.COM writes:



> That's the real challenge to the industry.  It's not good enough to just meet
>
> the regulatory requirements.


Why not?  Isn't that what regulatory requirements are for?  If the regulatory requirements are not stringent enough, perhaps they should be strengthened, which is a somewhat cumbersome process, but certainly done often.  Results similar to a rule change can often be accomplished by an NRC staff position.


I have always been troubled by the "regs aren't good enough" argument.  If that were so, (a) what IS "good enough" and how is it determined, and (b) what purpose do the regs serve if they aren't "good enough?"  Please don't give me the argument about political considerations being involved in rulemaking.,  Of course there are political considerations -- competing costs and benefits -- which is part of "good enough."  


Ruth

Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.

ruthweiner@aol.com