Re: NRC selection

["Ron L. Kathren" <rkathren@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>]

Emelie --

To respond to your question, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is a part
of the executive branch of the U.S. government created a number of years
ago by the split of the old Atomic Energy Commission into two
organizations, one of which became the Department of Energy (nee ERDA) and
the other the NRC.  The NRC is responsible for the regulation (ie
licensure and inspection) of nuclear reactors and byproduct (ie reactor
produced radionuclides) material, and for the regulation of the fuel cycle
(other than mining).  Regulation of byproduct materials (which does not
include x-rays or natural radionuclides such as radon or radium but does
include uranium which is a useful nuclear fuel) is largely delegated to
the states, which also regulate machine generated sources and natural
radionuclides, although not all states are so-called agreement states and
hence the NRC may regulate byproduct materials in those states. 

  The NRC is headed by a five member Commission appointed by the
President; the Commission has the power to put forth regulations (e.g. 10
CFR 20) and to enforce those regulations, and to levy penalties (e.g. 
fines) for violation of their regulations.   One of the continuing 
current Commissioners is Gail de Planque, a past president of the ANS.  I 
would very much like to see a health physicist on the NRC, especially 
since so much of its function is related to radiation protection.  
However, the HPS does not have much political clout and also, I fear, is 
naive in the ways of getting people nominated.

Hope this helps.

Ron Kathren


On Fri, 26 May 1995, Lamothe, Emelie wrote:

> 
> My apologies about my previous "ironic"  - short fuse and severe lack of 
> sleep/jetlag pressed the send button.  Perhaps someone could explain to me 
> how the NRC works, how commissioners are chosen and what their role is.
> 
> As most of radsafer, I believe that it is important to have credible and 
> knowlegeable people setting policy.  I also believe that we need to ensure 
> that knowlegeable people are presented to the selection panel, supported 
> during the selection process and during their subsequent office.
> 
> The question then becomes "How can the HPS directly influence the candidate 
> identification and selection process".  Perhaps the optimum approach is one 
> of collective and individual lobbying.  HPS is probably in a good position 
> for direct participation in the indentification process - if it can get 
> there.
> 
> Emelie Lamothe
>