House Energy and Commerce and Appropriations Committees express concerns over proposed changes to Reactor Oversight Process
Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce and House Appropriations Committees sent a letter Monday to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Kristine Svinicki expressing concerns over proposed changes to its Reactor Oversight Process (ROP).
The ROP program monitors and manages the performance and safety measures that govern nuclear power plants.
The Committee leaders raised concerns with several changes to agency safety protocols which are currently under review and criticized the Commission for not gathering input from the public and interested stakeholders before considering the potential changes. Specifically, the Committee leaders raised concerns with three proposed changes: replacing NRC inspector assessments with industry self-assessments; reducing core safety inspections; and reducing the significance and public reporting of “white” findings.
“To ensure nuclear power provides safe, reliable, emissions-free energy, it is imperative for the NRC to uphold strong regulatory standards,” the letter said. “That is why we are disturbed by the consideration of these far-reaching changes to the NRC’s regulatory regime without first actively conducting robust public outreach and engagement. It would be a mistake to attempt to make nuclear power more cost competitive by weakening NRC’s vital safety oversight. Cutting corners on such critical safety measures may eventually lead to a disaster that could be detrimental to the future of the domestic nuclear industry.”
The lawmakers requested that the NRC hold a public comment period before its Commissioners vote on the proposed changes and notes that the Committees will seek a briefing from the NRC on its proposals.
“We understand that, in the coming weeks, NRC staff will provide to the Commission recommendations for proposed changes on the ROP,” the letter said. “Given the significance of the proposed changes to the ROP, we request that NRC hold a public comment period prior to Commissioners voting on any changes.”
The letter was signed by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL), House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Chairwoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
