ANS Releases NRC Position Statement

The American Nuclear Society (ANS) released a new position statement today outlining its recommendations for the selection of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Commissioners.  The NRC is an independent government agency which regulates civilian nuclear safety in the United States.  As of July 1, 2016 there are two open positions on the five-person Commission, one of which has been vacant for over a year.

“The Commission has historically been very effective at ensuring public safety while providing for the beneficial use of nuclear technology in the U.S.,” said ANS President Andrew Klein.  “However, the Commission should have its full complement of five members during these demanding times.  The NRC is currently streamlining operations while it deals with important issues such as subsequent license renewal, seismic and flooding hazards, and establishing a performance-based, risk-informed licensing framework for a new generation of advanced reactors.

"Having highly qualified Commissioners with the necessary education and experience to make decisions based on science and the law is essential,” Klein explained, adding, “Their decisions impact our economy and environment.”

The American Nuclear Society is a professional organization representing more than 10,000 nuclear engineers, researchers, educators, and other nuclear specialists. “This Position Statement reflects the desire of the ANS membership to have a competent and efficient team of Commissioners overseeing the regulation of nuclear safety in the United States,” noted ANS Public Policy Committee chairman Steven Nesbit.

ANS provides the following recommendations in the statement:

• First and foremost among qualifications for a majority of Commissioners is a strong background in the science and application of nuclear technology, particularly nuclear safety and electrical power generation. It is not essential that all Commissioners be scientists or engineers, but the nature of Commission responsibilities makes a technical background a highly desirable trait.
• All Commissioner nominees should have significant, recognized accomplishments in the technical, management, legal, regulatory or policy fields.
• In selecting and confirming nominees to the Commission, consideration should be given to the makeup of the Commission as a whole. When functioning well, the Commission acts as a collegial body of individuals with diverse and complementary abilities and backgrounds.
• The President and Congress should strive to keep the Commission at its full complement of five serving Commissioners, rather than allowing extended vacancies, particularly involving two or more open seats.

The American Nuclear Society provides statements which reflect the Society's perspectives on issues of public interest that involve various aspects of nuclear science and technology. The NRC position statement and the full library of ANS position statements may be viewed and downloaded at www.ans.org/pi/ps/ .