Today's hearing continues our ongoing oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I would like to first welcome Chairman Meserve to his first Senate Oversight Hearing and the other Commissioners who have all been here before.
Since our first hearing in July 1998 there have been many changes at the NRC. We have the relicensing program underway, reforms have taken place on the enforcement side, and the NRC is moving more towards risk-based approaches.
For the first time in years people are beginning to look at nuclear energy again as a viable option for our energy needs in the future. It is a safe, clean, cost efficient, and reliable fuel source when managed properly. The NRC has an important mission "to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety, the common defense and security, and the environment in the use of nuclear materials in the United States." I think it is important to understand the mission of the NRC, and the fact that they are charged with protecting public health and the environment. The NRC remains the foremost government Agency on issues involving nuclear safety and the impact on public health and the environment. Unfortunately, this issue was lost in the recent debate involving the Nuclear Waste Storage Facility. I want to reassure the Chairman and the Commissioners that as far as this Subcommittee is concerned you are indeed the recognized experts on these issues.
-There are a number of issues that I would like addressed today either in the testimony or during the question and answer period.
1. Is the Relicensing process on schedule? Will the NRC be able to handle multiple applications at once or will there be a bottleneck problem?
2. I am still interested in the NRC's Five Year Strategic Plan, last February I asked both the GAO and NEI to review the plan when it was finished and report back at our next Oversight Hearing, which is today.
3. Is the NRC continuing to move towards a Risk-based approach for regulations and enforcement and is it working?
4. I am interested to hear the results on the enforcement pilot program the NRC conducted this past Fall.
5. I am concerned that the EPA has proposed standards for Yucca Mountain which are unworkable and did not follow the advice of the National Academy of Sciences, I am interested in the NRC's perspective.
6. We will have witnesses on the second panel addressing the metals recycling issue. I would like to hear whether this is really a health and safety issue or a matter of public perception.
7. The GAO has completed their report on whether the changes at the NRC are filtering down to the rank and file employees. I would like to hear people's perspective on the results.
8. This Subcommittee will be addressing the reauthorization of the Price Anderson Act, which provides the insurance program for nuclear facilities. Are any changes to the law needed?
9. Finally, but most importantly, is public safety being protected?
I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today.