One of our last hearings last year was on Oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We held that hearing exactly six months and one week ago. At that time Chairman Jackson stated that we could expect results on reforms within six months. Well, the NRC has had an additional week, so I expect even more reforms have taken place. At the July hearing we invited the Commissioners back and the witnesses from the second panel to explain the impact of the changes the NRC has implemented and comment on the changes the NRC has proposed, so I look forward to their testimony. Since the July hearing, the NRC's effort to change has been positive, I want to be sure that it works.
On the issue of reform, I am judging success by three measures:
1. Will the NRC meet its Relicensing goal of processing the applications within 30 months,
2. Will the general regulatory reform goals be implemented throughout every level of the NRC, and
3. Will safety not be compromised.
The first and third goals are self explanatory. Regarding the second goal, I am concerned that the Reforms at the NRC will be embraced by the Commissioners and the Senior Managers, but they will not filter down throughout the NRC workforce. What we need is a cultural change at the NRC if these reforms are going to work.
The problem that we have had historically is that Congressional interest has been intermittent at best and the NRC Commissioners are only on the job for a few years. For example, Chairman Jackson has already announced plans to leave this summer, at the end of her term, and I want to ensure that the reforms she has started are completed. I intend to continue strong oversight so that the reforms we are talking about continue regardless who chairs the NRC. Therefore I want to hear from all of the witnesses today on how to make sure that there is a cultural change at the NRC, and that these reforms work.