Task V.B: POSSIBLE ELIMINATION OF NONSAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES: Study and Recommend, as Appropriate, Elimination of Nonsafety Responsibiliti

The objective of this task was the elimination of nonsafety responsibilities from NRC jurisdiction, if appropriate.

ITEM V.B.1: STUDY AND RECOMMEND, AS APPROPRIATE, ELIMINATION OF NON-SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

DESCRIPTION

This NUREG-0660,[1] Rev. 1 item called for the Commission to review nonsafety and nonsafeguard regulatory review responsibilities including antitrust, NEPA, and export licensing. The Commission was to examine whether removal of these responsibilities would leave gaps in Federal regulation and whether they should be transferred to other agencies. This item was originally identified as Item 2 in Chapter V but was made Item V.B.1 in Rev. 1 to NUREG-0660.[2]

The Commission, in 1980, agreed that transfer of export licensing functions to the Executive Branch would constitute a prudent course.[3] However, the current Commissioners have never been asked to express views on this issue. No legislation transferring the export licensing function has been enacted. In 1980, the Commission decided not to seek transfer of other nonsafety responsibilities.[4] Again, the current Commissioners have never been asked to express views on this issue.

This item is related to increasing knowledge, certainty, and understanding of safety issues in order to increase confidence in assessing levels of safety and is, therefore, considered a licensing issue.

CONCLUSION

This Licensing Issue was resolved and the Commission's decisions were published in NUREG-0660,[5] Rev. 1.