Here's a tidbit that surprised me... Dr. Shirley Jackson, formerly head of the NRC (until July 1, 1999) was also the FIRST chairperson of the newly established International Nuclear Regulators Association. The "International Nuclear Regulators Association, was established in 1997 as an informal group for senior regulators to exchange ideas and views on issues related to nuclear safety and regulation. Members include the Chairman of the NRC from the United States and the equivalent position in seven other countries--Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. [note the absense of Russia] The Associations members selected the former Chairman of the NRC, who was a chief proponent of the Association, to serve as its first chairman, a position that she held until May 1999.

Does that seem just the tiniest bit odd to anyone else? She was a major proponent of this new organization, was selected as its first chairperson, yet she gives it to go into the private sector even though it now leaves the new organization - her baby so to speak - with no leader.

I also did not realize that her departure leaves the NRC with only 4 commissioners instead of the usual five. Diccus was one of the remaining commissioners and has been appointed to take Jackson's place (no word that I have heard on Senate approval for this). Or perhaps I misunderstand... perhaps there are 5 NRC commissioners (now 4) on this international board, but there are NRC commissioners who do not belong to this group.

Anyway.. you can read this newly available GAO report for yourself. Some interesting discussion about whether or not such a commission is even needed.. some insight into Dr. Jacksons feelings about nuclear regulation... etc.

Tidbit:

Four of NRCs commissioners expressed concerns about NRCs participation in the Association and do not support it in its current form.9 Two of these commissioners told us that it did not make sense that only NRCs Chairman participated in Association activities.

Re the year 2000:

In addition, in early 1999, the Association prepared a brief statement on year 2000 (Y2K) computer problems. The Association urged governments, and their regulatory authorities and operating organizations, to (1) diagnose the extent to which the Y2K problems could affect nuclear power plants and other facilities using radioactive materials and (2) implement corrective programs and contingency planning in the near term. The statement was sent to Association members governments, NEA, IAEA, and the Chairman of the first review meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety. IAEAs Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety told us that the Associations Y2K statement came too late to be of any value because IAEA had already prepared a guidance publication on this matter. A Department of State official who headed the U.S. delegation to the Convention on Nuclear Safety told us that she was not aware of the Associations Y2K statement.

There's quite a bit of rather interesting internal squabbling going on in this report. Too bad I actually have real work to do. So I will leave you with the link and you can peruse it at your leisure.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 1999