[Federal Register: December 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 238)] [Notices] [Page 69574-69575] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr13de99-111] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Development of Guidelines for Voluntary Industry Initiatives and Notice of Public Meeting With the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and Members of the Public AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of public meeting and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requests public participation and input in the development of Guidelines for Voluntary Industry initiatives. The NRC in a staff requirements memorandum (SRM) dated May 27, 1999 (http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/COMMISSION/SRM/1999- 063srm.html) approved the use of voluntary industry initiatives as an appropriate substitute for NRC regulatory action. The voluntary initiatives may be used where the action to be taken is needed to meet existing requirements, or for cases where a substantial increase in overall protection can be achieved with costs of implementation justifying the increased protection. The SRM was issued in response to SECY-99-063, ``The Use by Industry of Voluntary Initiatives in the Regulatory Process,'' dated March 2,1999 (http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/ COMMISSION/SECYS/1999-063scy.html). DATES: December 21, 1999, from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon. ADDRESSES: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738, in Room 0-8-B-4. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 27, 1999, a stakeholders meeting was held in Rosemont, Illinois, to obtain input from the industry, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), and the public for the development of a regulatory framework to support the implementation of voluntary industry initiatives. The NRC staff presented an outline of a process for the development of guidelines in order to facilitate discussion. The meeting emphasis was focused on nine areas, as specified in SECY- 99-063: Definition and initiation of voluntary industry initiatives, Identification of staff and industry roles, Tracking of licensee commitments, Planning and resource allocation, Fee management, Developing inspection and monitoring guidelines, Public participation, Developing enforcement procedures, and Schedule for finalizing guidelines/process. The meeting summary is available through ADAMS. Meeting Information The NRC staff intends to conduct a follow-up meeting with interested members of the industry, NEI, and the public, on Tuesday, December 21, 1999, from 8:30 a.m -12:00 p.m., at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Headquarters. This meeting will solicit additional information related to the development of guidelines to allow the drafting of a regulatory framework that supports the implementation of voluntary industry initiatives. December 21, 1999--Agenda Agenda: Preliminary agenda is as follows (a final agenda will be available at the meeting): 8:30 a.m. Introduction 8:45-9:00 Overview of issues 9:00-11:30 Discussion of specific points, including: 1.NRC Regulatory Actions a. Imposition of new regulatory requirements based upon current regulations/compliance (design and licensing basis) b. Emergent technical/regulatory issues c. Safety significance d. Regulatory scope--within and outside of current regulatory requirements 2. NRC use of voluntary industry initiatives ``. . . as an appropriate substitute for regulatory action.'' Industry initiatives and guidelines: a. Endorsed by NRC as acceptable means to meet the requirement of a regulation b. Endorsed by NRC as acceptable means for addressing an NRC issue or concern c. Not endorsed by NRC, but recognized as an acceptable means for addressing an NRC issue or concern d. Non-regulatory issues e. Licensee commitments f. Inspection and enforcement 3. NRC credits industry action in implementing voluntary industry initiatives 4. NEI's input to process development 11:30-11:45 Wrap-up discussion Location: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Headquarters, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738, in Room O-8-B-4. Registration: No registration fee for meeting; however, notification of attendance is requested so that adequate space, etc., for the meeting can be arranged. Persons interested in additional information regarding, attending or participating in this meeting should notify C. E. Carpenter, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, M/ S O-7-D-4, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, 20555- 0001, 301-415-2169, email cec@nrc.gov. Solicitation of Comments from Stakeholders: The NRC staff is soliciting additional stakeholder comments from interested parties on both the technical and regulatory aspects related to the development of guidelines to allow the drafting of a regulatory framework that supports the implementation of voluntary industry initiatives. The staff [[Page 69575]] requests that all such comments be forwarded to the below contact no later than January 30, 2000, for consideration in the final proposal that will be submitted for Commission approval by May 30, 2000. Comments submitted after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given except for comments received on or before this date. To Submit Comments: Submit written comments to C. E. Carpenter, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, M/S O-7-D-4, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, 20555-0001, 301-415-2169, email cec@nrc.gov. Written comments may also be delivered to 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays. Copies of written comments received may be examined at the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW (Lower Level), Washington, DC. Contact: C. E. Carpenter, 301-415-2169, email cec@nrc.gov. Dated at Rockville, MD this 3rd day of December, 1999. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jack R. Strosnider, Director, Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 99-32190 Filed 12-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P