Mission and Functions of the Office of Nuclear Safety Policy and Assistance (HS-21)

(Reports to the Office of Nuclear Safety and Environment)

Mission

Establish nuclear safety and environmental protection policy, requirements and expectations for the Department to ensure that workers, the public and environment are adequately protected from hazards associated with DOE sites and operations, environmental risks and impacts are minimized, and compliance with environmental protection laws, regulations and standards is achieved.

Functions

• Develops and maintains Departmental policy, requirements and expectations relating to protection of the workers, the public and the environment from the nuclear safety and environmental hazards and risks associated with DOE operations.
   
• Maintains DOE specific policy requirements and expectations for nuclear safety and general environmental protection. This includes policy, requirements, and guidance for safety bases and management systems for nuclear facilities, the release of property from radiological control, and developing and maintaining management systems for environmental protection.
   
• Develops and maintains Departmental policy and guidance relating to compliance with external regulations for environmental protection (e.g., Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Pollution Prevention Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act).
   
• Develops and maintains Department policy, requirements, guidance, and standards relating to environmental management systems and the integration of environmental management systems with Integrated Safety Management.
   
• Develops policy and provides guidance and tools to assist in preventing pollution at DOE operations in accordance with Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, Office of Management and Budget, and Environmental Protection Agency initiatives and the requirements of DOE Order 450.1.
   
• Develops and maintains Departmental policies, requirements, guidance, and standards related to facility design, facility maintenance, personnel training, conduct of operations, configuration management and risk management for DOE nuclear facilities.
   
• Provides recommendations regarding requests for alternative methods other than the safe harbor methodologies in Table 2 to Appendix A of 10 CFR 830 for implementation of the nuclear safety regulation to the Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer.
   
• Consults with line management in the implementation of requirements, guidance, and standards and provides guidance and interpretation on Departmental nuclear and facility safety policies, requirements, guidance and standards. Works with the Office of General Counsel to assist in the interpretation of nuclear safety management and environmental regulations.
   
• Develops policy and guidance to assist Departmental elements in the implementation of effective institutional environmental controls.
   
• Consults with and provides guidance to line management in the implementation of directives and standards and other internal and external environmental requirements applicable to DOE operations.
   
• Evaluates the effectiveness of policies and requirements in accomplishing the Department's goals and makes adjustments and improvements based on feedback from line management and independent oversight.
   
• Assists the National Training Center in the development of training related to nuclear safety and environmental protection requirements and standards.
   
• If requested by the Secretary, develops recommendations for the Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer regarding concurrence in the final decision to startup or restart a nuclear facility.
• Interfaces closely with industry groups such as the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations, the Nuclear Energy Institute, the Electric Power Research Institute, and the Energy Facility Contractors Group to ensure that the Department is aware of and participates in industry nuclear safety initiatives.
   
• Represents the Department in national and international radiation protection organizations, and on risk management and standard setting organizations, including the committee on Interagency Radiation Research and Policy Coordination, the International Committee on Radiological Protection, and the National Committee on Radiation Protection and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
   
• Represents the Department in interagency steering committees and working groups on Federal environmental leadership initiatives, including the Interagency Environmental Leadership Workgroup, Interagency Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Advisory Group, Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group and Federal Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center Advisory Board.
   
• Interfaces with domestic and international organizations, and tracks development and trends in new designs, construction, operating, and environmental protection standards adopted or being considered for use in both the domestic and international industries.
   
• Manages the DOE Technical Standards Program. Provides guidance for use of non-government standards, acts as the alternate for the DOE Standards Executive for the Interagency Committee on Standards Policy, coordinates DOE and contractor participation in standards organizations, interfaces with national and international standards-making bodies, publishes the DOE Technical Standards, and maintains an internet accessible database of standards for DOE use.
   
• Interfaces with other Federal regulatory agencies to ensure DOE nuclear safety and environmental protection policies and standards are consistent and represent best available information and technology.
   
• Works closely with the Office of Departmental Representative to interface with the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) on matters concerning nuclear and facility safety policies and requirements. Where appropriate, serves as the Responsible Manager for DNFSB recommendations.
   
• Interacts with internal and external entities, to maintain cognizance of best available nuclear safety and environmental protection information and technologies and facilitates adjustments to requirements and performance expectations as appropriate.
   
• Interacts with internal and external entities, advocating the Departmental position on emerging environmental requirements affecting DOE operations and issuance of guidance on Departmental compliance with newly promulgated requirements.
   
• Develops guidance and coordinates activities to implement DOE's natural and cultural resource management programs, including activities affecting Indian Tribal cultural resource sites and items consistent with Federal laws and regulations.
   
• Serves as the office of primary interest for nuclear safety-related quality assurance directives, in coordination with the Office of Corporate Safety Programs. Coordinates with the DOE Office of Management (MA) on broader Quality Assurance issues.
   
• Provides technical support to DOE's Agency Environmental Executive and DOE programs and field elements in implementing and reporting on Federal "greening the government" and environmental stewardship initiatives applicable to DOE.
   
• Develops and maintains Departmental guidance related to air and water quality protection and waste management.
   

For additional information regarding this page or feedback on its content, please contact:

John J. Nichols, Director, Office of Nuclear Safety and Environmental Policy
Thomas T. Traceski, Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Safety and Environmental Policy