NRC: Meeting SRM M070417A - Staff Requirements - Briefing on New Reactor Issues-environmental Issues, 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 17, 2007, Commissioners' Conference Room, One White Flint North, Rockville, Maryland (Open to Public Attendance)

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IN RESPONSE, PLEASE
REFER TO: M070417A

April 27, 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR:	Luis A. Reyes Executive Director for Operations
FROM:	Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Secretary/RA/
SUBJECT:	STAFF REQUIREMENTS - BRIEFING ON NEW REACTOR ISSUES-ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, 9:00 A.M., TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2007, COMMISSIONERS' CONFERENCE ROOM, ONE WHITE FLINT NORTH, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (OPEN TO PUBLIC ATTENDANCE)

The Commission was briefed by the NRC staff on environmental issues related to early site permit (ESP) and combined license (COL) applications. Given the tremendous work load required for conducting environmental reviews, staff should recommend generic resolutions for emerging policy issues or propose rulemakings that the Commission might initiate to add efficiency and effectiveness to the process. The staff should specifically look for opportunities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the hearing process following the publication of the staff final environmental impact statement. The staff should also assure consistency and predictability in establishing requirements from application to application.

The staff should review its processes and acceptance criteria for docketing new licensing applications to assure that staff review is begun only on complete, high quality applications. While the nexus between environmental reviews and technical safety reviews is recognized, the technical and environmental reviews should move forward separately on staff directed schedules.

The staff should inform the Commission of any delays or perceived conflicts of interest related to contractor support at the Department of Energy's national laboratories.

cc:	Chairman Klein Commissioner McGaffigan Commissioner Merrifield Commissioner Jaczko Commissioner Lyons OGC CFO OCA OIG OPA Office Directors, Regions, ACRS, ACNW, ASLBP (via E-Mail) PDR