President Obama’s Open Government Initiative has spurred many agencies, including the NRC, to increase transparency, participation, and collaboration, especially through the use of new web-based technologies. We’ve been pleased to take an active role in this initiative with the NRC Approach to Open Government.
Today, the President signs the Open Government Partnership (OGP) declaration. OGP is an effort to improve governments around the world by promoting transparency, empowering citizens, fighting corruption, and harnessing new technologies to strengthen governance. Today, as part of OGP’s formal launch, we’re reiterating our commitment to these objectives and underscoring our accomplishments to date.
As far back as 1977, when we first issued our “Principles of Good Regulation,” the NRC has placed a high value on openness in the regulatory process. But the recent spirit of Open Government has brought about a variety of new efforts, including the following examples:
• Social Media: In January, as part of our flagship Open Government initiative, we launched this public blog. Since it was established, the blog has had over 127,000 views and proved especially useful in enabling quick public communications during and after the events at the nuclear facilities in Fukushima, Japan, and during the recent east coast earthquake and hurricanes. More recently, we’ve expanded our social media presence with a Twitter feed (@NRCgov) and You-Tube channel (NRCgov) to offer even more ways to interact with and inform the public, and raise awareness about our agency and its mission.
• Public Website: In April, we deployed the latest redesign of our public website, which features a modern look-and-feel, streamlined navigation, and rich features and functionality to make it quicker and easier for you to find the information you want. Since its launch, the site’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index has increased from 72 to 74, with steady increases in the areas of content, look-and-feel, navigation, and online transparency.
• Data.gov: Since January, the NRC has added 4 new datasets to Data.gov: Nuclear Power Plant Inspection Reports, Status of NRC Regulated Complex Materials Sites Currently Undergoing Decommissioning, Significant Enforcement Actions, and Reactor Materials Embrittlement. To date, this brings the total number of datasets published since April 2010 to 26, significantly more than the 17 identified in our original Open Government Plan. Check our Open Government page for a complete list of the NRC’s High-Value Datasets.
But our work on Open Government is not done. We’re continuing to add new datasets, including one on nuclear plant performance indicators to be published soon. We’re also working on a way to help smart phone users get quick access to our information when they attend an NRC meeting or other event. (More on this in an upcoming blog post).
Most importantly, we plan to hold a public meeting this fall to solicit stakeholder feedback and suggestions for the next version of our Open Government Plan to be published in the spring of 2012. We want your input, so look for more information soon via our Public Meeting Notice page and this blog about how you can participate.
Francine F. Goldberg
Co-Chair, Open Government Advisory Group
Its fantastic to see that the NRC is finally sorting something out in the Social media side of things are its so easy to communicate that way. I hope it all goes to plan.
Being a democratic society, it is important to have an open and transparent government. If other countries follow suit our world would be much safer, especially when we think of countries like Pakistan, Iran and North Korea who have nuclear capabilities.
Its nice to see everyone getting into social media, the presidents even rocking a PDA phone..
I have found this blog very interesting. Thank you for your contribution to the subject!
Great Info.Thanks
The government does a great job at keeping us updated on any dangers so I feel safe with the big boys watching over us, Thanks bless america!
It is important that the government keep all its citizens aware of the latest news and so do not strengthen the rumors that cause so much damage to the country
This can only be good for everyone. Offical relevant information kills rumours stone dead, so this is a win win situation for all conerned.
Thank you. I have definitely noticed that we are getting a steady flow of information regarding San Onofre. After everything that has happened, it is good to know that the NRC is doing all it can to keep the safety requirements updated.
With everything that has gone on, it is good to see that the NRC is getting into social media to communicate. Keep up the good work and we look forward to more.
I too appreciate it….