Speaker
Description
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Low Level Radioactive Waste Management (LLRWM) and Decommissioning Programs continue to make progress to decommission and remediate the commercial complex nuclear facilities and legacy sites and fulfil the “Sustainability Promise” to make as many former nuclear sites as possible available for unrestricted reuse. NRC follows procedures for rulemaking that require engaging the public as part of revising current or developing new regulations. NRC regulations require the NRC to hold public meetings to obtain comments from the public, stakeholders and interested parties. At decommissioning sites, especially commercial nuclear power reactors, the NRC encourages the site owner to sponsor or support local or state organized decommissioning Community Advisory Boards (CAB). As an independent regulator, NRC cannot be a member of the CAB but is frequently invited to provide information on the regulatory process, technical issues, and inspection findings. As required by the 2019 Nuclear Energy Innovation and Management Act by the U.S. Congress, in July 2020, the NRC provided a Report to the Congress on the Best Practices for Community Advisory Boards at Nuclear Power Plants. In order to complete the report, NRC held 11 public meetings to gain insight into CABs. Along with the conclusions in the best practices report, this presentation will provide NRC perspectives and experience for engaging with interested stakeholders regarding safety in low level waste regulations and decommissioning programs.
