	NRC Faces Challenges to Implement a Risk-Informed Regulatory Approach for Commercial Nuclear Power Plants

NRC’s implementation of a risk-informed, performance-based regulatory approach for commercial nuclear power plants is complex and will require many years to fully implement. It requires basic changes to the regulations and NRC’s processes to ensure the safe operation of these plants. NRC Needs to Overcome Inherent Difficulties to Apply a Risk-Informed Approach to Nuclear Material Licensees

NRC is facing a number of difficulties inherent in applying a risk-informed regulatory approach for nuclear material licensees. NRC Faces Challenges in Demonstrating Increased Levels of Public Confidence— One of Its Goals Under the Government Performance and Results Act

Another challenge NRC faces is to demonstrate that it is meeting one of its performance goals under the Government Performance and Results Act— increasing public confidence in NRC as an effective regulator. In January 2001, NRC staff provided a suggested action plan for maintaining core competencies to the Commission. In this regard, NRC has taken the initiative and identified options to attract new employees with critical skills, developed training programs to meets its changing needs, and identified legislative options to help resolve its aging staff issue.
Why GAO Did This Study

This testimony discusses the challenges facing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as it moves from its traditional regulatory approach to a risk-informed, performance-based approach.

What GAO Found

GAO found that NRC's implementation of a risk-informed approach for commercial nuclear power plants is a complex, multiyear undertaking that requires basic changes to the regulations and processes NRC uses to ensure the safe operation of these plants. NRC needs to overcome several inherent difficulties as it seeks to apply a risk-informed regulatory approach to the nuclear material licensees, particularly in light of the large number of licensees and the diversity of activities they conduct. NRC will have to demonstrate that it is meeting its mandate (under the Government Performance and Results Act) of increasing public confidence in NRC as an effective regulator. NRC also faces challenges in human capital management, such as replacing a large percentage of its technical staff and senior managers who are eligible to retire. NRC has developed a five-year plan to identify and maintain the core competencies it needs and has identified legislative options to help resolve its aging staff problem.