United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Office of Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20555

Phone 301-415-8200 Fax 301-415-2234

Internet:opa@nrc.gov

No. 96-142 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Tuesday, October 15)

NRC SETS PUBLIC MEETING ON STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT INITIATIVE

The NRC has scheduled the first of three public meetings for October 24-

25 in Washington, D.C. to receive comments on its direction-setting issue

papers resulting from the agency's strategic assessment process. Chairman

Shirley Ann Jackson initiated the strategic assessment in September of last

year to provide a comprehensive, critical evaluation of the agency's direction

and decision-making for the rest of this decade and into the next.

The first meeting will be held at the Washington Hilton Hotel, at 1919

Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on

October 24 and from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on October 25. The two

subsequent meetings will be held later in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and

Chicago, Illinois. The meetings will be open to the public, but advance

registration is suggested. A registration form is attached.

The first day, from 9:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m, will feature a plenary

session entitled, "Building Public Trust and Confidence," and will include

discussion of the issue papers on public communications initiatives, the role

of industry, and enhancing regulatory excellence.

The afternoon breakout sessions, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., will

cover issue papers on NRC's research program and international activities.

Also during this time, the session "Assuring the Safe Use and Handling of

Nuclear Materials," will be discussed, including issue papers on safety

oversight of Department of Energy facilities, NRC's relationship with the

Agreement States, and materials and medical oversight.

The following day, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., the session will

feature, "Assuring Safe Operation of Nuclear Reactors," which will focus on

issue papers covering reactor licensing for future applicants, operating

reactor program oversight, power reactor decommissioning, and risk-informed,

performance-based regulation.

From 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., the session, "Assuring Safe Management

of Nuclear Waste", will focus on low-level waste,

high-level waste and spent fuel, and decommissioning of non-reactor

facilities.

Copies of a more detailed agenda, direction-setting issue papers, a

registration form, and other background documents are available electronically

on NRC's Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.nrc.gov and FedWorld at

1-800-303-9672. Paper copies are available by calling NRC's Public Document

Room at 1-800-952-9674. Individuals desiring additional information about the

meetings should contact Anna May Haycraft, 301-415-3075, internet: AMH@NRC.GOV

####

Attachment
STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT REBASELINING

STAKEHOLDERS PUBLIC MEETINGS

September 20, 1996

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Registration Form

Oct. 24-25 Oct.31-Nov.1 Nov.7-8

Location of Meeting: Washington, DC Colorado Springs,

Chicago

(Indicate which meeting(s) you will be attending so name badges can be made)

Please list the Strategic Arena(s) you plan to attend

(PLEASE PRINT)

NAME:

(Last (First) (M.I.)

Affiliation

Title

Business Phone: ( )

Address

City State

Zip Code Country

Fax Internet

Physically Challenged Requirements

Sleeping Room Reservations:

Sleeping room reservations should be made directly by telephone using a major credit card

to the appropriate hotel(s)

REGISTRATION:

Please complete and mail, fax, or Internet this registration form as soon as possible to:

Anna May Haycraft

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Office of NRR - OWFN 12E20

Washington, DC 20555

(FAX: 301-415-3707)

Internet: AMH@NRC.gov

Please indicate below if you would like to speak or comment on a specific

issue paper at a breakout session, and note that you will be limited to 5

minutes.

A video camera and several computers will also be available in a separate

meeting room to record your comments if there is not adequate time at the

breakout session.