NRC SOLICITS PUBLIC INPUT INTO HOW IT CAN 

INCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS TO SECURITY INFORMATION 

 The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking suggestions from the public on how it 

can increase its level of openness related to security at nuclear power plants and certain other 

facilities while still protecting sensitive information. A summary of the feedback will be posted 

on the NRC’s Web site, provided to the Commission and considered in the development of new 

openness policies. 

After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the Commission implemented a new policy 

of withholding certain information. Some information previously available to the public was 

withheld and new information, such as certain orders to NRC licensees on security measures, 

was designated as classified, safeguards information or sensitive unclassified information and 

withheld from the public. 

In 2007, the NRC began redacting and releasing many of the safety documents previously 

withheld, and the agency is interested in taking additional action regarding security-related 

inspection and license performance information. Under consideration are several approaches, 

including adding more detail to an annual report to Congress on security oversight and to the 

cover letters for security inspection reports, and by making more information available on the 

NRC Web site. 

“We view nuclear regulation as the public’s business and believe it should be transacted 

as openly and candidly as possible,” said NRC Executive Director of Operations Bill Borchardt. 

“Ensuring appropriate openness while also controlling sensitive information recognizes that the 

public must know about and be able to participate in the NRC’s regulatory processes.” 

Specifically, the NRC is seeking public input on a number of questions relating to what 

type of information the public wants. Sample questions include: 

• What kind of NRC security inspection and licensee performance information would 

enhance your confidence in NRC’s regulatory oversight effectiveness? 

• Is the information provided in the NRC cover letters to security inspection reports useful? 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 

E-mail: opa@nrc.gov 

Site: http://www.nrc.gov

No. 08-140 July 29, 2008
• What kind of NRC security inspection and licensee performance information would 

enhance your knowledge as to how safe and secure you and your family are? 

The questions, with background information, are available in the Federal Register notice 

issued today. This notice is available on the NRC’s Web site: http://www.nrc.gov/publicinvolve/doc-comment.html#3. 

Comments will be accepted until Sept. 12. Comments can be submitted electronically 

through www.regulations.gov or mailed to Chief, Rulemaking, Directives and Editing Branch, 

Office of Administration, Mail Stop T6D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, 

D.C. 20555-0001. Comments can also be delivered to Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville 

Pike, Rockville, MD., between 7:30 and 4:15 p.m. on federal workdays. 

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