OPENING REMARKS OF NRC CHAIRMAN GREGORY B. JACZKO 

AT TODAY’S COMMISSION MEETING ON THE EVENTS IN JAPAN

Good morning. The Commission meets today to discuss the tragic events in Japan and 

consider possible actions we may take to verify the safety of the nuclear facilities that we 

regulate in the United States. This meeting will—without a doubt—be one of the most heavily 

watched meetings in the history of this agency. 

People across the country and around the world who have been touched by the magnitude 

and scale of this disaster are closely following the events in Japan, and the repercussions in this 

country and in many other countries. I would first like to offer my condolences to all those who 

have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Our hearts go out to all who have 

been dealing with the aftermath of these natural disasters, and we are mindful of the long and 

difficult road they will face in recovering. We know that the people of Japan are resilient and 

strong, and we have every confidence that they will come through this difficult time and move 

forward, with resolve, to rebuild their vibrant country. 

I believe I speak for all Americans when I say that we stand together with the people of 

Japan at this most difficult and challenging time. The NRC is a relatively small agency, with 

approximately 4000 staff, but we play a critical role in protecting the American people and the 

environment. We have inspectors who work full-time at every nuclear plant in the country, and 

we are proud to have world-class scientists, engineers and professionals representing nearly 

every discipline.

Since Friday, March 11, when the earthquake and tsunami struck, the NRC’s 

headquarters Operations Center has been operating on a 24-hour basis to monitor and analyze 

events at nuclear power plants in Japan. At the request of the Japanese government, and through 

the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the NRC sent a team of its 

technical experts to provide on-the-ground support, and we have been in continual contact with 

them. And, within the United States, the NRC has been working closely with other Federal 

agencies as part of our government’s response to the situation. 

We have a responsibility to the American people to undertake a systematic and 

methodical review of the safety of our own domestic nuclear facilities, in light of the natural 

disaster and the resulting nuclear emergency in Japan. Beginning to examine all available 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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No. 11-054 March 21, 2011
information is an essential part of our effort to analyze the event and understand its impact on 

Japan and implications for the United States. Our focus is always on keeping plants and 

radioactive materials in this country safe and secure. 

As this immediate crisis in Japan comes to an end, we will look at any information we 

can gain from the event and see if there are changes we need to make, to further protect the 

public. Together with my colleagues on the Commission, we will review the current status and 

identify the steps we will take to conduct that review. In the meantime, we will continue to 

oversee and monitor plants to ensure that U. S. reactors remain safe. 

On behalf of the Commission, I want to thank all of our staff for maintaining their focus 

on our essential safety and security mission throughout these difficult days. I want to 

acknowledge their tireless efforts and their critical contributions to the U.S. response to assist 

Japan. In spite of the evolving situation, the long hours, and the intensity of efforts over the past 

week, staff has approached their responsibilities with dedication, determination and 

professionalism, and I am incredibly proud of their efforts. 

The American people also can be proud of the commitment and dedication within the 

Federal workforce, which is exemplified by our staff every day. Before we begin our meeting 

with Mr. Borchardt’s presentation, would any of my fellow Commissioners like to make opening 

comments?

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