No: 13-098 November 19, 2013

CONTACT: Eliot Brenner, 301-415-8200 

Macfarlane Reaffirms NRC Commitment to Safety; 

Cautions Industry about Budget Impact on Agency

ATLANTA – Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Allison Macfarlane Tuesday 

acknowledged to nuclear executives that both the NRC and the industry face economic challenges but 

cautioned that a diligent commitment to nuclear power plant safe and secure operation of must remain 

paramount.

“Clearly, these are demanding economic times for all of us. But in the face of uncertainty we 

must continue to demonstrate together that plant safety and security aren’t, and never will be, in 

jeopardy,” Macfarlane told the CEO conference of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, an 

industry organization that focuses on improving nuclear safety.

Macfarlane also said the recent government shutdown created a backlog of non-emergency 

licensing work and delayed important projects such as the Waste Confidence rule work and postFukushima actions.

She added that, “while the recent lapse in federal appropriations is the most recent and most 

problematic external financial challenge we’ve faced, it is not the only one. For the past year we’ve had 

to readjust our work in response to required sequestration cuts and unabated continuing resolutions. 

We’re now facing the possibility of another year of sequestration at even more austere funding levels. 

... The combination of well-grounded immediate priorities and constrained and unpredictable annual 

budgeting means that important long-term focused work simply isn’t going to get done.”

“In some cases, it could mean additional delays – in others it means certain activities may be 

temporarily suspended. ... The commission recognizes this, and we’re working to ensure that we 

continue to have the ability to do as much as we can with the resources we have.” 

In her remarks Macfarlane also highlighted:

• Appreciation for INPO’s emphasis on the link between strong plant management and 

consistent plant performance, and for the industry’s work to implement lessons learned from 

the Fukushima accident.

• Overall nuclear power plants continued to perform well, but there are a few trends of 

concern attributable to systemic issues, such as maintenance practices for aging equipment.
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• The Commission this week decided how the agency will proceed on the Yucca Mountain 

issue.

• The NRC has received “valuable input” from a variety of perspectives at public meetings on 

the Waste Confidence issue.

• The agency is monitoring domestic and international concerns about counterfeit and 

fraudulent parts and challenged both industry and the NRC staff to “maintain a shared 

commitment to vigilant vendor inspection.”

• The NRC has “worked closely with industry and Federal, state, and local law enforcement 

agencies on an integrated [emergency] response program for nuclear power plants. In the 

past year in particular, closer cooperation between industry and the various government 

entities has yielded good results and the program is advancing.” 

• Operators of plants undergoing decommissioning should “engage with the public and be 

transparent about decision-making.”

• All facility operators “should be more proactive in engaging interested parties in their 

communities. I think there’s a clear linkage between continued, productive dialogue and the 

establishment of mutual trust in a particular community.”