March 21, 2016 

The Honorable John Bel Edwards 

Governor of Louisiana 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804 

Dear Governor Edwards: 

 On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I would like to extend 

congratulations to you on your recent inauguration as Governor of the State of Louisiana. 

 I am writing to request your appointment of a State Liaison Officer to act as the State of 

Louisiana’s primary liaison to the NRC. Mr. Richard Blackwell, Environmental Scientist 

Supervisor in the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, was previously appointed as 

State Liaison Officer for Louisiana. I request your written affirmation that you desire Mr. 

Blackwell to remain as your selected appointee, unless you choose to appoint a new State 

Liaison Officer. 

 I am providing you with a copy of the NRC brochure entitled, “State Liaison Officer 

Program,” which provides background information on, and describes the role of, the State 

Liaison Officer. I am also enclosing a copy of the NRC “2015-2016 Information Digest,” which 

provides information describing the NRC’s mission and its regulatory programs. 

 In 1976, the NRC adopted a recommendation from several State organizations, including 

the National Governors Association, that each State appoint a single person to act as a liaison 

to the NRC to help improve Federal/State cooperation. The NRC looks to the Governorappointed State Liaison Officer to be the primary communication channel between the State and 

the NRC. The State Liaison Officer serves as the key person in the State to keep the Governor 

and other State agencies informed about issues under the NRC’s jurisdiction (specifically 

matters addressing nuclear regulation, nuclear security, nuclear emergency preparedness, and 

radiological public health and safety) and to provide the NRC with State information on particular 

nuclear safety, security, and environmental issues. 

 Since inception of the State Liaison Officer Program, State Liaison Officer responsibilities 

have continued to evolve. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the NRC 

increased its security-related communications with the Governor-appointed State Liaison 

Officers. Your appointed State Liaison Officer will serve as a recipient for sensitive unclassified 

information, including Safeguards Information (SGI), from the NRC. SGI is a special category of 

sensitive unclassified information authorized by Section 147 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, 

as amended, to be protected from inadvertent release and unauthorized disclosure. Although 

SGI is sensitive unclassified information, it is required to be handled and protected in a manner 

similar to classified National Security Information. 

 The NRC will keep you informed of our programs and activities through Mr. Blackwell or 

your other selected appointee. At the same time, we will continue to work with other individuals 

in Louisiana State agencies with whom we have established relationships. If you or your staff 
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have any questions concerning this correspondence or wish to obtain additional information 

about the State Liaison Officer program, please contact Mr. Daniel Collins, Director, Division of 

Material Safety, State, Tribal, and Rulemaking Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 

Safeguards, at (301) 415-3340 or by e-mail at Daniel.Collins@nrc.gov. 

 I thank you in advance for your assistance. The Commission looks forward to your 

response and to continuing an excellent working relationship with the State of Louisiana. 

Sincerely, 

/RA/ 

 Stephen G. Burns 

Enclosures: 

1. NRC Brochure, State Liaison Officer 

 Program 

2. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

 2015-2016 Information Digest, 

 NUREG-1350, Volume 27 

cc: w/o enclosures 

 Richard Blackwell, LA Department of 

 Environmental Quality