Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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Basic structure of the licensing process determines how the Act Is implemented
The provisions of the Atomic Energy Act have been carried oat through a
"deslgn-as-you-go", "regulate-as-you-go" licensing process. The real test
of whether a plant Is "safe" Is faced after the plant is constructed.
Moreover, with the regulator's willingness to put off Issues for another
day by naming things "unresolved" safety Issues, operating licenses have
been granted with many loose ends. This process was probably essential
during the Infancy of the nuclear era when the technology was imnature, yet
rapidly developing. It did facilitate the comnercial introduction of an
important new technology consistent with the primary goals of the Act to
help strengthen America's energy security and to help maintain
U.S. technical leadership.
However, one of the issues of the last decade has been whether the
licensing process which allowed the public to secure the benefits of
nuclear power did so in ways that adequately assured the public's
confidence in nuclear powerplant safety. It is that issue which deserves
thoughtful reassessment as your Conmittee considers the Administration's
legislative framework for licensing new reactors.
Two problems must be kept in mind: first, a continued dissatisfaction with
the regulator's ability to adequately deal with severe accident issues; the
second, a seeming Inability to resolve any safety issue quickly.