Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

92
12
Further, If we want to ensure technical Integrity and public confidence In
our nuclear Industry, we must have a well -defined management system to
Inspect and verify the quality and validity of plant construction. If the
major safety Issues are completely resolved In the design and siting, then
the construction/operation license public hearing should focus on the
specific application of the design to the site and the construction
approval to the utility. At this point, the participants should have a
clear Idea of what benefits and risks that powerplant poses to society and
what benefits and risks It doesn't. On that basis, a decision to buHd and
operate a plant can be made conscientiously and responsibly. If an
"approve-before-you-bulld" system Is put Into effect, we should have the
confidence to allow operation without further litigation.
Finally, as new Information leads to the need for modification(s), the
Administration's licensing reform proposal reemphasizes that the point of
regulation Is Increased plant safety. That is the standard against which
we should measure our actions. It Is the rationale for regulation in the
first place. Anything less than achieving assured plant safety should be
discarded.
As we look to the future, one key action is to show continued success In
the operation of existing powerplants. In part, this will require that we
confirm that the fission product control systems in our operating reactors
are adequate for the task of protecting the health and safety of the
public. If containment systems have to be upgraded to deal with core