Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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Answer: INPO's strength is in its people. Over 135 individuals with
utility experience are currently on INPO's staff. In addition,
over 70 individuals who were officers in the Navy nuclear
propulsion program are now employees of INPO.
Over 55 of our personnel have held licenses or certification as
nuclear power plant senior reactor operators.
INPO's personnel selection process has been careful and thorough,
and its employees are highly qualified to set and enforce
standards of excellence.
Question: What actions has INPO taken or planned to take regarding its
program in view of the accident at Chernobyl?
Answer: Subsequent to the accident, we provided information to our
members via NUCLEAR NETWORK'^, a computerized, electronic,
international communications system typically utilized for the
exchange of information among INPO members and participants.
On May 8, 1986, the Utility Nuclear Power Oversight Committee
(UNPOC), a group of senior executives representing industry
organizations formed a task force to assess the implications of
the Chernobyl accident in order to determine a course of action
for the industry. INPO is serving a significant role as a task
force member with responsibility for ultimate development of "The
Role of Operating Personnel" chapter of the U.S. Factual Report
on Chernobyl.
Any lessons learned from our review of the Chernobyl event will
be integrated into ongoing INPO programs.
Question: How can this Committee be of help to INPO in carrying out its
mission?
Answer: We request the Committee's encouragement and endorsement of the
INPO-managed efforts as described in my testimony and as outlined
in the documents furnished with the testimony. Further, we would
appreciate having the opportunity to periodically update this
committee, and through this committee the full Congress, on INPO
activities and the operating performance of the nuclear utility
industry.
Question: With all your evaluations of everything from training to
corporate management, you should be well equipped to be able to
discover an accident waiting to happen. Have you ever had such
an occasion? Have you succeeded in getting the particular
problem resolved? Do you communicate directly with the NRC on
the problems you uncover in your reviews?