U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Proposed Tribal Policy Statement National Tribal Air Association...

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Proposed Tribal Policy Statement

National Tribal Air AssociationFebruary 26, 2015

Michelle Ryan, Intergovernmental LiaisonKevin O’Sullivan, Intergovernmental Liaison

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Who We AreThe U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was

established by The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974.

• Independently regulates commercial uses of nuclear material, including nuclear power; and

• Headed by five Commissioners

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Who We AreThe Commission as a whole:

formulates policies and regulations governingnuclear reactor and materials safety;

issues orders to licensees; and adjudicates legal matters brought before it

The President designates one member of the Commissionto serve as Chairman and official spokesperson.

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The NRC Regulates:Nuclear reactors – commercial power reactors, research

and test reactors, new reactor designs;

Nuclear materials – radioactive materials for medical, industrial and academic use;

Nuclear waste – transportation, storage and disposal of nuclear material and waste, decommissioning of nuclear facilities; and

Nuclear security – physical security of nuclear facilities and materials from sabotage or attacks.

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NRC at Work

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What We Don’t Do:• Regulate nuclear weapons, military reactors or

space vehicle reactors. (These are regulated by other federal agencies.)

• Lobby for nuclear power. (The nation’s nuclear agenda is set by the President and the Congress.)

• Own or operate nuclear power plants.

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Tribal Policy Development• COMWDM-12-0001, “Tribal Consultation Policy

Statement and Protocol,” dated May 22, 2012.

• Directed staff to develop a draft policy statement and protocol on NRC consultations with Native American Tribal governments.

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Tribal Policy Development

• December 1, 2014 Federal Register Notices – Solicit Comments on Proposed Tribal

Policy Statement; – Solicit Comments on NRC Tribal

Protocol Manual; and– Comment Period closes May 31, 2015.

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Proposed Tribal Policy Statement • Policy Principles • The NRC Recognizes the Federal Trust

Relationship and Will Uphold its Trust Relationship with Indian Tribes.

• The NRC Recognizes and Is Committed to a Government-to-Government Relationship with Indian Tribes.

• The NRC Will Conduct Outreach to Indian Tribes.

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Proposed Tribal Policy Statement • Policy Principles

• The NRC Will Engage in Timely Consultation.

• The NRC Will Coordinate with Other Federal Agencies.

• The NRC Will Encourage Participation by State-Recognized Tribes.

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Submitting Comments• Details can be found online at:• http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/state-tribal.html; or • at www.regulations.gov (Docket ID NRC-2012-0235).

• Submit Comments Online:– http://www.regulations.gov – Rulemaking.Comments@nrc.gov

• Mail Comments to:– Cindy Bladey, chief, Rules, Announcements, and

Directives Branch, Office of Administration, – Mail Stop: 3WFN-06-44M, US Nuclear Regulatory

Commission, Washington, DC 20555-000 11

Additional InformationThe NRC places a high priority on keeping the public andstakeholders informed of its activities. At www.nrc.gov,you can:

Find public meeting dates and transcripts; Read NRC testimony, speeches, press releases

and policy decisions; and Access the agency’s Electronic Reading Room to

find NRC publications and documents.

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Contact Us

Intergovernmental Liaison Resources

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/state-tribal.html

Michelle Ryan – 630-829-9724

Michelle.Ryan@nrc.gov

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