NRC TO RECONSIDER INDIVIDUAL ENFORCEMENT POLICY

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is asking for feedback on a potential revision to the enforcement policy that would allow individuals to be banned from NRC-licensed activities for less than one year in some cases, and expands the use of civil penalties in cases involving deliberate misconduct by individuals, according to a Federal Register notice issued yesterday. The NRC normally holds licensees responsible for acts of their employees, however the NRC has the authority to impose civil penalties—normally either a notice of violation or a one-year ban—on individuals. But given that “a ban of a year or more can have a significant effect on the responsible individual’s livelihood, and that there is a significant disparity between the impacts of an NOV and a 1-year ban,” staff is examining possible alternatives like issuing a civil penalty or a ban of 6 months. The agency will accept comments through Sept. 23, and the NRC will also hold a public meeting.