Improvements needed in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of Inspector and Auditor. Report to the Congress

Technical Report · Thu Jul 09 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5898155

To help the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) carry out its responsibilities, a special office of Inspector and Auditor was created in April 1975 to independently review and appraise all NRC operations. This office, in essence, was to provide the Commissioners with oversight over NRC programs and activities and recommend corrective actions. GAO found that the Office of Inspector and Auditor has not been using proven management techniques in scheduling and carrying out its work. These techniques range from systematic planning and prioritization to timely and consistent followup on work. If such techniques were used, it would result in a more orderly management approach and lead to higher quality reports and a better use of staff resources. The independence of the Office of Inspector and Auditor needs to be strengthened. In GAO's view, this only may be possible if NRC accepts and implements the recommendations contained in this report. GAO also suggests that Congress consider establishing a statutory Inspector General office at the NRC. Such an office could help ensure that the Congress and the Commissioners receive objective information on problems within the Commission and enhance public trust in the regulation of commercial nuclear power.

• Research Organization: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA). Energy and Minerals Div.
• OSTI ID: 5898155
• Report Number(s): PB-81-233371
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210700* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Regulation & Licensing
INSPECTION
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
REGULATIONS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS