The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Handling of Allegations of Defective Cable

GAO reviewed the circumstances surrounding the alleged defective cable supplied to five nuclear utilities during the period 1971 to 1975. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) investigated the allegations from 1976 to 1977, and based on tests and other studies decided, in its technical judgment, that the cable was not defective. In conducting the review, GAO established three objectives: (1) understanding the events which triggered the allegations; (2) reviewing the investigation by NRC of the cable problem; and (3) evaluating the actions of the affected utilities.