The Nuclear Regulatory Commission: More Aggressive Leadership Needed

In response to congressional directive, GAO reviewed and audited the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) performance regulating nuclear activities during the first 5 years of its existence. The NRC regulates the Nation's commercial nuclear power program and other nuclear activities. Concern over the future of nuclear power has reached crisis proportions, and the NRC will need to establish a foundation of public and industry confidence in its regulatory ability if nuclear power is to survive the crisis. GAO believes that NRC Commissioners need to provide leadership and direction, set measurable goals, evaluate progress and performance, take control of regulatory policymaking, and make the Commission Chairman the agency's principal executive officer in fact as well as in name.