Let me make a few observations before we turn to yo Following the Three Mile Island accident, our subco ducted a comprehensive set of hearings on the major even as Senator Hart was working at a similar task. T were completed in September. Early this month, the began consideration of concepts that might be incorpora lation. Perhaps the major issue before us is the questi there should be a moratorium on issuance of constructio nuclear powerplants. This is a matter on which our members hold a wide range of views. And I gather your are not entirely of a single mind on this issue either deliberation we decided that before proceeding to wri nuclear policy bill, we would wait and see what words o and your associates might offer on the subject. So that you might understand the basis for some of I would say a few words as to where I come down c moratorium question. After TMI—and I am speaking 6 months-my position on the issue has been moving opposition to a moratorium to one of tentative support of a conditional moratorium. Prior to the accident a Island, I tried to be intellectually honest and I was accept assurances that nuclear powerplants could be ma safe. After all, we had had 400 reactor years of operat fatality. And I had hoped they would be made safe beca involved had an interest in making sure that accidents I had believed instead that if nuclear development wer would be a result of adverse economics or a failure to so problem. Your revelations and those of others have raised so m about the manner in which the nuclear technology has b that I now lean to the conclusion there should be a p torium-perhaps not a permanent or an unconditions moratorium-until the industry and regulators both ge in order. Not because I am confident that we will find e natives to nculear power—although I hope that such alt be found-rather I am leaning this way because our cou decide that there is a long-term need for some compone technology. If we so decide—and that is a judgment for we must have assurances that those responsible for the dangerous machines will do a much better job than has date. Thank you, Senator Hart. Senator HART. Thank you, Chairman Udall. MENT OF HON. ALAN K. SIMPSON, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF WYOMING ON. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. your usual courtesy, Senator Randolph. sed at having this opportunity to share this opporHouse committee and the opportunity to discuss with other members of the Commission their report on the e Mile Island. I must say I enjoyed my informal time ay, and I found you to be a rather spirited and capable I enjoyed that very much. I was impressed. bers of this Commission are to be commended for the ent of this most difficult question. The seriousness ith which the Commission and staff approach their s quite evident from the Commission report and locuments. Moreover, the Commission's findings and ar to me to be a fair and balanced appraisal of the mplications both of nuclear safety and regulation of this country. As such, those findings and conclusions, an important addition to the abundance of informaThree Mile Island, and they will certainly receive deration in this subcommittee. ly important, the Commission has presented its mmendations in understandable form-in English, a ole attribute here in this community-and I think rsimplification, you have done that. I believe that is American people are to fully understand both what ee Mile Island and what those events mean for the power. To me, this contribution to public undernk, one of the greatest benefits that you will perform. , our own review of Three Mile Island and this acciany of the findings of this Commission. We have e human factors which played an extraordinary and n the accident and in the utility's and NRC's response so observed the attitudes on nuclear energy and safety thin the industry and regulatory agency prior to the fully agree with the Commission as to the seriousness s and need for corrective action. hat we have seen this far, I would also agree with the t there are serious deficiencies in both the NCR's reatment of operating experience. Clearly, there are hed and there are changes to be made. in conclusion, I think that the Commission has pront and public with a sweeping set of recommendations cnarman and chairman of the run committee will give it t look forward to the opportunity to explore this with Sena the Kemeny Commission and receiving more of their idea ing nuclear safety and regulation and the reasons and deb them to their significant recommendations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Chairman Ha Mr. UDALL. Mr. Chairman, I am told they are about t bill. Before I leave, I would like to welcome Governor has been a valuable member of this Commission. I hope r in the Senate and House will treat him gently. He has b the taxpayers enough as it is. Senator HART. Governor, welcome. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JONATHAN B. BINGHA SENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF N Mr. BINGHAM. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think this is a memorable day on several counts. I would like to commend you, Chairman Hart, and also Ch for arranging this joint hearing. It is unusal for House committees to meet together. I have long felt that this was that could save us and the representatives of the exec a great deal of time if we did more of it. So I think this precedent. I would also like to say that I think the Chairman a bers of the Kemeny Commission have performed a great s country and perhaps for the world community which is nuclear safety problems. I have not had a chance to go o in detail, but to the extent that I have been able to go ove agree with about 95 percent of it, and that proves to m wise report. I do have some questions, as Chairman Hart indicated the recommendations with regard to the setup for the Nu tory Commission. My own feeling about that is I agree f Commission that there has been a mindset in the NRC, b problem lies particularly with the staff, most of whom from the old AEC. I think there is a lot to be said for the commission at the top of the structure. So I will be pursuin questions. But I do want to say I think you performed a great ser us, and I commend the Commission. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator HART. Thank you, Congressman. f the Capitol. e appreciate your taking the time to counsel with us ings of the President's Commission on the Accident sland. We also welcome Representative Udall and m the House Subcommittee on Energy and the Enshare with our committee and our Subcommittee ulation the congressional responsibility for Federal lian nuclear energy. u, Dr. Kemeny and your associates, for thed iligent s effort you have made in developing your report. Three Mile Island, the worst such event in 25 years r production, is highly controversial. A balanced e of your awareness of this situation. All of us look lly reviewing your findings and recommendations. e, through cur Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation, he Senate's investigation of the Three Mile Island the able leadership of Chairman Hart and Senator nking minority member, our efforts are moving rately chosen a more lengthy period for our inquiries ntial Commission. It will be our responsibility to on any legislation that is considered necessary as accident. We believe, therefore, that we should have other studies of Three Mile Island, including yours, the President's Commission recommends several nuclear regulation. We will give them careful conin our own studies and in the development of legisat the Congress will not be subjected to pressure kly on some of these matters. he incident, however, it was readily apparent that d and should be taken without delay. In considering rization bill for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, nd the Senate adopted provisions stimulated by the nd accident. Our limited ban on construction of lants was one instance in which we anticipated of the President's Commission. I hope that we can on this legislation very soon. mendation of the Commission is the reorganization egulatory Commission from a five-member body to ected by a single administrator. This is an example dation that I believe must not be hurriedly acted on. ust be considered in a much broader context. I am there is little difference if the Nuclear Regulatory irected by one person or five if there are no other to the recovery from inree vine island. I and others n proposals to create the comprehensive waste disposal pro which the future of nuclear energy is extremely cloudy. develop and report legislation on this subject. Dr. Kemeny, again we welcome you and your colle committee and look forward to counseling with you. Senator HART. Thank you very much, Senator Rand Congressman Weaver of Oregon? OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES WEAVER, AR TIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OF Mr. WEAVER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As chairman of the Three Mile Island Investigative appointed by the Chairman of the Interior Committee, one fundamental question: Can we control this force of trol us? That is why I was much interested in your report dealt with this problem. It was clear to me anyway that the operators of Thre at the time of the accident were overwhelmed that a nu so technologically cumbersome. There were 100 alarm minutes of the accident and the operators certainly mad they made errors not because they were incompetenthighly competent-but because the technology was in them to grasp at the moment. I say something is f wrong with the technology. The aversion, problems, and nuclear holds, the very fact that great numbers of our perhaps a majority-oppose or fear nuclear power, shou to prohibit nuclear development. We are concentrat material most dangerous to life, indeed most threat existence and procreation of humanity. I hope to d questions. Thank you very much. Senator HART. Senator Moynihan. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. DANIEL PATRICK MO SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF NEW YO Senator MOYNIHAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the public never says its thanks very simply like to say to the Commission thank you. Thank you. Senator HART. Thank you, Senator. |