Nuclear safety independent oversight

The Board is responsible for an independent oversight of all activities affecting nuclear safety within DOE s nuclear weapons complex. Prior to the end of the nuclear arms race, the nuclear weapons complex concentrated on the design, manufacture, test, and maintenance of the nation s nuclear arsenal. The complex is now engaged in the cleanup of contaminated sites and facilities, disassembly of nuclear weapons to achieve arms control objectives, maintenance of the smaller stockpile, and storage and disposition of excess fissionable materials. All of these hazardous activities must be carried out in the strict observance of health and safety requirements. 

If there is one single lesson that can be drawn from the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, it is the absolute requirement that any nuclear power program should have robust and independent oversight of its safety management arrangements. Independent oversight means that the regulator must be independent of the nuclear industry, and also independent from political interference. 

External independent oversight has been provided by the Advisory Committee for Nuclear Facility Safety (ACNFS) and the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board (DNFSB). This SER is based on a review of the Level 1, Rev. 0, report, the results of reviews performed to date, and several related communications as noted. 

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