The free flow of internal information and viewpoints is the foundation of
sound regulation. I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the whole
Commission to reemphasize to you and through you to the entire staff the
importance of a free flow of information and views. The doors of the
Commissioners' offices are always open to employees who believe that
they have no other channels in which to express these views effectively.
If any NRC employee has information he wishes to convey to me, he has
only to seek an appointment, and he may be assured that his confidence
will be protected. All of the Commissioners have reaffirmed to me that
this has been and continues to be their policy as well.

Each employee should also be made aware that the Commission intends the
Office of Inspector and Auditor to provide a similar opportunity for com-
munication of views. As the Commission has several times stated, we view
this office in substantial part as serving in an independent watchdog
capacity for the Commission. It follows that Commission employees should
feel free to take concerns they may have to OIA without risk of adverse action
against them for having done so.

Finally I should like you and all the office directors to reemphasize your own commitment to free and open communication within the Commission. This ought to include not only the regular chain by which most issues will be presented and resolved, but regular meetings or other occasions with staff at all levels at which employee concerns of every sort can be aired.

As you well know, none of these measures reflects change in course or practice for the Commission. Recent developments, including allegations that dissenting employees are unable to bring their views to the attention of top management within the Commission, however, have suggested the appropriateness of reaffirming our commitment to a regulatory process which is open internally as well as externally. Please take the necessary steps to convey these views to the attention of every NRC employee. This should include providing a copy of this memorandum to each employee.

III-9

PHILLIP BURTON, CALIF.

ROBERT W. KASTENMEER, WIS.
PATSY T. MINK, HAWAII
LLSTO MEEDS, WARN.
ABRANAM KAZEN, JR. TEL.
ROMENT 4. STEPHENS, JR., GA.
DEEPH P. VIGORITO, PA.
JOHN MELCHER, MONT.

TESHO BONCALID, WTO.

JONATHAN B. BENGNAM, N.Y.
JOHN F. SEIBERLING, OHIO
RABOLD RUNNELS, N. MEX
ANTONIO BORJA WON PAT, GUAM

DE LUGO, V.J.
SEEXHARDT, TEX.

GOCOLOR E. STRON, MD.

JUNE BENITEZ, P.R.

IM SANTIN, MEV.

PALE, E, TECINGAS, MASS,

ALLANT. HOWE, UTAN

JAMES WEAVER, ONES.

BOD CARR, MICH

GEORGE MILLER, CALIF.

THEDDORE M. (TED) RISENNDOVER,

OKLA

JAMES J. FLORIO, NJ.

JOE SKUBITZ, KANB.
BAM STEGER, ARİZ.
DON N. CLAUSEN, CALIP
PHILIP E. RUPPE, MICH.
MANUEL LUJAN, JR., N. MEX.
KEITH G. SEBELIUS, KANS.
ALAN STEELMAN, TEX.
DON YOUNG, ALASKA
ROBERT E. BAUMAN, MD.
STEVEN D. SYMMS, IDAHO
JAMES P. (JIM) JOHNDON, COLD.
ROBERT J. LAGOMARSING, CALIF.
VIRGINA SMITH, HER.
SHIRLEY M. PETTIS, CALIF.

A pervasive belief among persons interested in nuclear matters is that important decisions are made without sufficient public understanding of their bases. As I have indicated before, I believe the nuclear industry cannot be viable unless there is widespread confidence in the regulatory process. One means of achieving confidence is to ensure a detailed public record of the Commission's transactions.

To this end I am interested in records of the Commission's deliberations. In particular I would appreciate your indicating for the year 1975 the number of meetings held by the Commission, the number of votes taken by the Commission, the breakdown of votes according to the general nature of the subject matter (i.e. adjudicatory, rule making or broad policy making, and administrative), a breakdown of votes among commissioners on specific matters, and the extent to which minutes are kept of discussions so that there might be awareness of the considerations which have influenced the various decisions.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Morris K. Udall

Chairman, Subcommittee on
Energy and the Environment