FR 2021-01225

The document in question is a notice from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding their public meeting schedule for January and February 2021. Under the authority of the Government in the Sunshine Act, these meetings are designed to uphold transparency within governmental operations.

General Summary

The NRC has scheduled a few notable meetings. The Affirmation Session on January 15 will review petitions associated with nuclear facilities like the Indian Point Nuclear Generating Station and Three Mile Island Nuclear Station. Another meeting on February 18 will address topics related to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Employment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these meetings will not be accessible for in-person attendance; instead, they will be available via teleconference or webcast. This keeps the public engaged while ensuring health and safety guidelines are followed.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several potential issues are present within the document. Primarily, the detailed subject matter of the meetings is not fully disclosed, leaving stakeholders who are not already familiar with the proceedings to potentially struggle with understanding or adequately preparing for the discussions. Terms such as 'Affirmation Session' and 'Petition to Intervene' may also go unexplained for those lacking specific knowledge about NRC procedures, adding to the complexity for laypersons attempting to engage.

Another concern lies in the logistics of attendance. While the meetings offer alternatives to physical presence via teleconference and webcast, the document does not specify how long these virtual meetings will be the norm, leaving future plans in uncertain territory. Additionally, there is a framework for requesting reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities, yet the absence of a detailed process or timeline for these requests raises concerns regarding accessibility and inclusivity.

Broad Public Impact

The public at large may find these meetings beneficial as they promote governmental transparency and involve critical topics related to nuclear energy, employment equity, and business concerns. However, the effectiveness of public participation is possibly hindered by the lack of accessible language and comprehensive details regarding the scope and implications of the meetings.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved or interested in the nuclear industry, these meetings could be significantly impactful. However, they may feel stymied if they lack detailed background information about the subjects under discussion. Companies like Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. and FirstEnergy Companies are involved in these meetings and, therefore, have vested interests in the outcomes of the discussions.

For advocates in the field of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Employment, the meeting on February 18 is pivotal. Nevertheless, the success of their engagement relies on clear communication and understanding of the topics at hand.

Overall, while the document upholds governmental transparency by alerting the public of NRC's meeting schedule, it would benefit from greater clarity and accessibility to improve engagement and participation from all interested parties.