Office of Nuclear Safety and Environment
(Direct Report to the Deputy Chief for Operations, Office of Health, Safety and Security)

Mission and Functions

Mission
The Office of Nuclear Safety and Environment establishes nuclear safety and environmental protection requirements and expectations for the Department to ensure protection of workers and the public from the hazards associated with nuclear operations, and protection of the environment from the hazards associated with all Department operations. The Office provides assistance to field elements in implementation of policy and resolving nuclear safety and environmental protection issues.

Functions

• Implements an integrated approach to customer and stakeholder needs in the development and maintenance of nuclear safety and environmental policy.
• Provides technical support and assistance to DOE program and field elements in understanding and implementing nuclear safety and environmental polices and requirements.
• Maintains effective liaison with line managers and other offices within the Office of Health, Safety and Security and external organizations to assist in identifying and resolving site-specific and crosscutting issues and concerns related to nuclear safety and environmental protection policy.
• Develops, promulgates and maintains nuclear safety (including nuclear quality assurance), and environmental protection policy.
• Maintains liaison with regulatory agencies and interagency and international committees with respect to nuclear safety and environmental protection matters.
• Serves as the Department's representative on Federal and international organizations establishing public and environmental radiation protection policy.
• If requested by the Secretary, provides recommendations to the Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer regarding concurrence in the final decision to startup or restart a nuclear facility.
• Fulfills the role of Standards Executive for the Department of Energy.