McGaffigan on NRC's Mandate

The late Edward McGaffigan, Jr. on the mandate of NRC as quoted in yesterday's edition of the New York Times:

The commission’s mandate, Mr. McGaffigan emphasized, is to “provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection, not absolute assurance of perfect protection.”

“When they change the law to require absolute assurance of perfect protection,” he said, “there won’t be a lot of nuclear reactors in this country. Also, there won’t be a lot of cars or McDonald’s.”

That puts things in the proper perspective.

Once again, our condolences to Commissioner McGaffigan's family and friends, as well as to the staff at NRC. He'll be sorely missed.