These four regions oversee the operation of 104 power-producing reactors, and 36 non-power-producing reactors. This oversight is done on several levels, for example:
Each power-producing reactor site has Resident Inspectors, who monitor day-to-day operations
Numerous special inspection teams, with many different specialties, routinely conduct inspections at each site
Whistleblower reports are investigated by the Office of Enforcement, specifically the Allegations branch[6]
The NRC previously had five regions. Region V was headquartered in Walnut Creek, California and was responsible for activities in the seven far-west states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The NRC decided in September 1993 to consolidate Regions IV and V into a single Region headquartered in Arlington, Texas.[7] On April 4, 1994, NRC Region V was abolished, and the NRC Region IV office in Arlington, Texas was given expanded responsibilities to include the seven states formerly governed by Region V.[8][9] The former NRC Region V office in Walnut Creek remained open as the redesignated Walnut Creek Field Office, supporting resident inspection activities at power plants in the Pacific states of Washington, Oregon and California[8] until October 1, 1998, when the Walnut Creek Field Office was abolished to further reduce costs.[10][11][12][13]
References
^"NRC: Locations".
^"NRC: Region I Jurisdiction".
^"NRC: Region II Jurisdiction".
^"NRC: Region III Jurisdiction".
^"NRC: Region IV Jurisdiction".
^"NRC: Allegations".
^"NRC to restructure regional functions in west; Walnut Creek to be Field Office" (PDF) (Press release). Washington D.C.: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. September 22, 1993. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
^ a b"NRC Administrative Letter 94-08: Consolidation of the NRC Region IV and Region V Offices" (PDF). Letter to "All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear reactors". July 13, 1994. Retrieved December 3, 2014.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^"Consolidation of two NRC western Regions effective on April 4" (PDF) (Press release). Washington D.C.: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. March 30, 1994. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
^Callan, L. Joseph (December 18, 1997). "Walnut Creek Field Office (WCFO) Closure Plan" (PDF). Letter to "The [NRC] Commissioners". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
^"NRC to close California Field Office in 1998" (PDF) (Press release). Washington D.C.: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. September 5, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
^"NRC California Field Office to close September 30" (PDF) (Press release). Arlington, Texas: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV. September 23, 1998. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
^"NRC Administrative Letter 98-08: Availability of Revised NRC Form 3, "Notice to Employees" and Closure of NRC Walnut Creek Field Office" (PDF). Letter to "All NRC licensees". October 9, 1998. Retrieved December 3, 2014.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: others (link)