Marc L. Dapas Quotes
We choose not to be prescriptive in our regulations. We take a more general approach, offering guidelines.
This quotation is an excellent example of one theory of regulation which conservatives generally prefer. Tapas, as a mid-level administrator of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, did not determine this policy but was charged by the senior administrators with executing it, as opposed to making many inspections, fining or taking other steps against violators, and make examples of those who violate regulations, especially regulations that affect something as dangerous as nuclear contamination and even explosion. But the Commission has the responsibility for encouraging as well as regulating the nation's nuclear power and other industries and uses of radioactive material. As such, many feel that the dual responsibility creates an inherent conflict of interest adn the functions should be separated. Given the catastrophic potential in certain kinds of nuclear accidents, others believe that regulations would be very specific so the organizations, users, government, oversight politicians and the public will be able to understand what is expected and monitor if the standards are being med.
"Fifteen Years After 9/11, Are We Any Safer?", The Atlantic, September 2016
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Mr. Dapas joined the NRC in 1989 as an operations engineer in NRR. In 1992, he transferred to Region III and served as Senior Resident Inspector at Prairie Island, Senior Reactor Analyst in the Division of Reactor Projects (DRP), and Branch Chief in DRP. In 1998, Mr. Dapas was selected to the SES and held a number of senior management positions in Region III, including Deputy Director, DRP; Deputy Director, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety (DNMS); DNMS Director, and Deputy Regional Administrator, Region I. In 2011, Mr. Dapas was appointed as Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. In 2013, Mr. Dapas was appointed as Regional Administrator for Region IV. Mr. Dapas received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and served on active duty in the U.S. Navy's nuclear power submarine program.
