ML020710601
| ML020710601 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek (DPR-016) |
| Issue date: | 03/08/2002 |
| From: | Corzine J, Torricelli R US SEN (Senate) |
| To: | Meserve R NRC/Chairman |
| References | |
| G20020137, LTR-02-0175 | |
| Download: ML020710601 (3) | |
Text
EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM:
DUE: 03/12/02 Senator Jon S. Corzine Senator Robert G. Torricelli EDO CONTROL: G20020137 DOC DT: 03/08/02 FINAL REPLY:
TO:
Chairman Meserve FOR SIGNATURE OF :
Chairman Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant's Plan to Begin Storing Spent Fuel in Dry Casks on Site DATE: 03/08/02 ASSIGNED TO:
NRR CONTACT:
Collins ROUTING:
Travers Paperiello Kane Norry Craig Burns/Cyr Miller, RI Virgilio, NMSS
- Wessman, IRO
- Schum, OEDO
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: Mar 08, 2002 13:47 PAPER NUMBER:
ACTION OFFICE:
AUTHOR:
AFFILIATION:
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SUBJECT:
LOGGING DATE: 03/08/2002 LTR-02-0175 EDO Jon Corzine SEN Richard Meserve Public safety concerns regarding the Oyster Creek nuclear plant's plan to begin storing spent fuel in dry casks on site.....
ACTION:
DISTRIBUTION:
LETTER DATE:
ACKNOWLEDGED SPECIAL HANDLING:
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DATE DUE:
Signature of Chairman Chairman, Comrs, RF, OCA to Ack 03/08/2002 No Commission Correspondence.......
Adams 03/13/2002 EDO -- G20020137 DATE SIGNED:
U nfitedl 6tatts1ent WASHINGTON, DC 20510 March 8, 2002 The Honorable Richard A. Meserve Chairman United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555
Dear Chairman Meserve:
It has been brought to our attention that the Oyster Creek nuclear plant's current owners plan to begin storing spent fuel in dry casks on site in April, 2002. We are writing in regards to the public safety concerns that many nearby residents have raised about the plan.
The potential vulnerability of nuclear reactors to terrorists was underscored by President Bush in his state of the union address, when he revealed that U.S. intelligence sources had found evidence that Al Qaeda was examining nuclear reactors as potential targets. In recognition of this ongoing threat, we note that on February 26, 2002, you ordered all 104 nuclear power plants to "implement interim compensatory security measures for the generalized high-level threat environment."
Given the current high-level threat environment and the severe harm that could result from terrorist sabotage of spent fuel rods, we believe that there are questions about the dry cask storage plans at Oyster Creek. Certainly, the threat environment has drastically changed since the most recent public hearing on the dry cask storage plan was held last year. That is why Ocean County and 28 New Jersey towns have passed resolutions requesting that you hold a public hearing on the issue.
As the NRC is charged with ensuring safe operation of commercial nuclear power plants, we request that you hold a hearing to address these concerns prior to allowing the dry cask storage to go forward. Because of the short time frames involved, we ask that you provide us with a response no later than March 15, 2002.
Sincerely, ROBERT G RRICELLI TUnited States Senator United States Senator 03/08/2002 14:24 FAX Z002/002