ML020710601

G20020137/LTR-02-0175 - Sen Jon S. Corzine and Sen Robert G. Torricelli Ltr Re Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant'S Plan to Begin Storing Spent Fuel in Dry Casks on Site

ML020710601
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
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 EDO CONTROL: G20020137 DOC DT: 03/08/02 FINAL REPLY:

Senator Jon S. Corzine Senator Robert G. Torricelli TO:

Chairman Meserve FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** PRI ** CRC NO: 02-0175 Chairman DESC: ROUTING:

Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant's Plan to Begin Storing Travers Spent Fuel in Dry Casks on Site Paperiello Kane Norry Craig DATE: Burns/Cyr 03/08/02 Miller, RI Virgilio, NMSS ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT: Wessman, IRO Schum, OEDO NRR Collins Davis, NMSS SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed:Mar 08, 2002 13:47 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-02-0175 LOGGING DATE: 03/08/2002 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: Jon Corzine AFFILIATION: SEN ADDRESSEE: Richard Meserve

SUBJECT:

Public safety concerns regarding the Oyster Creek nuclear plant's plan to begin storing spent fuel in dry casks on site.....

ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: Chairman, Comrs, RF, OCA to Ack LETTER DATE: 03/08/2002 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING:

NOTES: Commission Correspondence .......

FILE LOCATION: Adams DATE DUE: 03/13/2002 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20020137

03/08/2002 14:24 FAX Z002/002 Unfitedl 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