ML020910508

G20020179/LTR-02-0225 - Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich Ltr Re Recent Discovery of Significant Damage to the Davis Besse Reactor Lid

ML020910508
Person / Time
Site:	Davis Besse
Issue date:	03/28/2002
From:	Kucinich D US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Meserve R NRC/Chairman
References
G20020179, LTR-02-0225
Download: ML020910508 (3)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 04/10/02 EDO CONTROL: G20020179 DOC DT: 03/28/02 FINAL REPLY:

Representative Dennis J. Kucinich Chairman Meserve FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** PRI ** CRC NO: 02-0225 Chairman Meserve DESC: ROUTING:

Recent Discovery of Significant Damage to the Travers Davis Besse Reactor Lid Paperiello Kane Norry Craig Burns/Cyr DATE: 03/29/02 Dyer, RIII ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

NRR Collins SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: Mar 28, 2002 16:48 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-02-0225 LOGGING DATE: 03/28/2002 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: REP Dennis Kucinich AFFILIATION: REP ADDRESSEE: CHRM Richard Meserve

SUBJECT:

Concerns recent discovery of significant damage to the Davis Besse reactor lid ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: RF LETTER DATE: 03/28/2002 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: OCA to Ack NOTES:

FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 04/12/2002 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20020179

Mar-28-02 03:2Rpm From-Rep.Dennis J.Kucinich 202 225 5745 T-289 P.006/006 F-151 Comm;ttees:

DENNISJ. KUCINICH 10TH DISrTICT, OHIO Government Reform Education 1730 LON0WOKMT OFFICE BUILDING Wand he

) Workforce WAShMiNGTON, D.C. 20515 (202) 22$-5871 Tangress ntf tIj Unitehi taea www.house.gov/kucinich 14400 DEriorr AVENUE iu jf prentatius l.AJeWOOD. Orio 44107 (216) 22"-8850 March 28, 2002 Chairman Richard A- Meserve Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Chairman Meserve:

The Davis Besse nuclear power plant is within 100 miles of the Cleveland, Toledo and Detroit metropolitan areas, where more than 6 million people live. As such, I am very concerned about the recent discovery of significant damage to the Davis Besse reactor lid. As you know, a six-inch deep hole was found in the carbon steel of the reactor lid as a result of a coolant leak. Boric acid, a principal component of the coolant, ate through the six inches of carbon steel. Only 3/16 of an inch of stainless steel liner remains. I understand that the high pressure (2200 lbs /sq inch) inside the reactor was creating a bulge in the stainless steel. This clearly indicates that the integrity of the reactor itself was compromised and it was a matter of time before the steel liner ruptured resulting in a sudden loss of coolant. As you know, only a fully functional safety backup system would have prevented a loss of control at the reactor. However, the Davis Besse safety backup systems have historically had a poor record of operation.

I urge you to ensure the safety of Ohio citizens and keep Davis Besse shut down until the reactor lid is replaced. Any repair of the current lid is unacceptable; there is no scientific basis that such a repair can withstand the environment of an operating reactor. The NRC must be prepared to offer solid evidence that any repair will meet the design safety basis of Davis Besse, Since, such a repair to a critical component has never been performed at any reactor, my standard will be exceedingly high.

The Davis Besse nuclear power plant came far too close to losing control of the reactor and running the risk of radiation escape. Allowing any more risk to public safety is unacceptable.

Sincerely, Dennis J. Kucinich Member of Congress DJK:ap 00-m