ML032600092
| ML032600092 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 09/12/2003 |
| From: | Lowey N US Congress |
| To: | Travers W NRC/EDO |
| Shared Package | |
| ML032940711 | List: |
| References | |
| G20030553, LTR-03-0594 | |
| Download: ML032600092 (4) | |
Text
- s EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM:
DUE: 09/25/03 Representative Nita M. Lowey EDO CONTROL: G20030553 DOC DT: 09/12/03 FINAL REPLY:
Travers, EDO FOR SIGNATURE OF :
- GRN **
CRC NO: 03-0594 Travers, EDO DESC:
ROUTING:
Repair of the Containment Sumps at the Indian Point Energy Center DATE: 09/15/03 Travers Norry Paperiello Kane Collins Dean Burns/Cyr Miller, RI ASSIGNED TO:
CONTACT:
NRR Borchardt SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
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- 71. -
-OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: Sep 12, 2003 13.42 PAPER NUMBER:
ACTION OFFICE:
LTR-03-0594 EDO LOGGING DATE: 09/1212003 AUTHOR:
AFFILIATION:
ADDRESSEE:
SUBJECT:
ACTION:
DISTRIBUTION:
REP Nina Lowey REP Dr. William Travers Expresses support for immediate repair ofthe containment smnps at the Indian Point Energy Center Signature of EDO OCA Ack, RF LETTER DATE:
09/12/2003 ACKNOWLEDGED SPECIAL HANDLING:
No Commission to review response prior to dispatch NOTES:
FILE LOCATION:
ADAMS DATE DUE:
09/292003 DATE SIGNED:
EDO -- G20030553
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2214544S ns~tA&pr September 12, 2003 William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Dr. Dravers:
I am writing to express my support for immediate repair of the content sumps at the two nuclear reactors at the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, New York. Deficiencies in the drainage pits at Indian Point 2 & 3 significantly increase the risk of damage to the reactor core in the event of a pipe rupture. Immediate upgrade of key safety systems at the two plants is imperative to protect the nearly 20 million people living within 50 miles of Indian Point.
A study recently commissioned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) discovered that Indian Point's sump pump systems, designed to replenish cooling water in the event of an accident, are prone to clogging. Highly pressurized water, which flows through thousands of metal tubes, absorbs heat produced by reactor fuel. Cooler water flowing over these metal tubes is converted to steam, which drives the plants' turbines. The accidental rupture of these tubes, refenred to as a loss of coolant accident (LOCA), could result in overheating of the fuel. Pipe rupture would also release a powerful jet of water, which would likely scour off pipe insulation and protective paint. This debris could clog both plants' sump pumps, which prevent water spilling from the pipes from flooding the containment building. The NRC concluded that Indian Point's drainage pits would almost certainly fail during a LOCA, dramatically increasing the risk of reactor core damage.
Postponing sump pump repairs until the next scheduled refueling date in 2005 would only court disaster. Unfortunately, NRC spokesmen have indicated that the low probability of a containment sump problem at Indian Point makes immediate correction unnecessary. This
.statement contradicts recent NRC actions. Indeed, the Commission recently issued First Energy a "Yellow" finding for a broken sump pump at its Davis Besse plant in Ohio, insisting on repair of the pumps before the plant could restart. Further, Consolidated Edison and the New York Power Authority reported to NRC only a few yeas ago that the chances of a loss of coolant accident at Indian Point 2 and 3 were 3.23B-01 per reactor-year (I event every 3 years) and 2.02E-01 per reactor-year (1 event every 5 years), respectively.
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4-My constituents cannot rest easy as long as safety deficiencies persist at Indian Point.
Prudence demands iwift correction of this problen..
Thank you in advance for your conid atiofl, ad I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, itaN. Lowey.
XVA TC:60 IRACl/6 can m