ML032600092

G20030553/LTR-03-0594 - Rep. Nita M. Lowey Ltr Re Repair of Containment Sumps at Indian Point Energy Center

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: ML032600092 ML032940710
References
G20030553, LTR-03-0594
Download: ML032600092 (4)

Text

-s EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 09/25/03 EDO CONTROL: G20030553 DOC DT: 09/12/03 FINAL REPLY:

Representative Nita M. Lowey Travers, EDO FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** GRN ** CRC NO: 03-0594 Travers, EDO DESC: ROUTING:

Repair of the Containment Sumps at the Indian Travers Point Energy Center Norry Paperiello Kane Collins Dean DATE: 09/15/03 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 DatePrinted:Sep 12, 2003 13.42 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-03-0594 LOGGING DATE: 09/1212003 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: REP Nina Lowey AFFILIATION: REP ADDRESSEE: Dr. William Travers

SUBJECT:

Expresses support for immediate repair ofthe containment smnps at the Indian Point Energy Center ACTION: Signature of EDO DISTRIBUTION: OCA Ack, RF LETTER DATE: 09/12/2003 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Commission to review response prior to dispatch NOTES:

FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 09/292003 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20030553

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=9OUSE OFFICEULDO C=1IttLC2 0515f aCongreu9 of tbe Sniteb Stateg PAX 9= 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 ofkey 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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as safety deficiencies persist at Indian My constituents cannot rest easy as long ..

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Prudence demands iwift correction of this from you you in advance for your conid atiofl, ad I look forward to hearing Thank soon.

Sincerely, itaN. Lowey.

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