ML040760897

G20040124 - Rep. Hinchey Ltr. Re Meeting to Discuss Proposed Dry Cask Storage System - Indian Point

ML040760897
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	03/23/2004
From:	Travers W NRC/EDO
To:	Hinchey M US HR (House of Representatives)
Shared Package
ML040760662	List: ML040760897
References
G20040124
Download: ML040760897 (3)

Text

March 23, 2004 The Honorable Maurice D. Hinchey Member, United States House of Representatives City Hall, Third Floor 18 James Street Middletown, NY 10940

Dear Congressman Hinchey:

On behalf of the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your February 24, 2004, letter to Hubert Miller, Regional Administrator, Region I, regarding a meeting to discuss Entergy Nuclear Northeasts plans to construct an independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at the Indian Point Nuclear Generating Station in Buchanan, New York. You requested that a public meeting be held in the community that is host to the plant so that it would be more accessible to local citizens and community leaders. You specifically expressed interest in our response to concerns regarding the vulnerability of the ISFSI to acts of terrorism and our views on recent questions raised about the workmanship and design of the dry cask storage system selected for use by Entergy.

In a letter dated December 29, 2003, Entergy announced its plans to store spent fuel in an ISFSI at Indian Point under the general license provisions of 10 CFR Part 72. The dry cask storage design that Entergy plans to use at Indian Point has been reviewed and approved by the NRC. NRC approves spent fuel cask designs through a rulemaking process. The rulemaking process includes an opportunity for public review and comment. NRC's approval of a cask design is provided in a Certificate of Compliance. Entergy, as a general licensee, will be required to perform evaluations to ensure that the use of the specific dry cask storage system is bounded by the Part 72 Certificate of Compliance and the existing Part 50 license requirements for Indian Point. NRC will review Entergys evaluations and perform inspections during construction, pre-operational testing, and operational activities to ensure that all safety requirements are met.

We understand that residents and local elected officials have questions and concerns regarding the planned ISFSI at Indian Point. During our Annual Assessment meeting with Entergy on April 27, 2004, we plan to discuss, at some level, the NRCs licensing and oversight of dry cask storage systems and ISFSIs. Subsequent to the April 27, 2004 meeting, we plan to hold an additional public meeting in the vicinity of Indian Point, within the next several months, to discuss the NRCs role in the Part 72 general licensing process, dry cask storage system technical reviews, and inspection of ISFSI activities. The intent of this meeting is to inform the public about the NRCs oversight, including a discussion of the technical requirements for dry cask storage, and the nature of specific assessments to be completed by Entergy to demonstrate the dry cask storage system meets all requirements. We will also provide general information regarding actions taken and in progress to ensure the security of spent fuel storage, and will respond to other questions and concerns that may be raised. In addition, we

The Honorable Maurice D. Hinchey 2 understand that Entergy plans to conduct an open house in mid-April 2004 to share the specific plans for construction and operation of the ISFSI.

These meetings will provide the opportunity for citizens in the vicinity of the Indian Point site to learn more about the NRCs oversight of ISFSIs and Entergys specific ISFSI construction and operating plans.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations

The Honorable Maurice D. Hinchey 2 understand that Entergy plans to conduct an open house in mid-April 2004 to share the specific plans for construction and operation of the ISFSI.

These meetings will provide the opportunity for citizens in the vicinity of the Indian Point site to learn more about the NRCs oversight of ISFSIs and Entergys specific ISFSI construction and operating plans.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations Distribution:

H. Miller, RA J. Wiggins, DRA A. Blough, DRP B. Holian, DRP B. McDermott, DRP D, Screnci, PAO N. Sheen, PAO W. Cook, DRP W. Travers, EDO P. Norry, DEDM W. Kane, EDO S. Collins, EDO W. Dean, EDO S. Burns, OGC K. Cyr, OGC J. Dyer, NRR M. Virgilio, NMSS D. Rathbun, OCA J. Jolicoeur, RI EDO Coordinator R. Laufer, NRR P. Milano, PM, NRR G20040124 ADAMS ML040760662 After declaring this document An Official Agency Record it will be released to the Public.

To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment/enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE RI/DRP RI/DRP RI/ORA OCA EDO NAME BMcDermott BHolian HMiller DRathbun WTravers DATE 03/16/04 03/16/04 03/16/04 03/22/04 03/20/04 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY