ML041210006

G20040248/LTR-04-0224 - Rep. Charles F. Bass Ltr. Mr. Slavic'S Concern Regarding a Request to Amend the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station

ML041210006
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	05/04/2004
From:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
To:	Bass C US HR (House of Representatives)
Skay D, NRR/DLPM, 415-1322
Shared Package
ML041210007	List: ML041040353 ML041210006
References
G20040248, LTR-04-0224, TAC MC2609
Download: ML041210006 (1)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 CHAIRMAN May 4, 2004 The Honorable Charles F. Bass United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Bass:

I am responding on behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to your letter dated April 7, 2004, in which you forwarded a copy of a letter from your constituent, Mr. Fred M. Slavic. Mr. Slavic is concerned about a request by Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC, and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., to amend the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station license to increase the power level of the facility. In his letter, Mr. Slavic requests that you induce the NRC to perform an independent safety inspection of Vermont Yankee, as proposed by the Vermont Public Service Board.

On May 4, 2004, I sent a letter to the Vermont Public Service Board explaining the NRCs approach in response to their request for an independent engineering assessment.

I enclose a copy of that letter for your information. The NRC plans to use an improved engineering inspection at Vermont Yankee, as described in the enclosed letter. The NRC staff has concluded that the detailed technical review, combined with the inspections prescribed by the reactor oversight process, as enhanced by a new engineering inspection, is the most effective method of informing its decision on whether Vermont Yankee could safely operate under uprated power conditions.

Mr. Slavic also expressed concerns regarding the effects of an accident at the plant and insurance coverage related to the Price-Anderson Act. The NRC staff is still evaluating these issues and will reply to them in separate correspondence.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Nils. J. Diaz

Enclosure:

Letter to the Vermont Public Service Board