ML041460569

G20040176/LTR-04-0146 - Bernard Cooper Ltr. Re. Request Independent Safety Assessment of Vermont Yankee Plant

ML041460569
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	05/27/2004
From:	Holden C NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1
To:	Cooper B - No Known Affiliation
ENNIS R, NRR/DLPM,415-1453
Shared Package
ML041460066	List: ML041460076 ML041460569 ML041460570
References
G20040176, LTR-04-0146, TAC MC2322
Download: ML041460569 (6)

Text

May 27, 2004 Mr. Bernard Cooper 22 Terrapin Lane Alstead, NH 03602

Dear Mr. Cooper:

I am responding on behalf of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to your letter dated February 29, 2004, urging that the NRC turn down a request from Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. for a 20-percent power uprate at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (Vermont Yankee). You also requested that, at minimum, a comprehensive, independent safety assessment should be required to determine if the facility meets acceptable safety standards.

Regarding your concern for the need of an independent safety assessment at Vermont Yankee, I am enclosing, for your information, a letter that we sent to the Public Service Board on May 4, 2004, explaining the NRCs approach in addressing this issue. The NRC plans to use an improved engineering inspection at Vermont Yankee, as described in the enclosure. The NRC staff has concluded that a detailed technical review, combined with inspections prescribed by the reactor oversight process, as enhanced by a new engineering inspection, is the most effective means for our staff to determine whether Vermont Yankee can safely operate under uprated power conditions. The NRC will not approve the Vermont Yankee uprate, or any proposed change to a plant license, unless the NRC staff can conclude that the proposed change will be executed in a manner that assures the publics health and safety.

Thank you for your interest in the NRC activities. For current information on the NRCs review of the proposed power uprate, please see the Vermont Yankee webpage on the NRCs website at www.nrc.gov/reactors/plant-specific-items/vermont-yankee-issues.html Sincerely,

/RA/

Cornelius F. Holden, Director Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

Letter to the Vermont Public Service Board

May 27, 2004 Mr. Bernard Cooper 22 Terrapin Lane Alstead, NH 03602

Dear Mr. Cooper:

I am responding on behalf of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to your letter dated February 29, 2004, urging that the NRC turn down a request from Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. for a 20-percent power uprate at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (Vermont Yankee). You also requested that, at minimum, a comprehensive, independent safety assessment should be required to determine if the facility meets acceptable safety standards.

Regarding your concern for the need of an independent safety assessment at Vermont Yankee, I am enclosing, for your information, a letter that we sent to the Public Service Board on May 4, 2004, explaining the NRCs approach in addressing this issue. The NRC plans to use an improved engineering inspection at Vermont Yankee, as described in the enclosure. The NRC staff has concluded that a detailed technical review, combined with inspections prescribed by the reactor oversight process, as enhanced by a new engineering inspection, is the most effective means for our staff to determine whether Vermont Yankee can safely operate under uprated power conditions. The NRC will not approve the Vermont Yankee uprate, or any proposed change to a plant license, unless the NRC staff can conclude that the proposed change will be executed in a manner that assures the publics health and safety.

Thank you for your interest in the NRC activities. For current information on the NRCs review of the proposed power uprate, please see the Vermont Yankee webpage on the NRCs website at www.nrc.gov/reactors/plant-specific-items/vermont-yankee-issues.html Sincerely,

/RA/

Cornelius F. Holden, Director Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

Letter to the Vermont Public Service Board DISTRIBUTION:

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