ML041760500

Letter to Lt. Todd W. Lynch from Commissioner Mcgaffigan Concerning the Misinterpretation of His Remarks to the New York Times

ML041760500
Person / Time
Site:	Monticello
Issue date:	11/12/2002
From:	Mcgaffigan E NRC/OCM
To:	Lynch T Wackenhut Corp
References
FOIA/PA-2004-0180
Download: ML041760500 (1)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 COMMISSIONER November 12, 2002 Lt. Todd W. Lynch, Security Supervisor Wackenhut Security Corporation Monticello Nuclear Generating Facility 2807 West County Road 75 Monticello, MN 55362

Dear Lt. Lynch,

Thank you for your letter of October 27, 2002. 1believe that you may have misinterpreted my remarks to the New York Times.

I do not oppose the use of 12-hour shifts for security forces. Indeed, the use of 12-hour shifts in a three days on/two days off, two days on/three days off cycle (which results in an average 42 hour4.861111e-4 days <br />0.0117 hours <br />6.944444e-5 weeks <br />1.5981e-5 months <br /> work week) is common among security forces. However, I strongly oppose persistent use of excessive overtime. Clearly, performance will be degraded by a six days/week, 12 hour1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />s/day work schedule, alternating between day and night shifts, that persists over a long period of time. There may be a need for such overtime in an emergency, such as after September 11, 2001. But that should be the exception, not the rule.

The Commission gave clear direction in its February 25, 2002 Order about the minimum size of security forces at nuclear power plants and other interim security requirements. I am not aware of any NRC-ordered changes since February 25, other than the NRC advisory covering the two weeks (September 10-24, 2002) when the Attorney General placed the nation at the orange threat level. Even allowing time for recruiting, hiring and training new security personnel, almost ten months after that Order licensees should not be relying on 72 hour8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br /> plus work weeks to meet NRC requirements, and the vast majority are not.

I appreciate having the views of you and your colleagues, and will pass them on to my fellow Commissioners and the NRC staff.: To reiterate, I do not oppose the uGse of 12-hour shifts for security personnel. I do oppose the persistent use of excessive overtime, except in an emergency.

Sincerely, Edward McGaffigan, Jr.

cc: Chairman Meserve Commissioner Dicus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner Merrifield William Travers, EDO