ML042020052
| ML042020052 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 07/29/2004 |
| From: | Holden C NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1 |
| To: | Kaskow J - No Known Affiliation |
| Tam P, NRR/DLPM, 415-1451 | |
| References | |
| 2.206, G20040455, LTR-04-0428, TAC MC3726 | |
| Download: ML042020052 (3) | |
Text
July 29, 2004 Ms. Joyce Kaskow 403 6th Avenue Ortley Beach, NJ 08751
Dear Ms. Kaskow:
I am responding on behalf of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to your letter of June 22, 2004, to Dr. Nils Diaz, Chairman of the NRC. Your letter expressed your opposition to extending the operating license of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS), and your concern about the safety of spent fuel storage on site.
OCNGS is owned and operated by AmerGen Energy Company, LLC (AmerGen), in Lacey Township, New Jersey. The current license expires on April 9, 2009. In a press release dated February 19, 2004, and in correspondence to the NRC, AmerGen announced its intention to seek renewal of the OCNGS operating license for a period of up to twenty (20) years.
However, AmerGen has not yet submitted an application for NRC review. In the absence of an application, the NRC has no basis to make any regulatory decision. Should the NRC receive an application in the future, the NRC staff will review both the safety and environmental issues associated with this license renewal. Specifically, the licensee must provide the NRC with an evaluation that addresses the technical aspects of plant aging and must describe how the aging will be managed. In addition, the licensee must prepare an evaluation of the potential impact on the environment to support plant operation for the additional 20 years. License renewal is a process open to public participation in a number of ways, including public meetings and the opportunity for adjudicatory hearings. See the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal.html for more information.
You also raised concerns about the security and safety of the spent fuel stored at OCNGS.
Spent fuel can be safely stored at the OCNGS site until it can be shipped to a centralized interim spent fuel storage facility or a permanent disposal facility. The NRC applies a fundamental defense-in-depth strategy for protection of public health and safety. The strategy encompasses design, construction, operation, training, event mitigation, and contingency planning including emergency planning. The spent fuel pool design and operation employs the defense-in-depth strategy. Spent fuel pools are robust structures constructed of thick concrete-reinforced walls and stainless steel liners. Contingency measures are in place to address events including those associated with spent fuel storage. While it is unlikely that a situation at a spent fuel pool would result in an offsite emergency, plant operators, including those at OCNGS, have plans to respond to such an emergency, and these plans are developed in consultation with State and local officials. Both the spent fuel pool and the spent fuel storage casks are protected by the licensees security program. Additional information regarding spent fuel storage can be found on the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-storage.html.
J. Kaskow We appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions and concerns in this matter with the NRC. If you have any further questions regarding these issues, please call the NRC Project Manager for OCNGS, Mr. Peter Tam, at 301-415-1451.
Sincerely,
\\RA\\
Cornelius F. Holden, Director Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
J. Kaskow We appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions and concerns in this matter with the NRC. If you have any further questions regarding these issues, please call the NRC Project Manager for OCNGS, Mr. Peter Tam, at 301-415-1451.
Sincerely,
\\RA\\
Cornelius F. Holden, Director Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION:
PUBLIC PDI R/F RLaufer RBarkley, R-1 LReyes PNorry MVirgilio WKane SCollins WDean SBurns HMiller, R-I KCyr, OGC JGoldberg, OGC DSkay TWalker, R-I BSheron RSummers JHerrera PEselgroth JDyer WBorchardt JCraig MCase CHolden LCox NRRMailroom (G20040455)
SECY 04-0428 Package Number: ML042120426 Accession Number: ML042020052 Incoming: ML041910108 OFFICE PDI-1\\PM PDI-1\\LA Region I DPI-1\\SC PDI-1/D NAME PTam SLittle RBarkley* RLaufer CHolden DATE 7/21/04 7/21/04 7/16/04 7/22/04 7/28/04
- Concurred by e-mail.
- By e-mail, S. Hoffman of RLEP informed that RLEP does not need to be on concurrence since the paragraph on license renewal had been used in many previous letters.
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