ML042290166
| ML042290166 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 08/19/2004 |
| From: | Merschoff E NRC/EDO |
| To: | Kaplowitz M Westchester County, NY, Board of Legislators |
| Shared Package | |
| ML042290140 | List: |
| References | |
| G20040442, LTR-04-0419 | |
| Download: ML042290166 (3) | |
Text
August 19, 2004 Michael B. Kaplowitz, Chairman Committee on Budget and Appropriations Westchester County Board of Legislators 800 Michaelian Office Building 148 Martine Avenue White Plains, New York 10601
Dear Mr. Kaplowitz:
On behalf of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your June 15, 2004, letter to Chairman Diaz concerning the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants. In your letter, you referred to the work of the Westchester County Legislatures Committee on the Environment, and expressed the Committees desire to meet with an NRC representative to discuss Indian Point.
In consideration of your request, and interest expressed by other local officials, the NRC has decided to hold a meeting specifically for the representatives of governmental organizations from the communities surrounding Indian Point. At the meeting, NRC management and technical experts will address the important issues of security and emergency preparedness which underlie the concerns some local officials are receiving from constituents. The meeting will be limited to local officials in order to facilitate an open discussion of security and emergency preparedness issues. While the NRC believes its oversight program includes appropriate opportunities for participation by the public and local officials, this special meeting is being conducted to support local officials and their current need for additional information. The NRC staff will conduct this meeting at a central location in Westchester County and they will work with you to establish a mutually agreeable date, preferably in the fourth quarter of 2004.
The NRC is committed to responding to stakeholder interest in the performance and safety of the facilities we regulate, including Indian Point. The NRC has long recognized the importance and value of open communication and stakeholder involvement as a cornerstone of strong, fair regulation of the nuclear industry. As a result, the agency has sought, with the assistance of members of the public and other stakeholders, to ensure proper consideration of new issues that are brought to NRC's attention. The NRC staff routinely conducts public meetings in Westchester County, New York, to provide factual information about the regulatory process and the results of NRC performance assessments, and to give members of the community and local officials the opportunity to offer constructive comments.
The NRC's Annual Assessment Meetings are the primary opportunities for members of the public and local officials to meet with the NRC staff in the host communities. While these meetings cover the NRC's oversight process and results of the annual assessment, additional topics are added to the meeting agenda based on requests from stakeholders. For example, at the April 28, 2004, Annual Assessment Meeting for Indian Point, the NRC staff provided information about topics of local interest such as: security and emergency preparedness
Mr. Michael B. Kaplowitz 2
enhancements since September 11, 2001; electrical cable separation questions being covered by local media outlets; and NRC oversight of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSI). The meeting lasted more than five hours, and the majority of this time was dedicated to answering questions and taking comments from members of the public. While the NRC endeavors to be responsive regarding issues of local interest in this forum, some issues are complex and necessitate additional meetings with stakeholders.
In addition to the Annual Assessment meetings, the NRC holds informational meetings, as necessary, based on the plants performance or when a new or otherwise significant activity at the site requires regulatory attention. The July 15, 2004, public meeting on the proposed ISFSI for Indian Point is an example of this type of meeting. NRC subject matter experts on the design, licensing, operation, and security of ISFSIs held an informational meeting for members of the public and local officials, and spent several hours answering detailed questions regarding this type of storage for nuclear fuel. This type of meeting has proven to be an effective method for conveying important information to the public about new or different activities at nuclear power plants. As you are aware, the NRC staff has also been responsive to emerging issues brought up in writing from you and other elected officials, as well as concerned citizens.
Notwithstanding these previous opportunities for stakeholder involvement, the NRC recognizes the level of public interest in Indian Point at this time and the associated need for local officials to be well informed.
The NRC endeavors to provide opportunities for stakeholder involvement and give fair consideration of all issues brought to our attention. We believe our plan to hold a meeting for local officials is responsive to your request and that our approach will facilitate the involvement of other officials in the community surrounding Indian Point.
Thank you for your interest in the safety and security of nuclear power.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Ellis W. Merschoff Deputy Executive Director for Reactor Programs Office of the Executive Director for Operations cc:
Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Senate Honorable Charles E. Schumer, United States Senate Honorable Nita M. Lowey, United States Congress Honorable Eliot L. Engel, United States Congress Honorable Sue W. Kelly, United States Congress
Mr. Michael B. Kaplowitz 3
enhancements since September 11, 2001; electrical cable separation questions being covered by local media outlets; and NRC oversight of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSI).
The meeting lasted more than five hours, and the majority of this time was dedicated to answering questions and taking comments from members of the public. While the NRC endeavors to be responsive regarding issues of local interest in this forum, some issues are complex and necessitate additional meetings with stakeholders.
In addition to the Annual Assessment meetings, the NRC holds informational meetings, as necessary, based on the plants performance or when a new or otherwise significant activity at the site requires regulatory attention. The July 15, 2004, public meeting on the proposed ISFSI for Indian Point is an example of this type of meeting. NRC subject matter experts on the design, licensing, operation, and security of ISFSIs held an informational meeting for members of the public and local officials, and spent several hours answering detailed questions regarding this type of storage for nuclear fuel. This type of meeting has proven to be an effective method for conveying important information to the public about new or different activities at nuclear power plants. As you are aware, the NRC staff has also been responsive to emerging issues brought up in writing from you and other elected officials, as well as concerned citizens. Notwithstanding these previous opportunities for stakeholder involvement, the NRC recognizes the level of public interest in Indian Point at this time and the associated need for local officials to be well informed.
The NRC endeavors to provide opportunities for stakeholder involvement and give fair consideration of all issues brought to our attention. We believe our plan to hold a meeting for local officials is responsive to your request and that our approach will facilitate the involvement of other officials in the community surrounding Indian Point.
Thank you for your interest in the safety and security of nuclear power.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Ellis W. Merschoff Deputy Executive Director for Reactor Programs Office of the Executive Director for Operations cc:
Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Senate Honorable Charles E. Schumer, United States Senate Honorable Nita M. Lowey, United States Congress Honorable Eliot L. Engel, United States Congress Honorable Sue W. Kelly, United States Congress Distribution:
J. Reyes, EDO P. Norry, DEDM M. Virgilio, EDO W. Kane, EDO W. Dean, EDO E. Merschoff, EDO C. Miller, EDO D. Weaver, EDO A. Huffert, DOC S. Burns, OGC K. Cyr, OGC J. Dyer, NRR S. Collins, RI J. Wiggins, RI A. Blough, RI B. Holian B. McDermott EDO R/F (G20040442)
SECY (CR04-0419)
ML042290144 ML042290166 (Pkg)
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