ML042960404

G20040708/LTR-04-0660 - Sen. James M. Jeffords, Sen. Patrick Leahy, and Rep. Bernard Sanders Ltr Independent Engineering Inspection Team - Vermont Yankee

ML042960404
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	10/20/2004
From:	Jeffords J, Leahy P, Sanders B US HR (House of Representatives), US SEN (Senate)
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
Lanning W
References
CORR-04-0209, G20040708, LTR-04-0660
Download: ML042960404 (4)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: .DUE: 11/02/04 EDO CONTROL: G20040708 DOC DT: 10/20/04 FINAL REPLY:

Senator James M. Jeffords Senator Patrick Leahy Representative Bernard Sanders Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** PRI ** CRC NO: 04-0660 Chairman Diaz DESC: ROUTING:

Independent Engineering Inspection Team - Vermont Reyes Yankee Virgilio Kane Merschoff Norry Dean DATE: 10/20/04 Burns/Cyr Collins, RI ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT: Rathbun, OCA NRR Dyer SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date hinted: Oct20, 2004 11.43 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-04-0660 LOGGING DATE: 10/20/2004 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: SEN James Jeffords AFFILIATION: SEN ADDRESSEE: Nils Diaz

SUBJECT:

Verrmont Yankee nuclear power plant ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: RF, OCA to Ack LETTER DATE: 10/20/2004 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Co-author..Sen Patrick Leahy NOTES: Commission Correspondence FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 11/0412004 DATE SIGNED:

EDO - -G20040708

II deblt J§tatte Mongass October 20, 2004 The Honorable Nils J. Diaz Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

Dear Chairman Diaz:

We write to request that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) expedite release of the draft report of the independent engineering inspection team at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. The independent engineering inspection team was scheduled to complete its inspection at Vermont Yankee by September 6, 2004. We understand that work on the team's report is underway and the NRC will schedule an exit meeting with the State of Vermont and the licensee shortly. We believe that the State of Vermont and the public should have time to review the independent engineering inspection report before it is made final, and be provided an opportunity to hear from and interact with the inspection team members regarding its contents.

We note that the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) plans to hear oral arguments in Brattleboro on October 21 and 22, 2004 regarding the two requests for hearings on the proposed power uprate at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. The NRC announced that the general public may submit written comments for the ASLB oral argument but will not have an opportunity to speak. In doing so, the NRC noted that there would be "other opportunities for the public to offer comments to the NRC on the uprate proposal, including an upcoming exit meeting for an engineering inspection conducted by the agency at the plant in August." We expect the NRC to adhere to this promise, and ensure that the exit meeting is a participatory public meeting allowing our constituents to learn about the results of the independent engineering assessment, to make statements, and to ask questions about the independent engineering assessment.

You have also assured us that hearing requesters may amend or add to their contentions based upon information obtained through the independent engineering assessment now being undertaken at Vermont Yankee. We believe that the independent engineering assessment may contain new information of interest to the requestors and they should have adequate time to review its results.

Diaz, pg. 2 We believe that the NRC has the discretion to accommodate our requests. Vermonters need to know that the NRC will address their concerns and questions.

Sincerely, Patrick Leahy, U.S.S.

Bernard Sanders, M.C.