ML050870531

G20050207/LTR-05-0159 - Ltr. Rep. Jay Inslee Re Concerns Application by Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company Regarding the Disposal of Materials from Connecticut Yankee Haddam Neck Nuclear Power Facility

ML050870531
Person / Time
Site:	Haddam Neck File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png
Issue date:	03/23/2005
From:	Inslee J US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
Shared Package
ML050910311	List: ML050870531
References
CORR-05-0064, FOIA/PA-2005-0203, G20050207, LTR-05-0159
Download: ML050870531 (4)

Text

a -I EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 04/04/05 EDO CONTROL: G20050207 DOC DT: 03/23/05 FINAL REPLY:

Rep. Jay Inslee TO:

Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** PRI ** CRC NO: 05-0159 Chairman DESC: ROUTING:

Concerns Application by Connecticut Yankee Atomic Reyes Power Company Regarding the Disposal of Materials Virgilio from Connecticut Yankee Haddam Neck Nuclear Power Kane Facility Merschoff Silber Dean DATE: 03/25/05 Burns/Cyr Collins, RI ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

NMSS Strosnider SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY L CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed:Mar24, 2005 16:41 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-05-0159 LOGGING DATE: 03124/2005 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: Jay Inslee AFFILIATION: REP ADDRESSEE: Nils Diaz

SUBJECT:

Concerns application by Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company regarding the disposal of materials from CT Yankee Haddam Neck nuc power facility ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: RF, OCA to Ack LETTER DATE: 03/23/2005 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Comr. Correspondence NOTES: Commission Correspondence FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 04/06/2005 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20050207

03/23/2005 15:52 FAX 4257767168 u.s. Kep. Jay inslee 'aj -&J -vv JAY INSLEE lsr isrncr, ASHI GTONouNTLAxE 21906 AVNUE WEAS.DI0DI 4TwEAx TERRACE.WA 90043-2278 5T DISTRICT, WASHINGTON a14261 40-233 FAx: (425)776-718 COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE 17751 FJOD DRYrE,NE, DOOR112 POULOSO. WA 95270 TELECCMMUNICATI0NS AND THE INTERNET vFX01609-2342 OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS F.x: (1 34S0 ENVIRONMENT AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 403 CANNON Hous Opmc Eu Lowe COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES qOnIrers of the Uniteb stat e .sNFom.DC2aSsllo1 FORESTS AND FOREST HEALTH oothe of 3Rpre~tntatibe r 9 ~Jayin1loo@ FX 222910 melI.houge.gov WlasIjlugton, Z3 20515-4701 www.houss.g0'/ns March 23, 2005 The Honorable Nils J. Diaz Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

One White Flint North Building 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-2738

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am writing regarding an application by Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (Connecticut Yankee) to your Commission concerning the disposal of materials from Connecticut Yankee Haddam Neck nuclear power facility site.

As a member of Congress from Washington State, I have long supported the efforts to ensure that unregulated disposal of radioactive wastes at the U.S. DOE Hanford site does not further impact the Columbia River. I also support efforts by Washington State to ensure that cumulative impacts of further radioactive waste disposal on the Columbia are fully considered.

Connecticut Yankee is currently requesting authorization from the NRC to dispose of materials from their Haddam Neck plant at US Ecology's unlicensed hazardous waste disposal facility which is located along the Snake River, a tributary of the Columbia River. The application involving a site upstream on the Snake River raises concerns for me and many downriver residents working to protect the Columbia River system.

As you can imagine, a number of Washington State residents find it problematic that the NRC may be moving forward with a decision on this issue without properly including the public. It is my understanding that the NRC has been asked to authorize the proposed disposal under section 20.2002 of the Commission's rules. At the same time, it is also my understanding that the NRC is on the verge of initiating a low-activity solid waste materials rulemaking, addressing the issue of whether and when low-activity waste should be allowed to be disposed of at unlicensed facilities, which are the same issues that the NRC must consider for the Haddam Neck application.

PRINTEDON REOYCL.COPAPER

IEj UUJ/UUJ 03/23/2005 15:52 FAX 4257767168 U. S. Rep. Jay Insles The Honorable Nils J. Diaz March 23, 2005 Page 2 I strongly urge the NRC to consider the Connecticut Yankee application as a part of its rulemaking governing disposal of low-activity waste, and that the public be afforded all the appropriate opportunities for engagement in the decision regarding the application.

This is an issue with potentially significant downstream consequences, both with regard to the precedents the NRC may set in how it makes this decision, and potential effects the decision may have on Washington State residents. The general public, tribes, and states should be permitted to comment on the issues involved, and the NRC should complete a comment analysis on the comments received. The NRC should also consider alternative disposal options and generically analyze the suitability of disposing this waste at unlicensed facilities.

Government always has a responsibility to build trust with its citizens, particularly when making such permanent and significant decisions. It is in the best interests of my constituents, the NRC, companies involved, and the environmental organizations engaged in this matter for the NRC to consider the Connecticut Yankee issue in a manner that builds trust between the parties, rather than further contributing to what a National Academy of Sciences study termed "a legacy of distrust." I believe that in the case of the Connecticut Yankee application, trust can be best nurtured through thorough analyses and robust public engagement.

I would be pleased to discuss any aspect of this letter with you and the other Commissioners at your convenience.

Sincerely, 3affslee Member of Congress cc: Commissioner Edward McGaffigan, Jr.

Commissioner Jeffrey S. Merrifield Commissioner Greg Jaczko Commissioner Peter Lyons