ML052660105

G20050654/LTR-05-0468 - Senator Charles E. Schumer Ltr Belated Announcement of a Leak Hairline Cracks in the Spent Fuel Pool of the Indian Point 2 Nuclear Reactor

ML052660105
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	09/21/2005
From:	Schumer C US SEN (Senate)
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
Jackson D RGN-I/DRP/PB2/610-337-5306
Shared Package
ML052710477	List: ML052660105
References
CORR-05-0146, G20050654, LTR-05-0468
Download: ML052660105 (4)

Text

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EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 10/04/05 EDO CONTROL: G20050654 DOC DT: 09/21/05 FINAL REPLY:*

Sen. Charles E. Schumer TO:

Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** PRI ** CRC NO: 05-0468 Chairman DESC: ROUTING:

Concerns Belated Announcement of a Leak from Reyes Hairline Cracks in the Spent Fule Pool at Indian Virgilio Point 2 Kane Silber Dean Cyr/Burns DATE: 09/22/05 Dyer, NRR ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

RI Collins SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed:Sep 22, 2005 13.34 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-05-0468 LOGGING DATE: 09/22/2005 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: SEN Charles Schumer AFFILIATION: CONG ADDRESSEE: Nils Diaz

SUBJECT:

Concerns belated announcement of a leak from hairline cracks in the spent fuel pool of the Indian Point 2 nuclear reactor ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: RH,OCA to Ack LETTER DATE: 09/21/2005 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Comr. Correspondence NOTES: Advanced copy to the EDO FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 10/06/2005 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20050654

>;e. 21. 2003 4:15PM Office of Sen. CUarles Schumer No. 1382 P. 2 CHARLES E.SCHUMER COMMWEC;

,- NEWYORK BANKING FINANCE WASHitd NeGTtesC25at JUDICIARY RULES WASHINGTON, DC 2051 0 The Honorable Nils J. Diaz September 21, 2005 ,:, jClz /?( e-~

Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Fax: 301-415-8571

Dear Chairman Diaz:

I am writing to express my dismay at the belated announcement this week of a leak from hairline cracks in the spent fuel pool of the Indian Point 2 nuclear reactor in Buchanan, NY. To ensure the security of the plant and to maintain the confidence of nearby residents, it is imperative that the special inspection now underway by the NRC be extremely thorough, prompt, and as public as security issues will permit. I also ask that the NRC and Entergy hold a public meeting in Westchester once the special inspection is completed to discuss the results and answer questions from the public.

Because of its location and its history of leaks under the previous owner, Con Edison, Indian Point 2 and its related operations needed, and have received, heightened scrutiny. Indian Point 2 was, in fact, the first nuclear power facility in the country to be issued a "red finding" from the NRC because of operational and maintenance problems. The current owner, Entergy, has invested millions of dollars in improvements and Indian Point has been removed from the

'.red finding" designation. But this record makes it crucial for the NRC and Entergy to remain extremely vigilant and exceptionally thorough in tracing and correcting even minor problems at the plant.

On a related matter, I am disappointed by the delay in notifying the public and elected officials about the spent fuel pool leak;, which Entergy told the NRC about on September 2nd*

Although your initial evaluation is that the leak posed no hazard to plant employees or Westchester residents, the failure to make the leak public is a throwback to the bad old days of secrecy and lack of accountability that I worked with Entergy and the NRC and others to change.

Operating a nuclear power plant in the heart of a densely populated urban area requires an exceedingly high level of public communication, cooperation and coordination. It is unfortunate that this standard was not met in the disclosure of the spent fuel pool leak. Please inform me about what steps NRC and others are taking to ensure better, faster communication from now on.

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S:21. 200 2 3 4: 15PM Office of Sen. C arIes Schurrer No. 1382 P.3 I look forward to hearing from you on these matters. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Hudson Valley Regional Director Jean Bordewich at 845-758-9741.

Sincerely,

.0 Charles E. Schumer United States Senator