ML053260077

G20050762/LTR-05-0571 - Hon. Timothy Bishop Ltr Response to Brian Farber'S Email Dated November 4, 2005

ML053260077
Person / Time
Site:	Millstone
Issue date:	12/13/2005
From:	Reyes L NRC/EDO
To:	Bishop T US HR (House of Representatives)
Nerses V, NRR//DLPM, 415-1484
Shared Package
ML053260139	List: ML053260077
References
G20050762, LTR-05-0571, TAC MC8855, TAC MC8856
Download: ML053260077 (3)

Text

December 13, 2005 The Honorable Timothy Bishop United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Bishop:

I am writing on behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in response to Mr. Brian Farbers e-mail to Ms. Raeann Shane of the NRC dated November 4, 2005, concerning the status of improvements to the Millstone Power Station (Millstone) closed cooling system, waterborne intake barrier, and radiation monitoring. In Mr. Farbers e-mail, he stated that your office received an inquiry from one of your constituents.

Regarding the closed cooling system, the NRC is aware of an issue regarding this subject matter between the State of Connecticut and the licensee. Our understanding is that the licensee is operating under an existing discharge permit issued by the State of Connecticuts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) while the licensee continues to negotiate a new one. The DEP has additional information you may find useful regarding the status of this discharge permit.

Regarding the waterborne intake barrier, the Department of Homeland Security offered to provide the barrier, but the licensee decided it was not needed because they had identified other means to achieve compliance with NRC physical security requirements, which included requirements to protect against waterborne attacks. In October 2004, the NRC staff completed a comprehensive review of the Millstone physical security plan and judged it to be acceptable. I have enclosed a letter the NRC sent to Congressman Markey for additional information on this matter.

Regarding radiation monitoring, the NRC requires licensees that operate nuclear power plants to maintain extensive environmental monitoring programs. The enclosed NRC fact sheet elaborates on these programs. The NRC is not aware of releases from Millstone that are in excess of allowable limits.

I appreciate your interest in this matter. If you have any further questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Luis A. Reyes Executive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

As stated

The Honorable Timothy Bishop December 13, 2005 United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Bishop:

I am writing on behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in response to Mr. Brian Farbers e-mail to Ms. Raeann Shane of the NRC dated November 4, 2005, concerning the status of improvements to the Millstone Power Station (Millstone) closed cooling system, waterborne intake barrier, and radiation monitoring. In Mr. Farbers e-mail, he stated that your office received an inquiry from one of your constituents.

Regarding the closed cooling system, the NRC is aware of an issue regarding this subject matter between the State of Connecticut and the licensee. Our understanding is that the licensee is operating under an existing discharge permit issued by the State of Connecticuts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) while the licensee continues to negotiate a new one. The DEP has additional information you may find useful regarding the status of this discharge permit.

Regarding the waterborne intake barrier, the Department of Homeland Security offered to provide the barrier, but the licensee decided it was not needed because they had identified other means to achieve compliance with NRC physical security requirements, which included requirements to protect against waterborne attacks. In October 2004, the NRC staff completed a comprehensive review of the Millstone physical security plan and judged it to be acceptable. I have enclosed a letter the NRC sent to Congressman Markey for additional information on this matter.

Regarding radiation monitoring, the NRC requires licensees that operate nuclear power plants to maintain extensive environmental monitoring programs. The enclosed NRC fact sheet elaborates on these programs. The NRC is not aware of releases from Millstone that are in excess of allowable limits.

I appreciate your interest in this matter. If you have any further questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Luis A. Reyes Executive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

As stated Distribution: See next page Package Number: ML053260139 Incoming: ML053140187 Response Letter: ML053260077 : ML050800183 : ML053270137 OFFICE LPL1-2/PM LPL1-2 /LA TECH ED LPL1-2/BC NAME VNerses CRaynor HChang DRoberts DATE 12/06/05 12/06/05 11/22/05 12/07/06 OFFICE DORL/D NRR/OD OCA EDO NAME CHaney JDyer BKeeling LReyes DATE 11/23/05 11/30/05 12/12/05 12/13 /05 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

DISTRIBUTION FOR LETTER TO TIMOTHY BISHOP IN RESPONSE TO BRIAN FARBER E-MAIL MILLSTONE UNIT NOS. 2 AND 3:

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