ML060520456

G20060167/LTR-06-0084 - Rep. Jerry Weller Ltr. Ground Water Quality - Braidwood/Dresden

ML060520456
Person / Time
Site:	Dresden, Braidwood
Issue date:	02/15/2006
From:	Weller J US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
Orth S
Shared Package
ML060720429	List: ML060520456
References
CORR-06-0045, G20060167, LTR-06-0084
Download: ML060520456 (4)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 03/13/06 EDO CONTROL: G20060167 DOC DT: 02/15/06 FINAL REPLY:

Representative Jerry Weller TO:

Chairman 'Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF  : ** PRI ** CRC NO: 06-0084 Chairman :Diaz DESC: ROUTING:

Ground Wate:r Quality - Braidwood/Dresden Reyes Virgilio Kane Silber Dean Cyr/Burns DATE: 02/17/06 Dyer, NRR Schmidt, OCA ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

RII I Caldwell SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

Coordinate with NRR.

w(eS p:'G'7 1 ell(1611 &EC-V-O)

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed:Feb 17, 2006 14:18 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-06-0084 LOGGING DATE: 02/17/2006 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: REP Jerry Weller AFFILIATION: CONG ADDRESSEE: CHRM Nils Diaz

SUBJECT:

Requests information regarding tritium leak at Braiciwood and recent leak at Dresden ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: RF, OCA to Ack.

LETTER DATE: 02/15/2006 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Commission Correspondence NOTES:

FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 03/15/2006 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20060167

JEORRY WEL]LER HOUSE POLICY COMM-rTEE 11THDIsTRICT. ILLINOIS CoMtsEE O N CommITTEE ON DEPUTY MAJoRM' WHIP IINTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMITTEE ON WESTERN HEMISPHERE WAYS AND MEANS UNITED STATES (VICE CHAIR)

SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRADE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM &

SUBCOMMITTEE ON NONPROLIFERATION SELECT REVENUE MEASURES Febnary 15, 2006 The Honorable Nils J. Diaz Chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am writing to you with deep concern regarding the ground water quality situation at the Braidwood Nuclear Generating Facility in Joliet, Illinois and the Dresden Nuclear Facility in Morris, Illinois.

It is my understanding that sample results from ground water well testing performed last November through January of this year by Exelon Corporation has shown elevated signs of tritium that is, in some cases, above the Environmental Protection Agency's federal drinking water standard of 20,000 pCi/L. These elevated levels are of deep concern to me, and need to be addressed with an immediate and thorough response.

While it has been publicly stated by your agency that the levels indicated in the test results are of no immediate health risks or concerns, I ask that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission strongly enforce its regulations on Exelon Corporation and make sure the public is fully aware of the actions being taken by both the agency and the company. I firmly believe that if a company is responsible for either on-site or off-site contamination, it is the complete responsibility of the company to remedy the situation, both for the safety of the surrounding residents and the stability of the environment. I request that when providing analysis of findings from Exelon's test results, you apply the highest level of scrutiny to ensure complete public safety.

In addition, I would like to request a detailed summary and complete time-line of events involving the tritium leak at Braidwood Nuclear Generating Facility and also the recent leak at the Dresden Facility. I would prefer that these documents reflect the actions of both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Exelon Corporation, and include a detailed summary of how the tritium leak are going to be resolved.

Finally, I request that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission do an independent audit of all of the nuclear power facilities in Illinois with a strong emphasis on system components dealing with tritium. With instances now occurring at mote than one facility I believe an entire systems wide audit needs to be done.

108 CANNON HOUSE OpNCE BUILDING IN LASALLE COUNTY WASHiNGToN, D.C. 20515-1 1 2701 BLACK ROAD, SuIE 201 (815) 4334085 (202) 225-3635 JoLIET, ILLINoIs 60435-2926 IN MCLEANCOUNTY www.louse.gov/weller 1815) 740-2028 (309) 557-0448 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

When dealing with situations such as that currently present at the Braidwood Nuclear Generating Facility, it is essential that we as government officials make sure the public is protected at all times and is made completely aware of every measure being taken to remedy the contamination.

Thank you for your consideration of these requests, and I look forward to your response.