ML060690087

G20060230/LTR-06-0130 - Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Jim Jeffords and Rep. Bernard Sanders Ltr. Re Vermont Yankee

ML060690087
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	03/08/2006
From:	Jeffords J, Leahy P, Sanders B US Congress
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
References
G20060230, LTR-06-0130
Download: ML060690087 (4)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 03/23/06 EDO CONTROL: G20060230 DOC DT: 03/08/06 FINAL REPLY:

Senator Patrick Leahy Senator Jim Jeffords Representative Bernard Sanders Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** GRN ** CRC NO: 06-0130 Reyes, EDO DESC: ROUTING:

Vermont Yankee Reyes Virgilio Kane Silber Dean Burns DATE: 03/09/06 Collins, RI Bollwerk, ASLBP ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT: Cyr, OGC Schmidt, OCA NRR Dyer Shoop, OEDO SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

Coordinate response with Region I, OGC & ALSBP.

POC: Undine Shoop, OEDO Teh"p, a2: -SEC&-o II E-bS seH-o li

T OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: Mar09, 2006 10:11 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-06-0130 LOGGING DATE: 03/09/2006 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: REP Patrick Leahy AFFILIATION: CONG ADDRESSEE: Nils Diaz

SUBJECT:

Vermont Yankee ACTION: Signatur zOfChairima. dbo S trun DISTRIBUTION: RF, OCA to Ack LETTER DATE: 03/08/2006 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: I .T]C[JC~~

NOTES:

FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 03/23/2006 DATE SIGNED:

EDO - -C200023C

Congrea et the unfteb O ntate fnglon, I.M 20515 March 8, 2006 The Honorable Nils J. Diaz Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Dear Chairman Diaz News reports recently indicated the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff took action to halt power ascension at Vermont Yankee at 105 percent power to evaluate vibrations detected in the plant's main steam line. We remain concerned that we continue to learn of events at the facility from breaking news accounts, rather than from the Commission directly. We request that we be given regular updates regarding the implementation of the uprate, and that we be informed when information regarding the uprate is publicly released.

Further, we write to seek clarification about whether the Commission staff took an action in this case that is outside the scope of the approved uprate monitoring plan. It is our understanding that the recent uprate approval included a monitoring plan that established that each 5 percent increment, from 5 to 20 percent, would be achieved, held and monitored for 96 hours0.00111 days <br />0.0267 hours <br />1.587302e-4 weeks <br />3.6528e-5 months <br /> before proceeding to the next power level. Further, the plan also addressed how vibrations of this type, should they be detected, are to be monitored. It appears Vermont Yankee will not proceed with the next scheduled 5 percent increment increase for at least several more days, raising questions about whether this detected vibration exceeded the scope of Entergy's approved uprate plan, and the matter should be fully and clearly explained.

Third, we write to request that the NRC publicly clarify whether the detected vibration has a potential impact on the safe and reliable operation of the plant. The press accounts describe steam dryer issues at other uprated plants, and Vermonters should know from the regulator whether the detected vibrations have safety significance. We further want to know how the NRC will respond in the event of a safety or reliability related finding as the uprate proceeds. We believe it is imperative that the planes increased power generation does not result in safety or reliability problems.

In addition, as the public and the State of Vermont have requested, the NRC has agreed to hold formal hearings on the Yankee Power uprate. The NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) granted those requests in November 2004. We have asked the ASLB to set a hearing schedule immediately. The outcome of the hearings has the potential to affect the terms and conditions of the uprate, and Vermonters have a right to the due process they deserve. We continue to urge the Commission to maintain its ability to review and implement any ALSB decision, and to do so without delay.

The Honorable Nils J. Diaz Page 2 We look forward to a prompt reply.

Sincerely, 0 ~ ~ %O