ML060900056

G20060344/LTR-06-0161 - Stan Rosenberg, Andrea Nuciforo, Denis Guyer, Christopher J. Donelan, Stephen Kulik, and Daniel Bosley - Ltr Vermont Yankee Update

ML060900056
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	03/22/2006
From:	Bosley D, Donelan C, Guyer D, Kulik S, Nuciforo A, Rosenberg S State of MA, House of Representatives, State of MA, Senate
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
References
06-0161, G20060344, LTR-06-0161
Download: ML060900056 (4)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 04/19/06 EDO CONTROL: G20060344 DOC DT: 03/22/06 FINAL REPLY:

State Senator Stan Rosenberg State Senator Andrea Nuciforo State Rep. Denis Guyer State Rep. Christopher J. Donelan State Rep. Stephen Kulik State Rep. Daniel Bosley Commonwealth of Massachusetts Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** GRN ** CRC NO: 06-0161 Dyer, NRR DESC: ROUTING:

Vermont Yankee Uprate Reyes Virgilio Kane Silber Dean Burns DATE: 03/30/06 Collins, RI Cyr, OGC ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

NRR Dyer SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

Coordinate response with OGC. SECY to prepare Exparte response on behalf of Commission.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed:AMar 28, 2006 17:02

. . t .

PAPER NUMBER: I LOGGING DATE: 03128/2006 ACTION OFFICE: gode; G AUTHOR: Christopher Donelan AFFILIATION: MA ADDRESSEE: Nils Diaz

SUBJECT:

Vermont Yankee ACTION: Direct Reply DISTRIBUTION: RF....SECYIRAS LETTER DATE: 03/22/2006 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Refer to staff for response.....

SECY to prepare Exparte response on behalf of Commission NOTES: Exparte Communications EDO....coordinate response with OGC FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 04/19/2006 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20060344

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133-1054 CHRISTOPHER J. DONELAN Committees REPRESENTATIVE Public Safety 6 Homeland Security 2ND FRANKLIN DISTRICT Higher Education STATE HOUSE, ROOM 146 Substance Abuse {i Mental Health TEL (617) 722-2230 03/22/06 DISTRICT OFFICE:

Rep.ChristopherDonetan@hou.state.ma.us D WALNUT HI ROAD 186 WALNUT HILL ROAD Dr. Nils J. Diaz, Chairman ORANGE, MA 01364 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (978) 544-2180 One White Flint North

- ------ 11555Rockville.Pike. ---

Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738

Dear Dr. Diaz,

As the elected State Legislators for the Massachusetts communities that lie within the 10 mile radius of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant and well within the area that could be impacted based on wind and weather patterns, we write to you today to express our continued concern regarding the uprate of the Vermont Yankee Plant.

For two years, we have been on the record asking for an independent safety assessment of this plant. We have asked that this be completed prior to-any.life extension of the Vernon Plant, and certainly prior to needed approval for the plant to increase power.

Our concerns were highlighted this past summer when the plant went into shutdown because of the failure of a transformer. The failure of this piece of equipment was due to its age. Age is the overriding concern for the entire plant.

This month, the NRC approved the uprate. The Plant increased power by 5% and had to stop because of an unexpected vibration in the steam line. Again, questions as to whether this aged plant can withstand extended life and increased power.

Our concerns are renewed this week because one of the members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has called for a re-examination of the uprate approval. Concern was expressed over the fact that the uprate has been approved and the process to increase power has already begun, even though appeals are pending and there are issues regarding the inspection that have yet to be resolved.

We have serious concerns about the integrity of this plant and the process that has lead to the approval of the uprate license. When approval is granted while issues are still unresolved, we are given cause to question how truly independent the NRC's engineering assessment was. . . -

Our overriding concern is the public safety of the people of Massachusetts and Southern Vermont. With the plant on hold at 105% due to vibration, and a Commissioner of the NRC calling the process into question, we feel the future of this plant and of the residents of Western Massachusetts are placed in needless jeopardy.

We ask again, for an independent safety assessment of The Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. An assessment independent of Entergy Corp. and independent of The Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The public has the right to the assurance that this plant is safe, and the right to demand this process stop if the plant is deemed unsafe for increased power.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely, Stat egCrStohr4 oea Anrea Neifr te enator State Repres e Denis Guyer iel Bosley State Representative State Representative Cc: Congressman Olver Congressman Neal Senator Kennedy Senator Kerry