ML063380299

Letter Regarding Orange County'S Resolutions Regarding the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant

ML063380299
Person / Time
Site:	Harris
Issue date:	11/27/2006
From:	Jacobs B Orange County, NC, Board of Commissioners
To:	Pickett D NRC/NRR/ADRO/DORL/LPLII-2
References
2.206
Download: ML063380299 (2)

Text

BARRYJACOBS, CHAIR ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS STEPHEN H. HALKIOT7S, VICE-CHAIR 7 MOSES CAREY, JR POST OFFICE Box 818 VALERIEP. FOUSHEE AUCE M. GORDON 200 SOUTH CAMERON STREET HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 November 27, 2006 Mr. Doug Pickett, Acting Branch Chief ,O- 4O Plant Licensing Branch 11-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852

Dear Mr. Pickett:

Thank you for inquiring about Orange County's resolutions regarding the Shearon Harris nuclear plant.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) has deliberated the merits of either joining as an active petitioner in the 10 CFR § 2.206 petition to suspend the operating license for the Shearon Harris nuclear generating facility, or to support the petition in the same vein as the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill by being placed on a distribution list for Nuclear Regulatory Commission correspondence with the petitioners. The BOCC has determined that Orange County will opt to remain a supporter of the petition with a place on the distribution list as opposed to becoming an active petitioner.

The BOCC does support the request that the NRC hold field hearings or public meetings in this area as part of its evidentiary and deliberation processes.

Furthermore, it is Orange County's desire that its resolution in support of emergency planning throughout the designated 50-mile radius ingestion pathway be taken as a statement in support of the fire petition, given that fires represent the greatest risk of accidental release of radioactive material.

The BOCC's emergency planning concerns are specific to the Shearon Harris facility in that the ingestion pathway area includes Orange County. We do not necessary expect that the ingestion pathways of all nuclear power facilities will encompass similar levels of population as is the case in the Research Triangle Area. However, it seems prudent on the part of the NRC and the nuclear power industry, particularly in light of recent experiences around the nation with flawed evacuation efforts, to work with local emergency management officials to ensure the safety of those living within the ingestion pathway of any nuclear power facility. If not addressed as a part of the current discussion, Orange County's concerns related to evacuation planning will arise again, perhaps during relicensing deliberations.

WWW. CO.ORANGE, NC. US PROTECTING AND PRESERVING - PEOPLE,RESOURCES, QUALITY OFLIFE ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA - YOU COUNT!

(919)245-2130# FAX (919)644-0246

Page 2 Thank you for this opportunity to more fully clarify the intent and concerns of the citizens and Board of Commissioners of Orange County. If there is anything contained herein, or within the previously transmitted resolutions relative to Shearon Harris, that needs additional explanation or clarification, please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely, CC: Kevin Foy, Mayor of Chapel Hill Mark Chilton, Mayor of Carrboro Jim Warren, NCWARN David Lochbaum, Union of Concerned Scientists Robert Gruber, Executive Director of Public Staff, N.C. Utilities Commission Bryan E. Beatty, Secretary, N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Robert B. (Bob) McGehee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Progress Energy