ML070540180
| ML070540180 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 03/06/2007 |
| From: | Dyer J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Goyette R - No Known Affiliation |
| Matthew Homiack, NRR/DLR/RLRB, 415-1683 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML070540172 | List: |
| References | |
| TAC MD4460, Y020070038 | |
| Download: ML070540180 (6) | |
Text
March 6, 2007 Mr. Russell W. Goyette 7 Strathmere Street Waretown, NJ 08758-2651
Dear Mr. Goyette:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter dated January 31, 2007, regarding NRCs review of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Oyster Creek) License Renewal Application (LRA). In your letter, you request that the NRC address the following seven common sense issues in its LRA review: (1) onsite storage of spent nuclear fuel, (2) emergency evacuation, (3) plant aging and degradation, (4) security against terrorist attack, (5) plant siting as it relates to evacuation planning, (6) distribution of potassium iodide (KI) tablets, and (7) plant operational performance.
With the exception of your issue regarding KI tablets, I have responded to your other issues by letters dated July 17, August 25, October 10, and December 6, 2006, and February 7, 2007.
In my previous correspondence, I explained the approval process for license renewal and NRCs oversight of nuclear power plant (NPP) safety. Aging and degradation of passive plant structures and components is addressed in the staffs review of the Oyster Creek LRA. The NRC will only renew the Oyster Creek operating license if it determines that the applicant will adequately manage age-related degradation during the period of extended operation. The remaining issues stated in your letter are not within the scope of license renewal. In my February 7, 2007, letter, I presented the Federal, State, or local government organizations who are responsible for these issues.
Regarding distribution of KI tablets, the NRC revised its emergency preparedness regulations in 2001 to require States to consider including KI as a protective measure for the general public.
This protective measure would supplement sheltering and evacuation in the unlikely event of a severe accident at an NPP. The rule does not imply that the present generation of NPPs are less safe than previously thought. The NRC believes that current emergency planning and protective measures are adequate and protective of public health and safety. The NRC therefore does not require the use of KI by the general public. However, the NRC recognizes the supplemental value of KI and the prerogative of the States to decide the appropriateness of the use of KI by their citizens.
To facilitate the implementation of this rule change, the NRC provided an initial supply of KI tablets to requesting States beginning in 2002. On October 26, 2006, the NRC sent letters to the 21 States who had received an initial supply of KI tablets. The NRC informed these States of its decision to replace expiring stockpiles of KI on a one-time basis and provided instructions for obtaining replacement KI stockpiles. These States must request replacement KI tablets by April 30, 2007. Additional information on the consideration of KI in emergency planning is available on the NRC's Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/emerg-preparedness/protect-public/potassium-iodide.html.
R. Goyette The NRC regulates in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. NRC oversight assures adequate protection of public health and safety, the environment, and promotion of the common defense and security. The most recent Safety Evaluation Report Related to the License Renewal of Oyster Creek Generating Station, dated December 29, 2006, can be found in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) under Accession No. ML063630424.
I trust that this information is responsive to your letter.
Sincerely,
/RA/
J. E. Dyer, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation cc: See next page
Pkg: ML070540172; Incoming: ML070530032; Ltr: ML070540180
- Concurrence via email C:\\FileNet\\ML070540180.wpd OFFICE PM:RLRB:DLR LA:DLR Tech Editor*
OGC nlo NAME MHomiack YEdmonds HChang MYoung DATE 03/1/07 03/2 /07 03/1/07 03/1/07 OFFICE (A)BC:RLRA:DLR D:DLR D:NRR NAME RSchaaf PTKuo JDyer DATE 03/2/07 03/2/07 03/6/07
Letter to R. Goyette from J. E. Dyer, dated March 6, 2007
SUBJECT:
RESPONSE LETTER TO R. GOYETTE (Y020070038)
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cc:
Mr. Kent Tosch, Chief New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Nuclear Engineering CN 415 Trenton, NJ 08625 Mr. Ron Zak New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Nuclear Engineering CN 415 Trenton, NJ 08625 Mr. Alan W. Avery, Jr.
County Administrator Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Administration Building P.O. Box 2191 Toms River, NJ 08754-2191 Ms. Cindy Zipf, Executive Director Clean Ocean Action 18 Hartshorne Drive P.O. Box 505, Sandy Hook Highlands, NJ 07732-0505 Mr. Paul Gunter, Director Reactor Watchdog Project Nuclear Information & Resource Service 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 340 Takoma Park, MD 20912 Dr. Michael J. Kennish Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic 123 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102-3094 Richard Webster, Esq.
Staff Attorney Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic 123 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102-3094 Mrs. Edith Gbur Jersey Shore Nuclear Watch 364 Costa Mesa Drive Toms River, NJ 08757 Julia L. Huff, Esq.
Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic 123 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102-3094 The Honorable Jim Saxton United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515-3003