ML071290020
| ML071290020 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point, Pilgrim, Vermont Yankee, FitzPatrick  |
| Issue date: | 05/02/2007 |
| From: | Rainwater L Riverkeeper |
| To: | Klein D NRC/Chairman |
| J. Ayala, NRR/DLR/RLRA | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML071370417 | List: |
| References | |
| G20070320, LTR-07-0324 | |
| Download: ML071290020 (4) | |
Text
EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM:
DUE: 05/29/07 EDO CONTROL: G20070320 DOC DT: 05/02/07 FINAL REPLY:
Lisa Rainwater Riverkeeper TO:
Chairman Klein FOR SIGNATURE OF :
GRN CRC NO: 07-0324 Dyer, NRR DESC:
ROUTING:
NRC to Reverse Decision to Limit Public Participation in Relicensing of Nuclear Power Plants DATE: 05/08/07 Reyes Virgilio Kane Ash Silber Ordaz Cyr/Burns Collins, RI ASSIGNED TO:
NRR CONTACT:
Dyer SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
Commission to review prior to dispatch.
Add EDO and Commission on for concurrence.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: May 08, 2007 10:32 PAPER NUMBER:
ACTION OFFICE:
LTR-07-0324 EDO LOGGING DATE: 05/07/2007 AUTHOR:
AFFILIATION:
ADDRESSEE:
SUBJECT:
ACTION:
DISTRIBUTION:
LETTER DATE:
ACKNOWLEDGED SPECIAL HANDLING:
Lisa Rainwater NY Dale Klein Request that the NRC reverse its decision to limit public participation in the relicensing of nuclear power plants Direct Reply RF, SECY to Ack 05/02/2007 No Made publicly available in ADAMS via EDO/DPC NOTES:
Commission should review response prior to dispatch FILE LOCATION:
ADAMS 3/*
DATE DUE:
05/0/2007 DATE SIGNED:
EDO -- G20070320
RIVERKFEPER.
Dale Klein Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738 May 2, 2007
Dear Chairman Klein:
- Riverkeeper is formally requesting that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reverse its decision to limit public participation in the relicensing of nuclear power plants, and reinstate its policy of providing at least three public meetings during the license renewal process.
On April 30, 2007 EntergyNuclear Northeast submitted its license renewal application for the Indian Point nuclear power plant located in Buchanan, New York. According to informnation obtained from the NRC's website on the status of reactor license renewals, agency staff reduced the number of public meetings in the license renewal review schedule beginning in August 2006 with the Fitzpatrick application from three to two, greatly diminishing the public's ability to understand and participate in the nuclear power plant license renewal process. This was accomplished by combining the initial public information meeting on the license renewal process and the meeting on environmental scoping into one meeting, held several months after the application is submitted. License renewal schedules prior to Fitzpatrick,. such as for Vermont Yankee and Pilgrim, ensured that the public information meeting took place approximately a month after the application was submitted, much sooner than the current schedule provides. This change does a disservice to the public in two critical ways.
First, combining the meetings does not allow the public time to use knowledge about the environmental review process they would have learned in the initial information meeting to augment comments made at the environmental scoping meeting, which would have taken place several months later. Instead, the public is expected to learn about the renewal process during the first half of the meeting, and make substantive scoping comments during the second half. This abridged process virtually guarantees that the quality and quantity of public comments and questions will be diminished.
Second, combining two public meetings into one undoubtedly results-in less actual time.
for the public to ask questions and submit comments. This clearly reduces the number of 828 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591.914.4784501 f: 914.478.4527 www.rive, xeeper.org NI'C
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concerned citizens who will be able to fully participate at a single meeting.
Notwithstanding the public's continuing opportunity to file written comments on the scoping process, that is no substitute for a live public forum at which citizens can ask specific questions of the NRC staff.
In a time when the NRC is attempting to improve its public image and increase public confidence in its ability to oversee the nuclear industry, limiting public participation in a crucial process such as the relicensing of a nuclear power plant does little to increase public faith in the agency charged with protecting public health and safety regarding the operation of nuclear facilities.
We live in a society based on democratic principles. Thp public deserves the right to participate fully in this democratic process - cutting comers denies this right. Therefore, we urge the NRC to reinstate its policy of providing at least three public meetings, 11;IUO4Ain si.en.se re.e..lp.--est and.0,coping idetings.du
-t. the renewal reviews of nuclear power plants, beginning with Indian Point..
We look forward to receiving a response from your office.
Sincerely, Lisa Rainwater, PhD Indian Point Campaign Director CC:
Commissioner Merrifield Commissioner Lyons Commissioner Jaczko Commissioner McGaffigan Sam Collins, RegionAl Administrator, Region I