ML082340663
| ML082340663 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 10/10/2008 |
| From: | Peter Bamford Plant Licensing Branch 1 |
| To: | Bedell D Resource Relations |
| Bamford, Peter J., NRR/DORL 415-2833 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML082340642 | List: |
| References | |
| TAC MD8871, Y020080108 | |
| Download: ML082340663 (5) | |
Text
October 10, 2008 Mr. Douglas Bedell Resource Relations P.O. Box 125 Cornwall, PA 17016
SUBJECT:
THREE MILE ISLAND NUCLEAR STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - RESPONSE TO LETTER REGARDING PROPOSED RELOCATION OF THE JOINT INFORMATION CENTER TO COATESVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
Dear Mr. Bedell:
By letters dated May 28, 2008 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML081560187), and September 30, 2008 (ADAMS Accession No. ML082830307), you wrote to me regarding your concerns with the proposed relocation of the Three Mile Island (TMI) Joint Information Center (JIC) from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The proposed relocation is described in a submittal by AmerGen Energy Company, LLC (AmerGen or the licensee) dated October 17, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML072970126).
I would like to thank you for your interest and involvement in this topic. Active public involvement in the regulatory process is an important characteristic of the openness principle of good regulation.
In response to your letter, let me describe the current status of the proposed relocation. On August 19, 2008, AmerGen withdrew the request for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval of the proposed JIC relocation (ADAMS Accession No. ML082330141). This withdrawal reflects a determination by AmerGen that the proposed change does not constitute a decrease in effectiveness, and continues to meet the standards of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.47 and 10 CFR 50 Appendix E. Therefore, the proposed change does not need prior NRC approval, as provided for in 10 CFR 50.54(q).
Although the determination that the change does not constitute a decrease in effectiveness is made by the licensee, it remains subject to NRC inspection. The NRC staff is aware of the plans that AmerGen has for the JIC and believes that AmerGen is properly applying the regulatory process to this instance.
In terms of the issues you raise in your letter, please let me offer the following points to consider.
As noted in the AmerGen submittal, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) protocol calls for the state to send a satellite communication van to the utilities' JIC during an emergency to establish a video conferencing link between the utility JIC and the PEMA JIC in Harrisburg. Both PEMA and AmerGen will make press briefings via this link. This link provides an opportunity for news media at the PEMA JIC to participate in news briefings as an alternative to traveling to Coatesville. The procedures for the Coatesville JIC and the PEMA JIC establish a protocol that ensures that press briefings are coordinated. Whether the media is at the JIC in Coatesville, or at the PEMA JIC in Harrisburg, the same information is available. This satellite video conferencing capability has been used effectively for other nuclear stations in Pennsylvania.
It is true that there was confusion during the TMI-2 accident. However, emergency preparedness is much more advanced now than was the case then. Today, and specifically in this instance, there are dedicated facilities and staffing designed to perform media activities that were not available in 1979. Communication technology in use today such as satellite communications, cellular telephones and internet capabilities were largely unavailable in 1979.
These facilities, equipment and personnel are incorporated into periodic exercises and drills to ensure that their designated emergency response capabilities are maintained.
In your letter there is discussion about the use of the TMI training building for local media that, you state, forms the basis for PEMAs concurrence with the change. There is no provision in the TMI or AmerGen emergency plans to staff a "local JIC" and there is no such qualification in the PEMA acceptance letter contained in the (now withdrawn) JIC submittal.
Thank you again for your concern and involvement. Please contact me at 301-415-2833, if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
/ra/
Peter Bamford, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch I-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-289 and 50-320 cc: See next page
It is true that there was confusion during the TMI-2 accident. However, emergency preparedness is much more advanced now than was the case then. Today, and specifically in this instance, there are dedicated facilities and staffing designed to perform media activities that were not available in 1979. Communication technology in use today such as satellite communications, cellular telephones and internet capabilities were largely unavailable in 1979.
These facilities, equipment and personnel are incorporated into periodic exercises and drills to ensure that their designated emergency response capabilities are maintained.
In your letter there is discussion about the use of the TMI training building for local media that, you state, forms the basis for PEMAs concurrence with the change. There is no provision in the TMI or AmerGen emergency plans to staff a "local JIC" and there is no such qualification in the PEMA acceptance letter contained in the (now withdrawn) JIC submittal.
Thank you again for your concern and involvement. Please contact me at 301-415-2833, if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
/ra/
Peter Bamford, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch I-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-289 and 50-320 cc: See next page DISTRIBUTION: (Y020080108)
PUBLIC LPLI-2 R/F RidsNrrPMPBamford Resource RidsNrrLAABaxter Resource RidsRgn1MailCenter Resource RidsNrrDorl Resource RidsNrrWpcMail Resource (hard copy)
RidsNrrDorlLpl1-2 Resource SLaVie, NSIR RidsNrrAdro Resource ADAMS Accession Numbers: Package/ML082340642; Incoming/ML081610709 & ML ML082830307; Response/ML082340663
- Via email OFFICE LPL1-2/PM LPL1-2/LA NSIR/LIB LPL1-2/BC NAME PBamford ABaxter
- SLaVie*
HChernoff DATE 09/11/08 09/11/08 10/09/08 10/10/08 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
cc:
Senior Resident Inspector (TMI)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 219 Middletown, PA 17057 Director - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs AmerGen Energy Company, LLC 200 Exelon Way, KSA 3-E Kennett Square, PA 19348 Regulatory Assurance Manager - TMI-1 AmerGen Energy Company, LLC P.O. Box 480 Middletown, PA 17057 Dr. Ronald Bellamy, Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Mr. Ralph DeSantis AmerGen Energy Company, LLC P. O. Box 480 Middletown, PA 17057 Mr. Neil Sheehan, Region I OPA U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Mr. Robert French, Director Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency 2605 Interstate Drive Harrisburg, PA 17110