ML110871938
| ML110871938 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 04/01/2011 |
| From: | Leeds E Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Brady R Safe & Green Campaign |
| Kim J, NRR/DORL, 415-4125 | |
| References | |
| G20110202, LTR-11-0140, TAC ME5904, SECY-2011-0160 | |
| Download: ML110871938 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 April 1, 2011 Mr. Robert Brady, Vermont Coordinator Safe and Green Campaign 167 Sunset Lake Road Brattleboro, VT 05301
Dear Mr. Brady:
Thank you for your March 11, 2011, letter enclosing letters from the selectboards of communities in close proximity to Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant (VY). We appreciate their concerns being brought to our attention.
On March 21,2011, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a renewed license to VY. A Notice of Issuance of the renewed license was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2011 (76 FR 17162). VY has not informed the NRC that it intends to close prior to the expiration of its renewed license in March of 2032. The NRC will continue to ensure VY is meeting the appropriate public health and safety standards regardless of the reactor's ultimate operating status.
When decommissioning of VY does occur, the radiological health and safety of workers and members of the public will be subject to NRC requirements, and the NRC will exercise ongoing oversight of decommissioning activities to monitor compliance with its requirements. The decommissioning process will also include opportunities for public participation. A general overview of the decommissioning process is available at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc collections/fact-sheets/decommissioning.html. Answers to frequently asked questions about decommissioning, including information on transportation of radioactive waste from the reactor site to disposal facilities, is available at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc collections/nuregs/staff/sr1628/sr1628. pdf.
While radiological health and safety aspects of decommissioning are subject to NRC requirements, some of the concerns expressed in the enclosed letters regarding closure and decommissioning of VY go beyond radiological health and safety. For example, the NRC does not have the authority to require that VY workers be given preference for decommissioning jobs or be given particular severance packages.
Finally, information about the NRC's ongoing oversight of VY is available via the NRC's website, www.nrc.gov. You may sign-up to receive electronic distribution of the NRC's outgoing correspondence with VY, at http://www.nrc.gov/public-involvellistserver/plants-by-region.html.
You may also sign-up for electronic distribution of other NRC documents at http://www.nrc.gov/public-involvellistserver.html.
R. Brady
- 2 If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact James Kim, at (301) 415-4125 or James. Kim@nrc.gov.
Sincerely.
~/L/
Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-271 cc: Listserv
R. Brady
- 2 If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact James Kim, at (301) 415-4125 or James.Kim@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/raJ Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-271 cc: Listserv DISTRIBUTION: G20110202tLTR-11-0140tEDATS: SECY-2011-0160 PUBLIC LPL1-1 RtF RidsNrrDorl RidsNrrDorlLpl1-1 RidsNrrPMVermontYankee RidsNrrLASLittle RidsNrrMailCenter RidsNrrOd RidsSecyMailCenter RidsEdoMailCenter RidsOeMailCenter RidsOiMailCenter RidsOpaMail RidsRgn1 MailCenter RidsOcaMailCenter RidsOgcRp Resource DJackson,RI Package: ML110871932 Incoming: ML110830791 Response: ML110871938
- Via email OFFICE LPL 1-1/PM LPL 1-1/LA* Tech Editor* OGC/NLO LPL 1-1/8C DORLID NRR/OD NAME JKim SUttle JDougherty MSpenser NSalgado JGiitter ELeeds DATE 3/29/11 3/29/11 3/29/11 3/29/11 3/29/11 3/29/11 4/1/11 OFFICIAL RECORD COpy