ML12279A288

G20120651 - Response Ltr to Bruce Skud & Joanna Hammond Concerns Safety Issues at Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant

ML12279A288
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	10/17/2012
From:	Dennis Morey License Renewal Projects Branch 1
To:	Skud B No More Fukushimas!
Milano P, 415-1457
Shared Package
ML12279A291	List: ML12279A288
References
G20120651, LTR-12-0476
Download: ML12279A288 (3)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555*0001 October 17,2012 Mr. Bruce Skud No More Fukushimas 14 Olive Street Newburyport, MA 01950

Dear Mr. Skud:

On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to the letter of August 28, 2012, from you and Ms. Joanna Hammond to Chairman Macfarlane expressing concerns about the license renewal process for the Seabrook Station. In your letter, you specifically discussed issues with concrete degradation in safety-related structures, projections about plant flood levels, and a recent emergency preparedness exercise.

Be assured that the NRC is thoroughly evaluating the Seabrook Station license renewal application, including the observed concrete degradation. In addition, inspectors from the NRC's Region I office have been conducting inspections and technical reviews to evaluate and assess this issue.

Regarding your concerns about the current design-basis flood level calculations and the licensee's performance during a recent emergency preparedness exercise, please note that these issues are not part of the NRC's review of a license renewal application. A license renewal review is not a re-review of the facility licensing basis; rather, it is focused on managing the age-related degradation of passive systems, structures, and components to ensure they will fulfill their safety-related functions, as specified in the current licensing basis.

The NRC has multiple processes to evaluate the adequacy of current plant operations and licensing bases. Should the NRC become aware at any time of information calling into question the continued safe operation of any nuclear power plant, including Seabrook Station, the NRC will take the appropriate actions as part of the agency's ongoing safety oversight, regardless of whether those plants have sought or are seeking a renewed license.

With regard to the Seabrook Station license renewal application, no decision on whether a renewed license will be or will not be granted, has been made because the NRC's review is ongoing. Further, the applicant has not sufficiently described the actions and technical basis to adequately manage the long-term aging effects on concrete structures. Until such information has been provided and found acceptable by the NRC, a renewed license cannot be issued to the Seabrook Station.

B. Skud - 2 Thank you for your interest in this matter. We intend to keep the public fully informed of our review and inspection results, as this matter continues forward in the license renewal review process. The NRC is committed to ensuring the continued safe operation of U.S. Nuclear Power Plants, including the Seabrook Station.

ennis ,

Projects Branch Division of Licens Office of Nuclear Docket No. 50-443 cc: Listserv

ML12279A291 (Pkg.); ML12244A548 (Incoming);

ML12279A288(Response) *via email OFFICE I PM:RPB1 :DLR LA:RPB1 :DLR* OGC (NLO) BC:RPB1 :DLR NAME PMilano YEdmonds MSmith DMorev DATE 10/10/12 10/10/12 10/12/12 10/17/12