ML13073A914

LTR-13-0160 - Ltr. to Toni Iseman Concerns of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 2 Restart

ML13073A914
Person / Time
Site:	San Onofre
Issue date:	03/27/2013
From:	Macfarlane A NRC/Chairman
To:	Iseman T City of Laguna Beach, CA
Maxwell Smith, 301-415-1246
References
corr-13-0023, LTR-13-0160
Download: ML13073A914 (1)

Text

March 27, 2013 The Honorable Toni Iseman Council Member City of Laguna Beach Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Dear Council Member Iseman:

On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter to the Commissioners dated February 15, 2013. Your letter asked that the NRC not authorize a restart of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Units 2 and 3 until it has completed its safety review of the steam generators at that facility. Your letter also states that Southern California Edisons return to service plan for SONGS Unit 2 would require an amendment to the operating license for Unit 2, and that the NRC should not rely on a Confirmatory Order to amend the license.

As your letter indicates, the Chairmans October 12, 2012, letter to Senator Boxer reaffirmed the Commissions commitment to complete its safety review of the issues surrounding the steam generators at SONGS Units 2 and 3 before permitting Southern California Edison to restart either unit. This commitment reflects the Commissions statutory obligation, under the Atomic Energy Act, to protect the public from the radiological risk associated with reactor operations. The Commission will continue to meet this statutory obligation and only authorize a restart of either unit upon finding that the restart meets the Commissions safety standards.

At this time, the Commission cannot comment on your specific concerns regarding the need for an amendment to the SONGS Unit 2 operating license. This is because your concerns relate to matters that are currently pending before the Commissions Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. Since the Commission may have to review these questions in its adjudicatory capacity, the Commission cannot comment on or discuss your specific concerns outside of the adjudicatory context.

On behalf of the NRC, I want to thank you for your involvement in matters related to nuclear safety. You and your constituents' interest and feedback help us to fulfill our public health and safety mission in an open and transparent manner.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Allison M. Macfarlane cc: Senator Barbara Boxer