ML13078A391

Ltr to W. Allen III, City of Covina,From Chairman Macfarlane Re the Support for a Fair and Inclusive Regulatory Process for the Proposed Restart and Operation of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Unit 2

ML13078A391
Person / Time
Site:	San Onofre
Issue date:	05/01/2013
From:	Macfarlane A NRC/Chairman
To:	William Allen City of Covina, CA
Paige, Jason, NRR/DORL 415-5888
Shared Package
ML13078A387	List: ML13074A027 ML13078A391
References
CORR-13-0037, G20130195, LTR-13-0208, TAC MF1016, TAC MF1017
Download: ML13078A391 (2)

Text

May 1, 2013 The Honorable Walter Allen III Mayor Pro Tem City of Covina 125 East College Street Covina, CA 91723-2199

Dear Mr. Allen:

On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter dated February 14, 2013, expressing support for a fair and inclusive regulatory process that results in the restart and operation of the Southern California Edison (SCE) San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), Unit 2. In addition, your letter expresses concern about the impacts if SONGS remains offline for an extended period of time.

As you know, SONGS, Units 2 and 3, are currently shut down to investigate the causes of excessive steam generator tube wear on their replacement steam generators. The NRC staff has been closely following the licensees actions to evaluate the causes of the excessive tube wear and to develop corrective actions to prevent further tube degradation. The NRCs actions include initiating an augmented inspection on March 15, 2012; issuing a Confirmatory Action Letter to SCE on March 27, 2012, identifying the specific actions the licensee has committed to take prior to returning the units to power operation; and completing a follow-up inspection on September 28, 2012, to address unresolved items from the March 2012 inspection.

On October 3, 2012, the licensee provided its response to the Confirmatory Action Letter for Unit 2, which included an assessment of the causes of the steam generator tube degradation and a proposed plan for restart of Unit 2. The NRC has a public website dedicated to the oversight of SONGS where both the Confirmatory Action Letter and the licensees response can be accessed, as well as a summary of the issues and other relevant documents. The website can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactor/songs/tube-degradation.html.

The NRC will continue its independent, in-depth inspections and detailed reviews of the issues at SONGS. The Commission appreciates your insights on the economic impacts if SONGS remains offline. Nonetheless, the NRC will not allow the plant to restart until we are satisfied that the licensee can operate the plant without undue risk to public health and safety.

The NRC will take the time needed to determine the appropriate actions to ensure the safety of the public, and will communicate its determinations to the public regarding the restart of SONGS, Units 2 and 3.

The NRC welcomes input from members of the public, public interest groups, and State and local governments in its decision-making processes. Toward that end, the NRC has held several meetings with SCE and the public. All public meetings are announced on the NRCs website at http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/public-meetings/index.cfm.

On behalf of the NRC, I want to thank you for your continued 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