ML13190A348
| ML13190A348 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oconee  |
| Issue date: | 07/10/2013 |
| From: | Robert Pascarelli Plant Licensing Branch II |
| To: | Keith Miller - No Known Affiliation |
| Boska J, 415-2901 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML13175A291 | List: |
| References | |
| G20130471, LTR-13-0543, TAC MF2310 | |
| Download: ML13190A348 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555*0001 July 10, 2013 Mr. Kip Miller 743 Navigators Point Seneca, SC 29672
Dear Mr. Miller:
This letter is in response to your letter dated April 12, 2013, to Chairman Macfarlane of the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), regarding Duke Energy's relicensing application for Lake Keowee. In your letter, you expressed your concern about the possibility that Duke Energy might lower the water level in Lake Keowee by five feet during drought conditions, and the negative effect this could have on waterfront lots and property values.
The NRC is the federal agency that regulates the commercial use of nuclear materials in the United States. As part of our mission, we ensure that commercial nuclear reactors are operated in a manner that protects public health and safety. We regulate the three Oconee Nuclear Station reactors that are located on the shore of Lake Keowee. We have previously evaluated the effect of low lake levels on those nuclear reactors and concluded that they can continue to operate safely as long as the level of Lake Keowee exceeds 791 feet, which is measured relative to mean sea level. If Lake Keowee goes below that value, and it is not restored in a short period of time, the reactors must be placed in cold shutdown. However, your concerns are with lake levels in the range of 790 feet to 800 feet, where 800 feet is the normal full lake level.
Please be advised that the operational levels in Lake Keowee are regulated by a different federal agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Duke Energy holds the FERC license to operate Lake Keowee, and will be applying to FERC for a renewal of this license. For the management of lake levels, we suggest you send your comments to FERC for their consideration.
Sincerely,
~~.
Robert J. Pascarelli, Chief Plant Licensing Branch 11-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-269, 50-270, and 50-287 cc: Distribution via Listserv
Package: ML13175A291 Incommg:
ML13175A290 Response: ML13190A348 LPL1-1/PM LPL2-11LA LPL1-1/BC IW'CE ME JBoska SFigueroa RPascarelli DATE 7/9/13 7/10/13 7/10/13