ML13212A103
| ML13212A103 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | San Onofre  |
| Issue date: | 07/19/2013 |
| From: | Calvert K, Issa D, Lamalfa D, Mccarthy K, Mcclintock T, Nunes D US Congress, US HR (House of Representatives) |
| To: | Macfarlane A NRC/Chairman |
| Roger Rihm, 301-415-1717 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML13212A104 | List: |
| References | |
| CORR-13-0092, G20130555, LTR-13-0645, SECY-017 | |
| Download: ML13212A103 (3) | |
Text
ETS tU.S.NRC Protecting Peopl and the Environment Ticket No: G20130555 3027 S
Assigned Office: OEDO Other Assignees:
OEDO Due Date: 08/16/2013 SECY Due Date:
Date Response Requested by Originator:
Other Parties:
Subject:
Immediate Steps to Review the Process Employed During the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Shutdown
==
Description:==
CC Routing: NRR, OCA, OGC, RegionlV ADAMS Accession Numbers - Incoming: ML13212A103 Response / Package: ML13212A104 0
0 Cross Reference No: LTR-1 3-0645 SRM\\Other: No Action Type: Letter OEDO Concurrence: Yes Signature Level: Chairman Macfarlane OCM Concurrence: No Special Instructions:
OCA Concurrence: Yes Please prepare response in accordance with OEDO Notice 2009-0441-02 (ML093290179).
NRR and Region IV to provide input to Roger Rihm, OEDO, if required.
Roger Rihm will coordinate response with OGC and OCA.
PS 4
4 Originator Name: Representative Darrell Issa Originator Org: Congress Addressee: Chairman Macfarlane Incoming Task: Letter Date of Incoming: 07/19/2013 Document Received by OEDO Date: 07/19/2013 OEDO POC: Roger Rihm
Otnngrc.s.s nf t}fc Nnitc(l j;fatc.s llma.sqington, mar 20515 The Honorable Allison M. Macfarlane Chairman July 19, 2013 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop 0-16G4 Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Chairman Macfarlane,
On June 7, 2013, Southern California Edison (SCE) announced that Units 2 and 3 of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) would be decommissioned after 16 months of regulatory review following the January 2012 shut down due to excessive tube wear in the steam generators. We are deeply concerned about the future of grid reliability in southern California with the loss of SONGS, which operated safely for 40 years and provided 1.4 million families and businesses with clean, reliable power. As nuclear power plants face the challenges of aging infrastructure across the country and look for new, improved technology to meet energy needs, we urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to determine how the regulatory system can be more fluid, transparent, and efficient.
Throughout the 16 months following the January 2012 shut down, SCE worked with the NRC to complete actions to restart Unit 2 pursuant to the NRC's Confirmatory Action Letter of March 27, 2012. After months of technical and inspection oversight, SCE submitted a voluntary license amendment in April 2013 to safely operate Unit 2 at 70%. Unfortunately, following an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board ruling on May 13, 2013 on a "de facto" license amendment, SCE made the difficult decision that it was no longer financially viable to continue the lengthy and uncertain regulatory process.
We commend the NRC technical and inspection staff who worked closely with SCE officials to review and correct the tube wear in the steam generators. The decommissioning of SONGS following this close review is a loss for our communities, which already face some of the highest electricity costs on the country. This is a critical opportunity to review the efficacy of the regulatory steps taken regarding SONGS to ensure that current and future licensees can provide Americans with affordable, reliable energy. We urge the NRC to take immediate steps to review the process employed during the SONGS shutdown and propose updated, transparent regulatory mechanisms to safely operate our nuclear plants, provide timely review of license amendments, and allow licensees greater certainty during the process. A fluid regulatory system is vital for the future of our aging nuclear infrastructure, and we welcome constructive dialogue with you and your staff on this critical issue.
Thank you for your continued work on this matter, and we look forward to working with you to continue the safe operation of nuclear facilities across the nation.
~~~
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MEMBER OF CONGRESS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER lJ~-
Devm es MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Tom McClintock MEMBER OF CONGRESS MEMBER OF CONGRESS Kevin McCarthy MEMBER OF CONGRESS
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