ML16139A828
| ML16139A828 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/27/2016 |
| From: | Mccree V NRC/EDO |
| To: | Barletta L US HR (House of Representatives), US Congress |
| Rihm, Roger 415-1717 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML16124A907 | List: |
| References | |
| LTR-16-0249-2-OEDO | |
| Download: ML16139A828 (2) | |
Text
May 27, 2016 The Honorable Lou Barletta Unites States Representative 1 South Church Street, Suite 100 Hazleton, PA 18201
Dear Congressman Barletta:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter of May 2, 2016, forwarding correspondence from your constituent, Jill Shepler. Ms. Shepler is concerned that the Salem Township Zoning Hearing Board recently approved a permit necessary to construct an Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. She indicates that this approval was granted based on representations from the licensee, Talen Generation, LLC, that the NRC has sole jurisdiction over this activity, thus the Zoning Hearing Board had no authority to deny the permit.
While the NRC was present at the April 19, 2016, hearing, the agency was not formally consulted by the Township prior to the meeting and has not taken a position on the specific circumstances of this case. Local jurisdictions do retain the right to adopt zoning ordinances, and nuclear facilities have to comply with them. However, if such ordinances are written or enforced in such a manner as to suggest that the underlying motivation is to protect against a radiological safety hazard or otherwise thwart the objectives of the Atomic Energy Act, they are preempted by Federal authority.
At this point, the NRC has not been a party to this action and the Zoning Hearing Boards decision to grant the permit is not contrary to our regulations. I believe your constituents concern regarding the action of the Zoning Hearing Board needs to be addressed to the Board.
If you have any questions, please contact me or Eugene Dacus, Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, at (301) 415-1776.
Sincerely,
/RA Daniel H. Dorman Acting for/
Victor M. McCree Executive Director for Operations
Pkg. ML16124A907
AAverbach*
NMcNamara VMcCree (DDorman Acting for)
DATE 05/19/16 05/18/16 05/16/16 05/12/16 05/ 27 /16