ML16145A072
| ML16145A072 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem, Indian Point, Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 05/20/2016 |
| From: | Booker C, Boxer B, Gillibrand K US Congress, US SEN (Senate), US SEN, Comm on Environment & Public Works |
| To: | Stephen Burns NRC/Chairman |
| References | |
| corr-16-0052, LTR-16-0285 | |
| Download: ML16145A072 (3) | |
Text
JAMES M. INHOFE, OKLAHOMA, CHAIRMAN DAVID VITTER, LOUISIANA JOHN BARRASSO, WYOMING SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO. WEST VIRGINIA MIKE CRAPO. IDAHO JOHN BOOZMAN, ARKANSAS JEFF SESSIONS, ALABAMA ROGER W ICKER, MISSISSIPPI DEB FISCHER, NEBRASKA MIKE ROUNDS. SOUTH DAKOTA DAN SULLIVAN, ALASKA BARBARA BOXER, CALIFORNIA THOMAS A. CARPER. DELAWARE BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, MARYLAND BERNARD SANDERS. VERMONT SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, RHODE ISLAND JEFF M ERKLEY. OREGON KIRSTEN GILLIBAAND, NEW YORK CORY A. BOOKER, NEW JERSEY EDWARD J. MARKEY, MASSACHUSETTS RYAN JACKSON. MAJORITY STAFF DIRECTOR BETTINA POIRIER. DEMOCRATIC STAFF DIRECTOR The Honorable Stephen G. Burns Chairman tinitrd ~tetrs ~rnetr COMMITIEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS WASHINGTON, DC 20510-6175 May 20, 2016 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-001
Dear Chairman Burns:
Recent press reports of degraded and cracked bolts at the Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York and the Salem Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey have raised significant concerns about safety risks at those nuclear facilities, as well as at similar reactors nationwide.
We understand that both the Indian Point and Salem nuclear plants are Westinghouse four-loop pressurized water reactors of similar design. The bolts, known as "baffle former bolts," hold together metal plates that direct cooling water through the reactor core. We are concerned that failure of the degraded bolts could have serious safety consequences and this issue may also exist at other aging reactors of similar design, including the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in California.
The degraded bolts were identified during Indian Point's "Aging Management Program" inspection, which is implemented only once every 10 years. We are concerned that other similar rectors may have degraded bolts but will not be inspected for several years.
To address these concerns, we ask that the NRC respond to the following:
I. By May 25, 2016, identify other reactors in the United States of a similar design to the Indian Point and Salem nuclear power plants;
- 2. By June 3, 2016, identify what factors can contribute to degraded bolts in such reactors, and provide the schedule for inspecting reactors with a potential for degraded bolts.
Thank you for your prompt attention to our request. We look forward to working with you to ensure the safety of our nation's nuclear power plants.
Barbara Boxer Ranking Member Sincerely,
/J. './.,.. &
,~
z:. #~
Kirsten Gillibrand Cory Booker United States Senator United States Senator PAINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
CC:
The Honorable Kristine L. Svinicki, Commissioner The Honorable William C. Ostendorff, Commissioner The Honorable Jeff Baran, Commissioner
Mccloskey, Bridin From: "Albritton, Jason (EPW)" <Jason Albritton@epw.senate.gov>
Date: Fri, May 20, 2016 5: 16 PM -0400 To: "Weil, Jenny" <Jenny.Weil@nrc.gov>, "Moreno, Angel" <Anqel.Moreno@nrc.gov>
Subject:
[External_Sender] Letter to Chairman Burns Please find attached a letter to Chairman Burns.
Thanks.
Jason Albritton Senior Policy Advisor Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Senator Barbara Boxer, Ranking Member 456 Dirksen Senate Office Building Tel: 202-224-8832 Fax: 202-224-1273 1
JAMES M. INHOFE, OKLAHOMA, CHAIRMAN DAVID VITTER, LOUISIANA JOHN BARRASSO, WYOMING SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO. WEST VIRGINIA MIKE CRAPO. IDAHO JOHN BOOZMAN, ARKANSAS JEFF SESSIONS, ALABAMA ROGER W ICKER, MISSISSIPPI DEB FISCHER, NEBRASKA MIKE ROUNDS. SOUTH DAKOTA DAN SULLIVAN, ALASKA BARBARA BOXER, CALIFORNIA THOMAS A. CARPER. DELAWARE BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, MARYLAND BERNARD SANDERS. VERMONT SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, RHODE ISLAND JEFF M ERKLEY. OREGON KIRSTEN GILLIBAAND, NEW YORK CORY A. BOOKER, NEW JERSEY EDWARD J. MARKEY, MASSACHUSETTS RYAN JACKSON. MAJORITY STAFF DIRECTOR BETTINA POIRIER. DEMOCRATIC STAFF DIRECTOR The Honorable Stephen G. Burns Chairman tinitrd ~tetrs ~rnetr COMMITIEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS WASHINGTON, DC 20510-6175 May 20, 2016 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-001
Dear Chairman Burns:
Recent press reports of degraded and cracked bolts at the Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York and the Salem Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey have raised significant concerns about safety risks at those nuclear facilities, as well as at similar reactors nationwide.
We understand that both the Indian Point and Salem nuclear plants are Westinghouse four-loop pressurized water reactors of similar design. The bolts, known as "baffle former bolts," hold together metal plates that direct cooling water through the reactor core. We are concerned that failure of the degraded bolts could have serious safety consequences and this issue may also exist at other aging reactors of similar design, including the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in California.
The degraded bolts were identified during Indian Point's "Aging Management Program" inspection, which is implemented only once every 10 years. We are concerned that other similar rectors may have degraded bolts but will not be inspected for several years.
To address these concerns, we ask that the NRC respond to the following:
I. By May 25, 2016, identify other reactors in the United States of a similar design to the Indian Point and Salem nuclear power plants;
- 2. By June 3, 2016, identify what factors can contribute to degraded bolts in such reactors, and provide the schedule for inspecting reactors with a potential for degraded bolts.
Thank you for your prompt attention to our request. We look forward to working with you to ensure the safety of our nation's nuclear power plants.
Barbara Boxer Ranking Member Sincerely,
/J. './.,.. &
,~
z:. #~
Kirsten Gillibrand Cory Booker United States Senator United States Senator PAINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
CC:
The Honorable Kristine L. Svinicki, Commissioner The Honorable William C. Ostendorff, Commissioner The Honorable Jeff Baran, Commissioner
Mccloskey, Bridin From: "Albritton, Jason (EPW)" <Jason Albritton@epw.senate.gov>
Date: Fri, May 20, 2016 5: 16 PM -0400 To: "Weil, Jenny" <Jenny.Weil@nrc.gov>, "Moreno, Angel" <Anqel.Moreno@nrc.gov>
Subject:
[External_Sender] Letter to Chairman Burns Please find attached a letter to Chairman Burns.
Thanks.
Jason Albritton Senior Policy Advisor Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Senator Barbara Boxer, Ranking Member 456 Dirksen Senate Office Building Tel: 202-224-8832 Fax: 202-224-1273 1