ML16196A366

LTR-16-0374: Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, Letter Concern with Restarting Operations at Indian Point Unit 2 Without Having Completed a Comprehensive Root Cause Analysis That Includes Metallurgical Testing of the Failed Baffle Bolts

ML16196A366
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	06/17/2016
From:	Maloney S US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Stephen Burns NRC/Chairman
Shared Package
ML16196A367	List: ML16196A366 ML16196A383
References
LTR-16-0374
Download: ML16196A366 (2)

Text

SEA N PATRICK MALONE Y 1529 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 18TH DI STRICT, New YORK (202) 225-5441 COMMITTEE ON AGR ICULTURE 123 GRAND ST., 2ND FLOOR COMM ITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AN O INFRASTRUCTURE

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~ouse of l\epresentatibes Wla%bington, l\<tr 20515-3218 June 17, 2016 The Honorable Stephen G. Burns Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

Dear Chairman Burns,

I write regarding my strong concern with restarting operations at Indian Point Unit 2 without having completed a comprehensive root cause analysis that includes metallurgical testing of the failed baffle bolts. Because of the seriousness of the situation, I urge you to keep unit 2 offline until such an analysis can be completed. Additionally, I str*ongly encourage you to immediately conduct a safety review to determine the status of baffle bolts at Indian Point Unit 3.

As you know, 227 of the 832 baffle bolts that hold the inner walls of the Indian Point Unit 2 core together were found to be missing or damaged. The plant's owner, Entergy, in a report to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission admitted this to be a condition that significantly degrades plant safety.

The situation is extremely serious and represents a nearly unprecedented public safety hazard for an American nuclear facility. Leading experts have warned that degraded baffle bolts could result in a lack of structural stability in the reactor. This could lead to a major, catastrophic disaster that we must do all we can to prevent.

This is just the most recent episode in over a decade of dangerous activity at Indian Point, from security lapses to serious safety violations. Simply put, there is no margin for error. While operational, Indian Point must be held to the absolute highest safety standards. That's why a comprehensive root cause analysis of Unit 2 is so important, as is a safety review of Unit 3. The millions of people living and working within miles of the plant deserve nothing less.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this extremely urgent and important matter.

Sean Patrick Maloney Member of Congress PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

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