ML16340A967
| ML16340A967 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon, Crane  |
| Issue date: | 04/04/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Burgess P AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML16340A968 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8005150268 | |
| Download: ML16340A967 (6) | |
Text
April 4, 1980 Mr. Paul C. Burgess.
1501 Longford Court Walnut Creek, California 94598
Dear Mr. Burgess:
Your letter of November 30, 1979, to President Carter about licensing nuclear power plants was referred to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the Department of Energy on January 25, 1980.
A statement by President Carter on December 7, 1979, about the Report of the President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island (the Kemeny Commission) included the following:
"Finally, I would like to discuss how we manage the transition period during which the Kemeny recommendations are being imple-mented.
There are a number of new nuclear plants now awaiting operating licenses or construction permits.
"Licensing decisions rest with the NRC and, as the Kemeny Commission noted, it has the authority to proceed with licensing these plants on a case-by-case
- basis, which may be used as circumstances surroundi ng a plant dictate.
The NRC has in-
- dicated, however, that it will pause in issuing nevI licenses and construction permits in order to devote its full attention to putting its house in order.
I endorse the approach the NRC has
- adopted, but I urge the NRC to complete its work as quickly as possible, and in any event no later than six months from today.
"Once we have instituted the necessary reforms to assure
- safety, we must resume the licensing process promptly so that the new plants which we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil can be built and operated."
The Nuclear Regulatory CommisSion is committed to protect the public health and safety.
The Three Mile Island accident resulted in a need for changes in the approach to safety.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that actions recommended by its own staff and by the Presiden s
Commission on the Accident at Three Nile Island in the areas of human factors, operational
- safety, emergency planning, nuclear power plant design and siting,. health effects, and public information are necessary and feasible.
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Mr. Paul C. Burgess w 2 w
April 4, 1980 At this time we are preparing for review and approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission an Action Plan that will specify the precise actions to be taken.
It will include new or improved safety ob-jectives, detailed criteria for their implementation, and various implementation deadlines.
As soon as the Action Plan is completed and approved, the resulting regulatory requirements will be trans-mitted to all utilities concerned.
It is recognized that there will be a significant effect on the availability of power generating capacity if those plants now in the final stages of construction do not receive operating licenses by the dates previously anticipated, and every effort is being made to avoid unnecessary delays.
With this objective, the Commissioners approved on February 28, 1980, the issuance of an NRC license to the Tennessee Valley Authority for the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 to load fuel and, under specified conditions, to operate at low power levels for testing.
Several other similar cases are under consid-eration.
Sincerely, Oflgh8t Slitllgfby H. A. 08nton Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION:
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H MEMOBANDUM:
The attached letter(s) addressed to the President is referred to your office for suitable acknowledgment or other appropriate handling at the earliest opportunity.
Should you receive mail that has been misdirected, please forward to the appropriate agency.
I would also appreciate knowing when you are forwarding such mail.
My phone number is 456-2717.
Thank you.'y Martha Seal Director Correspondence Agency Liaison
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