ML16340B594

Responds to Re Expediting Plant Licensing. Outlines Licensing Schedule & Planned Major Improvements in Licensing Process.Expresses Confidence That Actions Will Improve Schedule W/O Compromising Safety Requirements

ML16340B594
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	04/02/1981
From:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Seavers R CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SANTA MARIA VALLEY, CA
References
NUDOCS 8104100411
Download: ML16340B594 (8)

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oc UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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IO Mr. Robert M. Seavers ega/yp Secretary-Manager cjp Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce g0>

Post Office Box 377 Santa Maria, California 93456

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Dear Mr. Seavers:

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This is in response to your March 15, 1981. letter regarding the expedition of the licensing of Diablo Canyon, Unit Nos.

1 and 2.

The licensing of Diablo Canyon will be conducted in two stages; the issuance of a fuel load and low power (not to exceed five percent of full power) test license and the issuance of a full power license.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company filed a motion last year with the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) for authorization to load fuel and conduct low power testing prior to final Commission action with respect to PGSE's application for a full-term operating license.

The NRC staff subsequently issued a supplement to the Diablo Canyon Safety Evaluation Report which addressed additional issues related to new Commission requirements arising from the Three Mile Island (TMI) accident.

Intervenors and Governor Brown have sought to reopen the record on Diablo Canyon with respect to these matters.

The ASLB has admitted some issues as a result of Intervenors'rguments and has scheduled hearings on TMI-related issues to commence on May '19, 1981.

Assuming that existing Commission procedures remain unchanged, a decision is not expected until February of 1982.

Currently, all parties to the proceeding are seeking Commission review of the ASLB decision to conduct further hearings'n TMI-related issues.

Early in 1980, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Appeal Board (ASLAB) reopened the record on earthquake design and facility security issues.

The Appeal Board conducted evidentiary hearings on these matters in October and November 1980 and is expected to issue a decision on those issues within the next month.

With regard to the full power. license, the NRC will issue a supplement to the Diablo Canyon Safety Evaluation Report on TMI issues related to full power and several remaining other issues.

This supplement is scheduled to be completed this month.

This will complete the NRC staff actions with respect to full power license.

A Commission decision on full power operation is not expected before March of next year.

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Hr. Robert ti. Seavers With respect to changes in existing Commission procedures, major improvements in the licensing process are underway or being considered.

These improvements include:

Expedited and rescheduled review by the NRC staff for plants in the short term category-those presently complete and those to be completed in 1981 and 1982.

Increased efficiency of the hearing process and subsequent Commission and Appeals Board review.

The time now being taken between issuance of the supplemental staff evaluation report and initial decisions by licensing boards averages 18 months.

The NRC believes it can compress that time to about 10 months by tightening up the times allowed for each part of the prehearing process and by providing firmer time management of the whole process.

The Commission is publishing for public coment proposed changes to its rules which would accomplish this.

Changes in the review process the Comnission itself exercises over these cases.

The Commission is considering two alternatives to shorten this review period which could save at least two months in each case that has been in hearing.

Early completion of NRC staff review for plants to be completed in 1982 and beyond.

This will require better scheduling of reviews and increased staff resources applied to casework.

Some staff resources can be redirected by deferring lower priority work and shifting some work to other NRC offices.

Before making such a change, the Commission will carefully review the impact on other essential safety-related activities.

In summary, we are confident the actions we have taken and those we will take will provide major improvements in licensing schedules without compromising the regulatory requirements for safety.

Ite appreciate your interest in the Diablo Canyon project and understand your frustration at the delays in the licensing.

Please be assured that the NRC is taking every reasonable action to expedite the licensing process, consistent with our comitment to ensure the public health and safety.

Sincerely, Origfa8I Qgexl hit H.8. Bonton Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation OFFICEI SURNAME/

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OFFICIAL RECORD COPY NRR

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SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 614 S. BROADlVAY

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SANTAMANA,CALIFORHlA93456

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PHONE (805) 925 2403 MailingAddress: P.O. BOX377 March 25, 2982 United States Nuclear Regulato~

Commission Vashington, D.

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20255 Gentlemen:

Attached is a resolution which uas unanimously adopted at the r'egular monthly meeting of'he Board of'irectors of the Santa Maria Valley chamber of'ommerce, held on Monday, March 8, 2882.

Ve respectfully r*equest your serious consideration of the recommendations contained in the r'esolution.

2'hank pou very much.

'Very sincerly your, RMS:cc Robert M. Se vers Seer etazp-Manager

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am SANTA MAIIIAVALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 614 S. BROADS'AV

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SANTA MARIA,CALIFORNIA93456

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PHONE (805) 925.2403 MailingAddress: P.O. BOX377

'ESOL UTI'ON VHEREAS, the United States Nuclecu Regulatory Covunission through a recent vuling again delayed the Hcense for operation of the,DiabEo Canyon Nucleav Poser'lant; and VHEREAS, additional delay FEZ continue to cause the customers of the District to be served bp this facility milHons of dollars in excess utility rates tuhile amiting the Hcensing and the commencement of operations; and VHEREAS, due to these

deEays, the Diablo Canyon faciHty has not been able to opezate thus increasing the poorer rates to customers oven the past fourteen yecu's since the plant nes designed; and VHEREAS, various interest gr'oups zepresenting a smaZZ number of people have used every kncen maneuvez'o oppose this faciHty and todelapits construction and operations; and VHEREAS, the time has come to Zicense this facility foz the overwhelming good of'he maJ'ority since hundveds of hours of heaving and testimony has been heEd on this issue.

NOV THEREFORE BE ZZ RESOLVED that the Bom'd of Directors of the Santa Navia Valley Chamber of Commevce, strongly urges the Nucteav Re~latbng" Commission to cease additional hedge forChurith and grant the Diablo Canyon Nuclecu Prier Plant a Zicense for operation without fuvther delay.

Adopted bp unanimous vote of the Board of Dizectozs of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commez'ce this 9th day of Navch, 1981.

4I esi ent Sec envy

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