ML17187B129
| ML17187B129 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Dresden, Byron, Braidwood, Clinton, Quad Cities, Zion, LaSalle  |
| Issue date: | 09/23/1997 |
| From: | Callan L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Moseleybraun SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17187B130 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9710020210 | |
| Download: ML17187B129 (9) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555--0001 September 23, 1997 The Honorable Carol Moseley-Braun United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510-1303
Dear Senator Moseley-Braun:
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~-'1-61 I am responding to the letter you sent to Dennis K. Rathbun, dated August 21, 1997, forwarding a letter from your constituent, Adriane Hughes.
In her letter, Ms. Hughes questions the safety of allowing nuclear power plants that are receiving additional regulatory oversight because of declining performance to continue to operate and suggests that it would be safer to* use alternate energy resources.
The mission of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, the common defense and security, and the environment in the use of nuclear materials in the United.
States. The NRC's scope of responsibility includes regulation of commercial nuclear power reactors; nonpower research, test, and training reactors; fuel cycle facilities; medical, academic, and industrial use of nuclear materials; and the transport, storage, and disposal of nuclear materials and nuclear waste.
Because our focus is on the safety of nuclear power plants, we are not in the position to address the safety of alternate power sources.
The lead agency for issues related to alternate energy sources is the Department of*
Energy (DOE).
The DOE's Office of Utility Technologies is responsible *for helping industries develop renewable energy sources including solar~ wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy, and encouraging electricity suppliers to choose renewable energy technology...
The NRC regards compliance with regulat1ons, license conditions, and technical specifications as mandatory, and the agency is not reluctant to insist on compliance from any litense~. But we al~o recognize that plants will not operate trouble-free.
For this reason, the NRC requires that substantial.
safety margins be designed into the construction of plants.
To maintain this margin, the.NRC requires licensees to establish measures to ensure that.
failures and nonconformances are promptly identified and corrected.. The.
appropriate regulatory response to an identified deficiency can arid should vary, depending on its safety significance. Therefore, the NRC would not necessarily exercise its authority to revoke or suspend a facility.'s license solely on the basis of a pattern of performance that warrants increased NRC monitoring.
Facilities that are operating today are operating because the NRC has determined that they meet an acceptable level of safety. Although we have found deficiencies at some plants, the conservatism provided by the multiple levels of design and operating requirements provides reasonable assurance that there is no undue risk to public health and safety.
In some cases, plants that are re_c;eivJog increased NRC monitoring have entered extended shutdowns to
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C. Moseley-Braun corrective actions.
Following discussions between the NRC and the licensee, a Confirmatory Action Letter may be issued that documents commitments made by a licensee that the plant remain shut down until specific corrective actions have been appropriately addressed and reviewed by the NRC.
I can assure you that if the NRC becomes aware of information demonstrating that an undue risk to public health and safety exists, it will take prompt remedial action including the shutdown of operating facilities.
With respect to nuclear power plants in Illinois, the Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd} units at Dresden, Quad Cities, Byron, and Braidwood are operating satisfactorily. The ComEd units at Zion and LaSalle and the Illinois Power unit at Clinton are currently shut down, and the NRC has issued*
Confirmatory Action Letters documenting the commitments made by the licensees that certain actions will be taken before any of these units are restarted.
The NRC has also established oversight panels for each of these facilities.
The oversight panels are responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the licensee's restart plans through inspections and meetings with the licensees.
I appreciate your constituent's interest in this issue and hope that thi~
letter is responsive to your request.
Sincerely,
- ~~
Executive Director.
for Oper.ations
C.
Moseley-~raun tc corrective act i oris*.. Fo 11 owi_ng' di_scuss ions between. the NRC and the licensee, a Confirmatory Action Letter.may be issued that documents commitments made by a licensee that the plant remain shut down*until specific corrective actions have been appropriately addressed and reviewed by the NRC.
I can assure you that if the NRC becomes aware of information demonstrating that an undue risk to public health and safety.exi~t~~- it will take prompt. remedial action including the shutdown of oper~_t i ng facilities.
With respect to nuclear power plants in Illinois, the Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) units at Dresden, Quad Cities, Byron, and Braidwood are operating sattsfactorily. The ComEd units at Zion and LaSalle and the Illinois Power unit at Clinton are currently shut down, and the NRC has issued Confirmatory Action Letters documenting the commitments made by the licensees that certain actions will.be taken before any of these units are restarted.
The NRC has also established oversight panels for each of these facilities.
The* oversight panels are responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the licensee's restart plans through inspections and meetings with the licensees.
I appreciate your constituent's interest in this issue and hope that thi~
letter is responsive to your request.
SEE NEXT PAGE FOR DISTRIBUTION Sincerel~,
Original Signed by L. ~ol~~an Executive Director for Operations
- See previous page for concurrence DOCUMENT NAME:
GT970625.LWR To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without enclosur~s ~E" = Copy 'with enclosures "N" = No copy OFFICE PM:PD3-2 NAME LROSSBAC DATE 09//6 /97 OFFICE ADPR NAME RZIMMERMAN*
DATE 09/16/97
- ,1 e D:PD3-2 RCAPRA
- 09//5/97 N
- ~I 4 q I N
A D:DRPW EADENSAM*
. 09/15/97 OCA
' l DISTRIBUTION:
Letter to C. Mose)ey-Braun, Dated:
September 23, 1997
'I Docket Files (STN 50-456, STN 50~4&7, STN 50-454, STN 50-455, 50~237, 50-249, 50-373, 50-374, 50-254, 50-265, 50-295, 50-304, 50-461) (w/original incoming), TC3 PUBLIC (w/incoming)
EDO #G970625, 05E6 EDO r/f L. J. Callan, 017Hl A.. Thadani H. Thompson, 017Hl0 P. Norry, 05E6 J. Blaha, 017Hl6 C. Paperie1lo S. Burns, 015Bl8 A.B. Beach, Riii S. Collins/F. Miraglia, 012Gl8 R. Zimmerman, Ol2Gl8 J. Roe W. Travers E. Adensam, EGAl B. Sheron R. W. Borchardt PDIII-2 R/F (w/incoming)
R. Capra G. Marcus C. Moore C. Boyle L. Rossbach (w/incoming)
G. Dick J. Stang D. Skay R. Pulsifer C. Shiraki J. B. Hopkins.
M. Boyle (email MLB4)
M. Thadani K. Bohrer, NRR Mail Room R. Lan ks bury, RI II W. Kropp, Riii A. Stone, Riii G. Grant, Riii OGC, 015Bl8 OPA, 02Al3 SEcY #CRC-97--0871, 016Gl5'.,,,:
.i; OCA, 012Gl8 (EDO #G970625 w/ipcbming)
N.* Olson, 012Gl8
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C. Moseley-Braun corrective actions.
Following discussions between 'the* NRC and the licensee, a Confirmatory* Action Letter may be issued that documents commitments made by a licensee that the plant remain shut down until specific corrective actions have been appropriately addressed and reviewed by the NRC.
I can assure you
- that if the NRC becomes aware of information demonstrating that an undue risk to public health and safety exists, it will take prompt remedial action including the shutdown of operating facilities.
With respect to nuclear power plants in Illinois, the Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) units at Dresden, Quad Cities, Byron, and Braidwood are operating satisfactorily. The ComEd units at Zion and LaSalle and the Illinois Power unit at Clinton are currently shut down, and the NRC has issued Confirmatory Action Letters documenting the commitments made by the licensees that certain actions will be taken before any of *these units are restarted.
Th~ NRC has also established oversight panels for each.of these facilities.
The oversight panels are responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the licensee's restart plans through inspections and meetings with the licensees.
In addition, in June 1997,.Illinois Power committed to have an independent assessment performed of Clinton Power Station to identify the plant's strengths and weaknesses and to ensure its improvement plan is sufficiently comprehensive.
The NRC subsequently formed a Special Evaluation Team (SET) to review the assessment and independently evaluate Clintoh!s safety performance.
The SET will provide insights to aid NRC senior management in future regulatory decisio.n making regarding Clinton.
The SET will hold public entrance and exit meetirigs, scheduled for September 24 and December.11, 1997, respectively.
Before any of these.units are permitted to restart, the NRC*
must have assurance that these plants will be operated safely.
I *appreciate your constituent's interest in this issue and hope that this letter is responsive to your request.
SEE NEXT PAGE FOR DISTRIBUTION Sincerely, L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations
- See previous page for concurrence DOCUMENT NAME:
GT970625.LWR To receive a copy of this document. indi te in the box: "C" = Copy without enclosures "E".::= Cop,v with enclosures "N" = No copy OFFICE D:PD3-2 I
~ TECHED N
NAME RCAPRA ROC...
- RSANDERS DATE 09/1'5 /97 09/11/97 OFFICE Riii
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- RLANKSBURY SCOLLINS JCALLAN LG ERKE DATE 09/ *. /97 09/
/97
C. Mosel ~.y-Bra~n that if the NRC becomes aware of information demonstrating that an risk to public health and safety exists, it will take prompt remedial a ordering the shutdown of operating facilities.
With respect to nuclear power plants in Illinois, the Commonwe th Edison Company (ComEd) units at Dresden, Quad Cities, Byron, and Br dwood are operating satisfactorily. The ComEd units at Zion and LaSa e and the Illinois Power unit at Clinton are currently shut down, a the NRC has i_ssued Confirmatory Action Letters documenting the commitments de by the licensees that certain actions will be taken before any of these its are restarted.
The NRC has also established oversight panels for each of these facilities..
- The oversight p~nels are responsible for evaluating e effectiveness of the licensee's restart plans through inspections and me tings with the licensees.
In addition, in June 1997, Illinois Power committ *to have an independent assessment performed of Clinton Power Station to identify the plant's strengths and weaknesses and to ensure its impr vement plan is sufficiently comprehensive.
The NRC subsequently formed a pecial Evaluation Team (SET) to review the assessment and independently eval te Clinton's safety performance.
The SET will provide insights to aid NRC se ior management in future regulatory decision making regarding Clint n.
The SET will.hold.public entrance and exit meetings, scheduled for. September 24 and December 11, 1997,
_respectively.
Before any of these unit are permitted to restart, the NRC
.must have assurance that these plants ill be.operated safely.
I appreciate your constituents' in rest in this issue and hope that this letter is responsive to your requ st..
DOCUMENT NAME:
GT970625.LWR Sincerely, L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Op_erat ions 1
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- See pr~v'i<ius page*"f:or concu,r~ence
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To receive a copy of this document. Indicate In the box: *c*.-;;, Copy :without enclosu~es* ~E* ;,,, C~py wit~ ehc,losures "N",=; No copy ol1i..--
OFFICE. PM:PD3-2 1£ LA:PD3-2 I D:PD3-2 Is TECHED I N..
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- .. OFFICIAL RECORD
C. Moseley-Braun exists. it will take prompt remedial action. including shutdown o operating facilities.
With respect to nuclear power plants in Illinois. the Commonw alth Edison Company (ComEd) units at Dresden. Quad Cities. Byron. and Br. idwood are operating satisfactorily. The ComEd units at Zion and LaS le. and the Illinois Power unit at Clinton are currently shutdown an the NRC has issued Confirmatory Action Letters requiring that certain acti s be taken before any of thes~ units are restarted.
The NRC has established oversight panels for each of these facilities: the panels are responsible or evaluating the effectiveness of the licensee's restart plans throu inspections and meetings with the licensees.
In addition. in June 1997. 11 i noi s Power committed to perform an Integrated Safety Assessment (ISA) of linton Power Station to identify its strengths and weaknesses. similar o an NRC Diagnostic Evaluation.
The NRC subsequently formed a Sp ial Evaluation Team to review the licensee's ISA and make an independent a sessment of Clinton's performance.
Before any of these.units ar permitted to restart. the NRC must have assurance that these plants will be erated safely.
I appreciate your constituents interes in this issue and hope that thi~
letter is responsive to your request
. Joseph Ca 11 an Executive Director for Operations DOCUMENT NAME:
GT970625.LWR.
To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without enclosures "E" = Copy with enclosures "N" = No copy OFFICE PM:PD3-2 I
D:PD3-2 I
N I
NAME LROSSBACH RCAPRA RSAN D ERS. R..&
LGERKE WBORCHARDT DATE 091 197 091 197 09111197 091 197 091 197 OFFICE (A)D:DRPW I
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NAME EADENSAM RZIMMERMAN f<.LMibb~.f" SCOLLINS JCALLAN I
DATE 091 197 091 197 09/
197 09111197 091 197 091 197 OFFICIAL RECORD
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~*~ACTIO EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM:
f/2'1j11 DUE : ---M I l 0 I 9 7 Senator Carol Moseley-Braun TO:
Rathbun, OCA FOR SIGNATURE OF
- GRN Callan, EDO DESC:
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SAFETY (ADRIANE HUGHES)
DATE: 08/29/97 ASSIGNED TO:
CONTACT:
NRR Collins
~
SPECIAL *INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
NRR RECEIVED:
NRR ACTION:
NRR ROUTING:
AUGUST 29, 1997 DRPE:BOGER COLLINS MIRAGLIA ZIMMERMAN SHERON ROE TRAVERS BOHRER EDO CONTROL: G970625
, DOC DT: 08/21/97 FINAL REPLY:
CRC NO: 97-0871 ROUTING:
Callan Thadani Thompson Norry Blaha Burns Paperiello,NMSS ACTION
PAPER NUMBER:
ACTION OFFICE:
AUTHOR:
AFFILIATION:
ADDRESSEE:
LETTER DATE:
SUBJECT:
ACTION:
DISTRIBUTION:
OFFICE OF THE.SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET CRC-97-0871 EDO CAROL MOSELEY-BRAUN U.S. SENATE RATHBUN Aug 21 97 FILE CODE:
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SAFETY Signature of EDO CHAIRMAN LOGGING DATE: Aug 27 97 SPECIAL HANDLING: OCA TO ACK CONSTITUENT:
ADRIANE HUGHES NOTES:
DATE DUE:
Sep 12 97 SiqNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
AFFILIATION:
r EDO -- G9706~
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