ML17244A782

Forwards Statement Released to Media on 790815 Re Claim Brought Against Util by Contractor Employee Claiming Injury Due to Overexposure to Radiation.Damages of $5 Million Sought

ML17244A782
Person / Time
Site:	Ginna
Issue date:	08/16/1979
From:	Lohrmann A ROCHESTER GAS & ELECTRIC CORP.
To:	Dinitz I Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 7908240391
Download: ML17244A782 (5)

Text

REGULATO INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION STEM (RIDS)

ACCESSION NBR t 7908240391 DOC ~ DATE; 79/08/16 NOTARIZED: NO DOCKET ¹ FACIL!50 BYNAME244 Robert Emmet- Ginna Nuclear Plantg Unit li Rochester G 05000244 AUTH I AU THOR AF F ILI A T ON LOHRMANNiA+A+ Rochester Gas 5 Electric Corp.

RECIP ~ NAME'ECIPIENT AFFILIATION DINITZII ~ P ~ Antiti ust 8 Indemnity Group SUBJECT Forwards statement released to media on 790815 re claim brought against util by contractor employee claiming inJury due to overexposure to radiation, Damages of $ 5 million sought, DISTRIBUTION N OTES!

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IIIIIIIIII 3F 55Aff ROCHESTER GAS AND ELECTRIC CORPORATION ~ 89 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, N.Y. 14649 TCLCPNONC ARCA COOC 7IC 546.2700 August 16, 1979 Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C. 20555 Attenti'on: Mr. Ira P. Dinitz Indemnity Specialist Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Subject:

Preliminary Notice of Claim R. E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1 Docket No. 50-244

Dear'Mr.'initz:

A In accordance with our telephone conversation today and as a preliminary report to reauired reports under 10CFR 140.6, I am enclosing herewith a statement to the media released by Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation on August 15, 1979 at 5:00 p.m.

Our counsel is presently preparing a report to supplement our previous report dated March 28, 1979 to Mr. Jerome Saltzman of your office which wi,ll further describe the two additional claims set forth in our statement.

Very truly yours, Alan A. Lohrmann, Manager Claims and Insurance Department AAL:lmv Enclosure

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~ 1 ROCHESTER GAS AND ELECTPIC CORPORATION ~ 89 EAST AVENUE, POCHESTER, N.Y. 14649

'IlLCPvONf inca cosa vit 546-2700 THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS RELEASED TODAY BY FRANCIS E. DRAKE, JR.,

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ROCHESTER GAS AND ELECTRIC CORPORATION, IN CONNECTION WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO, COMPANY EMPLOYEES OF PENDING LITIGATION:

Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, in a letter to its employees, announced that a claim had been brought against the Company by an employee of a contractor performing. repairs on the spent fuel storage facility at Ginna Station in 1974. The claimant alleges that he was injured from overexposure to radiation and is seeking $ 5 million in damages. The Company is aware of two potential additional claims alleging similar injuries which seek an additional $ 58 million in damages.

'nd The Company advised its employees that, it felt the claims have no merit intends to contest the claims vigorously. RGSE records. show that of the three claimants, two were exposed to less radiation than the quarterly exposure of 3 rems allowed by the Nuclear Regulatory'ommission, and the third claimant was exposed to 4.17.rems, an amount less than allowable each year under applicable federal regulations. The'se federal exposure standards are very conservative, and rightfully so, fo'r the protection of anyone working at a nuclear plant.

Francis E...Drake, Jr;, Chairman of the Board,, stated that, "Even though we believe the complaints have no merit, it is a sensitive issu'e of."

that the Company employees as well as the public should be made aware RGEE has taken, and is taking, every possible step to insure the safety of employees and of -the general public. Ginna Station complies with all state and federal health .and safety regulations . In .many areas, the Company exceeds governmental requirements in protecting employees from radiation exposure, conducting health and safety training, and updating equipment.

Since the incident at Three Mile Island, there has been increased public concern over the safety of nuclear power.. Nuclear .power represents an important factor in the energy supply to our customers. RGKE remains confident that nuclear power is a safe and efficient means for ~i eting our energy demands.

NOTE'TO EDITORS: Because the matters discussed in the above statement are involved in litigation, there-will be no further comment from RGEE.

Richard C. Peck Corporate Spokesman 8/16/79