ML17311B356
| ML17311B356 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Haddam Neck File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png |
| Issue date: | 10/21/1994 |
| From: | Birnie P G.E. STOCKHOLDERS ALLIANCE AGAINST NUCLEAR POWER |
| To: | NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17311B357 | List: |
| References | |
| 2.206, NUDOCS 9501060046 | |
| Download: ML17311B356 (2) | |
Text
>
~
e l
P
~'ockhold&s'iBX1CC for a sustainable nuclear-free future October 21, 1994 To the Director of Nuclear Regulation:
Director of Nuclear Regulation 1302 W. Ajo Way, 4 313 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Tucson, AZ 85713.-5727 Washington, D. C.
20555 (602) 573-0658 (602) 573-0681 Fax Chair Patricia T. Blrnie Board DfAdviSors Greg Bischak National Commission for Conversion dt Disarmament Donnell W. Boardman, M.D.
Comer For Atontic Radiation Studies E. Cooper Brown Irational Conunittec for Radiation Survivors Michael Clossoh Center lor Economic Conversion Scott Denman Safe Energy Communication Council Kay Drey Missouri Coalition for the Environment Valerie Heinonen, OSU Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility judith H. Johnsrud, Ph.D.
Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Power Charles Komanoff Komanoff Energy Associates Admiral Gene LaRocque Ccntcr for Defcnsc Information Paul L. Leventhal Ifuclcar Control Institute Michael Mariotte Nwlcar Information and Resource Service Grigsby Morgan-Hubbard Energy Consultant Miles H. Robinson, M.D.
Citizens for Heahh Information
- j. Andy Smith, III~ Ph.D.
sfat tonal Minisuies American Baptist Churches, USA CERES WilliamWinpisinger International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Faith Young Energy People, Inc.
We are dismaved that the Commissioners and staff at the NRC have been slow to respond to the safety crisis presented bv the widespread use of faultv insulation, THERMO-LAG, and in fact are compounding the issue by their'acceding to utility pressure to allow continued use of this material.
The NRC presents itself as a regulatory agency whose first priority is protecting the public health and safety in regard to the licensing and operation of nuclear power plants.
The NRC established stringent performance standards for insulation materials that protect vital electrical cables for both ampacitv rating and how long it must resist fires.
The NRC has known since 1982 that Thermo-Lag fails these standards.
Even when the NRC knew that this material is combustible, the NRC still has failed to act in the public interest.
It is outrageous that public safety has been compromised by NRC inaction and seeming complicity with utilities (who seek to avoid costly replacement of the faulty material). In fact, its use may even exacerbate conditions that could cause a fire since fraudulent ampacity ratings allowed utilities to use smaller cable than design requirement, therefore allowing the cable to overheat and its own insulation to deteriorate The NRC has stated that fire at some nuclear power plants can contribute as much as 50X of the risk of a core meltdown.
The NRC also states that a tvpical nuclear reactor will have three to four significant fires during its licensed lifetime.
How can the NRC retain any public credibility to know the facts above, not insist that utilities uphold NRC performance standards, and further, to allow some utilities to add more Thermo-Lag?
- PLEASE, NO MORE COMPROMISES!
WE INSIST THAT YOU ORDER ALL UTILITIES USING THERMO-LAG TO HALT OPERATIONS UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH EFFECTIVE FIRE RETARDANT MEETING NRC STANDARDS.
WE DEMAND THAT THIS LETTER BE TREATED AS A'HOW CAUSE PETITION UNDER 10 CFR 2.206.
AAiliationsfor identification Purposes Only cc:
NRC
& Elected Officials gi~nerely, Patricia Birnie, Chair
(A l
k I
I II,'