ML18079A605
| ML18079A605 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 05/22/1979 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Martin T Public Service Enterprise Group |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907260072 | |
| Download: ML18079A605 (2) | |
Text
I
..Ill UNITED STATES NUCLWR REGULATORY COMMISSION W REGION I 631 PARK AVENUE KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19406 2 2 MA'< i9i9 Docket No. 50-311 Public Service Electric and Gas Company ATIN:
Mr. T. J. Martin Vice President. - Engineering and Construction 80 Park Place Newark,, New Jersey 07101 Gentlemen:
As a result of our experience during the recent accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station (TMI), the NRC has been reviewing the arrangements for immediate notifications by licensees and the availability of communications during* emergencies. The initial notification from TMI to NRC was delayed due to several difficulties. Later, when concern was raised about evacuation, the te 1 ephone 1 i nes into the area around TMI became saturated *. These and other difficulties experienced during the initial phases of the emergency neces-sitated that prompt action be taken to find alternate and more assured tele-phone arrangements.
The American Telephone and Telegraph Company, the local telephone companies and the White House were *extremely helpful in reestablishing and expanding the telephone communications systems between the TMI site, the NRC Operations Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Regional Office in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; however, communications were limited while these lines were being worked on.
These experiences clearly' demonstrated the need to preestab-lis.h a limited number of direct and dedicated telephone lines at certain licensee sites to facilitate the initial notification of a nuclear incident and to assure continued communication.
The NRC has a 1 ready taken steps to assure that there wi 11 be an i ndi vi dua 1 available at all times to receive a call from any nuclear facility.
As a further step to. facilitate immediate notifications and to assure continued and uninterrupted communications with certain licensees, the NRC is arranging to install special telephone lines to all operating nuclear power plants and selected fuel faci 1 iti es.
When these 1 ines a.re installed, they wi 11 supercede the need for any special arrangements that may have been made for open, contin-uous communication channels with the NRC in response to I&E Bulletin Series Nos. 79-05, 06 and 08 (for operating power reactor licensees only).
It is planned that there will be two direct and dedicated lines to each site.
One line will be for communicating operational information and will be con-figured in such a manner that when the telephone is lifted from the cradle it will automatically ring in the NRC Operations Center and the appropriate Re~ional Office.
For nuclear power plant sites there will be extensions in,
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at least, each unit 1s control room, the shift supervisor 1s office, any emergency operations or relocation centers and the resident inspector 1s office where
- applicable.
For fuel facility sites, extensions will be* located in the Plant Manager 1s Office, the* primary alarm station, any designated emergency relocation centers, and the resident inspector 1s office where applicable.
The second direct and dedicated line would be forcommunicating radiological and environmental information during an*emergency.
This would be a dial-up line, not automatic ringing, which wouid also t.te together the site, the NRC Operations Center and the appropriate Regional Office.
For m'ost faciTities, extensions would be needed in the main health physics office, any emergency operations or* relocation centers and the resident inspector 1s office where applicable..
We are now preparing a proposed amendment to NRC regul ati ans. which wi 11 cover this request.
Besides any discussion on the need for and placement of these, telephone lines, it is anticipated that the Statement of Consideration will address the question of who will pay the continuing charges for these telephone lines. The NRC believes, however, that in the best interest of the public, installation should not be delayed pending settlement of the question of
. financial responsibility. Therefore, NRC will pay for* the installation and service charges at least until a final rule can be promulgated.
In the meantime, we expect that each licensee will cooperate with the. NRC and the local telephone* companies in allowing these lines ta be installed, as soon as. is feasible.
If you have any questions concerning these telephone lines, please call Mr. Robert. Carlson of this office at (215) 337-5280.
Sincerely,
~;:~~
Director cc:
E. N. Schwalje, Manager - Quality Assurance H. J. Midura, Manager - Salem Generating Station