ML18114A434

Requests Action Re Accident During Replacement of Steam Generator.Suggests Suspension of Further Work Until Public Hearings Are Held & EIS Issued

ML18114A434
Person / Time
Site:	Surry
Issue date:	02/21/1979
From:	Pollard R CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ALLIANCE
To:	Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML18114A433	List: ML18114A434
References
NUDOCS 7904130176
Download: ML18114A434 (1)

Text

.l l t, I

... e C1:J.iiliapeake Energy Alliance

%..,ltimore Environmental Center 333-East 25th Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218 February 21, 1979 Jos~ph M. Hendrie Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 *

Dear Sir,

We have just heard of last week **s accident at the Surry, Virgin,ia, nuclea~ power plant which.resulted in the hospitalization of 26 people engaged in the unprecedentedly hazardous Feplacement of the steam generator at the plant. This accident is a clear warning of the possibility of future far more dangerous accidents during the replacement of the g*enerator, with risks of exposure to exceptionally high levels of radiation.

Under the responsibilities delegated to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it is clear that the only responsible course of acti9n by the Commission at this time is the suspension of any further work on replacement,of the faulty genera tor until open public hearings are held, and a thorough environmental impact statement assessing the possible hazards of the task can be prepared.

It remains inconceivable that a taks involving such unprecedented hazards and risk could have been allowed to be initiated without a series of public hearings on the matter, and without an environmental impact statement having to be prepared. The,.ccomplete suspension of work on the replacement generator by the Commission is clearly in order, and is an appropriate follow up to the I ',

injunction that has been obtained by the Virginia State Health Department; ,

I look forward to your taking prompt action on this matter, and to your keeping us informed om the developments.

cc President Jimmy Carter Attorney General Griffin Bell Congressperson Mikulski File, etc.

P.S. The Maryland Center for Public Broadcasting, Channel 22 (& 67),

is showing 'Paul Jacobs and the Nuclear Gang', a documentary on the deathly hazards of low level radiation and on the government's efforts to Buppress the information. The documentary will be broadcast on Sunday, February 25, at 8.00 p.m., and should be required viewing for members and staff ~f the Commission.