ML18230B102
| ML18230B102 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Harris  |
| Issue date: | 01/02/1976 |
| From: | Gossick L Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Morgan R US SEN (Senate) |
| References | |
| Download: ML18230B102 (19) | |
Text
J. Cutchin M. Rushbrook J. Yore, ASLB IE (3)
LWR 1/2 BCs SECY Maij. Facility (3)
(j/0883)
EP Project Manager EP Licensing Assistant TIC January 2,
1976 Docket Nos. 5F-.4/0, 50-401, 50-402*and 50-403 t
Distribution~
Docket Fi3P
, HRC PDR'ocal PDR EDO Reading NRR Reading (H. Groff)
LWR l-2-File Rusche Case Eisenhut Honorable Robert Morgan ELD United States Senator CA (3)
Post Office Drawer 2719 G. Ertter (89542)
'Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 J ~ "<<>>
M.'roff Dear Senator Morgan:
E.HUghes S. Hill We are pleased to respond to your December 9, 1975 'referral of a letter from your constituent, Mr. James A. Burt, Jr., of Cary, North Carolina.
Mr. Burt expressed his opinion that construction of, the proposed Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, which is to be located near Raleigh, should not be allowed until a more thorough study of earthquake risks at the site is made.
He cited statements attributed to Drs.
S. Duncan Heron, Jr.,
and David M. Stewart of the Departments of Geology at Duke University and the University of North Carolina, respectively, as the basis for his concern.
A brief discussion of how the risk of earthquakes at nuclear plant sites is evaluated may be helpful to Mr. Burt.
The earthquake design basis for nuclear power'lants is determined after the geologic structure, geologic history, and earthquake history of the region of a proposed plant site have been evaluated.
To supplement the available earthquake
- data, studies are conducted to determine the relationship between earthquakes and tectonic structures, such as faults, and to define tectonic pr'ovinces and determine their earthquake characteristics as they impact earthquake risk at the site.
Conservative design accelerations for earthquakes are then determined either by (1} assuming that the largest earthquake intensity that has been reported in the historical record in the site's tectonic province may occur at the site or, (2) when clear relationships among earthquakes and tectonic structures can be establiohed, by assuming that the occurrence of the largest earthquake that a tectonic structure near the site is capable of generating may occur on that structure at the point nearest the site and attenuating the seismic energy to the site.
This procedure results in an earthquake design value that is believed to be, the largest that the plant would ever experience in an indefinitely long period.
The plant's structures,
- systems, and components important to safety are then designed to withstand these earthquake accelerations without loss of function.
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Honorable Robert Morgan V
Mr. Burt's concern relates to the fault that was discovered during excavation at the Harris plant site and reported to the Atomic Energy Commission (now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) on July 10, 1974.
After the fault was reported, representatives of the NRC staff made visits to the site to inspect and discuss the fault with representatives of the applicant, the Carolina Power and Light Company, with its consultants and with Drs. Heron and Stewart.
As a result of its own review, and based on these and other discussions, the NRC staff requested the applicant to perform further studies at the site and to provide further information regarding the fault.
After several months of investigation and analysis, the applicant submitted a rcport - comprised of some four inches of documents '- of the results of these investigations.
On May 1,
- 1975, representatives of the NRC staff met with.representatives of thc applicant, the intervenors and Drs. Heron and Stewart to discuss the results of these additional investigations of the fault.
A copy of the report of these additional investigations of the fault discovered at the Harris plant site, notes on our meetings at the site and here in Bethesda to di,scuss the fault, and many other documents related to the application for construction permits for the Shcaron Harris units are available for public inspection at the Wake County Public Library, 104 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, and at the NRC Public Document
- Room, 1717 H Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
Based on our review, we concluded that the fault in the Harris site area is not capable as defined in Appendix A to 10 CFR 100 of the Commi.ssion's regulations.
- However, we will require the applicant to perform seismic monitoring at the site prior to, during, and for a few years following the fillingof the reservoirs at the Harris plant to confirm our conclusion that the proposed reservoirs at the site will not cause movements on thc fault.
If Mr. Burt has a continuing interest in this matter or in other matters related to thc proposed Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant he may wish to attend future sessions of the public hearings (earlier sessions of which werc held in Raleigh in October 1974).
The schedule and locations for future public hearing sessions will be sent to local news media in the sita area such as the News and Observer and the Raleigh Times, and will be publicized in announcements that are sent to the public document rooms cited above.
I trust that this information is responsive to Mr. Burt's needs.
Sincerely, (Signed)
Leo V. t'I03~t~>
SEE PR iOUS ELLOW FOR CONCURRENCES (PER H.
DENTON)
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Honorable Robert Morgan Mr. Burt's concern relates to the fault that was discovered ng excavation at the Harris plant site and reported to the Apt
'c Energy Co ission (nov the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) on Ju 10, 1974.
Aft!. 'the fault was reported, representatives of the N
staff made visit to the site to inspect and discuss the fault th reptesentatives of the plicent, the Carolina Power'and Light Com ny, with -its consultants end vt.th s.
Heron and Stewar't.
As a result of ts own review, and based on th~.
e and other discussions, the NRC aff requested the applicant to perform fu her studies at the site and t provide further information regarding the f lt.
After several months f investigation and analysis, the applicant eub 'tted a report - compri d of some four inches of documents - of the suits of these invt'i,gations.
On May 1, 1975, represent'atives of the RC staff met v th representatives of the
- applicant, the interveno e and Dre.
ron and Stewart to discuss the results of these addi.tion
'investi ations of the fault.
I A copy of the report of these d itional investigations of the fault discovered at the Harris plant ite, notes on our meetings at the site and here in Bethesda to i.sc ss the fault, and many other documents related to the applfcati.on r con ruction permits for the Shearon Harris units are availabl for publi inspection at the Wake County Public Library, 104 Fayettevill Street, Rale',
North Caroline, and at the NRC Public Document Roo
, 1717 H Street
.W., Washington, D.C, Based on our reviev, e concluded that the ult in the Harris site area
- is not capable as fined in Appendix A to 10 CFR 100 of the Commission's regulati.ons.
How er, we vill require the app cent to perform seismic monitoring at th site prior, to, during, and for fev years following the fillingof the eservoirs at the Harris plant'to v grify our 'conclusion that the prop sed reservoirs at the site vill not cB se movemente on the fault.
If Mr.
B t has a continuing interest in this matter or other matters related to the proposed Shearon Harris Nuclear Pover Plan he may wish to atten future sessions of the public hearings (earlier sees ons of which vere eld in Raleigh in October 1974).
The schedule and loc ions for fut re public hearing sessions will be sent to local news medi in the s
e area such as the Neve and Observer and the Raleigh Times a
vt.ll publ,icized in announcemente that are sent to the public docume ooms cited above.
I trust that this information ie responsive to Mr. Burt's needs.
Sincerely, SEE PREVIOUS YELLOW FOR CONCURRENCES (PER LWR GP 1) 7L "
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~ l oh Honorable Robert Morgan Mr. Burt's concern 'relates to the fault that was discovered during excavation at the Harris plant site and reported to the At'omic Ener Commise1 n (now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) on July 10, 1
After th fault wae reported, representatives of the NRC etaf ade visits to e site to inspect and discuss the fault with r resentativee of the appl1 ant, the. Carolina Power and Light Company, 1th its consultants and with Drs.
eron and Stewart.
As a result of its
- review, and based on these d other discussions, the NRC staff nquested the applicant to perform furthe tudies at the site and to pro 4e further information regarding the fault.
After several months of i etigation and analysis, the applicant submitte a report comprised o
some four inches of documents of the reeu e of these investig ions.
On May 1,
- 1975, representatives of the NR staff met with presentatives of the applicant, the intervenors d Dre. Hero nd Stewart to discuss the results of these additional i vestigati s of the fault.
A copy 'of the report of these ad ti nal investigations of the fault discovered at the Harris plant sit notes on our meetings at the 8ite and here in Bethesda to disc 88 the fault, and many other documents related to the application for nstru tion permits for the Shearon Harris units are available for~ublic i.
pection at the Wake County Public Library, 104 Fayetteville St bet, Raleigh North Carolina, and at the NRC public document
- room, 7
H Street N.
, gashington, D.C.
Based on our reviev, we oncluded that the fa t in the Harris site area is not capable as defi ed in Appendix A to 10 R 100 of the Commission'8 regulations.
However we vill require the appl1 ant to perform seismic monitoring at the s
e prior to, during, and for fev years following the fillingof the res voire at the Harris plant to v rify our conclusion that the propose reservoirs at the site'ill not c use movements on the fault.
If Mr. Burt 8 a continuing interest in this matter or in other matters related to 1e proposed Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Pla he may wish to attend fu re sessions of the publ.ic hearings (earlier see ons of which were he in Raleigh in October 1974).
The schedule and loc tions for futur public hearing sessions will be eent.to local neve med1 in the eit area such as the News and Observer and the Raleigh Times an will be publicized in announcements that are sent to the public documen rooms cited above.
I trust that this information is responsive to Mr. Burt's needs.
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FROM Sen Robert Morgan 0
CONTROL NUMBER 9
DATE OF DOCUMENT 12-9-75 ACTION COMPLETION DEADLINE 12-26-75 tv r'
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DESCRIPTION Ltr. IO<<,inai 0 Copy; Other
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ltr. fm. James A. Burt, Jr.,'oncerninj the proposed site of the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant f
,SECY 7660883 REMARKS REFERRED TO Boyd f/action DATE 12-12-75 IS NOTIFICATION T THE JCAE RECOMMENDED?
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CONTROL NUMBER 9
DATE OF DOCUMENT 12-9-75 FILE ATION I
ACTION COMPLETION DEADLINE 12-26-75 TO NRC Acknowledged Interi R ply Fina Chairman*
Director of Regulation Gossick ACTION PROCESSING DATES
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PREPARE FOR SIGNATURE OF:
DESCRIPTION Ltr IOriginal Q Copy Q O~her Z=.cl. ltr. fm. James A. Burt, Jr.,
concerning the proposed site of, the Sheaxon Harris Nuclear Plant I
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REFERRED TO Boyd f/action DATE 12-12-75 IS NOTIFICATION T THE JCAE r
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NRC SECRETARIAT 0 commissioner Q Exec. Dir./Oper.
0 Cong. Liaison CI Public Affairs Date ~12 0
Gen. Counsel 0 Solicitor O Secretary Incoming; Rober t Mor an From United States Senate liRC Date Pro osed site of Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant'eferrin statement from constituent James A. Burt, Jr.
5f Prepare reply for signature of:
0 Chairman 0 Commissioner EDO Gc, CL, SOL, PA, SECY 0
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Return original of incoming with response IS For direct reply" CJ For appropriate action 0
For information SUSPENSE:
December 29 2
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20510 ii+C December 9,
1975 Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street Washington, D.
C.
20555
Dear Sir:
Attached you will find a copy of a letter from my constituent, Mr. James A. Burt, Jr.,
concerning the proposed site of the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power, Plant.
I pass this letter on to you for your information and attention.
I will appreciate a copy of your findings.
With best wishes.
Sincerely, RM:tarn Enclosure obert Morga REPLY'OI POST OFFICE DRAWER 2719, RALEIGH,NORTH CAROLINA 27602 FEDERAL BUILDINGCENTURY POST OFFICE
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1013 E Village Greenway Cary, N. C. 27511 Nov.
25~ 1975 Senator Robert Morgan Senate Office Building Vashington, D.
C. 20515
Dear Sir:
I am writing concerning the controversy of, the Sherman Harris Nuclear Power Plant located eighteen miles southwest of Raleigh, N. C.
Nuclear power may indeed be th'e part of the solution of our energy crisis; however, the Sherman Harris plant poses a potential threat to thousands of people.
The site for the plant is located over a fault.
According to sources throughout, the scientific'circles, the AEC has stated that the Harris fault is the largest ever found beneath a nuclear power plant site.
Although there has been no general agreement, as to how risky construction of a plant would be, the Atomic Energy Commission has said that the fault is probably 200 million years old and that any fault over 35,000 years old is safe enough to build on.
Dr. S.
Duncan Heron, Jr.', chairman of the Geology Department at Duke University, disputes the AEC s analysis of the situation and states that although earthquakes in the east are not frequent, when they do occur, they:are more severe than those in California.
According to Dr. Heron, one of the worst aspects of the fault is that it is within several hundred feet of one of the nuclear reactors.
Other opposition comes from David H. Steward, Department of Geology at the University of North Carolina.
He feels that Carolina Power and Light did not conduct a complete history of earthquakes in planning the site.
Their report contains incomplete and misleading information which creates the impression that the site is completely safe.
They state that the Charleston quake of 1886 which was felt at the Sherman Harris site 1
would not happen for another 10,000 years, and even.then would not be closer than 200 miles.
No scientific grounds were given to justify this information.
Accoxding to Steward, Caxolina Power and Light stated that the Jonesboro Fault, four miles to the east, has been inactive for at Beast 100 million years.
He feels that as many as two or three small tremors felt in Raleigh over, the past century could have originated from the fault.
I Hr. Stewart states further that "earthquake risk for nuclear power plant citing is done by the power company which reports its findings to AEC."
Xn my 'opinion until all doubt as to the safety of the site is relieved, construction should not be allowed.
A more detailed study of the area should be undertaken.
Efforts whould,be taken to study any changes in the area.
A record should be kept of any noticeable changes.
Xf a more thorough study is not conducted before construction begins, we could be in for a lesson we will never forget.
This is of grave concern to me and. other informed citizens of the state.
Please use your influence to stop this proposal or to delay this decision until a more thorough study is made.
Yq rs truly,
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ames A. Burt,. Jr.
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20555 QFg3 9 1975 Mr. Lee V. Gossick, Executive Director for Operations LATE RESPONSE TO CONGRESSIONAL MAIL The response to Senator Morgan's letter concerning a letter from his constituent, Mr. James Burt, Jr., of Cary, North Carolina, is late because of the press of other business and the holidays.
Full attention to preparation of the response was not possible because of the needs to process License Amendments for the recently licensed Trojan plant.
Moreover, the work inefficiencies on December 24th, the loss of December 26th as a work day, and the need to incorporate certain minor changes to the letter, as requested by a member in the concurrence chain contributed to this day or two)of delay.
A%
James M. Cutchin, IV, Senior Project Manager Light Water Reactors Branch No.
4 Division of Project Management
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