ML18347A754
| ML18347A754 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 03/11/1977 |
| From: | Demlow D State of MI, Public Service Commission |
| To: | Rowden M Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML18347A754 (3) | |
Text
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Logging Date __ 3_/_7_6 __
TO:
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NRC SECRETARIAT D Commissioner ----------
Date
[]: Exec. Dir./Oper.
0 Cong. Liaison D Public Affairs
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Gen. Counsel Solicitor Secretary T
Cha.~~ma.n Rowden.
3/11
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PUBLIC 'SERVICE ~OMMISSION 6545 MEEjC.ANTILE WA P.O. BOX 30221 LANSING, MICHIGAN 4
. Daniel J. Demlow, Chairman Lenton G. Sculthorp
- William R. Ralls WILLIAM G. MILLIKEN. Governor i_~
THE GREAT LAKE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Mr. Marcus Rowden, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
Dear Chairman Rowden:
RICHARD K. HELMBRECHT, Director March 11, 1977 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering a request from the Consumers Power Company to permit expansion of spent nuclear fuel storage pool at the Palisades nuclear power plant near South Haven, Michigan.
Letters sent to you by the Mi(:higan Department of Public Health and the Michigan Department of Natura*! Resources have empha:; i zed their concel*n over safety aspects of the proposed fuel storage expans fon.
The issues r<,i; sed are areas which I am sure your agency must resolve before t;;;k'inq acti,:.1n on the company's application. However, there is another impori;~.{:i.~ issue in this matter which behooves me to write you.
The Palisades nuclear power plant represents an important base-load component of the system which supplies Michigan citizens with electrical energy at low fuel costs. This system is important not only to the safety and welfare of citizens, but also to the economic well-being of this state. Therefor!.!:, it is important to recognize that your Commission's safety decision shou'\\d be made, if, possible, so that continued plant operation is not unnecessarily jeopardized.
If options are available that do not compromise the paramount need for adequate protection of the public ~afety, then I encourage you to consider those which will best assure the continuance of a reliable electric supply without undue impacts on ratepayers from outages and purchase power replacements.
Available options not con~romisinq safety may also be available which minimize fuel storage dnd shipping costs.
The Corrmission which I head is constantly faced vdth the increasing cost of el e~tri ca 1 energy genera*~~ o~ and the b~rden t~us pl aced on electric ratepayers.
An important aspect of U\\.1lity regulation, which I am sure you share, is the burden placed on prompt decision-making.
Decisions, whether they be for safety or rates, can compromise legitimate principles or become counter-productive if indeed the~ are not made in a timely fashion.
The present issues surrounding Palisades i~ ?ut one aspect.of the difficulties brought on by the lack of a federal decision over what is to be the licensing practice for spent fuel
- ~*S'TATE
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t ~*, Mi~. Marcus *Rowden A
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Page 2 WI'
~ Mar@h 11, 1977
.element disposition.
Palisades fuel storage expansioh is not the first of recent issues to come before us as a result of federal indecision in the licensing or disallowance of nuclear fuel reprocessing.
Recently, we have been faced with a decision on proper costs for the storage and dispos~l of radioactive materials from spent fuel elements without knowing even ~~~re the elements may be stored, let alone their ultimate fate.
Ai though *;::iur Commission cannot seek resolution of this question totally on its own, it is nevertheless highly important, both to maximizing the gublic safety and credibility of your agency, and to minimizing financial impacts on ratepayers that a prompt decision be expeditiously obtained.
These conments have been offered in a constructive n~nner. and I hope they will be helpful to you in considering resolution of these important issues.
If there is any assistance I or my staff can render you in your important work, we should be happy to oblige.
I look forward to receivirq word from you on the manner of safety resolution, timely decision, and cor;sideration by staff of cost-effectiveness of your decision.
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Very truly yours,
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. Daniel J. Dernlow, Chairman Michigan Public Service Commission
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