ML19210C341
| ML19210C341 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 10/25/1979 |
| From: | Rubenstein L Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Rosewater K AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19210C343 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7911140107 | |
| Download: ML19210C341 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES j
EN NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n
WASHINGTO N. D. C. 20555
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Docket Nos: 50-443 and 50-444 Ms. Katherine L. Rosewater 709 Central Avenue, Apt. 1 Dover, New Hampshire 03820
Dear Ms. Rosewater:
Your letter of April 9,1979 has been referred to this office for reply. You indicate your opposition to continued development and use of nuclear power.
We believe that you may attribute authority and responsibility to the Nuclear Regulatory Conmission that does not exist.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is responsible for the licensing and regula-tion of nuclear reactors in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 as amended.
It is responsible for issuing licenses if there is no undue risk to the health and safety of the public.
It does not have authority to arbitrarily stop issuing licenses as a neans of implementing proposed national policies based on proference, e.g., non-expansion of electric generating capacity and universal use of alternative energy sources.
The Cocmission also has the responsibility of implementing the requirenents of the National Environmerital Policy Act of 1969 within its scope of licensing responsibility. Again, this Act does not authorize the Conmission to implement proposed national policies. Rather, it must determine that the requirements of NEPA are satisfied prior to each major licensing action.
In summary, the Commission does not now have the authority or obligation to shut down nuclear generation capacity, for reasons other than than that are mandated by the applicable statuMs. As an example, the choice of means for financing construction cannot be dictated by the Cocmission, even though it must find the applicant to be financially qualified.
Sincerely,
,O O.
elSf Ju(ma a( o y.
Lester 'S Rubenstein, Acting Chief Light Water Reactors Branch No. 4 Division of Project Management
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