ML19220C996
| ML19220C996 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 04/26/1979 |
| From: | Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Gilinsky V, Hendrie J, Kennedy R NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7905160152 | |
| Download: ML19220C996 (3) | |
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April 26,1979 MEMORANDUM FOR:
Chairman Hendrie Commissioner Gilinsky Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Bradford Commissioner Ahearne FROM:
Carlton Kamnerer, Directa Office of Congressional Affairs
SUBJECT:
DINGELL LETTER TO GA0 (Tf11)
Attached.is' a copy of a letter that-Chairman-Dingell -s~ent-to Elmer Staats, C~cdptroller GeneraT of the United States, requesting the GA0 to initiate a comprehensive and objective investigation of the Tfil accident.
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April 20, 1979 Mr. Elmer B. Staats Comptroller General of the United States General Accounting Office 441 G Street Washington, D. C.
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Dear Mr. Staats:
Over the last few years, the General Accounting Office has conducted a number of studies regarding nuclear issui.s and the operations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In the course of these efforts, your Office has developed considerable expertise in a variety of technical, social and governmentaT areas relating to the regulation of nuclear powerplants.
Because of the comprehensiveness of your Office's technical capabilities, the range of. its experience and its familiarity with the complex issues of nuclear energy, I ask your Office to in ediately initiate a comprehensive and objective investigation of the recent accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear po,ierplant.
Althcugh the President has established a Ccmmission to look into the accident and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has begun its own investigation, the country would be well served if GA0 were to make an independent and thorough investigation. As the President has confined the work of his Comission to the accident itself, the Congress will other tise lack a comprehensive analysis of the incident and its implications on the future of nuclear energy. Furthermore, the composition of the President's Ccnission lacks the technical expertise needed to conduct an investigation of this nature. Additionally, while the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's investigation will be useful, it will inevitably be subject to questions regarding its objectivity.
Becausa of these deficiencies, I request that the General Accounting Office make a complete examination, which reviews not only what happened at Three Mile Isiand, but also the perfomance of the responsible Federal agencies in responding to the accident and the implications that it may have on the safety and future of nuclear energy.
I would expect that this inquiry would include an examination of the operation of the facility before the accident, including a determination of whether safety consid-erations '. tere compromised in order to obtain tax advantages.
I also expect that your Office would review the acquacy of the NRC's inspactions 119 GO
l'r. Elmer B. Staats April 20, 1979 Page Two of this facility and of the applicable standards regarding the qualifications and training of plant operators.
In addition to identifying the causes of the accident, I also request that your Office identify any statutory or legal restraints which may have inhibited any Federal or State agency from taking appropriate action, as well as any impediment which interfered with any agency's ability to provide a needed and an independent response.
I also ask that your Office monitor the investigations of both the President's Comission and the iluclear Regulatory Comission and, at the appropriate time, provide a separate report evaluating their efforts, findings and reco =endations. Of particular interest to this Subccrmittee will be any reco=endations your Office mignt have which would result in improving the safety of nuclear powerplants and the ability of the appropriate agencies to provide an effective response to any potential similar accidents in the future.
Finally, I also-requeststhat=your-0ffice provide-the-Subcommittee with a report on the operation of the Prica-Anderson Act and an evaluation of the justificatica for the-present limitations on liability, as well n
as an evaluation of.the. potential of the private sector providing increased coverage to nuclear powerplants and an estimate of the cost of such coverage.
Ycur ef forts to egedite this revie'.. are appreciated.
If your have any cuesticas regarding this request, please contact Michael J. L'ard on the Subcomittee staff at 225-1034.
I look forward to receiving tGe reports.
Sincerely,
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John D."Dingell Chairman JDD/Jjh
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