ML19225B758
| ML19225B758 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 06/19/1979 |
| From: | Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Muskie E SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19225B760 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907260009 | |
| Download: ML19225B758 (15) | |
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UNITED STATES f i t,.-
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 3 g %~r)[
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,0 JUN 1's $79 The Honorable Edmund S. Muskie United States Senate Washington, D.C.
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Dear Senator Muskie:
In accordance with your request dated April 26, 1979, we have prepared responses for questions posed by Mr. Raymond Shadis in his letter to you dated April 5, 1979. The incoming letter and our reply are enclosed.
Sincerely, (signed) Leo V.005'bb Lee V. Gossick Executive Director for Operations
Enclosure:
1.
Letter from Mr. Raymond Shadis 2.
Questions and Responses 3.
NUREG-Oll6 and NUREG-0216 454 329 19 0726 0 O$c,
ENCLOSURE 2 1.
What is the nature of nuclear radiation, radioactive isotop"es and radioactive wastes or by-products associated with aclear reacto rs ?
R.
Nuclear radiation results from a change in the energy level of the nuclei of unstable atoms. Radioactive isotopes are unstable atoms of certain elements. Nuclear radiation can be naturally occurring or man-made, and generally consists )f one or more of the following ty'es:
beta radiation (physically the same as fast-moving electrons), gamma radiation (physically similar to X-rays) and alpha rays (physically identical to fast-moving nuclei of non-radioactive' helium atoms). The quantities of radioactivity released from the nuclear fuel cycle per year of power generation are specified in the Environmental Statement for each nuclear power plant. The radioactive releases from the balance of the nuclear fuel cycle are addressed in Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 51. A detailed discussion of radioactive waste management is provided in NUREG-0116 and NUREG-0216 (attached) prepared as part of a current update for the fuel reprocessing / waste storage portions of the nuclear fuel cycle.
Essentially all of the radiological impact of the nuclear fuel cycle results from releases of tritium, carbon-14 krypton-85 (all low ene gy beta emitters) and raden-222 (parent of a chain of alpha emitters). Of these radionuclides, all occur naturally, except for krypton-85.
Both tritium and carbon-14 are produced in the earth's atmosphere by cosmic ray bombardment of stable atoms. Radon 222 comes fran the decay of Radium-226 which itself comes from a long line of naturally occurring radionuclides beginning with Uranium-238.
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2.
What is the immediate and long range or cumulative effects of these forces and materials on human life, food sources and surroundings?
R.
The environmental statement for each reactor facility describes the potential radiological dcses that can occur in the vicinity of the reactor. These doses include the transport of radio-nuclides through food chains and ultimately to man. The human health ef'ects associal.ed with these doses are estinated using state-of-the-art techniques. Analysis techniques are used that were developed by groups of national and international experts in the field of radiological health. These groups include the National Acade:ny of Science Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation, the National Council for Protection and Peasurements, and the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
Based on the analysis of potential and measured reactor effluents, less than one eventual cancer death wouid be expected in the pooula-tion surrounding the reactor as a result of the plant operation over periods of 30 to 40 years. There would be no anticipated imediate effects on human populations or biota exposed to the very low levels of radiation experienced around such facilities.
In general, animals are subject to competing risks of death (e.g., being consumed or dying of innumerable diseases that are not a serious threat to Americans any longer such as pneumonia, influenza or tuberculosis) which tend to pre::lude high risks of disease such as cancer, which is primarily a disease of old age. This in effect, tends to make native populations of biota more radioresistant than man.
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3.
What is their relation to bone cancer, leukemia, cancer of the thyroid, effects on the unborn, etc.?
R.
It is an established fact that radiation given at high doses and high dose rates causes numerous cancers in man. Genetic effects and congenital abnamalities are less certain, and such estimates are based largely on animal experiments.
All data to date, both human and animal, show that in-utero irradiation of embryos and fetuses results in much higher risks than to adults or children.
Some recent NRC staff estimates of cancer mortality and resulting shortening of life expectancies are shown in the enclosed table.
For purposes of comparison for the U.S. popu-lation; (1) background radiation results ir. about 20,000,000 person-rem each year, (2) medical and dental X-rays result in about 15,000,000 person-rems per year, (3) naturally occurring potassium-40, which is a part of all living things, contributes about 5,000,000 person-rems per year, (4) a typical nuclear power reactor currently results in a few hundred person-rea per year of operation, summed over a period of many decades, and (5) the 100 operating nuclear power plants and supporting fuel cycle (for both nomal operations and accidents) would result in about 100,000 person-rem per year of operation, summed over a perind of centuries.
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4.
What mishaps and anomalies in generation, mechanics, and nuclear materials handling have already taken place at Maine Yankee?
E, All licensed nuclear power plants are requir-d by their Technical Specifications to submit to the NRC a licensee event report of unusual cccurrences which include mishaps and anomili>s in generation, mechanics and nuclear materials handling.
In addition to these reports, specific reports are required by 10 CFR Part 20, 10 CFR Part 50, and if certain limits or values contained in the Technical Specifications are exceeded.
Copies of these reports are also placed in the local public document rooms located near the facility. The address for the Maine Yankee facility public docu-ment' room is:
Wiscasset Public Library Association Mrs. Barbara Shelton, Librarian High Street Wiscasset, Maine 04578 7 J 't
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5.
What precautions can an individual or family take in the event of such an event of an accident such as Three Mila Island er worse, including a complete melt-down?
R.
Since the probability of accidents such as the Three Mile Island incident are small, and probabilities of more severe accidents are even smaller, the only precaations individuals or families can take before the erset of an accident is to be familiar with probable evacuation routes if they 1;ve within 10 or 20 miles of a nuclear power station. If an mergency occurs, recommended courses of action for the various populations around the plant will be broadcast on local radio stations.
Even follcwing a complete melt-down, it would take many hours before large releases of radioactivity could occur. Therefore, until such instructiors are received, it is sater to remain indoors with closed wi ndows.
454 An c
6.
What woulo o
- ects and extent of effects of such an event be on the art.., on *he health of this generation, and on future generaticns?
R.
The only detailed analysis of the potential consequences of serious nuclear power plant accidents which has been publishk to da*c is the Reactor Safety Study, WASH-14CC While mcent reviews of WASH-1400 indicate the uncertainty cands around the estimates of health effects are larger than concluded by the report, the methodology ard conclusions are generally supported by most reviewers.
Dr. Harold Lewis, Chairma.n of an Ad Hcc Review Committee that recently completed a review of WASH-1400, has concluded that the consequences of serious nuclear power plant accidents are probably, lower than the estimatas in WASH-1400.
Nevertheless, the estimates in WASH-1400 indicate that for the worst (very low probability) accident envisioned, with no evacuation of populations, there could be at many as 6,200 ecrly fatalities, about 80,000 cases of early illness, and abcut 40,000 to 50,000 additional latent concers 0ccurring during the subsequent 40 to 70 years.
For comparative purposes, a typical 50 mile population (1-3 million persons) would exper-ience on the order of 300,000 cancer deaths over the same time period (i.e., on the order of a 20% increase in the risk of cancer had the accident not occurred).
In addition, tnere would be a measurable increase in stillbirths, abortions and future genetic effects among tiie af#ected population and their decendants.
For comparison, about one in ten persons has sore type of genetic (inheritable) defect. Thus, about 200,000 to 300,000 ge% tic defects would already be present in the typical populati;n within 50 miles of a nuclear power station prior to an accident. The number of genetic defects induced in several generations following the accident would be expected to be on the crder of 20-30% of the rate anong the urexposed population.
In addition to hurran risk, t%re would also be ser' s losses of bi'ota (both natural and domestic) for distances 1 ownwind) out to tens of miles, with loss of some contaminated agri-cultural crops and animals even further from the plant.
There is no doubt that the catential ctsts of a serious accident in ter as of human suffering, social dislocation and econcrics would be immense.
454 33
7.
What provisions have the federal government, state government and/or utility companies made for reimbursement for damages to health and the value of property?
R.
Under the Pri:e-Anderson Act,* there is a system of private funds and governmental indemnity totalling up to $560 million to pay public liability claims, which would be any legal liability, for personal injury and property damages re ulting from a nuclear incident. This Act requires licensees of commercial nuclear power plants having a lated capacity of 100,000 electrical kilowatts or more to pro' ide proof to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that they have financial protection in the fom of private nuclear liability insurance, or in some other fom approved by the NRC, in an amount equal to the maximum amount of liability insurance available at reasonable cost and on reasonable tems from private sources. That financial protection, presently $495 million, is comprised of primary private nuclear liability insurance of $160 million and a secondary retrospective premium insurance layer of
$335 million.
In the event of a nuclear incident causing damages exceeding $160 million, each commercial nuclear power plant licensee would be assessed a prorated share of damages in excess of the primary insurance layer up to $5 million per reactor per incident but not in excess of $10 million for each reactor in any year.
The difference of $65 million between the financial protection layer of $495 million and the $560 million liability limit is the present government indemnity level.
Government indemnity will grcdually be phased out as more comnercial reactors are licensed and licensees participate in the retrospective premium system.
At the time the primary and secondary financial protection layers by themselves provide liability coverage of $560 million, Government indemnity will be phased out. Under the current level of primary liability insurance coverage, this will occur when 80 commercial reactors have been licensed. After that point, the liability limit would increase in increments of $5 million for each new commercial power reactor licensed.
Aside frcri Price-Anderson Act coverage which is available to utilities, we are unaware of any other provisicns that utilities may have made cr any provisions that states may have made regarding reimbursement for damages to health and the value of property.
Puolic Law e5-256, as amenced; 42 U.S.C. 2210;
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8.
What are the economics of Maine Yankee? How much of the power and money it generates go out of state?
Out of the U.S.?
What are it's profits, including salaries for stock owning executives?
R.
Cons of electrical generation from Maine Yankee are about 15 mills per kilowatt hour (kWh), of which fuel is about 4 mills, non-fuel operation and maintena'ce coste about 2 mills and the remainder is interest, depreciation, ' axes c.s other fixed costs. By contrast, the fuel cost alone for an oil-fired plant is about 30 mills per kWh.
The lower cost of power generation from nuclear plants is passed on to users of electricity because the rate of return of Maine Yankee is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Maine Public Utilities Commission so that there will be a fair rate of return which is high enough to attract needed capital.
Power generated by Maine Yankee is dispatched to the New England Power Pool, commonly called NEP00L, or an economy basis. That is, as additional electricity is demanded, the least cost available unit on the pool is brought into service. Since, Maine Yankee, along with the other nuclear plants are the least cost units to operate, except for hydroelectric plants, Maine Yankee operates nearly all the time it is available. Maine Yankee is owned 50% by utility companies headquartered in Maine and 50% by utilities outside the state.
All of the owners pay Cer, tral Maine Power Company for operating and maintenance costs. This money flows into Maine to pay company employees (about 100), taxes, machine and electrical supplies, and dozens of other items. Some of this is eventually spent outside the state to restock supplies. Nuclear fuel is purchased outside the ate.
In 1978, $19 million was spent for fuel, out of a total of ( J million for operat cn and maintenance costs.
None of the power generated oy Maine Yankee goes out of the U.S.
Any surplus capacity is used to generate power for the NEP00L grid.
Sales to Canada is from higher cost stations. Essentially none of the purchases for operation and maintenance are made outside the U.S.
Table 2 shows the " Summary of Operations" for Maine Yankee. Earnings on common stock was 56.7 millicn in 1978. All of the common stock is owned by 11 New England utility canpanies. The NRC does not have further infonnation on the stock ownership of utility execu-tives.
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k,k95,653 3.**5.993 1,422,700 1,917,c15 1,512,067 Oe m :1:=
8,173,3 4 8,C87.3F' 8,029,'60 7,726,k29 7,45,317 axes red =_1 a:4 s:ste ::::==
S,702,37t.
9,0%,043 S,578,019 8,191,2k6 6,26,510 local 7..w.,
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?."ec.301 2.E?o.210 2.258.*??
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A11:<a. ce = Cue ?=is caed ic: Acisar mil 1,3kC,E85 1,047,3 %
1,136,06k elk,6c5 1,006,21k N:i=; C::::= :::i=
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= teres cu.y 12:g== Oct l' 533,929 11,5C2,'-04 11,615,k13
'.2.527,145 12,9 9,3k6 (7,600) 23.M5 781,369
%1,051 550,654 cthe A11:va== := 3..e;- P. is Used
.w 2:1 s: ?:e1 (1,023,210)
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9.
How much federal and state money has oeen spent or will be spent on consultation. regulation, development, tai breaks, subsidies, waste disposal and so en for Maine Yankee?
R.
The NRC does not ha
- ords on state expenditures.
Federal money has been spent tor development and regulation of the nuclear power industry, some of which is likely to have benefited Maine Yankee and the surrounding population and electricity users. There is no way to separate the amount that should be allccated to Maine Yankee. All licensees, such as Maine Yankee, pay licensing fees which partially offset the cost of regulation. The federal govern-ment plans to take title to all spent fuel from reactors. The intention is that licensees will pay the full cost of this waste management.
We are not aware of any federal money spent for consultation which is done for the benefit of Maine Yankee. There are tax breaks and subsidies which benefit all energy sources.
These vary in both type and value from one energy source to another.
It is essentially impossible to compare the unsubsidized costs of power production.
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- 10. Do any of our elected officials own stock in Maine Yar.kee?
R.
All stock in Maine Yankee is owned by 11 New Englanc utilities.
The NRC has no infomation on stock holdin'ss of elected of ficials.
t 454 3t, 7
'l.
How may private citizens obtain copies of the Nugget file, a government file aoout mishaps in nuclear power plants?
R.
The " nugget file" censists of approximately 1800 pages and has been available for purchase since 1976.
You may order copies of any document in the " nugget file" at a cost of eight cents
($.08) per page by writing the NRC Public Document Room (PDR),
1717 H Preet, N.W., Washington, D.C.
Bil'ing for the copies will be oy the POR Reproduction Contractor, Potomac Research, Inc.
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12.
Central Maine Power has charged Maine people directly for every problem at Maine Yankee. The bill they announcec for the NRC's shutdown of Maine Yankee was five million. How soon will Maine Yankee become inoperative due to obsolescence and radiation soak?
What will decommissioning of the plant ccst us? Once the plant is removed or sealed, at what rate will it continue to generate radioactivity?
R.
Maine Yankee is likely to br decommissioned 30 to 40 years after it began operating. At the end of its operating 11fe, decommis-sioning is likely to cost about $30 million in current dollars if the structure is completely dismantled and removed. Seal ing the structure on site is likely to cost less than $10 million.
Complete dismantling and remuval will cost about.3 mills per kWh over the plant operating lifetime.
If tha pl6nt is removed, there will be no radio 1ctivity generated -
at the site. Likewise, if the plant is sealed there will be no offsite release of radioactivity. Radioactive releases from normal operation of a nuclear power plant result in little exposure of the public.
Releases from nuclear power plants to unrestricted areas usually result in rraximum annual doses on the order of 5 milli. ems per year compared with approximately 100 millirems per year from natural background. Releases after decommissioning will be less than durir.g the years of plant operation.
454 343