ML19225B768
| ML19225B768 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | West Valley Demonstration Project |
| Issue date: | 05/22/1979 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Deuster R NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES, INC. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907260012 | |
| Download: ML19225B768 (2) | |
Text
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 5
,5 REGION I 3
?wj,a((A 631 PARK AVENUE 0,
g K!NG of PRUS$1A, PENNSYLVANI A 19406 2 2 G'/ 1979 Docket No. 50-201 Nuclear Fuel Services, Incorporated ATTN:
Mr. R. W. Deuster President Suite 600 6000 Executive Boulevard Rockville, Maryland 20352 Gentlemen:
As a result of our experience during the recent accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station (TMI), the NRC has been reviewing the arrangements for immediate notifications by licenstes and the availability of communications during emergencies. The initial notification from TiiI to NRC was delayad due to several difficulties. Later, when concern was raised about evacuation, the telephone lines into the area around TMI became saturated. These and other difficulties experienced during the initial phases of the emergency neces-sitated that prompt action be taken to find alternate and more assured tele-phone arrangements.
The American Telephone and Telegraph Company, the local te:ephrne companies and the White House were extremely helpful in reestablishing and expanding the telephone communications systems between the TMI site, the NRC Operations Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Regional Office in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; however, communications were limited while these lines were being worked on.
These experiences clearly demonstrated the need to preestab-lish a limited number of direct and dedicated telephone lines at certain licensee sites to facilitate the initial notification of a nuclear incident and to assure continued ccmmunication.
The NRC has already taken steps to assure that there will be an individual available at all times to receive a call frcm any nuclear facility.
As a further step to facilitate immediate notifications and to assure continued and uninterrupted communications with certain licensees, the NRC is arranging to install special telephone lines to all operating nuclear power plants and selected fuel facilities.
When these lines are installed, they will superced'!
the need for any special arrangements that may have been made for open, contin-uous communication channels with the NRC in response to I&E Bulletin Series Nos. 79-05, 06 and 08 (for operating power reactor licensees only).
It is planred that there will be two direct and dedicated lines to each site.
One line will be fc. communicating operational information and will be con-figured in such a manner that when the telephone is lifted from the cradle it will automatically ring in the NRC Operations Center and the appropriata Regional Office.
For nuclear power plan *. sites there will be extensions in, 7007260U R
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Nuclear Fuel Services, 2
Incorporated at least, each unit's control room, the shif t sune visor's office, any emergency operations or relocati]n centers and the resident inspector's office where applicable.
For fuel facility sites, extensions will be located in the Plant Manager's Office, the primary alarm station, any dcsignated emergency relocation centers, and the resident inspector's office where applicaole.
The second direct and dedicated line would be for communicating radiological and environmental information during an emergency.
This would be a dial-up line, not automatic ringing, which would miso tie together the site, the NRC Operations Center and the app"opriate Regional Office.
For most facilities, extensions would be needed ia the main health physics office, ano emergency operations or relocation centers and tna resident inspector's office where applicable.
We are now preparing a proposed amendment to NRC regulations which will cover this request.
Besides any discussion on the need for and placement of these telephone lines, it is anticipated that the Statement of Consideration will address the question of who will pay the continuing charges for these telephone lines. The NRC believec, however, that in the best interest of the pubiic, installation should not be delayed pending settlement of the question of financial responsibility. Therefcre, NRC will pay for the installation and service charges at least until a final rule can be promulgated.
In the meantime, we expect that eacn licensee will cooperate with the NRC and the local telephone companies in allowing these lines to be installed, as soon as is feasible.
If you have any questions concerning these telephone lines, please call Mr. Robert Carlson of this office at (215) 337-5280.
Sincerely,
. YQM Boyce H. Grier Director cc:
W. A. Oldham, General fianager Mr 1
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