ML19225B773
| ML19225B773 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Wood River Junction |
| Issue date: | 05/22/1979 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Bowers C UNITED NUCLEAR CORP. (SUBS. OF UNC, INC.) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907260015 | |
| Download: ML19225B773 (2) | |
Text
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6,,g 4 2 2 MAY F70 Dccket No.70-820 United Nuclear Corporation ATTN:
Mr. C. E. Bowers General Manager UNC Recovery Systems Wood River Junction, Rhode Island 02894 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 licensees and the availability of communications during emergencies. The initial notification from TMI to NRC was delayed 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-pnone arrangements.
The American Telephone and Telegraph Company, the local telephone 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 communication.
The NRC has already taken steps to assure that there will be an individual available at all times to receive a call from any nuc' ear facility.
As a further step to facilitate immediate notifications and to assure continued and uninterrupted commuaications 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 supercede the need for any special arrangements that may have been made for open, contin-ucus communication channels wita the NRC in response to I&E Bulletin Series Nos. 79-05, 06 and 08 (for operating power reactor licensees only).
It is planned that there will be 1 direct and dedicated lines to each site.
One line will be for 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 appropriate Regional Office.
For nuclear power plant sites there will be extensions in,
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at least, each unit's control room, the shift supervisor's office, any emergency operations or relocation 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 designated emergency relocation centers, and the resident inspector's office where applicable.
The second direct and deuicated line would be for communicating radiological and environmental informatlan during an emergency.
This would be a dial-up line, not automatic ringing, wh'ch would also tie together the site, the NRC Operatiens Center and the approuriate Regional Office.
For most facilities, extensions would be needed in the main healt1 physics office, any emergency operations or relocation centers and the reMdent 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 leed for and placement of these telephone lines, it is anticipated that the.
c.ement of Consideration will address the question of who will pay the contin ing charges for these telephone lines. The NRC believes, however, tnat in the best interest of the public, installation should not t delayed pencing settlement of the question of financial responsibilit. Therefore, NRC will pay for the installation and service charges at least until a final rule can be promulgated.
In the meantime, we expect that each licensee will cooperate with the NRC and the local telepnone companies in allowing these linas 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, gg'
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Boyce H. Grier Director cc:
D. F. Cronin, Manager, Nuclear and Industrial Safety D. M. Schultz, Manager, Ccmpliar.ce A E: :
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