ML19225B833
| ML19225B833 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point, Palisades File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 05/22/1979 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Dewitt R CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907260095 | |
| Download: ML19225B833 (2) | |
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Docket No. 50-255 g gg Docket No. 50-155 Consumers Power Comps.ty ATIN:
Mr. R. B. P Aitt Manager of Nuclear Plant Operations 212 West Michigan Avenue Jackson, MI 49201 Gentlemen:
As a result of the recent accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station (TMI), the NRC has been reviewing the arrangements for imme-diate notifications for licensees and communications available during emergencies. The icitial notification from TMI was delayed due to several difficulties.
When concern was rais6d about evacuation, the telephone lines into the area around TMI became saturated and alternate telephone arrangements had to be found.
American Telephone and Telegraph Company, the local telephone com-panies and the White House were extremely helpful in reestablishing and expanding the telephone communications system between the site, NRC Headquarters and the Regional Office in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania during the acute phase of incident recovery.
- However, communications were limited while these lines were being worked on.
This experience clearly demonstrates the need to preestablish a limited number of direct and dedicated telephone lines at all sites where there is the possibility of a nuclear incident to facilitate the initial notification and to assure continuing communication.
In that regard, the NRC has already taken steps to assure that there will be an individual available at any time to receive a call from any nuclear facility. As a further step to facilitate an immediate notification and to assure continued and uninterrupted com=unications with the licensees, the NRC is arranging to install special telephones at all operating nuclear power plants and selected fuel facilities.
There will be two direct and dedicated lines to each site.
One line will be for operations and will be configured in such a manner that when the telephone is lifted from the cradle it will automatically ring in the NRC Operations Center, Bethesda, Paryland and the appro-priate Regional Office.
For nuclear power plant sites, there will be extension in, at least, each unit's control room, the shift supervisor's office and any alternate emergency operations center.
Fuel facility locations would be at the Plant Manager's Office, primary alar station, and the designated relocation station.
7907260695-
MAY 2 2 B79 Consumers Power Company The second direct and dedicated line would be for health physics needs during an emergency. This would be a dial-up line, not automatic ringing, which would also tie together the site, NRC Headquarters and the Regional Office.
For most facilities, extensions vould be needed in the main health physics office, emergency operations center and any alternate emergency operations centers.
We are now preparing a proposed amendment to NRC regulations which would cover this request.
Besides any discussion on the need for and placement of these telephone lines, it is anticipated that the Statement of Consideration would touch on the questica of who will pay the contfauing charges for these telephone lines.
The NRC be-lieves, however, that in the best interest of the public, installation should not be delayed pending settlement of the question of financial responsibility. Therefore, NRC will pay for the installation and service char 3.s at least until a final rule can be promu' gated.
In the meantime, we anticipate that each licensee will cooperate with the NRC and the local telephone companies in allowing these linet to be installed, as soon as feasible.
If you have any questions concerning these telephone lines, please call Mr. A. B. Davis of this office ((312)858-2660).
Sincerely, 0.
Y e
James G. Keppler Di ector cc:
Mr. C. J. Hartman, Plant Superintendent Mr. J. G. Lewis, Plant Superintendent Central Files Reproduction Unit NRC 20b PDR Local PDR NSIC TIC Ronald Callen, Michigan Public Service Commission Anthony Roisman, Esq.,
Attorney Myron M. Cherry, Chicago 419 204
.