ML19246C512
| ML19246C512 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 05/22/1979 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Groce R Maine Yankee |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907260058 | |
| Download: ML19246C512 (2) | |
Text
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'O KING OF PRUSSIA. PENNSYLVANI A 19406 22 MAY 1979 Docket No. 50-309 Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company ATTN:
Mr. Robert H. Grace Licensing Engineer 20 Turnpike Road Westborough, Massachusetts 01581 Gentlemen:
As a result of our experience during the recent accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station (TMI), the NRC has been reviewiu, the arrangements for immediate ratifications 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 =round TMI became saturated. These anc ather difficulties experienced durini.
" initial phases of the emergency neces-sitated that prompt action be tdKen to find alternate and more assured tele-phone 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 tne 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 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 supercede 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 planned that there will be two direct and dedicated lines to each sit?.
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 Cperations Center and the appropriate Regional Office.
For nuclear power olant sites there will be extensions in, 7 9 0726 0 0 G 358 358
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company 2
at least, each unit's control room, the shift supervisor's office, any emergency operations or relocat#on centers and the resident inspector's office where applicable.
For 'uel facility sites, extensions will be located in the Plant Manager's Office, che primary alar,m station, any designated emergency relocation centers, and the resident inspector's office where applicable.
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 also tie together the site, the NRC Operations Center and the appropriate Regional Office.
For most facilities, extensions would be needed in the main health physics office, any emeegency cperations or relocation centers and the 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 believes, hcwever, that in the be n interest or the public, installation should not be delayed pending settlement of the question of financial responsibility. Therefore, NRC will pay for the install & tion 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 telephone companies in allowing these lines to be installed, as soon as is feasible.
If you have any questions concerning these telephc le lines, please call Mr. Robert Carlson of this office at (215) 337-5280.
Sincerely, m
Boy H. Grier Director cc:
E. Wood, Plant Superintendent E. W. Thurlow, President F. Cubing, Administrative Superintendent 358 359