ML19249A561
| ML19249A561 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saxton File:GPU Nuclear icon.png |
| Issue date: | 07/16/1979 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Morgan R DAILY NEWS SAXTON, PA |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19249A562 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908230619 | |
| Download: ML19249A561 (2) | |
See also: IR 05000146/1971002
Text
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July 16, 1979
Docket No. 50-146
Mr. Ron Morgan, Editor
The Daily News
Saxton Bureau
710 Main Street
Saxton, PA
16678
Dear Mr. Morgan:
This is in response to your letter of April 11 about the nuclear reactor that
was operated by the Saxton Nuclear Experimental Corporation in Saxton, Pennsylvania.
In your letter you asked if it would be possible for you and one or two other
newsmen to accompany our inspectors when they next inspect the facility.
We are not in a position to extend an invitation to you or other newsmen to
accompany our inspectors because your presence at the licensee's facility must
be at the invitation of the licensee. Therefore, if you wish to pursue the
matter, you must deal directly with the licensee.
It should be understood that
the licensee is under no obligation to the NRC to honor requests such as you
have nade.
In this particular instance, if the licensee agrees to your visit,
we sould not object to having two newsmen accompany our inspector assuming that
tney agree to certain ground rules which relate primarily to their safety and to
the understanding that they will not be permitted to interfere with the actual
inspection.
We do not yet have a schedule for the next inspection at Saxton.
If, however,
the licensee does extend an invitation to you and other newsmen to accompany our
inspectors during the next inspection, we will contact you at least several days
in advance of the inspection.
You asked if there had ever been a " release of dangerous radio-active inaterial
into the local Raystown River or the atmosphere around Saxton?"
Although I am not aware of any releases of radioactive material which were
significant from the point of view of having any adverse effect on the general
public, there have been some releases.
Most recently, there were releases on
November 29 and December 15, 1971 which exceeded the allowable instantaneous
concentration averaged over a 15 minute period. These releases are described in
inspection report 50-146/71-03. A copy is enclosed for your convenience.
There was also a release on May 14, 1970 which exceeded the allowable instan-
taneous concentration averaged over a 15 minute period.
This release is described
in inspection report 146/70-02. Again, a copy is enclosed for your convenience.
W4061
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Mr. Ron Morgan, Editor
2
.
We are not equipped nor staffed to operate as an NRC public Document Room and do
not have the resources available to review the inspection reports dating back to
initial operation in the early 1960s.
Nonetheless, these inspection reports,
along with other correspondence and documents relating to Saxton, are available
for you to review here in the Region I Office, if you choose. Although not
mandatory, advance notification that you are coming will facilitate the matter.
Additional information may be available from files maintained in other NRC
offices.
In accordance with Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 9.8, a
Freedom of Information Act request may be made for copies. Written requests
should be addressed to the Director, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., 20555.
Charges for reproduction and
search fees which may be collected are described in 10 CFR 9.14.
If you have questions, please call my Assistant, Mr. Gary L. Snyder, at (215)
337-5302.
Sincerely,
<
H. Grier
Director
Enclosures:
.
1.
Inspection Report 50-146/71-03
2.
Inspection Report 146/70-02
cc w/ Enclosures:
Saxton Nuclear Experimental Corporation
774062