ML19253D068
| ML19253D068 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 10/12/1979 |
| From: | Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Albosta D HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19253D069 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912120570 | |
| Download: ML19253D068 (1) | |
Text
M o** MCug UNITED STATES y,
,0g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION i h g( f gJ WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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- ket No. 50-155 The Honorable Don Albosta United States House of
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Representatives Washington, D. C.
20515
Dear Congressman Albosta:
This is in response to your letters dated September 14, 1979, enclosing a letter from your constituent regarding the re-opening of the Big Rock Nuclear Power Plant.
In your letters, you asked that every precaution be taken before reactivating the pl ant. The Big Rock Point Plant has been shutdown since February 1979.
From early February through mid-April, the plant was shutdown for a routine refueling. During scheduled testing on April 20, 1979, following the refueling, a small leak was found in the vicinity of a penetration in the reactor coolant pressure boundary.
In addition, a plate which directs coolant flow entering the reactor vessel was found to be loose. The plant has remained shutdown to correct these two problems. During this period our Office of Inspection and Enforcement has sent inspectors to the site to monitor the repair efforts.
Moreover, our staff in the Of fice of Nuclear Reactor Regulation has had two technical meetings with Consumers Power Company and has reviewed reports describing the corrective action taken to repair the leak. We believe that the technical review and onsite inspection provide a high level of assurance that acceptable precautions have been taken.
Your constituent also commented on the plant's age and safety record.
Although the Big Rock Plant is one of the oldest currently operating nuclear power plants in the country, its period of operation is less than hal f of its 40-year design lifetime. With regard to examination of its safety record, our staff continually reviews plant safety and experience throughout the life of the plant and requires changes in equipment or operating practices when they are deemed to be necessary to assure an acceptable level of safety.
We hope this inforration is responsive to your request.
Sincerely, CP!TM M 3C!ED 3Y R' 0 OMiTH h"LeeV.Gossick Executive Director for Operations J
1542 348
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