ML19254D608

Alleges That Ebasco Svcs,Inc Covered Up or Dismissed Evidence Re Seismic & Volcanic Risks at Site in Preparation of PSAR

ML19254D608
Person / Time
Site:	05000574
Issue date:	10/03/1979
From:	Mattison L CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT POLICY
To:	James Shea NRC OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS (OIP)
Shared Package
ML19254D602	List: ML19254D608
References
FOIA-80-639 SECY-79-100-S, NUDOCS 7910290160
Download: ML19254D608 (2)

Text

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Center for Deve opment ?oicy

.J. 's October 3, 1979

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~ Mr e;2 anes R. Shea

~

. 0ffige.cf International Programs

'U.' S'. N'061 ear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C. 20555

Dear Mr. Shea:

Until very recently our staff at the Center had thought ,

that the various disputes between Ebasco and other agencies and experts about the seismic and volcanic safety of the Bataan nuclear site could be understood as honest differences of cpinion among experts. We no longer think that this is the case.

In the past several weeks, we have talked at length by telephone with two scientists who were part of the Ebasco team which carried cut studies of the Bataan site as the basis for the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report. These con-versations ccnvince us that there may have been a calculated attempt by Ebasco to cover up or dismiss evidence of seismic and volcanic risks at the site.

Among the points one or the other of these geolhgists raised with me are the following: \

l '. The site was selected in advance for reasons of cost, -

not safety, and that all studies were directed by Ebasco management to prove the site was safe -- not gather the facts objectively.

2. Written cbjections to the methods, sampling, testing, macping and cther aspects of the site studied were filed by members of the team with Ebascc managers.

Neither knows what became of these appeals for change in precedures, since both quit after 15 cr so mcnths work en Bataan.

3. Many other members of the Ebasco team had similar pro-fessional and perscnal objections and reservaticns to Ebasco's overall or specific analysis. And, that these two are among at least six who have left Ebasco because of the experience on Bataan.

I22i 131 7910290 /55()

225 4th Street, N.E. Washington D.C. 20002 (202) 547-1656

Mr. James R. Shea - 2 October 3, 1979 Other points raised include: incomplete volcanic sampling, inadequate micro-seismic monitoring, lack of study of the "H" line formatien or fault, and many other points.

The number of their problems with Ebasco, the pattern of their ccmplaints, and the implication of gaps which may be pre-sent in the Ebasco data as a result, raise real question in our atinds about the intent of Ebasco in their study of Bataan.

Further, from them and others we have the names and lccations of other Etasco scientists said to have quit the team on Bataan.

We are working to interview them as well. '

My ccccern here is that the NRC make its own investigation of these charges or solicit the assistance of the FBI or other relevant government agencies.

Ebasco has remained almost the sole source of expertise and data for all the agencies --

both here and in the Philippines --

which must decide on the safety of the site. This is true for the NPC, IAEA, PAEC, U. S. State, U. S. Geological Survey, and, finally, NRC.

My strong feeling is the Nuclear Regulatory Commissico cannot render a scend judgment on the issues of safety withcut investi-gating these charges. i

(

I stand ready to give ycu the names, addresses and phone numbeis of all the geologists and experts whcm we think worked -

for Ebasco en Sataan. Further, we stand ready to help ycu assess their views, test their assertions and locate others involved.

I await your respcnse.

Sin rely m

Lindsay Mattison, Director Center for Development Policy LM/hms n n . . .

Hand Celivered

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