ML19254F489
| ML19254F489 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 11/05/1979 |
| From: | Engelhardt T NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEGAL DIRECTOR (OELD) |
| To: | Hess R PENNSYLVANIA, COMMONWEALTH OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19254F490 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7911090523 | |
| Download: ML19254F489 (2) | |
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th a iS73 Docket No. 50-320 The Honorable Ralph W. Hess Senate of Pennsylvania Senate Post Office The State Capitol Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Dear Senator Hess:
Your October 9, 1979 letter to Chairman Hendrie requesting the NRC to conduct public hearings prior to any approval of the release of radioactive gas from Three Mile Island, Unit 2, (TMI-2) into the atmosphere has been referred to me for reply.
The presence of radioactive gas at TMI-2 is due to the release of fission products into the containment which occurred during the accidene. of March 28, 1979. Metropolitan Edison Company, the licensee, has committed not to dis-charge this radioactive gas to the environmea.t without prior NRC authorization.
Such auth rization will likely require an amendment to the TMI-2 operating license to impose such conditions and limitations on this activity as may be necessary to assure the protection of the health and safety of the public and the minimization of any impact on the environment. The NRC will perform the necessary safety and environmental evaluations prior to authorizing any action in this regard including consideration of alternative methods for treatment of the containment atmosphere.
Consistent with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and NRC regulations, the Commission will consider whether any licensing action which may be necessary in connection with the discharge of gaseous radioactive effluents from the TMI-2 reactor building warrants an opportunity for a prior public hearing. Among the factors to be considered in determining whether a prior hearing should be offered is the public interest; in this regard, the views expressed in your letter will be given due consideration. In the event that an affirmative determination regarding a prior hearing is ude, appropriate public notice dil, of course, be ptovided.
For your information, I am enclosir.g a copy of a notice of a meeting between the NRC Staff and General Public Utilities Service Corporation and Metropolitan Edison Company, scheduled for November 8, 1979, to discuss ths. disposal of radioactive gas from the reactor building. The public may attend.
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. We welcome your interest in this matter and would be pleased to provide yoe with any additional information you require.
Sincerely, Thomas F. Engelhardt Deputy Executive Legal Director
Enclosure:
Meeting Notice
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