ML19256E379

Request,Submitted by Nh House of Representatives,That Const Be Halted Until Safe & Timely Evacuation Plan Formulated

ML19256E379
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	10/11/1979
From:	Dunfey S, Parr E, Pevear R NEW HAMPSHIRE, STATE OF
To:	Carter J PRESIDENT OF U.S. & EXECUTIVE OFFICES
References
NUDOCS 7911020434
Download: ML19256E379 (2)

Text

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Biate of Em Wampshire DCCKE HUi G R i

PROD. & UTIL FAC..M.0Mthb HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCORD f  %

MC PUBLIC DOmfgy7, RCO3f g October 11, 1979 ( $

I ocT 9 \S7.6 Y [4 President Jimmy Carter The White House d'h 3 ' '- '

Washington, DC 20500 "

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Dear Mr. President:

As members of the New Hampshire General Court who represent the towns most inmediately affected by the Seabrcok Nuclear Power Plant, we wish to register our bi-partisan concern over a possible evacuation caused by a nuclear accident. We appeal to you, the Nuclear Regulatory Cocmission and our Congressional Delegation to recognize that the seacoast area cannot be adequately evacuated in the event of a serious accident.

Just over 1.5 miles from the reactor lies Hampton Beach: as a popular vacation area, its population can exceed 80,000 people. Road access is lim-ited and would be ineffective in an emergency situation. We also feel that NRC regulations concerning evacuation are not adequate and that specific plans for evacuation be made before the plant is built, not af ter construc-

• tion as is presently the rule. Since Hampton Beach was not considered as a

" population center" during the plant's siting and construction pemit pro-cess, we'believe that the plant does not allow for people, in the words of the NRC, to "be evacuated frem a specific area, or instructed to take shel-ter on a timely basis."

Furthemore, we feel it is unreasonable to ask that the individual sur-rounding towns be solely responsible for the evacuation plan. The plant's existence is made possible through licensing by the federal and state gov-ernment. We feel that they, along with the Public Service Company of New Hampshire, should share more responsibility for the " dirty" work the proj-ect creates.

Our concerns have been further legitimized by a recent report on nu-clear emergencies by the House Government Operations Cocnittee. The report chartes the NRC with a " lack of strong, constructive leadership" in evacua-tion plans and that "the current guidelines it now uses are seriously defi-cient in a number of critical areas." The report goes on to say that there is "little likelihood that either evacuation or sheltering could take place around Icst nuclear plants with the speed and efficiency necessary."

1252 224 7911020 4.31-

i President Jimy Carter Sepatember 11, 1979 Page 2.

We feel that the location of the Seabrock Power Plant fits that des-cription. We ask that construction cf the plant be haltad until a safe and timely evacuation plan can be achieved.

Very truly yours,

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.W Rep. S phen C. Dunfey Rep. Ednapearl F. Parr D-Hampton, Pampton Falls R-Hampton, Hampton Falls

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Ai w Rep. Roberta C. Pevear p. Keena R-Hampton, Hampton Falls D-Seabrook, South Hampton SCO:KC cc: U.S. Senator John Durkin U.S. Senator Gordon Humphrey Congressmen Norman D' Amours Congressman James Cleveland Governor Hugh J. Gallen John G. Kemeny, Chairman President's Commission on Three Mile Island

. Eileen Feley, NH Oirector of Civil Defense Nuclear Regulatory Ccmissioners /

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