ML19257B178
| ML19257B178 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | North Anna  |
| Issue date: | 12/07/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Wampler W HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19257B114 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8001150350 | |
| Download: ML19257B178 (1) | |
Text
/
o UNITED STATES g
8 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION c.
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 December 7, 1979
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CHAIRMAN The Honorable William C. Wampler United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515
Dear Congressman Wampler:
This is in reference to the November 8 letter signed by you and seven other members of Congress expressing concern about delays in licensing of the second nuclear unit at the North Anna facility in Louisa County, Virginia.
The Commission currently has before it for consideration a policy statement setting forth the course it intends to follow in adapting its licensing pro-cess to include implementation of recommendations of investigations of the Three Mile Island accident.
I expect that, as finally issued, this policy statement will address the question of resumption of licensing of completed or nearly completed plants such as North Anna II, including requests to allow pre-operational testing in advance of implementing TMI-related recommendations.
As the Commission is giving this matter the highest priority, this statement should be prcinulgated shortly. You will be provided a copy promptly.
Sincerely, UL.
ph M. Hendrie 1749 142 g001150 3 N
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ROBERT W. DANIEL. JR.
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HiastIngton, D.C. 20515 November 8,
1979 G...n Mr. Joseph H. Hendrie, Cnairman United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.
20555
Dear Mr. Chairman:
It is our understanding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in testimony before the Interstate Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power earlier this week, indicated it dces not now intend to resume licensing of operating reactors.
This continued delay in the licensing of new plants will directly affect Virginia Electric and Power Company's North Anna 2, a unit which is now ready for initial fuel loading.
We are extremely concerned about the severe financial impact this announcement will have on the citizens of Virginia, especially if it means this unit cannot begin fuel loading and preliminary operations until next spring or possibly later.
North Anna 2, like North Anna 1, meets current NRC design requirements and essentially it is no different from any of the other seventy commercial nuclear units already operating in this
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country.
Vepco informs us they have already committed to comply, and indeed they have implemented additional NRC requirements im-posed as a result of the lessons learned at Three Mile Island.
The State of Virginia's Emergency Response Plan has just received NRC approval and the operating personnel who will operate Unit 2 are being administered NRC examinations this week in compliance with upgraded licensing requirements imposed since TMI.
It there-fore seems inconsistent not to proceed now with granting of an operating license for this generating unit.
Construction was essentially completed last summer.
Further delaying the in-service data costs Vepco's customers about
$14,000,000 per month, and, if continued, it will also seriously affect the Company's ability to meet projected 1980 summer elec-trical demands.
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We have been further assured by Vepco's senior management that they will implement as appropriate all of the recommendations of the NRC, the Presidential Commission on Three Mile Island, and other NRC study recommendations.
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1749 143 TIM *3#
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, Mr. Joseph H.
Hendrie Page two November 8, 1979 We therefore urge you and the other Commissioners to e.
reconsider your position and to direct the staff to carefully
=l examine the commitments Vepco has made as follow-up to TMI on a review schedule that will permit issuance of an operating license
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before year end.
We do not suggest that recommendations to further enhance safe operation should be foreclosed by proceeding with issuance of an operating license.
It seems logical however that this completed plant, incorporating the most recent engineering design features and improvements, should be permitted to operate.
Such action appears not only to be in the best interests of the citizens of the Commonwealth, but for our nation as a whole.
Sincerely,
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Trible, Jr G.
William Whitehurst
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Me f Congres Member of Congress r-h N.
Mu, n. ~ David E. Satter eld, III Robert W. Daniel, Jr'.ff Member of Cong ss Member of Congress .J W. C. (Dan) Daniel W. Caldwell Butler ess Mhmber of Congress M, ember of Con OW e:= J. Wefineth/kobTnson William C. Wampler f Member of Congress Member of Congress ~ b .o+.-. 1749 144 .n.. y}}