ML19259B179

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Ack Receipt of Expressing Concerns About Recent Geologic Info Associated W/Vallecitos.Confirms Briefing Which Was Held W/Staff Member to Present Status of NRC Review of Developments at Facility
ML19259B179
Person / Time
Site: 07000754
Issue date: 12/22/1978
From: Gossick L
NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To: Stark F
HOUSE OF REP.
Shared Package
ML19259B180 List:
References
NUDOCS 7901170050
Download: ML19259B179 (1)


Text

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  • NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 4

j WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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-.. :d / J The Honorable Fortney H. Stark, Jr.

United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.

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Dear Congressman Stark:

Thank you for your letter of December 4,1978. We are pleased to respond to your concerns with respect to the recent geologic infor-mation and its relation to safe operation of Building 102 located at the General Electric Vallecitos Nuclear Center (GE-VNC).

Since the receipt of your letter, NRC staff members had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Neil Simon of your staff on December 14, 1978, and to provide him with a detailed briefing regarding the present status of our review on GE-VNC. We under-stand that this briefing served to provide the background information and status on this matter that you requested. We will keep Mr. Simon advised on further developments regarding GE-VNC.

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, please contact us.

Sincerely, Lee V. Gossick Executive Director for Operations 2072

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, FoRTNEY H. (PETE) STARK W AYS AND MEANS A

"9N D'We he DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA s

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  • CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D.C.

20515 December 4,1978 Dr. Clifford V. Smith, Director Office of Nuclear Materials, Safety and Safeguards Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.

20555

Dear Dr. Smith:

On October 24, 1977, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ordered the shutdown of the General Electric Test Reactor (GETR) at the Vallecitos Nuclear Center. This facility is located within the district I represent in Congress.

I felt that this action was necessary in light of the disturbing evidence of geologic faults in the area of the reactor discovered by the U.S. Geologic Survey. It is my understanding that since the shutdown of GETR extensive trenching has been conducted at the site in an effort to determine the specific geologic conditions which exist at Vallecitos. As you know, I have been in touch with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on numerous occasions regarding the importance of public hearings and the expeditious release of a Final Safety Evaluation Report on the test reactor.

I am now writing regarding the safe operation of Building 102, which houses the plutonium laboratories. I am aware of the fact that jhe ability of this building to withstand an earthquake was studied by the NRC in November, 1977. According to the Preliminary Safety Evaluation issued at that time, the building did not pose any problems to the health and safety of those people living in the Bay Area. I am concerned, however, that more recent findings may have called into question that earlier determination.

For this reason, I am requesting that the Preliminary Safety Evaluation dated November 7,1977 be exhaustively rev a wed in light of any new evidence regarding the geologic conditions at Vallecitos, and that the appropriate actions be taken immediately to ensure the safety of those who reside in the area. I would appreciate it if I could be briefed on this Datter at the earliest possible date.

F 2072 233

~l8(2/Jc)22q Fortney h. Stark, Jr.

FHS:nas /g Member of Congress THIS STATloNERY PRINTED oN PAPER MAoE WITH RECYCLED FISERS

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