ML19259C192
| ML19259C192 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 05/04/1979 |
| From: | Boyd R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Miller P AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7906140329 | |
| Download: ML19259C192 (2) | |
Text
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NRC PUBLIC DOCUMENT ROOM Doc et Ros: 50-275 I
and 50-323.
Mr. P. C. Miller 19401 Shubert Saratoga, California 95070
Dear t'r. Viller:
I am pleased to respond to your letter datec March 28, 1979, to the Chairn:an cf the Euclear Regulatory Comaission.
Since it would not be appropriate under current Commission rules for the Chairman to conment on your concern, your letter was referred to me for reply.
You expressed concern over the potential for delays in the issuance of a decision on an operating license for the Diabic Canyon f;uclear Plants in order to satisfy anti-nuclear minority groups. Furthermore,
you urged that the Conmission grant an operating license to the Pacific Gas & Electric Company for Diablo Canyon, Unit 1.
As you may know, the major safety concern during our review of Diablo Canyon was the ability of the plant to safely withstand the effects of a postulated earthquake from the nearby Hosgri fault.
The Hosgri fault, which is located approximately 31/2 miles frec: the Diablo Canyon Plants, was discovered in 1971. As a result of this discovery, an intensive study of the effect of the Hosgri fault was undertaken by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, the U. S. Ctological Survey and the f;uclear Regulatory Connission. The results of this study, indicated that sig-nificant modifications were necessary in order that the Diablo Canyon Plants withstand a magnitude 7.5 carthquake at the Hosgri fault. While we believe this to be a very severe design basis earthquake, we find that the required modifications and attendant delays were necessary and in the best interest of the general public.
Cceprehensive public hearings were conducted over a period of several months by an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board.
These hearings were ccmpleted on February 15, 1979 and the record was closed early last tronth. The Atomic Safety and Licensing Eoard is in the process of preparing its decision regarding the licensing of Diablo Canyon based on the record of these proceedings.
pas BEM.
2278 355 79061403A
!!r. P. C. Miller The ground r.otion earthquake that was recorded from the June 12, 1978 earthquake event at the Fukushima faclear Paer Station in Japan was about tsco-thirds of that level for which the plant was designed, sithough substantially lower than that for which the Diablo Canyon plant is designcd.
Since dernestic nuclear power plants are designed very similarly to these Japanese plants, this event gives us confidence that American plants should also be capable of withstanding similar events.
Le viill continue to follow the reports dealing with the effect of the June 12, 1978 earthquake on the Fukushima Station and will consider this inforr.!ation with respect to staff criteria for domestic nuclear plant designs.
Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely, Original signed by:
Roger S. Boyd Roger S. Boy 1, Director Division of Project Managenent Office of fluelear Reactor Regulation 227g %6 P0010W1
.