ML19259C386

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Recommends Postponement of OL Issuance Until Earthquake Safety Factor Is Guaranteed
ML19259C386
Person / Time
Site: Diablo Canyon  Pacific Gas & Electric icon.png
Issue date: 04/05/1979
From: Bates T, Gagh M, Kapiloff L
CALIFORNIA, STATE OF
To: Hendrie J
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML19259C385 List:
References
NUDOCS 7906180259
Download: ML19259C386 (3)


Text

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Mr. Joseph Hendrie ',.

Chairman 'Q, - __ h)i :-/

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nashington, D. C. 20555

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Dear Chairman Hendrie :

The~recent events at the Three-Mile Island Nuclear Plant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, have cast serious doubts about the validity of safety procedures and safeguards at nuclear plants.

The public has, in the past, been given assurances by utility co mp anie s , the nuclear industry, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that the problems that occurred at Harrisburg were highly unlikely, if not impossible. In addition, the recent repudiation of the Rasmussen Report with regard to the proba-bilities of nuclear accidents also calls into question the basis on which previous decisions of the nuclear industry have been made. The public is at present greatly alarmed about the potential consequences of serious nuclear accidents and many people, including membe rs o f this Legislature , are re-examining their attitudes about nuclear power.

This situation casts new light on the current controversy with regard to the licensing of the Diablo Canyon nuclear reactor.

There have been many serious questions raised with regard to plant safety, particularly concerning the seismic hazards at the p lant. Ne have heard conflicting reports with regard to plant design and safety assurances and conflicting reports regarding the manner in which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission arrived at its decision to approve the plant- A plant which is located 2-1/2 miles from an earthquake fault capable of a shock 7906180>tS7 -

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. Ir . Joseph liendrie Page April a, 1970 ,

of 7.5 on the Richter scale must be absolute 1; and conclusively safe before it begins operation. Attempts during the process of approval to underplay the seriousness of the fault casts doubt on the assurances we have heard so far with regard to plant safety.

In light of the above, we, the undersigned members of the California Legislature,believe that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission should postpone the granting of a license to operate the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant. We believe that there are enough serious questions about the safety of this plant which, taken with the current situation, warrant a delay in the licen-sing until such time as the public receives additional strict assurances about the safety of the plant.

Sincerely, 9

E L I HU 31. HARRIS TH031AS H. BATES .'! ember of the Assembly 31 ember of the Assembly

. DOUGLAS ':1. BOSCO

-~ 31 ember at the Assembly LAWRENCE KAPILOFF ,

Alember of the Assembly

- m T5 PRY GOGGIN ,

31 ember of the Assembly

>IlKE GAGE i Stember of the Assembly RICHARD ALATORRE Slember of the Assembly ART AGNOS 5fenbe r of the Assembly

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.. Slember of the Assembly HONARD L'. B ER3L\N Slember of the Assembly SALLY TANNER P'

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HERSCHEL ROSEATHAL M L,L IE B RON1, J r . >! ember of the Asseanly l./ k%

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RICHARD HAYDES.

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