ML19261A665

Forwards Comments on Problems Encountered with Concrete Work,Possibility of Earthquake & Adverse Economic Impact Resulting from Construction of Smaller Plant

ML19261A665
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	01/10/1979
From:	Simpson J KANSAS, STATE OF
To:	Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
References
NUDOCS 7902060021
Download: ML19261A665 (1)

Text

1. , STATEoF KANSAS

• JOHN M SIMPSON [N'; w r st us nvr

~

s

_. rt # "-**=*s a+et66-4.. ****:.=

s t '.av on ' e s .' a wa rme Dist mic t 5 AL'N E EL_SwopTH, ,-F -t-*** t.s y6 LINCOLN COUNTIE3  % < , , , , . .

' * * " " ~  ::;G.'Y '..~::'?.'.* ' .*::

S AllN A. KANS AS 67401 yo,g,,

NBC PUBLIC DOCUMENTQ RQ, MATE CHAMDER January 5, 1979 g g Oa

~

Mr. Joseph M. Hendrie, Chairman j.Q; United States Nuclear Regulatory Cormission , tp p g ~7 q' 1717 H Street Northwest L g G' j }--

l Washington, D.C. 20002 I

.pp Re: Kansas Gas & Electric Company - ch'Y Wolf Creek Muclear Generating Plant

1. J Oh 8

(Docket No. 50-462) N g I

I

Dear Mr. Hendrie:

s i

The Commission is currently considering a problem with the concrete work l

at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Plant ceing built by Kansas Cas A Electric Company near Burlington, Kansas. I would like to give you my l

comments about this matter.

One possible alternative that has been suggested is that the standards for the concrete base be lowered. The concrete has been inspected and

, found to be deficient. I hope that the standards will not be lowered.

' Such lowering would. cause an undue risk if the plant is operated. There is some indication that the plant is located in an area where earth-quakes are not entirelf out of the question. The standards have been sat. and. were.de r nmi ned to be.what_ is. ncc._ "nry, in order. to operate the plant. It does not seem fair or safe to pert t deviation from them.

While the Commission is not directly involved with the economics of the i plant, you should bear in mind that a permit to build a smallu plant or other possible changes can have a substantial adverse impact upon ultimate charges to the consumerr The- Kansas Corporatierr Commission- (the regu-latory body for utility rates) would be in a difficult position. It would probably not be able to allow all of the costs incurred in a

" scaled down" plant to be considered in the rate base. This of course i

would protect the consumer but it would substantially weaken the fi-nancial condition of the companys building the plant. Any decisions by the Commission should be made with these economic considerations in mind.

Thank you for considering my comments and concerns.

! Very truly yours, bl. qW John M. Simpson f

cc: E. A. Licitra Licensing Project Manager Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 205ss 7902060DM

.