ML19261D220
| ML19261D220 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/11/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Ullman A HOUSE OF REP., WAYS AND MEANS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19261D221 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7905300495 | |
| Download: ML19261D220 (2) | |
Text
C,4 UNITED STATES ft,#? arc %',o NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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May 11, 1979
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OFFICE OF THE CH AIRMOV
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The Honorable Al Ullman, Chairman Committee on Ways and Means United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
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Dear Mr. Chairman:
This is in response to your letter of April 2 concerning export controls on zirconium.
As a point of clarification, NRC has export licensing authority over only that zirconium which is "specia31y designed or prepared" for use in a nuclear facility (e.g.,
zirconium tubes for use in power reactor fuel assemblies).
Raw or unfabricated reactor grade zirconium is under the export licensing authority of the Department of Commerce.
With respect to NRC-licensed zirconium component exports, these are subject to the three export criteria for nuclear components as established by Section 309 of the NNPA.
In essence, these are (1) application of IAEA safeguards, (2) no nucl.'ar explosive use, and (3) no retransfer to third countries without U.S.
approval.
Even in cases where a particular U.S.
trading partner met the first two criteria by virtue of its adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the requirement fo:.
retransfer assurances has caused some delays in processing nuclear component export license applications.
I am pleased to inform you, however, that the State Department has now obtained generic retransfer assurances from most of our major nuclear trading partners, including Japan, EURATOM, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Thus, the Commission is now able to process the majority of zirconium component exports on a routine basis at the staff level.
Sensitive exports,
however, such as those to non-NPT parties, may require more extensive review, including referral for action by the Commissioners.
2160 246
Honorable Al Ullman In conclusion, I would also note that zirconium tubes are on the trigger list of sensitive items as agreed to by the
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Huclear Suppliers Group and are accordingly subject to L[
common export controls by the supplier nations.
While the NNPA requirement for retransfer assurances is a U.S. uni-lateral requirement which goes beyond the Suppliers Group commitments, I do not believe this will result in any sig-nificant discriminatory treatment toward U.S. exporters in l.
view of our successful attempts to obtain generic retransfer assurances from our major nuclear trading partners.
I trust this has been responsive to your request.
Please feel free to contact me should you have further questions.
i Sincerely, Origina1 Signed by JosephM.Hendrie Joseph M. Hendrie Chairman cc:
Junanita Kreps Secretary of Commerce
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