ML19261D720
| ML19261D720 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant  |
| Issue date: | 05/14/1979 |
| From: | Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Brooks J HOUSE OF REP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7906260109 | |
| Download: ML19261D720 (3) | |
Text
.
DISTRIBUTION
~
1 4 1979 Docket File RCDeYoung b.m NRC PDR DMuller Local PDR RBallard NRR Reading CAHaupt DSE Reading MSlater Docket No. STN 50-437 EP-1 Reading MGroff HDer on GErtter(05890)
EGrase MBridgers DBunch Secy Mail RMattson Facility (3)
The Honorable Jack Brooks VStello CA United States House of Representatives RBoyd Washington, D. C. 20515 JCook
Dear Congressman Brooks:
This is in reply to your referral of April 4,1979 requesting information
~
relative to the concern expressed by your constituent, Ms. Kathleen T.
Bridges.
Ms. Bridges states that it is her belief that the operation of floating nuclear pomr plants (FNP) could cause immeasurable danage to both I
marine and human life. The NRC staff is currently reviewing an applica-l tion by Offshore Power Systens to manufacture up to eight floating nuclear power plants at a centralized construction facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
In conjunction with this review, NRC has prepared several environmental impact statements regarding the siting and operation of such plants in the offshore and nearshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Based upon our findings in these impact statements, the NP.C staff has concluded that the generalized siting and operation of
(
such pla.'ts, with proper mitigative design features, would not result i
in unacceptable impacts to marine biota or man.
Ms. Bridges expressed concern that the U. S. Environmental Protection Aaency (EPA) is undecided as to the safety of floating nuclear pwer plants. The U. S. liuclear Regulatory Connission is, in fact, the Federal age x y responsible for assuring public health and safety as related to nuclear energy use, including nuclear power plants. During the preparation of our Environmental Impact Statements, we worked closely with the EPA to take their views into account in our assessments.
We held extensive discussions with EPA in the area of water quality impact and, in fact, adopted their reconnendations related to water quality impacts as bur own. Thus, we believe the evaluations fulfill the responsibilities of both agencies at this stage of the licensing review process.
We are enclosing copies of these environmental statements so that you may provide them to Ms. Bridges. We believe they will present her with further insight as to the scope and findings of the NRC review for the Flip concept.
7 # G2c,ou W
,,.u,y
..-.............. 2158 24/
.=
- 1 1
D**D ' *
'9'Y Tiie Honorable Jack Brooks '
So as to: update our infornation regarding any proposals by utilities to site Fi4Ps in the Texas Gulf Coast area, the !iRC staff contacted Offshore
~
Power Systems on April 18, 1979.
Offshore Power Systems has indicated that they know of no specific plans by utilities in that region to purchase FNPs for siting in the coastal waters off Texas. Presently, Offshore Power Systems has no custoaers for any of the eight FriPs that it has proposed to construct in Jacksonville, Florida. It is our under-standing, however, that Offshore Power Systems will continue its marketing efforts in order to obtain orders for Flips from utilities throughout the United States.
It should be noted that should a utility purchase an FilP fron Offshore Power Systems and propose to site it in the sea off Texas, or for that natter at any specific site, the liRC would, in accordance with its regulations, conduct a detailed licensing review. This review includes two separate but parallel assessments -- one for safety issues and one for environmental issues. The final position of the fiRC staff would be presented in a safety evaluation report and an environmental impact statenent for the specific Fl;P site.
A detailed review of all relevant issues would be presented before an Atonic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) at an adjudicatory public i
hearing.
If the ASLB finds that an FMP at a specific site, e.g. off the Texas Coast, is acceptable with respect to safety and environmental concerns and approves construction, then and only then, will the NRC issue a pernit for siting of the Flip at a specific site.
We appreciate the opportunity to reply to this inquiry from your constituent.
Sincerely, (Signcd) Lee V. Gcn..,
Lee V. Gossick Execuhve Direcicr fer Ops,c.,:icns
Enclosures:
1.
NUREG-75/091 2.
FiUREG-0056andAddendum0
(,F 3.
ftUREG-0502 e5 4.
Ltr 3/12/79 Kat hg' y
t 4
2158 248 ongressm ~
ve^
n/}
[] //79 DS I DSE:
DSE
_.... _EG g.
EDO CA
.P ric a,
RC CAHalip imh r
g
- u a -" '
- RBallard
-HRDent[n
~LVGos'si.ck. _
4/27/79
'4/h79
_ ] 'j/79
..4/p/79
..5/_]79 5/ /79 ru Forum AEC.318 (Rev. 9 $3) AICM 0240 W u. s. novenmusur ran= vine orrects e,74.sas.ies