ML19261E097
| ML19261E097 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 05/24/1979 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Moody J MAINE, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19261E098 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907050124 | |
| Download: ML19261E097 (3) | |
Text
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'[e o4 UNITED STATES NUoLEAR REGULATORY CCMMISSION
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 2055s e,
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MAY 2 41979 Mr. James L. Moody, Jr.
Maine State Chamber of Commerce 477 Congress Street Portland, ME 04101
Dear Mr. Moody:
This is in response to your letter regarding the orders by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on ihrch 22, 1979, to snut down five nuclear power plants in the eastern United States because of questions aoout the ability a
of their piping systems to withstand earthquakes.
[
Shortly before those orders were issued, it became apparent to NRC staff that analysis techniques which had been used in the seismic design of safety-related piping for these five plants were not in accord with proven and generally accepted engineering practice.
The result could be overstressing of piping and supports for earthquakes which could reasonably be expected to occur during the lifetimes of these plants.
The eastern United States is generally believed to be a region of low seismicity, when compared to the western part of the country, bet is not without significant historical seismic activity.
Attached is a map showing the location and intensity of earthquakes that have occurred in your region.
Some of the piping systems involved could, if f ailure occurred, cause loss of coolant to the nuclear reactor.
In addition, systems needed to shut the plant down safely in that event could also be affected.
- Thus, an earthquake of not extremely low likelihood would have the potential for causing an accident and for preventing operation of safety systems designed to cope with the accident.
I Our objective is to review the situation in an expedited and disciplined manner so that these plants can be returned to operation with assurance that this will not constitute a threat to the public health and safety.
Sincerely, A
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
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