ML19261E315

Responds to Re Shutdown of Five Nuclear Plants. Plants Shut Down Due to Inadequacy of Seismic Analysis Techniques.W/Map Showing Previous Earthquakes in Area

ML19261E315
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Surry, Maine Yankee, FitzPatrick
Issue date:	05/24/1979
From:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Drum D PETER BENT BRIGHAM HOSP., BOSTON, MA
Shared Package
ML19261E316	List: ML19261E315 ML19261E320
References
NUDOCS 7907050542
Download: ML19261E315 (3)

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UNITED STATES 7g d

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISslON i

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 C+',2/ /

MAY 's 41979 Dr. David E. Drum Department of Radiology Peter Bent Brigham Hospital 721 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115

Dear Dr. Drum:

This is in response to your letter regarding the orders by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on March 13, 1979, to shut down five nuclear power plants in the castern United States becauss of questions about the ability 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 fivt plants were lot 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, but 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 failure occurred, cause loss of coolant to the nuclear reactor.

In addition, systems neeoed to shut the plant down safely in that event could also be affected.

Thus, an earthquake of not extremely low likelihoog! would have the potential for causing an accident and for preventing operation of safety systems designed to cope with the accident.

Our objective is to review the situation n an expedited and disciplined manner so that these plants can be returned to cperation with assurance that this will not constitute a threat to the public health and safety.

Sincerely, ANb m) %

Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Enclcsures:

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