ML19270H075
| ML19270H075 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 05/14/1979 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Waterhouse AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7906220491 | |
| Download: ML19270H075 (2) | |
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Pr. & Ps. ',;aterhouse 778 kildocar Street
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Pacific Palisaces, Califernia 90272 Cear Fr. E l's. L'aterhouse:
I am p1psed to respond to your letters dated /pril 25 ar.d 26,1979, to the Chairrnan of }he t.uclear Regulatory Cornission.
Since it vould not be appropriate under current Cor: mission rules for the Chaircan to cer. rent en your.. concern, ycur letter was referred to ce for reply.
You expressed your opposition to the operation of the Ciablo Canyon f.uclear plants because of its proximity to the Fosgri Fault.
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you said that government geologists admit that the Eosgri Fault is 9
capable c.f an earthquake that is ten times greater than the Diablo Canyon plants are designed for.
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The Hosgri Fault, which is located 31/2 miles frca the Ciclo plants, B
was disccvered in 1971 and has been tFe subject of intensive investica-tien t:y the Pacific Cas & Electric Company, tFe U. S. Geclogical Scrysy and the t uclear Regulatory Cor.uission.
As a principal geologic adviser j
for the Cor=ission, the USGS in 1975 suggested that a magnitude cf 7.5 be assigned as a potential seismic value for the Mosgri Fault.
It is il important to note that the USGS did not say that the Fosgri Fault would 1
experience a 7.En earthquake but from a conservative star.dpoint that j
cagnitude could not be ruled cut. Certain ecdifications are being made to the plant so that the final plant structures and systccs needed i;
for safety will be able to withstand a 7.EH earthquake en the hosgri 2346.503
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Cec.prehensive public hearings en this matter were held by the Atoric Safety and Licensing Ecard over about a tuc-r.'onth pericd.
Scre cf this nation's and the woric's leading authorities in seisnology ard structural design testified and vere subject to cross-examinaticn.
The consensus a:cng those experts was that a cagnitude of 6. 5 wcuid be"a r cre reascr.able asses smer cf the capability cf the r.csgri Fault.
". evertheless, the ex;cr s ter.t on to sa;. that the plan: has been ecsignce to withstand the greater seismic ever.t cf 7. ~.
hese i eirings
'aru cccpleted en February 15, 1979.
The Licensing Nard is in de
- rccess cf preparing its cecision regardine the licc-rsir; cf "f abN Canyon basec cn the record of these crecmi' M.
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Mr. &.t. Wa terhouse I trust that the above information has been resoonsive to ycur Concerns.
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Sincerely, Original Signed By Roger S. Boyd eMarold R. Denton, Director
'c'i. '. Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation i
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