ML19275A714
| ML19275A714 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 08/28/1979 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Lookingbill D AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19275A715 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7910190011 | |
| Download: ML19275A714 (2) | |
Text
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,j,O "" U %.,,o, UNITED STATES
[qy 3 5. g j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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E WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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August 28, 1979 Dr. Donald '. Lookingbill 1359 Bradlay Avenue Hummelstown, PA 17036
Dear Dr. Lookingbill:
This is in reply to your letter of August 6,1979, to Chairman Hendrie regarding the operation of Three Mile Island Unit No.1.
The Nuclec agulatory Commission in its Order of July 2,1979, directed that Three hile Island Unit No.1 shall remain shut down until further order of the Commission itself after a public hearing.
The Order stated in part: "In view of the variety of issues raised by the accident at the Three Mile Island Unit No. 2 facility, the Commission presently lacks the requisite reasonable assurance that the same licensee's Three Mile Island Unit No.1 facility, a nuclear power reactor of similar design, can be operated without endangering the health and safety of the public."
The Commission's Order and Notice of Hearing on August 9, 1979, stated in part:
"In addition to the items identified Tor the other B&W reactors, the unique circumstances at TMI require that additional safety concerns identified by the NRC staff be resolved prior to restart.
Tnese concerns result from (1) potential interaction between Unit 1 and the damaged Unit 2, (2) questions about the management capabilities and technical resources of Metropolitan Edison, including the impact of the Unit 2 accident on these, (3) the potential effect of operations..ocessary to decontaminate the Unit 2 f acility on Unit 1, and (4) recognized deficiencies in emergency plans and station operating procedures."
The Order of Augut 9 also stated:
"The Cor:aission's primary commitment is to a fair and thorough hearing and decision. Given this overriding imperative, it is the Commission's expectation that the Board will conduct the proceeding expeditiously." A tentative schedule composed by the Commission indicates a total time from the publication of the notice of hearing to a decision by the Hearing Board of 535 days, although that schedule does not constr in the Board, a
which is instructed to explore opportunities to shorten the time limits.
1179 009 7910190bIl G
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Dr. Donald P. Lookingbill August 28, 1979 Although we are aware of the economic hardships resulting from the shutdown
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of a nuclear power unit, we must give priority to our responsibilities to protect the public health and safety.
Sincerely, A
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 1179 010