ML19275G521
| ML19275G521 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 05/05/1980 |
| From: | Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Mathias C SENATE |
| References | |
| FOIA-80-274 NUDOCS 8006120437 | |
| Download: ML19275G521 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES 9
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION p,
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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MAY 5 1980 The Honorable Charles Mathias United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Mathias:
Thank you for your letter of April 28, 1980 on behalf of some of your constituents who are concerned about the venting of radioactive gases from the Three Mile Island Unit 2 containment building.
The Metropolitan Edison Company submitted to NRC a " Safety Analysis and Environmental Report" on November 12, 1979 in which they evaluated alternative methods for the disposal of the radioactive krypton gases remaining in the TMI-2 raactor building.
These included slow venting into the environment and cryogenic processing.
An environmental assessment prepared by the NRC ctaff was presented to the Commission on March 12, 1980 with the recor.unendation that venting of the krypton gas into the environment be permitted.
Public comments are currently being solicited on this environmental assessment and the Commission plans a public meeting in the Middletown, Pennsylvania area to permit concerned citizens an opportunity to present their views orally before any decision is made on disposal of the gas.
Until such time as the Commission has made a decision, venting of the radioactive krypton gas from the TMI-2 containment building is not permitted.
It should be noted that although the bulk of the krypton gas is contained within the TMI reactor building, there have been continuing releases of small amounts of radioactive gas from TMI-2.
The sources of these releases, which are generally undetectable offsite, are the off gassing of contaminated waste water stored in the auxiliary building, leakage of sampling systems, natural radioactivity from the building construction material and most recently the release of small amounts when personnel entered the containment through an air lock.
This continuing release of radioactive gas is less than that released by similar plants during normal operation and is within Environmental Protection Agency and NRC regulations and the facility's license requirements.
Even so, every effort will be used to keep such releases to a low level.
8006120 b H
The Honorable Charles Mathias.
I hope this information will be helpful in responding to your constituents.
Sincerely, 4
Carlton Direc r Office of Congress Affairs