ML19290C881
| ML19290C881 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/30/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Plesset M Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19290C880 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002140744 | |
| Download: ML19290C881 (2) | |
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Dr. Milton S. Plesset, Chairman Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission Washington, D. C.
20555
Dear Dr. Plesset:
SUBJ ECT:
SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION PROGRAM This is in response to Dr. Carbon's letter dated October 11, 1979, to Chairman Hendrie (Enclosure) in which he made several observations about tne staff's Systematic Evaluation Program for reviewing certain of the older operating reactors.
In that letter he indicateo the ACRS Delief that the staff should reconsider the structure of the program since the pace of the review had been proceeding too slowly.
The staff has been concerned about the progress of this important program for some time.
It believes that a number of the prob 13ms regarding the progress have been overcome in recent months with the dedication of additional staff to the program, including additional contractor resources at the National laboratories. Although the reviews in a number of areas have been recently progressing better (particularly seismic, electrical, site hazards and safe shutdown issues), we are explcring various approaches for further expe'diting and improving the SEP revicws.
In recent correspondence to Congressman Udall, the Commission indicated that the..RC plans to uncertake a comprehensive program for systematically reevalu-ating the safety of all currently operating plants. Development of this improved program is the ocjective of Task IV.D.5 of the draft TM1 action plans (NUREG-0660). Assuming Commission approval of the Task, the staff intends to develop an improved SEP that will cover not only the eleven plants currently under review, but all operating plants.
Among the improvements under con-sideration for the revised program will be to place much more of the burden of demonstrating plant safety on the licensees.
80 02140
Dr. Milton S. Plesset In suarary, we plan to carefully examine all reasonable alternatives, including those tuggested by the ACRS, for implementing an improved plan to reevaluate all operating plants. The staff intends to assure that this approach is one that addresses the various concerns identifiec Dy the TM1 investigation, the ACRS and Congress. As the options are further developed, the staff will ciscuss the various approaches with the Commission and with your Committee.
Sincerely, Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation