ML19291A490

Discusses NRC Programs Re Risks of LWR Power Plants.Siting Policy Will Be Reassessed.Revisions to Accident Evaluation Guidelines Considered

ML19291A490
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/05/1977
From:	Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Rowe W ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Shared Package
ML19291A480	List: ML19291A479 ML19291A482 ML19291A484 ML19291A486 ML19291A488 ML19291A490 ML19291A494
References
FOIA-79-109 NUDOCS 7905160316
Download: ML19291A490 (2)

Text

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Dr. W. D. Rowe 5

Deputy Assistant Act'inistrator

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for Radiation Prograr s l

U. 5. Environrental Protection Acency Vashington, D.C.

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Dear Dr. ilowe:

I understand your letter of Decerber 20, 1976 has been discussed in several conversations between you and l'r. Pusche. As he indicated the IRC has a variety of procrans underway or planned that relate

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to the risks associated with light-water-cooled nuclear power plants.

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We are in the process of reassessino our sitinn policies and practices,

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r which reflect one insortant means by which the rishs associated with potential accidents may be redt'ced. We also are censiderinq t-l the need for a revision to the presert guidelines for evaluatinq accidents in Environmental Reports. As part of this latter progran, g,,,

we intend to extend the detailed assessrents reported in WASH-1400 to nore likely events (Classes 3-8 accidents).

I understand based on your neetino with fir. Rusche on February 16, c

1977 that you are cenerally in agreenent with our prelininary plans for these efforts. The details of these programs are still under i;

develocment and we would welcome your input. He plan to have a meeting in the near future to discuss planned prograns for exa'inina

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accident risks including variations due to site /plar.t differences.

EPS staff participation would be useful.

ID Once these risks are quantified, an assessment of the ceneric accepta-li.3 bility of these risks is needed and vill undoubterily recuire participation 6O' by many other parties. You indicated in your letter of Decenher 20, b..],

1970, acreement with our view that as a part of this essessnent, the overall environmental inpacts of the LUP fuel cycle, incluqing accident p-

[.;,I y risks, should be compared with those associated with other systems B'O of enery generation. As you know we are now including a discussion of coal vs. nuclear impacts in our environnental assessments. Ue

(; 4 exnect to continue our efforts to develop better reasures of ccmparisor.

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were pl 3ased to learn that EPA has a r'esearch program which can 9, 5 k

B sontribute to *.his overall ef fort.

In our view, any assessnant of the generic acceptability of acticent risks should be rade in the context of risks associated with other syste'"s of energy generation and shculd ewait the cer-e pletion of the crocrans noted aMye.

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t Dr. W. D. Rowe,

t We are of the opinion that the proqrams mentioned above will pemit a note infomed basis for judging acceptable levels of risk. As our olans and programs mature, we plan to solicit public participation and comment.

i In view of the die public interest in this area and the fact that a J

variety of governmer.t agencies may have studicd, or bo interested in,

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the general subject of power generation risks, we belie te it would be appropriate f o broaden the dialogue to include ar;encies other than EPA g

g and NRC. To this end, we have been in contact with fir. Jellinek of CEO g

and have requested that a meeting be set up in the near future to discuss ways of pursuing this matter on a coordinated basis. We will be in contact with you recardina arrangements for this meeting and the staff F-meeting on the aciident study program.

F Sincerely, P

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Lee V. Gossick Executive Director r.

for Operations r

DISTRIBUTION:

BRusche ECase HDenton CMuller RVollmer

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LVGossick AAB File Central File AAB Reading E00 Reading ELD c

NRR Reading WDircks OSE Reading See attached for previous concurrences v

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