ML19291C340

Requests Expediting Decision on Licensing Unit 2.Facility Is Duplicate of Unit 1,already Operating.Northeastern Nc Electric Customers Pay 50% More for Electricity Because of Delay

ML19291C340
Person / Time
Site:	North Anna
Issue date:	12/18/1979
From:	Childers J, Huskins J NORTH CAROLINA, STATE OF
To:	NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
References
NUDOCS 8001240250
Download: ML19291C340 (2)

Text

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United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission 7A /s"'a".lo ^u',a "s"'"'

1717 H. Street, IM Washington, D. C. 20555

Dear Commissioners:

The North Carolina General Assembly's Utility Review Committee urgently requests that you expedite a decision on licensing the North Anna #2 nuclear plant of Virginia Electric and Power Company.

The Committee supports efforts to maintain regulations that keep public safety within acceptable levels. Information we have received indicates that this might not be the problem with the North Anna #2 plant of VEPCO. VEPCO officials tell us that they have complied with all of the latest modifications required by NRC. The North Anna #1 plant on the same site (a duplicate of North Anna #2) is licensed to operate. We find it hard to understand that, if safety is a factor, any plant would be allowed to operate.

In the meantime, 200,000 citizens in northeastern North Carolina who are served by VEPCO are paying apprcximately 50% more for elec-tricity than their neighbors being served by Carolina Power and Light and by Duke. One of the big reasons for th2s distortion is the fact that VEPC0 is not allowed to operate its nuclear plants and must use expensive oil burning facilities to serve its customers. This is not only expensive but is also contrary to our urgent national policy of reducing oil imports.

This northeastern part of the State has little industrial development and the absence of electricity at reasonable rates is making it difficult to attract badly needed new industry.

The people in the area served by VEPCO find it hard to under-stand why they must pay a 50% premium on already burdensome electric bills -- and so do we. If there are problems to cause this further 1795.095 8001240 N O fl

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2 December 18, 1979 delay, we would be grateful to receive the information. Otherwise, we urge prompt action.

Sincerely yours, P / Q;,

Jack Childers J. P. Huskins Senate Cochairman House Cochairman Utility Review Committee Utility Review Committee

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Orrect or THc ArroRNcv GCNCR AL MARSHALL COLEMAN '

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1101 East BRoAo STRccT RicHMoN o, VIR GIN I A 23 219 804 786 207 r

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I The Honorable John F. Ahearne Interim Chairman 3' U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W. g Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear -Chairman Ahearne:

I was pleased to learn that a nine-member task force has been named to review the license application for North Anna Station, Unit 2, and that this task force had its initial meeting with VEPCO officials on November 30, his was subsequent to my letter of November 23, 1979,1979. and the letters from Governor Dalton, the Virginia Congressional delegation, and the State Corporation, Commission, and I am pleased our to see the apparent responsiveness of the NRC to concerns.

Mr. Len Bickwit, On December 3, 1979 I received a phone call from of the General Counsel's Office, who read a letter on December dated10,that day from Mr. Hendrie, which I received 1979.

of a policy statement allowing " resumption of licensing ofThis lette completed and Mr. or nearly completed plants such as North Anna 2" in the near future was, in fact,Bickwit highly has represented that resumption o probable.

of any resumption in licensing.Recent events No policy have raised statement has questions abo been forthcoming from the Commission. Thereathas been a reassignment of leadership responsibilities the Commis-sion, by and other President organizational Carter. changes have been proposed For these reasons, I must request 1795 095 M

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The Honorable John F. Ahearne December 14, 1979 Page Two that the NRC provide the Commonwealth with a clear and definite statement of its position on the resumption of the licensing process with respect to North Anna 2.

Three issues are of primary concern to me. First, it is essential that we be assured that the application on North Annafashion.

in a timely 2 is under active review and will be completed Second, it is important that the Commission allow North Anna 2 to load fuel and co.nduct pre-operational tests in advance of implementing TMI-related recommendations. Third, once TMI-related concerns have been addressed by VEPCO and licensing reviews completed, we need to know whether the Commission ~is prepared to issue an operating license for North Anna 2.

If the task force is addressing licensing issues and will soon issue a timetable for continuing the licens-ing procedure for North Anna 2, then my concerns may be met.

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the case.I would appreciate your advising me whether this is i, i

I am enclosing for your information an analysis of j 5

the economic impact of nuclear outages in Virginia pre-pared for Governor Dalton by an independent consultant.  ?

As I am sure you realize, precent delays in the licensing process cannot be recaptured later and, thus, f necessarily North Anna 2result in an equivalent delay in bringing on line. E Because it is my statutory duty in Virginia to represent both the Commonwealth and consumer E i

interests and because it is clear that those interests are adversely affected by each day of delay in the licensing E of letter North Anna 2, I am by December 26, requesting 1979. that you respond to this /

Sincerely, h

{..

Marshall Coleman Attorney General =

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i cc: ' Nuclear Regulatory Commissioners The Honorable John N. Dalton "

Virginia Congressional Delegation State Corporation Commissioners -

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SUMMARY

DATA CONCERNING VIRGINIA'S PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY SY OIL AND NUCLEAR POWER -

FOR ,

GOVERNOR JOHN DALTON CONTENTS PAGE A. Stadary Data on VEPCO's Sources of 1-3 Electrical Production and Oil Usagit -

B. Summary Data on:

Impacts on Virginia in 1979 Caused by 4 NRC Actions

• Potential Impacts on Virginia in 1980 5 Caused by NRC Actions

• 6 Effect on VEPCO Consumers C. Detailed:

• 7 Impacts Caused by North Annc II Shutdown in 1979

• 8 Impact Potential of North Anna II Shutdown in 1980

• 9 Impacts Caused by Surry I Shutdown in 1979

• Impact Potential of Surry II Extended 10 Shutdown in 1980

• Details on Electrical Usage 'll

• Summary of Teledyne Engineering's 12 Evaluation of Piping at Surry I to Withstand Hypothetical Earthquake Loadings

• Fuel Charges by D. Editori is DUPLICATE DOCUMENT 1795 097 Entire document previously entered into system under:

ANO foc/A3olo3 N o. of pages: M