ML19308A658

Responds to Re Nuclear Power & Safe Alternatives. Successful Isolation of Radwastes in Mined Repositories Appears Feasible by Properly Choosing Natural Geologic Environ & Physical & Chemical Properties

ML19308A658
Person / Time
Site:	Crane
Issue date:	11/13/1979
From:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Berner M AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML19308A659	List: ML19308A658 ML19308A662
References
NUDOCS 7911280074
Download: ML19308A658 (2)

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Mrs. Mary Berner R. D. 1, Box 40 Athens, NY 12015 Dear Mrs. Berners Your letter of June 28, 1979, to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission expressed concerns about nuclear power and stated that the NRC ought to seek safe alternatives. I am sorry for the delay in replying to you' letter, but we have been very busy with the aftermath of the Three Mile Island accident.

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You mentioned the problem of permanent storage of radioactive wasta.

In a

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" Report to the President by the Interagency Revir+ Group on Nuclear Waste Management" in 'tarch 1979, it was concluded that successful isolation of radioactive wastes in mined repositories appears technically feasible by properly choosing the natural geologic environment, the physical and chemical properties of the medium to be used, the form of the waste itself, and other engineered barriers.

You referred to the proMem of decommissioning nuclear pnwer plants at the end of their useful life. In addition to the method you mentioned of noth-l balling such plants for a period of time, there are methods.of eventually dismantling them and removing radioactive components to a waste storage site.

As to alternative sources of energy, their development is the responsibility

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of the Department of Energy, which has a large research and development pro-gram with that objective. However, for a new energy source to nake a sub-stantial contribution requires the demonstration of technical and economic feasibility and this takes time. Meanwhile, in many cases that we have analyzed, coal was the only feasible alternative source of energy. A com-parison of the public health and environmental effects generally indicate that I

nuclear energy is at least as safe as coal.

With regard to your concern about starting preliminary work on a nuclear power plant before a full license is granted, the Nuclear Regulatory Connission; has detemined that no limited work authorization, construction pemit, or.

operating license will be issued without prior approval of the Commission.

There have been no such issuances since the Three Mile Island accident.

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e We a: Lure you that every effort is being c:ade to continue to ensure the protection of the public health and safety at all nuclear power plants.

Sincerely, i

Driginals4eed 31 H. R. Oenton l

Ilarold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l

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