ML19308A694
| ML19308A694 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 11/21/1979 |
| From: | Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912040083 | |
| Download: ML19308A694 (4) | |
Text
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[7590-01]
pgco, t, U!!L. FAC. [O~ 330 44 STATEMENT OF POLICY AMD NOTICE OF INTENT TO PREPARE A PROGRAM!ATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT D
-4 AGENCY:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ACTION:
Statement of Policy SU12IARY :
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has decided to pre-pare a programmatic environmental impact statenent on the decon-tamination and disposal of radioactive wastes resulting from the March 28, 1979 accident at Three Mile Island Unit 2.
For some time the Commission's staff has been moving in this direction.
In the Commission's judgment an overall study of the decontamina-tion and disposal process will assist the Commission in carrying out its regulatory responsibilities under the Atomic Energy Act to protect the public health and safety as decontamination progresses.
It will also be in keeping with the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act to engage the public in the Commission's decision-making process, and to focus on environmental issues and alternatives before cormtitments to specific clean-up choices are made.
Additionally, in light of the extraordinary nature of this action and the expressed interest of the President's Council on Environmental Quality in the TMI-2 clean-up, the Commission intends to co-ordinate its actions with CEQ.
In particular, before decernining the scope of the programmatic environmental impact statement the Commission will consult with CEQ.
The Commission recognizes that there are still areas of uncer-tainty regarding the clean-up operation.
For example, the precise 7912 040 O b 3
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condition of the reactor core is not known at this time and cannot be known until the containment has been entered and the reactor vessel has been opened.
For this reason, it is unrealistic to expect that the programmatic impact statement will serve as a blueprint, detailing each and every step to be taken over the coming months and years with their likely impacts.
That the planned programmatic statement inevitably will have gaps and will not be a complete guide for all future actions does not invali-date its usefulness as a planning tool.
As more information becomes available it will be incorporated into the decision-making process, and where appropriate supplements to the programmatic environmental impact statement will be issued.
As the decontamina-tion of TMI-2 progresses the Commission will make any new informa-tion available to the public and to the extent necessary will also prepare separate environmental statements or assessments for individual portions of the overall clean-up effort.
The development of a programmatic impact statement will not pre-clude prompt Commission action when needed.
The Commission does recognize, however, that as with its Epicor-II approval action, any action taken in the absence of an overall impact statement will lead to arguments that there has been an inadequate environ-mental analysis, even where the Commission's action itself is supported by an environmental assessment.
As in settling upon the scope of the programmatic impact statement, CEQ can lend assistance here.
For example should the Commission before completing its programmatic statement decide that it is in the l
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best interest of the public health and safety to decontaminate the high level waste water now in the containment building, or to purge that building of its radioactive gases, the Commission will consider CEQ's advice as to the Commission's NEPA responsi-bilities.
Moreover, as stated in the Commission's May 25 statement, any action of this kind will not be taken until it has undergone an environmental review, and furthermore with oppor-tunity for public comment provided.
However, consistent with our May 25 Statement, we recognize that there may be emergency situations, not now foreseen, which should they occur would require rapid action.
To the extent practicable the Commission will consult with CEQ in these situations as well.
Uith the help of the public's comments on our proposals we intend to assure, pursuant to NEPA anId the Atomic Energy Act, that the clean-up of TMI-2 is done consistently with the public health and safety, and with awareness of the choices ahead.
We are directing our staff to include in the progranmatic environmental impact statement on the decontamination and disposal of TMI-2 wastes an overall description of the planned activities and a schedule for their completion along with a discussion of alternatives considered
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4 and the rationale for choices made.
We are also directing our staff to keep us advised of their progress in these matters.
W Dated at Washington, D.C.
this
- day of November, 1979.
For the Cocmission
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(
S A11UEL J.
EILK Secretary of th Commission
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