ML19308A871

Forwards 770217 Constituent Ltr from Hf Senter Re Accidental Radioactive Spill Into Keowee River

ML19308A871
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	02/18/1977
From:	Thurmond S SENATE
To:	Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA)
Shared Package
ML19308A870	List: ML19308A871
References
NUDOCS 7912120659
Download: ML19308A871 (2)

Text

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, Rt. 1, Box 27

• Seneca, S. C. 29678

, February 14, 1977 Senator Strom Thurmund United States Senate ,

Washington, D. C. 20515

Dear Senator Thurmund:

We are very upset and angered by the manner in which the recent accidental dumping of contaminated water at the Oconee Nuclear Station was handled by Duke Power Company and by government regulatory personnel.

We believe that Duke Power, with the cooperation of governr.ent inspectors, tried to hide the accident and, when discovered, lied about its possible consequences.

We realize that this particular accident -- certainly not the first at the Oconee plant -- may have minor consequences. What sorely angers us about this incident and others that preceded it is that we were not warned immediately after the accident that a potential hazard existed. In this most recent case we were not informed that our drinking water might be unsafe and thus not given the option to drink at our own risk. Instead we found some two weeks later that we unwittingly drank Iodine-131 which has now accumulated in our bodies.

Perhaps the most disturbing thing about this latest accident is that we who live and work so near the Oconee Nuclear Station cannot trust or believe the claims of power company spokesmen or government inspectors concerning safety of the nuclear plant. Their credibility has been badly damaged; they have lost the public's confidence.

As a short-term solution to the credibility crisis, we suggest that utility companies and government inspectors be required to alert nuclear plant neighbors immediately whenever hazerds are suspected. However, the fundamental dangers of nuclear power generation can be eliminated only by discontinuing the use of nuclear power, and we feel this should be done with all possible haste. The many accidents that have occurred at nuclear installations throughout the country show that there is no fool-proof nuclear power generating plant, and that if we continue to employ nuclear energy, a major accident -- a catastrophe -- is inevitable.

Sincerely, y,7;g .uw % $*AW#

Mr. & Mrs. Hertian F. Senter e

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