ML19309B094
| ML19309B094 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 03/03/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Henry G AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19309B095 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8004030061 | |
| Download: ML19309B094 (2) | |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION C
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i.iAR 0 31cen Mr. G. M. Henry, Jr.
Executive Vice President Beaumont Iron & Metal Corporation" P. O. Box 3427 Beaumont, Texas 77704
Dear Mr. Henry:
This is in reply to your letter of November 26, 1979, to President Carter, which was referred to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the Department of Energy on January 25, 1980.
A statement by President Carter on December 7, 1979, about the' Report of the President's Cormission on the Accident at Three Mile Island (the Kemeny Commission) included the following:
" Finally, I would like to discuss how we manage the transition period during which the Kemeny recommendations are being implemented. There are a number of new nuclear plants now awaiting operating licenses or construction permits.
" Licensing decisions rest with the NRC and, as the Ke=eny Commission noted, it has the authority to proceed with licensing these plants on a case-by-case basis, which may be used as circu= stances surrounding a plant dictate. The NRC has indicated, however, that it will pause in issuing new licenses and construction permits in order to devote its full attention to putting its house in order.
I endorse the approach the NRC has adopted, but I urge the NRC to complete its work as quickly as possible, and in any event no later than six months from today.
- "Once we have iristituted the necessary reforms to assure safety, we must resume the licensing process promptly so that the new plants which we need to r:Juce our dependence on foreign oil can be built and operat d."
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The Nuclear Ref J.ory Commission is committed to protect the public health and safety. Tb Three Mile Island accident resulted in a need for changes in the approac: to safety. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that actions recom::4..ded by its own staff and by the President's Commission on the Accident 4-Three Mile Island in the areas of human factors, operational safety, emerge. icy planning, nuclear power plant design and siting, health l
effects, and public information are necessary and feasible.
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Mr. G. M. Henry, Jr. E;3 0 31c20 At this time we are preparing for review and approval by the Nuclear Regula-tory Co= mission an Action Plan that will specify the precise actions to be taken. It will include new or improved safety objectives, detailed criteria for their implementation, and various implementation deadlines.
As soon as the Action Plan is completed and approved, the resulting regulatory require-ments will be transmitted to all utilities concerned.
It is recognized that there will be a significant effect on the availability of power generating capacity if those plants now in the final stages of construction do not receive operating licenses by the dates previously anticipated, and every effort is being made to avoid unnecessary delays.
Sincerely, N
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 9
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