ML19309D642
| ML19309D642 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 03/27/1980 |
| From: | Varga S Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Williamson P AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8004110060 | |
| Download: ML19309D642 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES b
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'g NUCLEAR REGULA TORY COMMISSION t C WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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MAR 2 71980
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Docket Nos.:
50-443/444 Mr. P. W. Williamson 47 Boxford Road Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938
Dear Mr. Williamson:
Your card of July 17, 1979 has been referred to me for reply.
You expressed concern about emergency planning and consequences of Class 9 accidents for areas near the Seabrook Station.
Construction permits for Seabrook Station, Units 1 and 2, were issued on July 7,1976 following issuance of an Initial Decision of June 29, 1976 by the Comission's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board.
That Decision was pre-ceded by a lengthy public hearing in which issues of opposing intervenors were litigated and in which limited appearance statements by many interested citizens were incorporated into the record of the hearing. Evacuation plans, including consideration of the beach population, was an issue that was litigated. Potential radiological consequences of several design basis accidents were considered.
The position of the Nuclear Regulatory Comission's staff resulting from the staff's efforts related to the Three Mile Island, Unit 2 accident was for-warded to the Seabrook licensee on October 10, 1979. As noted in the enclosed copy of that position, additional requirements for emergency pre-paredness are included.
It was noted that other ongoing investigations can be expected to lead to additional requirem.ents.
By letter of February 11, 1980, the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation transmitted. to Robert A. Backus, Esq., the " Director's Decision under 10 CFR 2.206", 0D-80-6, February 11, 1980, in response to Mr. Backus' request of May 2,1979 on behalf of the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League (SAPL),
that the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation issue an Order to Show Cause to the Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) why the construction permits for the Seabrook Station should not be suspended or revoked.
As the basis of its request, SAPL cited:
(1)
Failure of NRC to require development of an evacuation plan beyond the low population zone as part of the construction permit proceed-ings, and 800421906(
e Mr. P. W. Williamson MAR 2 71980 (2)
Failure of the NRC to evaluate the consequences of a Class 9 accident, including the necessity for evacuation beyond the low population zone.
The New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution (NECNP) filed a memorandum in support of SAPL's petition on July 30, 1979. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts filed a memorandum of support on November 16, 1979. The State of New Hamp-shire filed a Statement of Position on October 12, 1979.
SAPL's petition and NECNPls and Massachusetts'. supporting memoranda have been treated under 10 CFR 2.206 of the Commission's regulations.
In the Decision the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation stated:
"Upon review of the material submitted by SAPL, NECNP, and Massachusetts and upon consideration of other relevant information, I have determined not to issue an Order to Show Cause. Accordingly, the requests of SAPL and NECNP are denied".
A copy of the letter of February 11, 1980 to Mr. Backus, which includes the Director's Decision, and a Federal Register Notice regarding the Director's Decision is enclosed. The Director's Decision includes the bases for the Decision and a summary of other actions taken since October 10, 1979.
The staff will review the applicant's responses to the Comnission's requirements, including those of October 10, 1979, and later additional requirements, prior to a decision on issuance of operating licenses. Also, the Commission's regulations require that an opportunity be provided for public intervention prior to that decision.
I believe that these comments and the enclosures to this letter should provide you with an understanding of the current licensing status of the Seabrook Station and of potential impacts on that licensing resulting from actions related to the Three Mile Island, Unit 2 accident.
S n erely,
}
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Steven A. Varga, A ing Assistant Director for Light Water R actors Division of Project Management Encl osures:
As stated
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