ML19318C822
| ML19318C822 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 03/27/1980 |
| From: | Erin Kennedy SENATE |
| To: | Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19318C804 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007020323 | |
| Download: ML19318C822 (2) | |
Text
'
, EDWARD M. KENNEDY rg *".-
{.;E 9)Cnifeb Sfales Senale C)
WASHINGTON. D.C. 30810 l
March 27, 1980 ygg. ;
E Dr. John Ahearne Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20005
Dear Chairman Ahearne:
I am deeply concerned that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may soon permit the venting of radioactive krypton gas from the Three Mile Island reactor in a manner that may endanger the physical and msntal health of the people of the Susquehanna Valley.
I' believe that the time has come to permit the citizens of the Susquehanna Valley to play a meaningful part in the decisions that will affect their lives.
I strongly suggest that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission accept the establishment of an independent panel of scientists to evaluate the basis for, and the character of, decisions that the NRC will make on Three Mile Island.
This panel must include responsible scientists chosen by local citizens who ~ are concerned about the dangers of the plant.
Local citizens
==
will only have faith in experts they cicose themselves.
A year ago, when I held the first hearing on Three Mile Island, it became clear to me that the health implications of the accident would be among t::e most serious and lasting questions produced by the accident.
Fundamental disagreements among scientists. serious questions about the adequacy of data, and a deep public distrust of the nuclear industry and the Federal government were apparent.
Unfortunately, little has changed since then to resolve these problems.
In the past year, citizens of the area have been subj ected to enormous physical risks and to extreme mental pressures.
The Three Mile Island reactor came within an hour of a meltdown -- an accident that could have injured or killed thousands of Pennsylvanians.
Even though that catastrophe did not occur, the people of the Susquehanna Valley continue to suffer from the m....
emotional trauma of living within the lethal range of a reactor
- M that is not yet fully safe.
This trauma, compounded by repeated
- .:.g reports of accidental releases of radioactivity, has caused mental
- 5 distress for thousands of Pennsylvanians.
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Dr. John Ahearne March 27, 1980 Page Two (2) deaths and unfamiliar patterns of human illnesses in the area have led many citizens to question whether they can trust published reports claiming that little radiation has been released.
The pattern of suspicion extends to the decision on whether to vent the gas.
On the one hand, the public is told that there is no longer any danger of an accident at the Three Mile Island reactor.
On the other hand, they are told that the radioactive gases must be vented soon so that repairs necessary to prevent an accident can be made.
Not surprisingly, the public does not know what to believe.
The independent panel I have recommended can help to resolve these doubts, and I urge the Commission to establish it.
I believe that the establishment of this panel is absolutely
' essential to the fair resolution of the many complex decisions facing the people of the Susquehanna Valley.
Until this panel is chosen, and its views known and understood by the people of the Three Mile Island area, the NRC should not permit the release of radioactivity over Pennsylvania.
Since
>1y, I
g a
Edward M." "..
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