ML19320A637
| ML19320A637 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 06/18/1980 |
| From: | Novak T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Cox S AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19320A638 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007020451 | |
| Download: ML19320A637 (2) | |
Text
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June 18, 1980 Docket No. 50-271 Ms. Sara Cox Griffin Road Deerfield, New Hagshire 03037
Dear Ms. Cox:
In response to your letter dated April 10, 1980, we know of no plans or proposals by the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation to change the type or quantities of releases from Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant into the Connecticut River from what is presently permitted. The l
news item which you apparently are referring to in your letter noted that the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation was applying to the State of Vermont Water Resources Department for renewal of the state discharge permit for the Vermont Yankee plant.
As you may realize, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
or those states to whom permitting authority has been delegated by EPA, have exclusive responsibility for water quality protection, including 4
thermal requirements. The NRC's role in the water quality area is limited to the weighing of aquatic igacts as part of its cost-benefit balance in its licensing decision.
4 We have recently changed the Environmental Technical Specifications for the Vermont Yankee facility to reflect this division of responsibility.
A copy of the license amendment (dated February 22, 1980) which accom-plishes this, is enclosed for your information. You may wish to further discuss your water quality concerns with the State of Vermont's Water Resources Department, Montpelier Vermont 0560%.
Control of.khe radiological releases remains the responsibility of the USNRC. Radiological releases permitted by the Verment Yankee Operating license are within the restrictions igosed by the Standards for Protection Against Radiation in the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR l
20).
For your information, we have enclosed the most recent issue of the licensee's semiannual release report, dated March 7,1980 covering the period July through December 1979. An audit of this report has not r.evealed any deviation from our requirements.
If you have information of releasas not included in this report, or if you are aware of reported releases which do not meet the Federal Regulations for this period.
please bring the specifics to our attention.
f You also asked about the safety of the Veriiiont Yankee torus. We have required certain physical changes in the torus equipment, and have igosed certain limits on the operation of the Vermont Yankee plant to increase the safety factor for the torus. Taken together, these measures 80070%0h
Ms. Sara Cox June 18,1980 result in a safety factor of at least two for the most probable loads induced on the weakest member for a postulated design basis loss of coolant accident.
In addition, we are requiring certain other changes on a longer term basis to further increase the safety factor. For your information, we have enclosed a copy of the safety evaluation report dealing with this matter which explains the situation more completely.
Sincerely, 5%
?J W C---
Thomas M. Novak, Assistant Director for Operating Reactors Division of Licensing
Enclosures:
1.
License Amendment dated February 22, 1980 2.
Vermont Yankee Semiannual Release Report e
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