ML19320D099
| ML19320D099 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 05/19/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Ralston T AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007180546 | |
| Download: ML19320D099 (3) | |
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[faaeog[g UNITED STATES y
g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION r,
aj WASMNGTON. D. C. 20555 k....,/
MAY 1S 1999
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Mrs. Theron Ralston 310 E. Main Homer, Michigan 49245
Dear Mrs. Ralston:
This is in reply to your letter of January 29, 1980, to President Carter about licensing nuclear power plants.
A statement by President Carter on December 7, 1979, about the Report of the President's Comission on the Accident at Three Mile Island (the Kemeny Comission) included the following:
" Finally, I would like to discuss how we =?nage 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 pemits.
" Licensing decisions rest with the NRC and, as the Kemeny Commission noted, it has the authority to proceed with licensing these plants on a case-by-case basis, which may be used as circumstances surrounding a plant dictate. The NRC has indicated, however, that it will pause in issuing new licenses and construction pemits 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 instituted the necessary refonns to assure safety, we must resume the licensing process promptly so that the new plants which we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil can be built and operated."
The Nuclear Regulatory Comission is comitted to protect tLie public health and safety. The Three Mile Island accident resulted in a need for changes in the approach to safety. The Nuclear Regulatory Comission has found that actions recommended by its own staff and by the President's Comission on the Accident at Three Mile Island in the areas of human factors, operational safety, emergency planning, nuclear power plant design and siting, health effects, and public information are necessary and feasible.
Interim measures have been taken in these areas.
At this time we are preparing for. review and approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Comission an Action Plan thtt will specify the precise
< actions to be taken.
It will include new or improved safety objectives,
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Mrs. Theron Ralston ggy i g 1980 detailed criteria for their implementation, and various implementation deadlines. As soon as the Action Plan is completed and approved, the resulting regulatory requirements 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. With this objective, the Comissioners have approved the issuance of NRC licenses for three nuclear power units to load fuel and, under specified conditions, to operate a low power levels for testing.
You compared fines imposed on the Palisades and Three Mile Island nuclear power plants. Apparent inconsistencies result from restrictions on NRC statutory authority tc impose civil penalties. The NRC has sent forward a request to Congress to increase the maximum allowable penalties.
This would provide greater incent:yes for licensees to comply with regulatory requirements and would pend t penalties to reflect more equitably the different classes of licensees and the seriousness of offenses.
Sincerely, S
Harold R. Denton, Director g
Office of Nucicar Reactor Regulation e
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