ML19322C898
| ML19322C898 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 01/18/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Hocker H AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19322C899 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002050126 | |
| Download: ML19322C898 (2) | |
Text
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3
nE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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JM 1 S E30 Helen M. Hocker R.D. 1, Box 1002 Etters, PA 17319
Dear Ms. Hocker:
I am writing in response to your letter to Commissioner Hendrie regarding your concerns about Three Mile Island.
I regret that this answer to your letter has been delayed. The accident and its consequences have created a substantial increase in the agency's workload, which has prevented me from responding to you as promptly as I would have liked to.
All discharges of water into the Susquehanna River have been carefully monitored since the accident occurred. Your letter makes reference to the release to the river of 4,000 gallons of water containing strontium-90, a radioactive element that emits beta radiation.
Let me address your primary concern. The procedure followed by Metropolitan Edison in releasing this water was not prohibited by the utility's license, nor was the procedure contrary to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) standards.
Moreover, a measurement of river water following the discharge showed that traces of radiation present in the water were within both Federal and State government radioactivity standards.
In the future, nevertheless, Metropolitan Edison will monitor all water discharges for beta radiation.
On the basis of the foregoing information, there is no basis for the NRC to consider the revocation of Metropolitan Edison's license.
With regard to your comments concerning the possible future operation of Three Mile Island Unit 1, the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether the unit should be operated and, if so, under what conditions restart of Unit I would take place.
Prior to start of the hearings, the NRC staff will conduct a review of technical information concerning the restart of Unit 1.
As part of this review, the NRC staff will conduct meetings with the licensee in the presence of the public, and the public will be given the opportunity to raise questions and to make statements.
During the hearing, the technical issues which are appropriate to assure the public health and safety will also be addressed.
In addition, the Hearing Board may consider the psychological impact of future operation on the nearby communities. A copy of the Commission Order which outlines the issues to be considered is enclosed for your information.
8002050
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Ms. Helen M. Hocker "
With regard to Three Mile Island Unit 2, the licensee has not yet sent to the NRC a proposal for plant recovery, although the licensee is conducting feast-bility studies.
It is not possible at this time to determine when such pro-posals for recovery may be submitted or how much time will be needed for the required reviews and approvals in connection with Unit 2's recovery.
I would note, however, that the licensee's authority to operate Unit 2, except for those actions necessary to keep the reactor shut down, was suspended by Order of July 20, 1979.
I appreciate your concerns and assure you that every effort is being made to ensure the continued protection of the health and safety of the public, not only at the Three Mile Island Station, but also at all nuclear power plants.
Sincerely, Y
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosure:
Commission Order Docket No. 50-289
,