ML19322D017
| ML19322D017 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 01/09/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Cravens D AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002080222 | |
| Download: ML19322D017 (3) | |
Text
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January 9, 1980 Mr. DuVol Cravens, Vice President Osmose 980 Ellicott Street Buffalo, New York 14209
Dear Mr. Cravens:
This is in reply to your letter of December 3,1979, to President Carter about construction permits for nuclear posar plants.
A statement by President Carter on December 7, 1979, about the Report of the President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island (the Kemeny Comission) included the following:
" Finally, I would like to discuss how we manage the transition period during which the Kemeny recemendations 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 Comission 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 reforms 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 the 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 5s Comission on the Accident at Three Mile Island in the areas of human factors, operational l
safety, emergency planning, nuclear power plant design and siting, health effects, and public information are necessary and feasible.
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Mr. OeVol Cravens January 9,1980 At this time we are preparing for review and approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission an Action Plan that will specify the precise actions to be taken. This Action Plan will include new or improved safety objectives, detailed criteria for their implementation, and various implementation deadlines. Our goal is to have approved NRC requirements available to all utilities shortly after February 15, 1980.
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.
Sincerely, A
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation O
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