ML19322D023
| ML19322D023 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 01/09/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Campbell R TEXAS POWER & LIGHT CO. |
| References | |
| 80-002085001006, 80-2085001006, NUDOCS 8002080280 | |
| Download: ML19322D023 (1) | |
Text
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JAN 9 1980 Mr. R. K. Campbell, President Texas Power and Light Company P. O. Box 226331 Dallas, Texas 75266
Dear Mr. Campbell:
This is in reply to your letter of November 21, 1979, about licensing of of nuclear power plants.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is committed 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 Commission has found that actions recommended by its own staff and by the President's Commission 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.
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.
Si ncerely, A
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation b
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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation SOUJECT: Requests that NRC reconsider cecision to freeze OL & CP issuance e to higher consumer energy costs & nations inability to reduce oil dependency.
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November 21, 1979 Mr. Harold Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 7920 Norfolk Avenue Washington, D.C.
20555
Dear Mr. Denton:
We fail to understand, fully, the reasons behind the NRC's freeze on operating licenses and construction permits for nuclear generating facilities.
It is cause for great concern.
The decision seems arbitrary at best.
On one hand you have determined three operating reactors to be safe, based on the lessons learned at Three Mile Island. On the other hand, you have decided to impose delays on other reactors, b
not yet in operation, which have had the benefit of the TMI lessons.
These reactors are copies of those certified by you as being safe.
What's more, the Commission has left the freeze open-ended, creating uncertainty for the industry and consumers as well.
This was the very thing the Kemeny Commission feared in refusing to call for a moratorium.
Your action flin in the face of our nation's energy situation today.
We need to conserve oil, not use more.
Yet to meet our energy needs without additional nuclear power means, we muse depend more heavily on oil, much of which is imported.
The licensing of the reactors you have left in limbo could allow this country to use 450,000 less barrels of oil per day in the generation of electricity. That translates not only into conservation of a precious resource, but monetary savings for the consumer since we can generate electricity wit' nuclear at lower cost than we can with oil.
The lessons of Three Mile Island have not been lost on the industry.
We have shown our good faith and responsibility in full support of the Kemeny Commission Report and through remedial efforts in the months since the events at Harrisburg.
We would urge you to reconsider this decision and get on with your assigned task of licensing nuclear facilities. Your failure to do so means higher energy costs to the consumer and a delay in this nation's ability to wean itself from dependence on oil.
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Very truly yours,
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