ML19322D025
| ML19322D025 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 01/09/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Matson W ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. |
| References | |
| 80-002085001007, 80-2085001007, NUDOCS 8002080287 | |
| Download: ML19322D025 (1) | |
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMTAISSION 3
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JAN 9 1990 Mr. William F. Matson Executive Vice President & General Manager Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.
P. O. Box 1266 Harrisburg, PA 17108
Dear Mr. Matson:
This is in reply to your letter of November 20, 1979, to me about 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.
Sincerely, A
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 2 08 0 2-Ec%
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JLBM JL r-ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE. INC.
212 LOCUST ST. P.O. BOX 1266e HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17108ePHONE 717 233-5704 Nove'mber 20, 1979 O
"r nerota oeot o Director, Nuclear Reactor Regulation Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.
20555
Dear Mr. Denton:
Being ten percent owners of the Susquehanna Nuclear Plant in Berwick, Pa.,
our main concern and the concern of our partners has always been the safety of the people, environment and the operations of our nuclear plant. Although Three Mile Island is considered to be the worst nuclear accident ever, there were no fatalities.
There isn't any other industry that I know of that can make that same statement.
Even though nuclear power has proven itself for over twenty years, it ii still being questioned as a viable source of energy. Right now nuclear is supplyitg twelve percent of this nation's energy and even though there are several plants that are now completed or near completion that can supply additional energy, they ;2ay not be allowed to operate.
Sensationalism certainly can be destructive and expensive, but who is going to pay the price -- naturally, the consumer.
I'm not disagreeing on the more stringent regulations regarding the safety in nuclear plants nor am I disagreeing on a well qualified staff for its operation, but I am objecting to the announcement of NRC to freeze licensing of al'. nuclear plants.
The Iran crisis is going to make our present energy and economic situation even Therefore, it makes good sense to utilize our nuclear plants to help avoid worse.
further hardships for the people and our nation. Surely the whole industry should not be made to pay for the mistakes of others, not if their nuclear plants meet with all the qualifications for licensing.
The cheap nuclear power that we were able to supply our nation is now becoming as expensive as everything else, due to the millions of dollars these delays are costing us.
I believe we are all working for the good of our consumers. Are we going to make all alternate sources of energy an impossibility? The industry can only find so many alternatives and there isn't one that doesn't cause concern among the consumers for environmental purposes for one reason or the other.
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s What is it going to take to wake everyone up? If we don't start pulling and working together soon, what kind of a world is it going to be for our children when we are gone?
in erely, n
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William F. Matson Executive Vice President & General Manager WFM:vs cc:
Mr. Joseph J. Hendrie Mr. Victor Gilinsky Mr. Peter A. Bradford 4
Mr. Richard T. Kennedy Mr. John Ahearn Mr. Robert Campbell, President, PP&L Washington & Pennsylvania Congressional Delegations President James E. Carter i
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