ML19322D403
| ML19322D403 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 01/10/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Bradley S AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19322D404 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002120596 | |
| Download: ML19322D403 (2) | |
Text
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f q?acqb UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l;
l WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 i
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JAN 101980 I
i S. L. Bradley 37 E. Washington St.
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Dear Ms. Bradley:
I am writing in response to your letter of April 11 to John Harris regarding your concerns about Three Mile Island.
I regret that this answer to your letter has been delaye.. 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.
With regard to your comments concerning the possible future operation of Three Mile Island, the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether the facility should be operated and, if so, under what conditions restart of Unit I would take place. Prior to start of the hear-ings, 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.
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 feasi-bility studies.
It is not possibic 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.
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With respect to alternative methods of energy production, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, the Department of Energy is the Federal Agency responsible for their research and development. The NRC considers these alternative methods of energy production in its assessment of the environmental impact of each nuclear power plant as part of our overall review of each utility's applica-tion for a construction permit or an operating license. To date, we have determined that alternative methods of energy production are neither techni-cally nor economically feasible to provide the required amount of power at the time it is needed.
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, A
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuc1 car Reactor Regulation Encl: Commission Order, Docket No. 50-289
.