ML19322D437
| ML19322D437 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 01/10/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Jenkins B AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002120664 | |
| Download: ML19322D437 (4) | |
Text
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"'O Mr. Brian Jenkins 7100 Jonestown Road Harrisburg, PA 17112
Dear Brian,
Your letter of April 9 to President Carter concerning the Three Mile Island accident was forwarded to me for reply.
I regret that, because of a marked increase in agency work load, so much time has passed before I could respond to your inquiry.
Regarding your question about the possibility of the Three Mile Island Plant blowing up, there was no possibility of a nuclear explosion such as that which happens in a bomb. rurthernere, you may be assured that there is no possi-bility of such a nuclear explosion cecurring in a nuclear power plant accident.
For a few days after the accident, there was some concern that a hydrogen bubble in the reactor vessel might react explosively with the oxygen thought to be slowly accumulating in the bubble. There was concern that such a chemi-cal explosion might break the reactor vessel, breach the containment building, and allow the escape of large amounts of radioact1ve materials. However, after further consultation with experts, NRC concluded that such an explosion could not' occur, because essentially no oxygen would accumulate in the bubble; therefore,,thets was no time at which the plant could have blown up.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is taking an active role in investigating the accident.
In particular several NRC staff task forces have been organized to identify and evaluate safety concerns, which originated from the Three Mile Island accident, that merit consideration in the licensing actions for presently operating reactors as well as those for which operating licenses and construc-tion permits are pending.
The task forces' reviews have discicsed a number of actions in the areas of design and analysis and plant operations that will be required in the short term to provide substantial additional protection of the public health and safety. All nuclear power plants in operation or under construction will be af fected to varying degrees by the specific recommendations.
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g 2-We appreciate your concern 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 Nuclear Station, but at all other nuclear power plan.- as well.
Sincerely, 1
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation i
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