ML19322D477
| ML19322D477 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 01/25/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Patchin M AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002130206 | |
| Download: ML19322D477 (4) | |
Text
.
u Ms. Margaret E. Patchin 3251 Victory Lane Soquel, California 95073
Dear Ms. Patchin:
This is in reply to your letter of November 28, 1979, to President Carter about a noratorium on certain nuclear power plants. Your letter was forwarded to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the Department of Energy on January 16.
A statement by President Carter on December 7,1979, about the Report of the President's Commission on the Accident at Three tiile Island (the Kemeny Commission) included the following:
" Finally, I would like to discuss how we manage the transition period during which the Kemeny recommendations 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 Commission 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 MRC has indicated, however, that it will pause in issuing new licenses and construction pemits in crder 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 refoms 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 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 g
on the Accident at Three Mile Island in the areas of human factors, operational s
i safety, emergency planning, nuculear power plant design and siting, health g
effects, and public information are necessary and feasible.
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2-Ms. Margaret E. Patchin 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.
With regard to operating nuclear power plants, actions have already been taken that are fully compatible with most of the applicable technical recom.endations of the President's Commission. Plants of design similar to m
the units at Three Mile Island were shut down until modifications were made. Unit 1 at Three Mile Island will remain shut down until further order of the Nuclear Regulatory Connission after a public hearing. Unit 2, where the accident occurred, won't be operable for a long time to come.
We assure you that every effort is being made to protect the public health i
and safety at all nuclear power plants that are currently in operation or j
that may go into operation in the future.
Sincerely,
' - n 's Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION Docket 50-320 NR C PDR,s / ~ ~--
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[sr I Department of Energy Washington, D.C. 20545 JAtt 161980 Ms. Margaret E. Patchin 3261 Victory Lane Soquel, California 95073
Dear Ms. Patchin:
Your letter supporcing a moratorium on nuclear plant construction has been forwarded to this office for consideration. Inasmuch as matters pertaining to the licensing, construction, and operation of commercial nuclear power plants are, under the cognizance of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, we are forwardi.g your letter to them for appropriate action by copy of this letter. Sincerely, John P. Thereault, Deputy Director N. Plans and Analysis Division Nuclear Reactor Programs ~ cc: Lee Gossick fa f I l l - ~ -.
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