ML19327A747

Responds to to B Mikulski Re Storage of Radwaste at Plant & Potential for Reopening of Cove Point Terminal. NRC Will Ensure That Contingency Plan in Effect at Facility Before Plant Reopening

ML19327A747
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	10/10/1989
From:	Murley T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Pritchard K AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML19327A748	List: ML19327A747 ML19327A751
References
NUDOCS 8910180035
Download: ML19327A747 (6)

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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Mr. Kenneth H. Pritchard 11146 Beacon Way Lusby,MD 20657

Dear Mr. Pritchard:

-I am responding to your letter, dated August 11, 1989, to Senator Barbara Mikulski, which she sent to the Nuclear Regulatory Coenission (NRC) for consideration.

In this letter you express concern about the storage of radioactive waste at Calvert Cliffs, by itself, and in conjunction with the potential re-opening of the Covt Point Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal, l.

The Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BG&E) has informed the NRC that BG8E intends, at some future date, to apply for a license to construct and operate anindependentspentfuel-storageinstallation(ISFSI)attheCalvertCliffs site. This ISFSI would store' spent fuel, discharged from the two reactors at Calvert Cliffs, in dry, radiation-shielded steel canisters that would then be held in reinforced concrete storage bunkers.

Currently spent fuel generated by Calvert Cliffs is stored in the facility's spentfuelpoolthatislocatedonsite.

BG8E estimates that the capability to off-load either reactor core at Calvert Cliffs Units 1 and 2 will be limited after April 1992 and that the spent fuel pool will be completely full in 1995.

Because a Federal high-level waste storage depository is not yet in operation, the effect of this future spent fuel pool loading would be to restrict or prevent continued power generation at Calvert Cliffs. Consequently, BG8E is planning to request a license to construct and operate an ISFSI so that Calvert Cliffs' spent fuel can continue to be stored onsite.

Once an ISFSI licensing application is received from BG&E, the NRC staff will conduct an extensive evaluation of the BG&E proposal to ensure that it would adequately )rotect the health and safety of the public.

In addition, the NRC will publis ra notice in the Federal Reflister that the Commission proposes to issue an ISFSI license and inviting putiic comment on this proposed action.

Should it thereafter be determined that the activity might create a significant hazard to the public, an opportunity for a public hearing will be provided.

Through these processes, members of the public can directly express their concerns regarding the proposed ISFSI to the Commission.

With regard to the Cove Point LNG Teminal, the NRC has examined the possible hazards presented by LNG transportation to and storage at Cove Point. On June 13, 1978, the NRC staff completed and issued an extensive safety evaluation concerning potential hazards posed by operation of the Cove Point LNG Terminal.

The NRC staff determined that Cove Point did not pose any significant risks to safe operations at Calvert Cliffs and that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by the resultant effects of any LNG accident on Calvert Cliffs.

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i To ensure that prudent actions are taken at Calvert Cliffs, in the event of an LNG accident, BG&E previously developed contingency plans to mitigate potential LNG accident-related effects. However, since the Cove Point facility has not operated for several years, the NRC will ensure that an LNG accident contingency plan remains in effect at Calvert Cliffs before Cove Point is re-opened,

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I hope that this letter is responsive to your concerns. The NRC staff will continue to remain most willing to discuss the status of Calvert Cliffs and any concerns that you may have about this facility.

Sincerely, Original signed by Thownr, y, w3 cy Thomas E. Murley, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

As stated cc: The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski DISTRIBUTION Docket file:

50-317 and 50-313 SECY(CRC-89-0794)

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t. To ensure that prudent actions are taken at Calvert Cliffs, in the event of an LNG accident, BG&E previously developed contingency plans to mitigate potential LNG accident-related effects. However, since the Cove Point facility has not operated for several years, the NRC will ensure that an LNG accident contingency plan remains in effect at Calvert Cliffs before Cove Point is re-opened.

I hope that this letter is responsive to your concerns. The NRC staff will continue to remain most willing to discuss the status of Calvert Cliffs and any concerns that yot) may have about this facility.

Sincerely, Thomas E. Murley, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation j

Enclosure:

As stated cc:

The Honorable Barbara A. Mi ulski DISTRIBUTION Docket file:

50-317 and 50-318 SECY (CRC-89-0794)

NRC PDR JTaylor i

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-s To ensure tha.t prudent actions are taken at Calvert Cliffs, in the event of an LNG accident,'QG&E previously

developed contingehey plans to mitigate potential ti

' LNG accident-related effects. However, as the Cove Point facility has:not operated for sev'e al yer.rs, the NRC will ensure that an LNG accident contingency

plan remains-in e[r(er; at Calvert' Cliffs prior to. the reopening of Cove Point.

Ihopethatthislatk The NRC staff will continue to remain mokr has answered your concerns.t willing to discuss the status of any concerns _ thad. -you ' y have about this facility.

Sincerely.

I Thomas E. Murley, Director -

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

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The Honor 6N-nebara-A. Mikuls' i cc:

DISTRIBUTICh JTaylo(CRC-89-0794)

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L ENCLOSES LETTER FROM!KENNE.'.*H PRITCHARD ' ONCERNING

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S USPECIAL1 INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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Constituent concerns ~re-storage of waste above-

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grottnd rat Calvert Cliffs & the, reopening of the LNG plant.

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NOTES

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