ML19330C541
| ML19330C541 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 07/31/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Heiserman R AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19330C542 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8008080478 | |
| Download: ML19330C541 (3) | |
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION y
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JUL 31 la Mr. & Mrs. Robert Heiserman 257 West Walnut Street Marietta, Pennsylvania 17547
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Heiserman:
Your letter to President Carter expressing your concerns about nuclear energy and the operation of the Three Mile Island nuclear station has been referred to me for response.
I regret that this answer has been delayed for so long.
Except for releases to the Susquehanna River of liquids containing only low or nondetectable levels of radioactivity, the release of contaminated water is not currently permitted. Bcfore such releases take place, NRC will evaluate the impact and the evaluation will be made available to the public. By this course of action, we will assure that a thorough assessment is completed prior to release of the contaminated liquids and that the health and safety of the offsite population will be protected.
As a result of releases containing only low or nondetectable levels of radio-activity, the levels of radioactivity in the Susquehanna are indistinguishable from existing background levels at public water supply intakes from the river.
These levels have been confirmed by independent measurements made by the NRC, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
With regard to your concern about the purging of the radioactive krypton gas from the reactor building of TMI Unit 2 Metropolitan Edison Company submitted to NRC a " Safety Analysis'and Environmental Report" (November 13, 1979) in which it evaluated alternative methods for the disposal of the krypton gases, such as purging, cryogenic processing, and selective absorption. NRC also evaluated alternative methods for disposal of the krypton gas to determine what effect decontamination would have on workers, on public health and safety, and on the environment. Based on its evaluation, NRC issued an environmental assessment (NUREG-0662 and two addenda) for public comment on March 26, 1980, and received approximately 800 comments. These comments were considered in the staff's preparation of the " Final Enviconmental Assessment for Decontamination of the Tnree Mile -Island Unit 2 Reactor Building Atmosphere" (NUREG-0662), vols. I and 2, copies of which are enclosed for your information.
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From this process lhave emerged the following NRC' staff conclusions:
The potential physical health impact on the public of using an of the proposed ustrategies for removing the krypton-85 is negligible.
The potential psychological impact' is.likely to grow the longer it 4
takes to reach a decision, get started, and complete the process.
4 The purging method is the quickest and the safest for the workers li
- on Three Mile Island to accomplish..
0verall, no.significant environmental impact would result from use 4
of-any of'the alternatives discussed in the assessment.
On June 12, 1980, the Commission issued an Order for Temporary Modification of License, authorizing controlled purging of the krypton-85 from the reactor building atmosphere.
In a separate Memorandum and Order, also issued on June
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.12, the Commission. discussed rationale for its decision. Actual venting opera-tions began on' June 28, 1980. Copies of both Commission issuances are also enclosed.
With regard to your comments concerning the possible future operation of TMI-1, the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted.to determine whether the facility should be operated and, if so, under what conditions the restart would take place. Prior to start of the hearings, the NRC staff will conduct a~ review of technical informatio'n 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 i
raise questions and to make statements. During the hearing, the technical issues
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that are appropriate to assure the public health and safety will also be addressed.
In addition..the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has indicated that NRC should considerL the ' psychological impact of future operation on the nearby communities.
A copy of the Commission Order that outlines the issues to be considered is en-closed for!your information.
JWith regard to Unit l2f the licensee has not yet submitted to the NRC a proposal
- for overall plant' re'covery, although the licensee-is conducting feasibility studies.
It is not possible at this time to determine when such proposals for recovery may be submitted or how much time will 'be needed for. the required re
, views 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 neces-
- sary.to-keep;the reactor' shut:down, was suspended by Order of June 20, 1979.
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r Mr. & Mrs. R:bert H:iserman.
In its Statement of Policy and Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact, Statement of November 21, 1979, the Commission stated that the staff would prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement on the decontamination and disposal of radioactive wastes resulting from the accident at Three Mile Island Unit 2.
The statement emphasizes the Commission's intention to coordinate its actions on this matter with the President's Council on Environmental Quality and to provide the opportunity for public comments.
The programmatic environmental impact statement will focus on the environmental issues and alternative methods associated with the performance of these clean-up activities.
We 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.
Sincerely, y
Bernard J. Snyder' Program Director Three Mile Island Program Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
NUREG-0662, vols.1 & 2 2.
Order for Temporary Modification of License of June 12, 1980 3.
Memorandum and Order of June 12, 1980 4.
Order and Notice of Hearing of August 9,1979 l
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