ML19330C754
| ML19330C754 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 07/30/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Gueldner H AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19330C755 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8008110425 | |
| Download: ML19330C754 (3) | |
Text
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'JUl. 3 0 G80 Y
t 3r Ms. Helen Gueldner i
61 Logging Road
.j Leola, Pennsylvania 17540 -
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Dear Ms. Gueldner:
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.j Your letter to Commissioner Hendrie concerning the release of radioactive
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material from the Three Mile Island nuclear station and the facility's shut-
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down has been referred to me for response.
I regret that this answer has
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been delayed for so long.
With regard to your concern about the release of contaminated water, except for releases to the Susquehanna River of if quids containing only low or non-detectable levels of radioactivity, such releases are not currently permitted.
Before 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 pro-tected.
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 icvels have been confir.ed by independent measurements made by the NRC, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
With regard to your ccncern 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 Environmental Assessment for Decontamination of th'e Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Building Atmosphere" (NUREG-0662), vols.1 and 2, copies of which are enclosed for your information.
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lis. Helen Gueldner JUL 3 01980 ce Q
From this process have emerged the following flRC staff conclusions:
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- The potential physical health impact on the public of using any of f) the proposed strategies for removing the krypton-85 is negligible.
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- The potential psychological impact is likely to grow the longer it j
ttkes to reach a decision, get started, and complete the process.
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- The purging method is the quickest and the safest for the workers 7
on Three :lile Island to, accomplish.
- Overall, no ignificant enviromental impac.t would result from use of any of the alternatives discussed in the assessment.
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On June 12, 1980, the Commission issued an Order for Temporary ?!odification of License, authorizing controlled purging of the krypton-85 from the reactor building atmosphere. In a separate Memorandum and Order, also issued on June 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 tiRC staff will conduct a review of technical information concerning the restart of Unit 1.
As part of this review, the fiRC 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 l
1ssues that are appropriate to assure the public health and safety will also be addressed.
In addition, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has indicated
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that flRC should consider the psychological impact of future operation on the nearby cxamunities. A copy of the Commission Order that outlines the issues to be considered is also enclosed for your information.
l With regard to Unit 2, the licensee has not yet submitted to the flRC a lroposal i
I for overall plant recovery, although the licensee is conducting feasibility l
studies.
It is not possible at -this time to determine when such proposals for I
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, how-ever, 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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Ms. Helen Gueldner JUL 3 01230
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1 We appreciate your concerns and assure you that every effort is being made to
._y ensure the continued protection of the health and safety of the public.
M.3 Sincerely, I
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1i Ber rd J. Snyder, Program Director 9
Three flile Island Program O'ffee Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
NUREG-0662, vols.1 & 2
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2.
Order for Temporary Modification c!
of License of June 12, 1930 3.
Memorandum and Order of June 12, 1930
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Order and flotice of Hearing of August 9,1979 i
DISTRIBUTION Docket 50-289 PDR LPDR TERA NRR r/f Till P0 r/f TMI Site r/f M
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