ML19331B100
| ML19331B100 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Midland |
| Issue date: | 03/15/1974 |
| From: | Muntzing L US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| To: | Olsen S AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19331B101 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007250793 | |
| Download: ML19331B100 (2) | |
Text
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MAR 151974 Honorable Samuel H. Olsen 19930 Roslyn Road THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS Detroit, Michigan 48221 P00RQUAUTYPAGES
Dear Judge Olsen:
This refers to your letter dated February 20, 1974, in which you commented on an article that appeared in the Detroit Free Press on February 17, 1974.
This article dealt with ar investigation being conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of allegations that Consumers Power. Company had withheld information from the Commission.
I appreciate your comments and the points you raise certainly have received my consideration.
The position of Mr. Keppler, as reported in the Detroit Free Press, is correctly taken. As a regulatory agency whose principal mission is to assure that the health and safety of the public is protected, we cannot countenance violations of our requirements that might compromise that objective.
Since AEC inspectors are not present at nuclear power plants at all times, we must rely on the licensee (utility) to inform us of problems that have occurred. Licenses issued to utility companies that authorize the operation of a nuclear power plant require that such information be reported promptly to the AEC. We view as serious any attempt to misinform or withold vital information from the AEC. The information required to be reported is important not only for evaluation of the par-ticular plant concerned but also for its applicability to other nuclear power plants.
I believe that the record of AEC actions will show that the AEC has not harassed or singled out Consumers Power Company nor any other company.
Actions have been taken against other utilities, including the imposition of civil penalties. We have expended considerable effort in the past and will continue to do so in the future to assure an even-handed and consist-ent approach to all licensees.
Finally, I believe that Mr. Keppler is a dedicated, responsible public.
official who has not placed personal pique above the public interest.
Public interest can take many forms. Although the AEC is taking steps to reduce or eliminate any delays in nuclear power plants due to administra-tion of our regulatory program, we believe that the public interest re-quires us to assure that nuclear power plants are designed, constructed and operated in a manner which will not endanger the health and safety of the public nor have a deleterious impact on the environment. Therefore, the AEC does not intend to lower its standards of strict adherence to its
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Judge Samuel H. Olsen ~
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rules and regulations in an attempt to facilitate construction and opera-tion of nuclear power plants. I believe that Mr. Keppler's remarks in i
the Detroit Free Press reflect this policy.
Sincerely, N"Ut*i #
@p;-d) L. DJ ! 'I L. Manning Muntzing Director of Regulation f
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