ML19331B104

Discusses 740217 Newspaper Article Detailing Continuous Battle Between AEC & Cpc.Disagrees W/Keppler Threats to Close CPC Operations & Believes They Will Deprive State of Mi of Needed Power.Aec Needs Dedicated People in Power

ML19331B104
Person / Time
Site:	Midland
Issue date:	02/20/1974
From:	Olsen S AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
To:	Muntzing L US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
Shared Package
ML19331B101	List: ML19331B104
References
NUDOCS 8007250796
Download: ML19331B104 (3)

Text

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19930 Roslyn Road Detroit, Hichigan 48221 February 20, 1974 Mr. L. Manning .'funt:ing U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I was deeply shocked by an article appearing in the Detroit Free Press dated February 17, 1974 detailing a continuous battle between your agency and Consumers Power Company. The writer quotes A.E.C. 's Keppler; the most significant quote is as follows: "We do not have any sericas technical problems here." The article describes the reprehensible activities.of a Chicago attorney who indulged in a series of harassing collect telephone catts to Consumers and the press simply because his boss had an axe to grind with Consumers Power, and other harassing tactics by other persons.

I do not find such conduct particularly disturbing because we will always have a certain percentage of that type of person in our society, but apparently your man Keppler is conducting a public trial in the newspapers and threatens that it may be necessary to clo41 down Consumers Nuclear operations and prevent the construction of the Midland project not because of any serious technical dif ficulties but to teach the Consumers executives a lesson. Mr. Keppler's pronouncements are analogous to a jury returning its verdict prior to the commencement o f testimony or an overty :calous District Attorney boasting to the press that he has an " air tight" case in a crude attempt to prejudict the jury. -

The article cites a memorandum written by a minor employee o f Consumers Power, who was seeking personal attention, which stated a mere conclusion on his part. Furthermore the credibility of the memorandum was destroyed by Mr. Keppler's admission that no serious technical dif ficulty existed.

Mr. Keppler's narrow mind overlooks the very simple fact that such drastic action which he threatens will cause irreparable Md Ult.IDir.qtRos, sus ? n.a a

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damage to the People of the State of Michigan depriving them of much needed power, and cause only a minimat amount of embarrassment to Consumers Power executives.

My mind rejects the thought that the constant harassment of Consumers Power is " mere coincidence" as it is inconceivable that only Consumers could experience so much difficulty with the A.E.C. I wontd like to see a Congressional investigotion in which testimony under oath could be taken from att interested parties, including those carrying on harassing activities. It would be particularly interesting to discover what motivated Mr. Keppler when he made the statements which are attributed to him in the Public Press prior to the completion o f the format investigation. It would also be most interesting to investigate why .the person who is Leading the investigation for A.E.C. found it necessary to volunteer the information that he would not be surprised if the U.S. Justice Department conducted its own independent investigation. Did the person who volunteered such information actually have personal knowledge which would Lead a reasonably prudent person to such a conclusion? If he did not, such a statement is highty suspect. Frankly, I perceive no reason why such a statement should be volunteered in any event.

Mr. Munt:ing, it is my hope that you will read the article in its entirety %ecause it is my firm conviction that we cannot af ford to have ;m.rsons like Hr. Keppler in responsible 90vernmental positions during this critical period of energy crisis in our country. We need dedicated, responsible officials who will work with our utilities operating in this critical area and who place the Public interest above personal pique.

Mr. Keppler states, "The reat concern we have is whether this information was withheld." That is sheer nonsense.

Mr. Keppler should have stated, "The reat concern we have is whether material inf ormation was intentionally and maliciously with-held.

Sin e.ety Yours, AC/vvtA - /

Judge Samuel H. Olsen 19930 Rostyn Road Detroit, Michigan 4822I SHO:me ene.

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"The papers, on the sur- .l

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face, are very shocking. -

We 5 really do not have. any seri- "

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ous technical pioblems 5

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have is whether this infor- c "i9-y+ :/ ij ,

mation was' withheld..,  ;; f ,lM ; + '

The AEC's James Keppler Y L5 ?!O' d e .

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