ML19331B837

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Responds to C Schmidt Re TMI-1 Restart Delay & Met Ed Rate Structure.Restart Decision Expected 1981,after Technical Issue Hearing Completion.Nrc Primarily Concerned W/Public Health & Safety.Doe Responsible for Energy R&D
ML19331B837
Person / Time
Site: Crane  Constellation icon.png
Issue date: 07/10/1980
From: Reid R
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To: Colleen Schmidt
AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
References
NUDOCS 8008130387
Download: ML19331B837 (2)


Text

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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 k.....

lD J seg 11rs. Christina Schmidt 243 B. Jefferson Court Lakewood, New Jersey 08701

Dear Mrs. Schmidt:

I am writing in response to your recent letter to President Carter which was forwarded to the Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC).

In your corre-spondence, you expressed concerns regarding the delay in placing Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit No.1, back into service, and the rate structure prescribed for the Metropolitan Edison Company.

As you may be aware, the NRC has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether the facility should be operated and, if so, under what conditions.

The public hearing is scheduled to begin this fall.

During the hearing, the technical issues appropriate to assure public health and safety will be addressed.

The NRC staff is currently involved in the on-going review of technical information concerning the restart of Unit 1.

Based upon the current status of the proceedings, the development of a record on which the NRC can make a decision regarding restart is not expected before the early part of 1981.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Comission (PUC) issued on May 23, 1980, a sequel to the PUC's June 19, 1979 Order regarding the allocation of the financial burden resulting from the March 28, 1979 accident at Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit No. 2.

The following excerpt from the May 23, 1979 Order may be of interest.

"The basic conclusion of the Comission in this order is that Met Ed should continue to operate as a public utility.

The Comission will provide Met Ed the means of financial rehabilitation.

However, we will write no blank checks on its ratepayers.

We find that TMI-1 is no longer used and useful and that the base rates of both Met Ed and Penelec should be reduced.

This order, with its provisions for a fully current recovery of energy costs and an accelerated amortization of deferred energy costs provides an adequate framework for Met Ed's recovery. Respondent must convince its bank creditors that it has the will and the ability to rehabilitate itself.

Above all, Met Ed must demonstrate candor and a willingness to address its problems and the initiative and ability to find solutions to those problems. The very real fears and concerns of its customers and neighbors must be allayed.

Met Ed's cost must be reduced through load management and conservation-inducing rate structure change.

Met Ed must aggressively pursue the return to service of TMI-1 or an early decision on its conversion to the use of en alternative fuel.

If these things are done, the Comission is confident that Met Ed will not only survive but will regain its financial health.

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