ML19331D871

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Responds to Urging Revocation of Util OL & Permanent Shutdown of Facility.Commission Has Ordered Public Hearing to Determine Facility Operation.Forwards Order Outlining Issues Re Public Health & Safety.W/O Encl
ML19331D871
Person / Time
Site: Crane  Constellation icon.png
Issue date: 08/11/1980
From: Snyder B
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To: Sweeney A
AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML19331D872 List:
References
NUDOCS 8009030681
Download: ML19331D871 (1)


Text

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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS

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P0OR QUAllTY PAGES AUG 11 1980 Mrs. Alice A. Sweeney 116 East Main Street Palmyra, Pennsylvania 17078

Dear Mrs. Sweeney:

Your letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Middletown urging the revocation of Metropolitan Edison Company's operating license and the perma-nent shutdown of the Three Mile Island nuclear station was referred to me for response.

I regret that this answer has been delayed. The accident and its consequences have created a substantial increase in the agency's workload, which has prevented me from responding to you as promptly as I would have liked.

The Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether TMI-1 should be operated and, if so, under what conditions the re,t rt would take place. Prior to start of the hearings, the NRC staff will conduct a review of technical information 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 raise questions and to make statements. During the hearing, the technical issues that are appropriate to assure the public health and safety will also be ad-dressed. In addition, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has indicated that NRC should consider the psycholegical impact of future operation on the nearby communities. A copy of the Commission Order that outlines the issues to be considered is enclosed for your information.

As for Unit 2, the licensee has not yet submitted to the NRC a proposal for overall plant recovery, although the licensee is conducting feasibility studies.

It is not possible at this time to determine when such proposals for recovery may be sutmitted or how much time will be needed for the required reviews 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 necessary to l

keep the reactor shut down, was suspended by Order of July 20, 1979.

l I 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, not only at Three Mile Island, but also at all nuclear power plants.

Sincerely, b)//# b l

Bernard J. Snyder, Program Director l

Three Mile Island Program Office l

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

Order and Notice of Hearing of August 9,1979 1

8009030681

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