ML19331E060
| ML19331E060 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 08/14/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Clay R AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8009050369 | |
| Download: ML19331E060 (4) | |
Text
.
DISTRIBUTION T
df-Docket 50-289 r.*
.. yM.} i.
LPDR
~'
TERA
'M NRR r/f L
TMI P0 r/f y7f guG 14 roc TMI Site r/r c)~/-
BSnyder JCollins DBRinkman W0liu Mr. Richard V. Clay 15 Shellie Street Lebanon Pennsylvania 17042
Dear Mr. Clay:
Your letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Conssission in Middletown regarding the release of radioactive materials into the atmosphere from the Three Mile Island nuclear station has been referred to me for response.
Metropolitan Edison Company submitted to NRC a " Safety Analysis and Environ-mental 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 pubite health and safety, and on the environnent. Based on its evaluation. MRC issued an envirorunental assessment (NUREG-0662 and two addenda) for public comment on March 26, 1980, and received approximately 800 coments.
These comunents were considered in the staff's preparation of the " Final En-vironmental Assessment for Decontamination of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Building Atmosphere" (N'JREG-0662), vols. I and 2. copies c? which are enclosed for your infonnation.
From this process have energed the following NRC staff conclusions-
- The potential physical health impact on the public of using Janof tha proposed strategies for, removing the krypton-85 is negligible.
- The potential psychological, impact is likely to grow the longer it f akes to reach a decision, get started, and complete the process.
- The purging method is the quickest and the safest for the workers on Three Mile Island to accomplish.
- Overall, no significant environmental impact would result from use of any of the alternatives discussed in the assessment.
On June 12, 1980, the Caunission issued an Order for Temporary Modification 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, and were completed on July 11, 1980. Copies of both Consission issuar.ces are also enclosed.
or,iceh. TMI/TF[gEd TMI/TFg,
.IHIS.. DOCUMENT.CON TMI P0 su=wuckl..W01 f u :tuf.
.P00R QUALITY PAGES
.DBri nkma n.
. B Snyd e r- - +
OATc k..
Q.
.?/
].
. g.
p
_c, _
,,,,,.,.,-c.
8 o.o o q s. _ c.
1,.,~,,~_,,,mm.........,
i l
Mr. Richard V. Clay With regard to your comment urging revocation of Metropolitan Edison Company's operating license, the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be con-ducted to determine whether TMI-1 should be operated and, if so, under what f
conditions the restart would take place. Prior to start of the hearings, the MC 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 pubitc, and the public will be given the opportunity to raise questions and to make statenents. During the hearing, the technical issues that are appropriate to assure the public health and safety l
will also be addressed. In addition, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has 1
indicated that NRC should consider the psghological Impact of future operation on the nearby casununities. A copy of the Cossaission Order that out116es the
)
issues to be considered is also. enclosed for your infomation.
1 As for Unit 2, the licensee has not yet sutstitted to the NRC a proposal for overall plant recovery, although the licensee is conducting feasibility studies.
It is not possible at this time to detemine when such proposals for recovery
'ay be submitted or how much time will be needed for the required reviews and
.pprovals in connection with Unit 2's recovery. I would note, however,-that tha licensee's authority to operate Unit 2, except for those actions necessary to keep the reactor shut down, was suspended by Order of July 20,1^79.
In its Statement of Policy and Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programatic En-viromnental Impact Statment of November 21, 1979, the Comunission stated that the staff would prepare a programmatic enviromental impact statement on the decontxsination and disposal of r:dioactive wastes resulting / rem the accident at Three Mile Island Unit 2.
The statement emphasizes the Commission's inten-tion to coordinate its actions on this matter with the President's Council on Enviromental Quality and to provide the opportunity for public comments. The progracunatic environmental impact statment will focus on the enviromental issues and alternative methods associated with the performance of these cleanup activities.
We appreciate your concerns and assur.e you that every effort is being made to ensure the continued protection. of the health and safety of the public.
Sincerely, I
Penard J. Snyder, Program Director
_. s
, ~ Three Mile Island Progres Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
ERES-0662, vols.1 & 2 2.
Order for Temporary Modification of License of June 12, 1980 3.
Memorandum and Order of June 12, 1980 4.
Order and Notice of Hearing of Anoust 9.1979 OFFsCE.
SURNAME....
DATE.
NQCFORM 318 (9 76) NRCM 0240 DU.S.GOVERPvMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1979 289 369
~
~
Nb. /G, / 780 6e$lemen :
I am u,A+1 10 yem a 6o u+
7 Someth any a f atmost impo r%ce a nc(
- cen cern to m y se lf a nd h uncireds 04 thcusands of other peple.
in our a r e ct.
_I a m of Course j
j referr ny No th e /Vla rch ar, /927 cccx}ent a t Th re e./fli /e Zs /a na, an c) the l
~
Sa h ceyu enf reIease.s of raclocactive mate.ria (r ln to the cdmosphere,
'Ib e main of my letter O to s fr,n y ly(ou.rpose arye outo y.e vege ph tryol/ tan Ec/ ken s y/hcence i
te ortv ate a n u c 6 pou;w p ig,,ff,y.
$cf bad [ rov d Yrnse a nc{ ftme Op 4j 10 he i n eop p c /ent, a n'a n s e m e cf unccwernd, anc/ e tr e m e(y car e. less as fu qs x
i 7; nl. 1 is concerneq/,
TAey ha ve al.co
. hd to th e puloid over and over orain conc erw,iny re\\entes in to 1h e a'f*cs phere.
Z helieu e -th ere have haen vel eases DCCurrlny on,Q n$ OY EVetGl YC E YbP ini Sal accident I avm cienai<n (y j
~
~
g, fe y, aj-Conceeneq/ fu, yn y ou,9 Loe ll a s the wef/ her ny a+ ky'
'?ellow Cibzens.
.It ma Kei
'm e Sick to fbink 'Yl1aY O Vr Sufeee A
in Ybe b anclJ 05 Sucht l%comptYent korons,
[bere$cre Z opan'v1 U rye ycc(
fo re vo ee //fe f Ech hsceiae, Ea we c/on f l1 q. v e to r e lu ve
'flte h17l1YMare I
Ch f45Y /[8drchj Or eV4n MJ o Ue M e e r e. ; y' hekc/ ). C&
W Shells Ef.y
/ebe>,ori,&
O O