ML19339B056
| ML19339B056 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 10/20/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Lowry J AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19339B057 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8011060237 | |
| Download: ML19339B056 (2) | |
Text
[d.dA t-Ms. Janet Lowry 225 Albion Place Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
Dear Ms. Lowry:
Your letter to President Carter opposing the release of krypton-85 from the Three Mile Island nuclear station was referred to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for response.
I regret that this answer has been delayed. The i
accident and its consequences have created a substantial increase in the agency's workload, which has prevented us from responding to you as promptly as we would have liked.
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 detemine what effect decontamination would have on workers, on public health and safety, and on the environment. Based on its evaluation, NRC issued an environmental assessment (NUREG-0662 and two addenda) for public comment on March 26, 1980, and received approximately 800 comments.
These comments 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" (NUREG-0662), vols. I and 2, copies of which are enclosed for your information.
1 From this process have energed the following NRC staff conclustens:
- The potential physical health impact on the public of using any of the proposed strategies for removing the krypton-85 is negligible.
- The potential psychological impact is likely to grow the longer it takes 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 Commission 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 Of FICE SURNAYEk oue K.
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!!s. Janet Loury 12, 1930, the Commission discussed rationale for its decision. Actual purging operations began on June 28, 1980, and were completed on July 11, 1930. The doses resulting from the purge were wall within those predicted in section 7.1 of volume 1 of !!RC's final envirormental assessment. Copies of both Commission issuances are also enclosed.
Your letter urges that an independent committee, rather than the flRC, oversee cleanup operations :,t 111I. The licensee has the primary responsibility to physically carry out decontamination operations. The fiRC was created by Con-gress to regulate the commercial use of nuclear energy. Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, fiRC has the authority to revoke licenses, take posses-sion of special nuclear material (uranium fuel), and license other organizations if necess6ry. tiRC can, in an extreme case, operate a nuclear facility if it deems such operation necessary to protect the public health and safety. Should lietropolitan Edison be unable to carry out decontamination operations adequately, a number of options are possible, including tiRC's licensing another organization to run the facility or fiRC's operating the facility itself. Presently,12 Com-mission professional representatives are at the TI!I site. Their task is to re-view all proposed clearup plans, including the review and approval of detailed operating procedures, and to maintain surveillance of those operations that f!RC has authorized. flo future actions can be taken at the site without the fiRC's review and approval.
I am pleased to provid with this infomation.
Sincerely,
/
.3 Bernard J. Snyder, Program Director Three 11tle Island Program Office Office of ?!uclear Reactor Regulation Cnclosures:
1.
?!UREG-0SG2, vols.1 & 2 2.
Order for Temporary !!adification of License of June 12, 1930 3.
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