ML19343A372
| ML19343A372 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 08/14/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Michael Brown AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19343A374 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8009170285 | |
| Download: ML19343A372 (2) | |
Text
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gg 141980 Ms. Mary Brown P.O. Box 246 Ventura, California 93001
Dear Ms. Brown:
Your letter to the Commission regarding the release of radioactive wastes from the Three Mile Island nuclear station has been referred to me for response. I regret that this answer has been delayed for so long.
Your letter refers to releases of radioactive steam from Three Mile Island. No such releases have occurred, nor are any planned. However, Metropolitan Edison Company submitted to NRC a " Safety Analysis and Environmental Report" (November 13, 1979) in which it evaluated alternative methods for the disposal of krypton gases from the reactor building, such as purging, cryogenic processing, and se-1ective absorption. NRC also evaluated alternative methods for disposal of the krypton gas to determine 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 com-
. ment on March 26, 1980, and received approximately 800 comments. These comments were considered in the staff's preparation of the " Final Environmental Assess-ment for Decontamination of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Building Atmo-sphere" (NUREG-0662), vols. I and 2, copies of which are enclosed for your information.
From this process have emerged the following NRC staff conclusions:
- The potential physical health impact on the public of using a_ny 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.
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- 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 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 Commission issuances are also enclosed.
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Ms. Mary Brown Your letter also refers to transportation of radioactive wastes from Three Mlle Island. The transportation and final disposition of these wastes will be addressed in NRC's programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) on the decontamination and disposal of radioactive wastes resulting from the accident. The PEIS emphasizes the Commission's intention to coordinate its action' on this matter with the President's Council on Environmental Quality and to provide the opportunity for public comments.
With regard to your concern about the release of cutaminated water, except for releases to the Susquehanna River of liquids containing only low or non-detectable levels of radioactivity, such releaser. are not currently permitted.
The Commission has authorized use of the EPIC 0R-II water treatment system for processing the waste water stored in tanks in the auxiliary building. We do not currently permit the discharge of water processed by the EPICOR-II system.
The disposal of the water processed by EPICOR-II will also be addressed in the PEIS being prepared on the decontamination and disposal of radioactive wastes at Three Mile Island.
Copies of the PEIS will be made available for public com-ment. Metropolitan Edison has not yet submitted a proposal on the disposal method of the decontaminated water.
As a resuit of releases containing only low or nondetectable levels of radio-activity, the levels of radioactivity in the Susquehanna are indistinguishable from existing background levels at public water supply intakes from the river.
These levels have been confirmed by independent measurements made by the NRC,
,the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
With regard to your comments concerning the possible future operation of TMI-1, i
the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether 'the facility should be operated and, if so, under what conditions the restart 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 psychological impact of future operation on the nearby communities. A copy of the Commission Order that outlines the issues to be considered is also 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 submitted 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 keep the reactor shut down, was tuspended by Order of July 20, 1979.
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Ms. Mary Brown We 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, W
Bernard J. Snyder, Program Director Three Mile Island Program Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
NUREG-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 August 9,1979 i