ML19344C803

Response from NEIMA Local Community Advisory Board Questionnaire 10-29-2019 J Semancik

ML19344C803
Person / Time
Site:	Millstone, Haddam Neck  File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png
Issue date:	10/29/2019
From:	Semancik J Nuclear Energy Advisory Council
To:	Reactor Decommissioning Branch
Conway K
References
Download: ML19344C803 (3)

Text

From: Jeff Semancik, CT Nuclear Energy Advisory Council To: NEIMA108 Resource

Subject:

Response from "NEIMA Local Community Advisory Board Questionnaire" Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2019 1:25:23 PM Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by Jeff Semancik, CT Nuclear Energy Advisory Council (jeffrey.semancik@ct.gov) on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 13:33:09 through the IP 148.184.182.44 using the form at https://www.nrc.gov/waste/decommissioning/neima-local-comm-advisory-board-questionnaire.html and resulted in this email to neima108.resource@nrc.gov related-site: Millstone and Haddam Neck (CT) cab-question1: The Nuclear Energy Council (NEAC) was established in 1996 to provide the public with a forum to comment on the recovery efforts of the Millstone Nuclear Power Plants, then operated by Northeast Utilities. The legislation provided NEAC with the authority to liaison with the NRC and the Utility Management as well as hear from citizens regarding their concerns about Nuclear Power and plant operations.

Initially NEAC had a member that had unfettered access to the site and monitored the two plants, reporting to NEAC with a copy to Plant Management. This monitoring ceased after Dominion managers showed that they were able to provide safe operation of the plants.

A subcommittee of NEAC was formed to monitor the shutdown and SAFSTORE of Millstone One. This committee was disbanded when those operations were complete.

cab-question2: NEAC was established by an Act of the State Legislature, signed by the Governor in June 1996. The "charter for NEAC" is Connecticut General Statutes CGS 16a-11a.

cab-question3: Initially NEAC met monthly to cover the recovery efforts of Millstone One and Two by Northeast Utilities. After the recovery was completed and the facility sold to Dominion, NEAC settled on meeting quarterly. It continues to meet quarterly and provides an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature. All meetings are open to the public and subject to the State Freedom of Information Act.

cab-question4: Historically, NEAC was composed of cross section of professional experience. Generally two to three members are retired Submarine Officers with experience operating and supervising a nuclear power plant. At least one member was an elected State Legislator. One member represented the Licensee. Initially this was a Plant Vice President but now it is someone who is a former high level Plant Manager. Other members were from Academia and interested citizens.

The Committee tries to maintain this level of experience today.

cab-question5: Members are appointed by the Governor and leaders of the State House and Senate and CEOs of municipalities hosting the power plants according to the State Statue.

This has not changed.

cab-question6: There are no specific terms for members. One member has been on NEAC since it was established.

cab-question7: NEAC follows Robert's Rules of Order and the State Freedom of Information Act.

cab-question8: There are no specific logistics supporting NEAC meetings. One of the members takes minutes that are then posted on the DEEP web site and included in the annual report to the Governor and the Legislature.

cab-question9: Initially, NEAC received a small dollar amount from the State budget that were used for travel by some members to Washington or other locations for conferences. Today, NEAC gets no funds from the State and any expenditures are borne by the individual members.

cab-question10: NEAC holds an annual joint meeting with the NRC, has a brief by the Licensee and additional meetings with subject matter experts on storage and transporting of high and low level radioactive material.

Annual reports accessible from https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2713&q=457004&deepNav_GID=1639 provide topics covered by NEAC.

cab-question11: NEAC is unique in that it monitors two operating plants and one SAFSTORE plant. There is generally a lively dialog between NEAC and the Licensee during its annual briefing. The Licensee generally responds to NEAC when a question is not answered at the meeting.

the Annual Report is intended to inform the Governor and the legislature to allow them to take any necessary action.

cab-question12: NEAC has an annual joint meeting with the NRC. The NRC conducts its annual performance public meeting for the Millstone site in conjunction with the NEAC meeting.

cab-question13: The public has the opportunity to attend all NEAC meetings and the ability to comment during the meeting. All minutes are included in the annual reports available to public on the DEEP website at https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2713&q=457004&deepNav_GID=1639 cab-question14: NEAC provides a platform for the public and for the licensee to interact in a neutral arena. It provides the NRC with a platform to reach the public when it gives the annual update. NEAC serves as a year round civilian monitoring of plant activities. NEAC is able to calm citizen concerns through public meetings and factual presentations. Improves public confidence by having local experts review and listen to utility and NRC actions affecting safety.

cab-question15: None.

cab-question16: Public meetings Citizen participation in monitoring practices at the local plant In the beginning there is great public interest but as the licensee gets a handle on a problem and is able to explain in a neutral arena public concern is satisfied and attendance drops off.

NEAC's power is a bully pulpit that keeps the licensee "honest" and helps stop the spread of misinformation about the plant.

When tension's are high, giving a knowledgeable NEAC member access to the site for monitoring plant practices assisted both the licensee and the public nocab-question1:

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