ML19344E132
| ML19344E132 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 08/11/1980 |
| From: | Synder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Rech E AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19344E133 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8008260738 | |
| Download: ML19344E132 (3) | |
Text
..
o owcm 8
UNITED STATES
)U
[
g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j
~
~
g e;
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 y
\\...../
/
Mr. Edward L. Rech Box 670, RD #3 Duncann;n, Pennsylvania 17020
Dear Mr. Rech:
I am writing in response to your article and letter to Commissioner Hendrie regarding the accident at Three Mile Island.
I regrit that this answer to your lett.c has been delayed for so long.
With regard to your concern about gaseous releases from the reactor building of TMI Unit 2, 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 the krypton gases, such as purging, cryogenic pro-cessing, and selective absorption. NRC also evaluated alternative methods for disposal of the krypton gas to determine what effcct decontamination would hr.ve 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.
From this process have emerged the following NRC staff conclusions:
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 ccmplete the process.
The purging method is the quickest and the safest for the workers on Three Mile Island to accomplish.
Overall, na significant environmental impact would result from use '
of an of the alternatives discussed in the assessment.
l 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 ar.d Order, also issued on June i
12, the Commission discussed rationale for its decision. Actual venting opera-tions began on June 28, 1900, and were completed on July 11, 1980. Copies of both Commission issuances are also enclosed.
g$IlpS DOCUMENT CONTAINS
,80082603 96 P00R QUAUTY PAGES
Mr. Edward L. Rech In response to your suggestion that " opinions and concerns of the citizens" be "taken into consideration in any decision making process regarding future utilization" of TMI, the Commission has stated that the staff will prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) on the decontamination and disposal of radioactive wastes resulting from the accident at TMI-2. The PEIS emphasizes the Commission's intention to coordinate its actions on this matter with the President's Council on Environmental Quality and to provide the oppor-tunity for public comments.
With regard to your concern about the release of contaminated water, except for releases to the Susquehanna River of liquids containing only low or nondetectable levels of radioactivity, such releases are not currently permitted. The Com-mission has authorized use of the EPICOR-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 systs. The disposal of the water processed by EPICOR-II will 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 comment. Metropolitan Edison has not yet submitted a proposal on the disposal method of the decon-taminated water.
As a result 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.
The Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether TMI Unit 1 should be operated and, if se, 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 irm that are appropriate to assure the public health and safety will also bu addressed.
- k. 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 outlires 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 thc>e actions necessary to keep the reactor shut down, was suspended by Order of ousy 20, 1979.
Mr. Edward L. Rech To address your connent regarding the " harmful radiation... released upon the public," the small dose of radiation that people in the area received came from radioactive gases that escaped from the auxiliary building. The average dose of radioactivity the population within 50 miles of TMI received was approximately 4 millirems. The maximum exposure to any individual was less than 100 milli-rems, which is less than the yearly dose each person receives as a result of natural background radiation. Doses at these levels result in less than one health effect over the lifetime of all people in this area. Natural background radiation people in the Harrisburg area receive is approximately 125 millirems per year. To put these doses into perspective, note that a traveler flying round trip by jet from New York to Los Angeles receives 5 millirems of cosmic rays.
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,
/ O b - 9 d. n s. k j.G.
Bernard J. Snyder, Program Director Three Mile Island Program Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
NUREG-0652, iols.1 & 2 2.
Order for Temporary Modification of License of June 12, 1930 3.
Memorandum and Order of June 12, 1980 4
Order and Notice of Hearing of August 9,1979
~
+,
we,