ML19344F408
| ML19344F408 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 07/31/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Kelley S AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19344F409 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8009150240 | |
| Download: ML19344F408 (2) | |
Text
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DISTRIBUTION Docket 50-239 DEisenhut PDR AFerguson (NRR #3724)
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i HRDenton EGCase Ms. Suzanne Kelley 11165 Hortense Street HBerkow/WRussell I
North Hollywood, California 91602_
RDeYoung Dross RMattson
Dear Ms. Kelley:
Your letter to President Carter was referred to the Nuclear Regulatory Con nission for response.
I regret that this answer to your letter has been delayed for so long.
With regard to your coments concerning the possible future operation of Three Mile Island, the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be con-ducted to determine whether TMI Unit 1 should be operated and, if so, under what conditions the restart would take place. Frior to start of the hearings, the NRC staff will conduct a review of technical infomation 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 I
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 addressed. 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 Comission Order that out-lines the issues to be considered is enclosed for your infomation.
With regard to 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 subnitted or how much time will be needed for the required re-views and approvalt in connection with Unit 2's recovery.
I would note, however, that the licensee's authority to operate Unit 2, except for those actions neces-sary to hep the reactor shut down, was suspended by Order of July 20, 1979.
l With regard to your concern about the purging of the radioactive krypton gas 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 i
it evaluated alternative methods for the di.sposal of the krypton gases, such as t
. purging, cryogenic processing, and selective absorption. NRC also evaluated i
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 80091503/fD.
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t Ms. Suzanne Kelley JUL31iSD envirorment. Based on its evaluation NRC issued an environental assessment (ftJREG-0662 and two addenda) for public comment on March 26, 1980, and received approximately 800 comments. These comments were cons Mered in the staff's preparation of the " Final Environmental Assessment for Decontamination of the l
Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Building Atmosphere" (NUREG-0662), vols. I and
- 2. copies of which are enclosed for your infonnation.
From this process have emerged the following NRC staff conclusions:
- The potential physical health impact on the. public of using Janof 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.
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- 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 j-of m of the alternatives discussed in.the assessme?.t.
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 Connission discussed rationale for its decision. Actual venting opera-tions began on June 28, 1980. Copies of both Commission issuances are also enclosed.
The $400 million figure that you quote was Metropolitan Edison's estimate of decontamination and recovery costs. Although NRC must' review and approve all proposed cleanup operations at Three Mile Island, costs associated with these operations are the sole responsibility of the utility, Metropolitan Edison.
I am pleased to provide you with this information.
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Sincerely.
er ard J. Snyder, Program Director Three Mile Island Program Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
Order and Notice of Hearing of August 9,1979 2.
NUREG-0662, vols.1 & 2 l
3.
Order for Temporary Modification of License of June 12, 1980 l
4.
Mannrandum ar d Order nf lune IL 10Rn
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