ML19345G002
| ML19345G002 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Dresden  |
| Issue date: | 02/11/1981 |
| From: | Gates M ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| To: | Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8102190707 | |
| Download: ML19345G002 (2) | |
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Department of Energy Washington, D.C. 20585 N
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t-OMce of the SeWE7 Mr. John F. Anearne Doc y [ ce Acting Chairman q,
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission c,1A.-
Washington, D.C.
20555 N
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Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently reviewing a request from Commonwealth Edison Company for a license amendment on technical specifica-tion changes required to chemically decontaminate the primary cooling system of the Dresden Unit i reactor.
This request has been under review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission since December 1974, and the Commission is now considering a petition to hold an additional public hearing. Commission Order No. 50-10, requesting additional information prior to decision on the petition, implies that a public hearing, if required, may be expanded to issues other than the safety of the primary cooling system decontamination.
We arc concerned about the pace of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission action on this proposed jointly funded Department of Energy / Commonwealth Edison Company project. Although the Commission staff concluded in May 1980 that the proposed action is safe and poses no significant environmental impact, a final decision still appears to be some months away. We are also concerned about the delay in reaching a decision in light of the importance.to the nuclear industry of the data and experience to be obtained, and the increasing costs to the taxpayer as a direct result of the delay. Therefore, we urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to act as expeditiously as possiDie to minimize any further delays so that the primary cooling system decontamination can take place.
Specifically, we urge that:
1.
the decision on whether to hold a public hearing be made at once.
2.
if a decision is reached to hold a public hearing:
a.
the hearing should begin at once, and b.. the scope of the hearing should be limited to issues concerning the safety evaluation of the decontamination.
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We believe that a successful demonstration of primary cooling system decontamination at the Dresden Unit i reactor is clearly in the national interest end will provide a technical basis for improved operations at many nuclear facilities.
Accordingly, we again urge the Commission to act expeditiously on this matter.
Si ncerely, Mahlon E. Gates Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy l
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