ML19351D434

From kanterella
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Requests Comments on Possibility of Me Electricity Consumers Paying Part of Costs for Facility Decontamination.Amend Was Unanimously Adopted by Senate During NRC FY81 Authorization, to Require Nrc/Gao to Study Util Financial Viability
ML19351D434
Person / Time
Site: Maine Yankee
Issue date: 08/12/1980
From: Mitchell G
SENATE
To: Ahearne J
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML19351D431 List:
References
NUDOCS 8010100125
Download: ML19351D434 (1)


Text

'

,6

, uLsnt 1

n

?JCnifeb Sfafes Senafe

-v r

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20510 August 12, 1980.

John F.-~Ahearne, Chairman 1

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H St., N.W.

Washington, D.C.

20555

Dear Commissioner Ahearne:

A wire service story of Saturday, August 9, indicated that General Public Utilities Corporation, the parent company'of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, suggested the full-costs of the Three Mile Island shutdown -- S760 million'-- be shared by all the nation's consumers of nuclear-generated electricity.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission ordered the Maine Yankee plant to close down for safety reasons associated with possible earthquake threats last year, a shutdown which will cost Maine Yankee consumers $20 million.

This cost is being borne by Maine j

consumers,.not by the consumers 6f Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

I am concerned about'the implications of the Corporations suggestion fri sharing the costs of the Three Mile Island shutdown on a nationwide basis.

That implies that Maine's consumers would have to pay, not only for_the lost time and increased costs associated with the plant in.their state, but also for the costs. associated u{ththeaccidentinPennsylvania.

When the Senate considered the 1981 authorization of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an amendment was unanimously adopted to require a study by the Commission and the General Accounting Office of the continued-financial viability of.the General Public Utilities Corporation, in light of the costs associated with Three Mile Island.

I hope this_ study will develop options to deel with the financial needs of the Corporation which will not place a burden on non-consumers of its product.

)

I would be interested in knowing the Commission's stand on this cost-sharing proposal, and will look forward to hearing from you soott.

Sincerely, fit (% f.

Y George J. Mitchell United States Senator 8010100 lgf

,