ML19351F042
| ML19351F042 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Haddam Neck File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png |
| Issue date: | 11/24/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Pond G CONNECTICUT, STATE OF |
| References | |
| LSO5-80-11-043, LSO5-80-11-43, NUDOCS 8012240441 | |
| Download: ML19351F042 (4) | |
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a November 24, 1980 Docket No. 50-213 LS05-80-11-043 Ms. Gloria Dibble Pond State of CUnnecticut Power Facility Evaluation Council State Office Building
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Dear Ms. Pond:
I am writing in response to your letters of April 24, 1980, and September 17, 1980, concerning the construction of additional low level waste storage facilities on the Haddam Neck Plant site.
I apologize for the delay, but as you can see from the discussion which follows, we have taken some steps since receipt of your letter to look into the issue you have raised.
Changes at operating nuclear power plants can fall into different categories.
For exa@le, if the change is a minor one, the licensee, after performing a sr'ety evaluation, can make the change without receiving prict approval from the NRC. We review such changes after the fact to ascertain that the licensee's judgment was correct. For more significant changes, the licensee is required to obtain our approval prior to making the change.
In the case of the spent resin storage facility at the Haddam Neck Plant, the licensee can proceed with the change without our prior approval so long as the change does not involve an unreviewed safety question or does not involve a change to the license. What constitutes an "unreviewed safety question" is clearly defined in our regulations as any change which increases the probability of an accident; increases the consequences of an accilent; introduces the possibility cf an accident of a different type; or reduces the existing margin of safety. Northeast Utilities, the licensee, has co@leted the required safety evaluation and i:oncluded that the new facility does not require a change in the license nor involve an unreviewed safety question. A copy of their evaluation is ircluded for your information (Enclosure 1).
Because of ycur interest and concern regarding rt.dioactive waste storage and that of others, we have asked for and received information from Northeast Utilities concerning their plans to build the spent resin storage facility.
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Ms. Gloria Dibble Pond In addition, we have conducted at the site an audit inspection of the licensee's safety evaluation. A suanary of that audit is attached (Enclosure 2). On the basis of this information, we have found that the change is acceptable from a safety standpoint and that there is no reason to disagree with the licensee's conclusion regarding the need for prior NRC approval. Accordingly, no further NRC action is planned.
I appreciate your interest in this issue and thank you for writing to us about it.
Sincerely,
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....:a Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
Evaluation 2.
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Dear Commissioner Ahearne:
The Power Facility Evaluation Council (PFEC) for the i
State of Connecticut is in receipt of a petition for a de-claratory ruling from Northeast Utilities acting as agent for Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company, regarding PFEC jurisdiction over a preposed spent resin storage facility at their Haddam Neck, Connecticut nuclear generating facility.
A copy of this petition is attached for your reference.
The Council has withheld action pending investigat'on into the issue of superceding Federal authority. In this regard Mr. Ralph Caruso, the project license manager, has endeavored to respond to the Council's request for NRC input on the extent, if any, of the Commission's jurisdiction in such matters. Our informal discussions with Mr. Caruso have been most he'pful and the Council greatly appreciates his extensive efforts on this matter.
To date, however, the NRC has been unable to provide the Council with a definitive statement of Commission authority for such on-site low level waste storage licensing, although the Council is assured by Northeast Utilities that no such licensing is required. We understand the complexity of the issue and appreciate the careful positions taken by NRC staff.
At this time the Council would like to inform the Commission that it intends to proceed with its considera-tion of this request from Northeast Utilities.
If the NRC has any comment, concern, or recommendation over this specific issue, we respectfully request your response by October 22, 1980, after which date the Council will make its ruling.
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1 Mr. Jchn Ah ctna, Chairman U.S.. Nucle.ar Rsgulatory Commienica p:gt two once again, the Council appreciates the information and assistance that Comission staf f has provided to date.
If there are any specific questions regarding this matter, please contact me immediately.
i Yours very truly, Gloria Dibble Pond Chairperson GDP:CS'4:kis cc: Harold Denton
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PHO%f % 4612 Christopher S. Wood ctosi m sste roso cuunrres "
April 24, 1980 resetrar o'arcroa cowwssws ns nansm v. ct ans Jous t. oo=stv Mr. Ralph Caruso enetrur <ssnrnr 57*'tt* P*c 1.icense Project Manager
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Dear Mr. Caruso:
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As explained to you on April 21, 1980 by our Executive Director, the Power Facility Evaluation Council for the State of Connecticut has been requested by Northeast Utilities Service l
Company to find it has no regulatory jurisdiction for a construc-l tion project involving spent resin storage cells at the Haddam Neck Nuclear Generating Plant.
i The Council has expressed its concern that this project will not cause a significant change in Ony of the physical characteristics of the Haddam Neck facility, including radio-activity levels. Therefore, before ruling that the project.is beyond their statutory jurisdiction, the Council wishes to be assured that all radiological and related safety matters per-taining to this construction will be addressed to the limit of i
NRC jurisdiction.
Specifically, the Council would like to know: (a) will the NRC review completely this construction project to assure conformation with any federal radwaste storage regulations; (b) if the answer to (a) is no, will the NRC certify that the maximum storage of spent resins in this structure will not increase radiation levels beycnd the limits of the plants operating license; and (c) will there be the opportunity for a public hearing in this :aatter?
We will greatly appreciate your earliest reply to this l
inquiry, and if we may offer any further information please contact Mr. Wood at (203) 566-5612. Thank you also for keeping us informed of any developments in this matter.
Yours very truly, l
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