ML19351G475
| ML19351G475 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/09/1981 |
| From: | Fitzgerald J NRC OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC) |
| To: | Combs J NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8102230858 | |
| Download: ML19351G475 (6) | |
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UNITED STATES y %s, ',g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3
E W ASHINGTON. D. C. 20555
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im NOTE FOR:
Thomas R. Combs, Chief, Correspondence &
Records Branch, SECY f/
FRO!!:
James A.
Fitzgerald ssistant General Counsel
SUBJECT:
INFORf!ATION PROVIDED TRANSITION TEAti It has just come to my attention that the attached document was provided to the Transition Team in December.
Please see that it is properly placed in the PDR and that Dr. Sal Zungoli is aware of it.
He is assuring that these items are retrievable by ADP.
Attachment:
NRC Matters Which Impact on Other Agencies i
CONTACT:
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.a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Matters Which Imoact the Dscartment of Energy a
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Three Mile Island -The most serious problem at TMI is probably the unresolved disposal of high-level wastes to be generated in the moreLadvanced stages of the clean-up. The only possible dispost.1 sites for these wastes are being operated by the Department of Energy. 'The Commission wrote to the Secretary of Energy on October 20th aski,ng for assistance with this problem, but no reply has been received to date. A secc idary problem is ~the permanent disposal of the low-level wastes now being stored on site', as no commercial disposal site is available and long-term storage at TMI is undesirable.
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Direct Federal Government actions and pa'rticipation may be necessary
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to assure the timely clean-up of TMI-2 and disposal of the resulting wastes.
Federal takeover of the TMI-2 reactor cannot be ruled out as a solution to the financial problems and to the wa~ste disposal problems.
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Waste Manaaement - As the result of a law suit, the Commission is in the midst of a proceeding to assess whether high-level wastes can be' safely stored and eventually safely disposed of.
In a previous decision in 1977, the Coccissioners felt confident that the waste problem could be resolved but stated that they'would not continue to license reactors if they lacked such confidence at any time in the future. The outcome of the present proceeding could, therefore, affect reactor licensing.
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Nuclear Reculatory Co=ission Matters Which Imoact tha State Deoartment
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?Eb-Siting,- In July 1980, the NRC published an Advanced Notice of
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Proposed Ruler.aking on siting of nuclear power plants which advocates remote siting. The NRC recommendations are being severely criticized
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abroad By countries who fear that their own public will demand
.similar siting restrictions, particularly since most of these countries have higher population densities and lack the land ares necessary to adopt such siting policies.
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Exoort Licensing - The new administration should be aware of the cifference of opinion that exists between'the State Department and NRC on the interpretation of Section 129 of the Atomic Energy Act.
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" Nuclear Regulatory Comission Matters Which Imoact the Fcderal i
Emergency Management Agency,
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Emergency Preparedness - The Federal Emergency Management Agency i
(FEM).and the NRC have restructured their priorities for emergency planning after the accident at TMI, with FEMA now responsible for all off-site.ectivities and NRC responsible for those on-site.
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Problems of coordinating and financing the required emergency plans are surfacing with state and local governments, since the 10-mile evacuation radius around a plant can encompass many.. local jurisdictions and, in some cases, more than one state. The operation of some new nuclear plants may be delayed,because of inadequate emergency preparedness.
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I-t!ucicar R ulatory Co:raission laatters Which Imoact the Decartment of Justice
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Deoartin't of Justice Assistance - The Department of Justice did not support the tiRC case in a recent suit on the need for t hearing for tiRC approval of venting the TMI-2 containment. The cou.ts' decision.will have a major impact on NRC's ability to make license amendments.* The court especially noted the Department of Justice
' opposition to the tiRC position.
The tiRC is seriously considering asking the Supreme Court to Review. Department of Justice support.
would be ' essential for success of such a petition.
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a The Court of Appeals decided against the fiRC.
The court decision means the fiRC must hold a hearing prior to issuing any amendment (even minor amendments which involve:: no "significant hazards con-sideration") whenever someone has expressed sufficient interest in the proposed action.
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0 Nuclear Reoulatory Commission Matters Which Impact the Interior Departm:nt
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Geolocic' Survey Assistance - Th: expertise of the Geologic Survey is needen by NRC for the seismic review of nuclear power plant license. epplications. The support of the Geologic Survey has been-weakenisg. This will impact the timeliness of some licensing actions.
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