ML20003E257
| ML20003E257 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Black Fox |
| Issue date: | 03/02/1981 |
| From: | Dillon T ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| To: | Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20003E254 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8104020677 | |
| Download: ML20003E257 (6) | |
Text
b' Department of Energy Washington, D.C. 20545 MAR 2 1981 Mr. William Dircks Executive Director for Operations U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
Dear Mr. Dircks:
The enclosed correspondence from the Oklahoma Association of Electric Coopera-tives has been directed to the Department of Energy. The contents indicate that the entirety of Resolution 9 and a substantial portion of Resolution 10 fall within the purview of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Accordingly, we are forwarding a copy to you for consideration along with a copy of our reply.
Sincerely.
Thomas A. Dillon l
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactor Programs l
Office of Nuclear Energy 3
Enclosures:
Incoming Correspondence, January 22, 1981 l
"Resolutf or.s 9 and 10,"
January 14, 1981 Letter, Dillon to Birdwell 0104Og
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OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES 232S N E. [XPRESSWAY. P.O. BOX 11047. OKL AHOMA CITY,0KL AtlOMA 73136
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TENYS PAR R, P esident e L6ndsay, Oklahoma D. DE AN SANGER, Vice-President e Ven 6t a. Oklah oma R ALPH WILSON, Secretary e Hulbert, Oklahoma
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January 22, 1981 President Ronald Reagan White llouse Washington, D.C.
Dear President Reagan:
The delegates to the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives annual meeting on January 14 voted to approve the following Resolutions dealing with streamlining of nuclear plant licensing and further development of nuclear power.
We will appreciate your favorable reaction to these Resolutions.
Si cerely i
l liarry Bir iwell GeneralF(nager IIB /nc Encl.
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RESOLUTIONS January 14, 1981 II.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION (Continued)
RESOLUTION 7 - Urge Rejection of, Heritage Foundation (Continued)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we express to Congress our feeling that the Federal Power Marketing program is an eminently sound means of disposing of federal power in a manner which maximizes the benefits to the consumers of this Nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we direct copics of this Resolution to the Oklahoma Congressional delegation.
RESOLUTION 8 - Encourage Adequate REA Loan Programs WHEREAS the Rural Electric Cooperatives can meet their responsi-bility only if they are able to obtain a large and growing volume of capital resources, and WHEREAS the REA insured and guaranteed loan programs provide the greater portion of the capital supply for the Nation's RECS, and WHEREAS Director-Designate of the Office of Management and Budget, David Stockman, has indicated an opposition to programs which utilize the FFB; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates to the 39th annual meeting of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives that we urge the members of Congress and the Reagan Administration to continue the REA loan programs since they are essential to the good health of Rural Electrification and thht the insured loan demand for 1981 will continue to reficct the need for a vigorous program; BE IT FURTHER RESCLVED that we stress the need for the guaranteed loan program which provides funding for generation facilities without direct cost to the Federal budget through a favorable agreement with the Federal Finance Bank, at market rates
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of interest.
Be it noted that any costs to the government are i
1 more than off-set by the interest surcharge imposed by the FFB.
- Finally, l
BE IT RESOLVED that we do all within our powe; to influence the Administration to recommend the continuation of the REA loan programs at a level consistent with the needs of the program.
A copy of this Resolution shall be directed to the Oklahoma Congressional delegation.
III.
FEDERAL POLICIES
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( ESOLUTIGN 9 - Urge Streamline of Nuclear Plant Licensing f
WHEREAS the process of securing construction permits for i,
s nuclear generation facilities has become overly burdensome, and i
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l WilEREAS mcny of th3 Nation's utility construction progrems are c't virtuni stendstill bsecuse construction permits for nuclear facili-g I
ties have not been issued, causing great delay and cost escalations,i and WHEREAS we believe the nuclear alternative must play a l
significant role in this country's cicctrical generation capacity, and WilEREAS the use of nuc? car fuel provides significant cost benefits to ratepayers over other conventional fuel sources:
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RESOLUTIONS January 14, 1981 III.
FEDERAL POLICIES (Continued) h LUTI
- Urce Streamline o_f, Nuc1 car Plant Licensine (Continued) f NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates to the 39th annual meeting of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives assembled this 14th day of January,1981 that we continue to encourage the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Adminis-tration to streamline the process of nucicar plant licensing; DE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to quickly consider and grant a full construction permit for Black Fox Station.
h0LUTION10)-UrgeFurtherDevelopment of Nuclear Power WHEREAS this Nation's concern over energy availability, and predictions of pending shortages require that we utilize every available energy alternative, and l
WHEREAS we believe that nuclear fuel constitutes one of the most immediate and useful sources of energy, and WHEREAS we believe that the safety of nuclear power has been adequately established; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates to the 39th annual meeting of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Coopera-tives assembled this 14th day of January,1981 that we reiterate for the development of nuclear power including light our support water reactors, the breeder reactor and nuclear fuel reprocessing; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge President-Elect Reagan to fill appointments on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with those who advocate a pro-development philosophy; BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we continue our efforts to pursue a construction permit for the Black Fox Station near Inola, Oklahoma.
RESOLUTION 11 - Urge Reconsideration of Requiring EIS e
5tatements on certain Transmission and j
Distribution Line Construction l
i WHEREAS the REA at the insistence of the Council on Environ-
) mental Quality (CEQ) has begun to require environmental reports (impact reports) on the construction of transmission lines below 230 kilo volts and on new distribution lines, and WHEREAS we believe requiring impact statements on distribution line exceeds the intent of REA Bulletin 20-21 which states Environmental Impact Statements will be required on " electrical
, transmission lines and associated equipment designed for or
' capable of operations at normal voltage of 230 kilo volts or more",#
- and WHEREAS the requirement of Environmental Impact Statements mineinn the Drh in the untenable
p::sition of delaying service, and
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WHEREAS investor-owned utilities are not required to make 1
i! costly end time consuming environmental reviews before extending i
' service lines, and r
WHEREAS delays can cost jobs and industries may be discouraged by locating in rural areas because of time delays, and
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WHEREAS the requirement of Environmental Impact' Statements--
deny RECS the ability to add stable loads to their systems;
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Department of Energy Washington, D.C. 20545 MAR 2 1981 Mr. Harry W. Birdwell General Manager Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives 2325 N.E. Expressway, Post Office Box 11047 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73136
Dear Mr. Birdwell:
kour letter regarding resolutions dealing individually with nuclear plant licensing and nuclear power development was forwarded to this office for consideration.
Inasmuch as matters pertaining to the licensing, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants are under the cognizance of the Nuclear Regulatory Connission, we are forwarding a copy of your latter to them for appropriate action with respect to the majority of the contents of Resolu-tions 9 and 10.
We in the Office of Nuclear Energy share your enthusiasm for the further
-development of safer, more efficient, more economical, and more readily acceptable methods of producing nuclear-electric energy.
One of the most important things we can do to help solve our Nation's energy problem is to get the nuclear industry back on track again. To do so will require a stable and predictable licensing environment. Therefore, the Department of Energy will support activities to provide for streamlined licensing and siting of nuclear power plants. However, the nuclear industry's problems (as illustrated by 44 reactors canceled in the last 4 years) cannot be attributed solely to an uncertain regulatory environment.
Inflation, with its associated increases in the cost of capital, and diminished load growth forecasts have led to criticism and curtailment of utilities' plans for expan-sion. It is, therefore, imperative that we accurately assess our electrical requirements for the future in order to prevent low electrical growth projec-tions from becoming self-fulfilling prophesies. The Nation cannot afford a shortfall in electricity and maintain a healthy economy. Thus, the President's detennination to bring inflation under control is a vital ingredient in revitalizing our nuclear industry.
It is clear that a vigorous and balanced nuclear technology program will be required to meet our energy needs.
I anticipate that this program, when fully formulated, will involve a major effort to close the light water reactor fuel cycle, put in place the reprocessing activity required to support a breeder reactor development program, and work towards developing the technology to l
2 close the breeder fuel cycle. Thus, I believe, we will set in motion the effort to regain our lead in nuclear technology and restore confidence in our connitment to rely on nuclear energy as a major contributor to our future energy supply.
Thank you for your continued interest in our program.
Sincerely, l3l Thomas A. Dillon Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactor Programs Office of Nuclear Energy
Enclosure:
Letter, Dillon to Dircks, NRC P
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