ML20003G148
| ML20003G148 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 04/21/1981 |
| From: | Dunbar P MARYLAND, STATE OF |
| To: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8104280379 | |
| Download: ML20003G148 (7) | |
Text
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ENERGY OFFICE JAMES 3 COULTER sacastant POWER PLANT SITING PROGR AM STATE OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ENERGY ADMINISTRATION TAWES STATE OFFICE BUILDING ANNAPOLIS 21401 (3011 269-2261 l
April 21,1981
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Dr. Bernard Snyder h
Program Director TMI Program Office Oj
']PE 2 7 /gg7 h, 2 ce of Nuclear Reaction Regulation N
Washington, D. C. 20555 8
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Dear Dr. Snyder:
m As you know, Maryland is considering the initiation of a study to provide input regarding the socioeconomic risk attached to an option of discharging the TMI processed water into the Susquehanna River. Attached is a working outline indicating a possible approach to this question.
I would like to solicit your suggestions pertaining to the development of a more specific definition of tasks. Hopefully I can gain any input from your prior to or at the May 5 meeting with Henry Wagner (Johns Hopkins University).
Please give me a call if you wish, but realize our need to maintain an independent perspective.
Very truly yours, D-
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Peter M. Dunbar Administrator of Site Evaluations PD/ra Enc.
6104280 S s3 Sel
SECTION III SCOPE OF WORK Objective In March of 1981 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the final Environmental Impact Statement regarding the cleanup of Three Mile Island.
Among the cleanup options considered in that statement is included a dis-charge of processed radioactive wastewater into the Susquehanna River.
It is desirable that the Maryland Power Plant Siting Progrcm (MPPSP) should evaluate the potential of adverse reactions by consumers of Bay seafood products to such a processed water discharge. Maryland's in-
' entions in performing such a study are to independently develop inform-t ation to supplement and complement information expected to be developed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Consequently, this study will serve as background to the formulation of the State's position with re-spect to participation in.any NRC decision making process.
Program Office Descriptian The Power Plant Siting program was established in 1971 to insure that demands for electric power will be met in a timely manner at reasonable cost while assuring that the natural environment is protected. The scope of the Program extends to predicting the impact of proposed new generating 6
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f ac ilities, assessing the impact of existing generating f acilities, acquiring sites for utilities unable to find a suitable site for needed generation, and investigating numerous information gaps through a long-range research program.
With the exception of radiological studies, the majority of work is performed by physical and biological scientists working for PPSP on a contractual basis. The work is administered by PPSP staff, who integrate results into the various decision processes concerning siting and impact questions.
kadiological analysis is performed by Power Plant Siting staf f mem-l bers. With respect to the Three Mile Island incident these individuals have been actively involved in comment and technical monitoring since the w
w March 1979 ' event. Specific data has been and pill continue to be col-1ected and analyzed independently of all other agencies and utility groups. The nee _d to maintain these independent radiological capabilities is well recognized.
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Background
l The TMI accident generated approximately 1.5 million gallons of con-taminated water. About 50% of this water has been treated via the Epicor II system and is stored on site.
Pending NRC approval, the remaining l
l water will be processed by the +.2bmerged demineralizer system (SDS) and also stored on site. Procer Jing vill reduce all radionuclide concentra-tions except tritium to trace levels. Trititum cannot be removed with such methods. The cotal amount present will be approximately 4000 Ci.
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I Through its own sampling and analysis capabilities the program of fice has verified the concentration of radionuclides present af ter processing.
Similar independent verification will be applied to SDS processed water.
Furthermore, the of fice has concluded that there are no adverse radio-l ecological or health impacts to the residents of Maryland or to biota in the Bay should the processed water be discharged into the Susquehanna l
river.
However, this office is concerned that the public reaction to the discharge option could adversely impact the economic structure and con-i tinued vo.* bility of Bay fishery industries through a mechanism of con-ca sumer avoidance based on fear. This possibility is mentioned in the NRC's final programmatic impact statement.
It is expected that the NRC will
' perform c6mprehensive studies of the socioeconomic impacts of the various l
options and the State is not interested in duplicating those studies. The State is however desirous of developing information to serve as background to the formulation of its Gescudo position with respect to participation in any future NRC decision making process.
l Requirements l
l l
In general, the requirement of this office is that the vendor design and implement a study to assess the potential socioeconomic impacts on Maryland associated with a discharge of processed TMI accident water into 9
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the Susquehanna River.
The approach to this problem must be clearly stated and the capability to implement and complete any such study must be indicated.
The successful vendor will exhibit a capability to acquire an in depth understanding of the somewhat unique nature of the Chesapeake Bay Fishery industry, the nature of enployment as a Bay Waterman, and the community-economic interlacing which exists. The vendor must be able to understand the nature of the t roduct market and the extent of competition from other regions. Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and pleasure boating should also be considered.
The vendot must be able to research the historical record to ascertain events which resulted in consumer avoidance or, on the other hand, events
'in which an ^ expected. consumer avoidance did not materialize. It is re-cognized that no one past event is entirely similar to the situation at hand; however, the_ vendor must be able to evaluate various aspects of other events which could provide indications as to what could be the case with a discharge from TMI.
The vendor must be able to evaluate the various arguments reinting to the discharge option in terms of any impact they may have upon the potential of an avoidance reaction.
This evaluation must include an understanding of the current and projected role which the media could play in influencing public We. opes =4
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the Susquehanna River.
The approach to this problem must be clearly stated and the capability to implement.and complete any such study must be indicated.
- The successful vendor will exhibit a capability to acquire an in depth understanding of the somewhat unique nature of the Chesapeake Bay Fishery industry, the nature of employment as a Bay Waterman, and the community-economic interlacing which exists. The vendor must be able to underetand the nature of the product market and the extent of competition from other regions. Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and pleasure boating should also be considered.
The vendor must be able to research the historical record to ascertain events which resulted in consumer avoidance or, on the other hand, events
'in which an expected consumer avoidance did not materialize. It is re-cognized that r.o one past event is entirely similar to the situation at hand; however, the vendor must be able to evaluate various aspects of other events which could provide indications as to what could be the case with a discharge from TMI.
The vendor must be able to evaluate the various arguments relating to the discharge option in terms of any impact they may have upon the potential of an avoidance reaction.
This evaluation must include an understanding of the current and projected role which the media could play in influencing public cp Er_ ops *4
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e Althoughessential'thatthevendorbeabletoaddresstheaboveissuef it is also expected that the vendor would be able to go beyond these points and identify other important issues in a risk assessment of this r
nature.
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