ML20005B399

Opposes Interim Licensing of Facilities

ML20005B399
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	06/28/1981
From:	Johnson B LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ROCKFORD, IL
To:	NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY)
References
NUDOCS 8107080175
Download: ML20005B399 (1)

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LEAGUE OF WOMEN Rockford, June 28, 1981 IL 61107 VOTERS OF ROCKFORD ROCKFORD . . ILLI Er N/ ,v t. _

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Dear Sir:

The League of Women Voters of Rockford Illinoiss'trongly opposes the proposed regulation to permit Interim Licensing of Nuclear power plants because '

the thorough review and hearinas needed for granting an operating license will become meaningless if delayed until after any type of fuel loading and power testing is allowed.

The Rockford League is an intervenor in the operating license for the Nuclear power station at Byron, Illinois. The contnentions included in the League's intervention list unresolved safety problems which must be taken care of before fuel loading and operation to ensure a safe and economically sound plant.

Contrary to NRC reasons for proposing Interim Licensing, the League's contentions, based on a report o' independent nuclear engineers, show that unresolved problems will cost several million dollars more to fix through backfiftting or retor-fitting after start i!p of the Byron Nuclear power plant. As the past record of nuclear power plants clearly shows break downs, slow downs and shut downs after the plants start operating can cause extra releases of radiation. They also cut the nuclear plant's capacity to produce power, as well as adding to the cost bt$en of consumers and taxpayers. Id thesp problems are corrected now before start up of the nuclear plants.; the NRC, Utility 5and consumers will all benefit.

Specifically the League of Women Voters of Rockford objects to changes in the p posed rule w ich would:

1 limit cros examination of witnesses in hearings 2 allow the RC staff to issue rules without the full review of the comissioners.

3) Prohibit formal discovery of RRC staff prior to licensing

4) delay implementing 3 Mile Island related safety reauirements.

5) remove the Licensing Board's authority to pursue safety issues on its own.

6) restrict the Board's authority to consider generic safety issues.

The Kemeny Commission and Roganov Commission critisized the incentive present for utilities to ignore safety and speed up licensing. The Roganov Report called for more public participation,,and this proposed literim Licensing would cut the already limited access of the pubTic to the licensing process.

Sincerely, .

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l J L477 Betty Johnson, c ,r f the Byro]n Euclear

/0 Plant Intervention Comng,n e of the League of Women Voters of Rockfcird, Illinois 8107080175 810628 A PDR ADOCK 050004547 H

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