ML20006B597
| ML20006B597 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/11/1990 |
| From: | Rathbun D NRC OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS (GPA) |
| To: | Gorton S SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20006B598 | List: |
| References | |
| FRN-53FR32060, RULE-PR-52 CCS, NUDOCS 9002050117 | |
| Download: ML20006B597 (3) | |
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January 11, 1990 The Honorable Slade Gorton United States Senate Washington, D.C.
20510
Dear l Senator Gorton:
This letter is in ~ response to constituent correspondence you-received from Captain Earl E. Eigabroadt (U.S.. Army Ret.)' concerning the licensing of nuclear.
t power plants. Mr. Eigabroadt's. letter to you is dated October 13, 1989 and was forwarded to us by Cristena L. Bach, Director of Congressional Affairs at the i
Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionLon' December 19, 1989.'
In his letter, Captain Eigebroadt argues the need-for a licensing regime for 7
nuclear power plants which provides forL11 censing construction and operation at the same time, and which precludes the need-for' expensive _ modifications of-the j
plant or its design during construction.
l After a rulemaking process which included two rounds of public' comment, the l
f Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) promulgated a new body of regulaticns,10~
C.F.R. Part 52 '(enclosed),~ which establishes'a new licensing' regime very much like the. regime Captain Eigebroadt believes is desirable'.
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R The new regulations provide for the issuance of licenses which combine:in:a i
single license-a construction permit with an ' operating license which permits operation upon a showing that the; plant has been constructed in conformity with c
the combined license. -In order to assure that the determination <that l
construction conforms to the license can be made without' unexpected and costly 1
disputes over what standards are to be met, the new regulations; provide that i
the combined license will' include the-inspections, tests, and analyses _which.
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are necessary and sufficient to show that construction conforins to the license.
l The new regulations envision a " sign-as-you-go" process which should assure:the 1
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timeliness of the NRC staff's review of' construction. The new regulations also
, provide for the certification of standardized nuclear l power plant designs l
before construction sites are chosen. for them.
operation'of nuclear power plants.to enable plant designers to bring to the NRC.
l Both' standardization and the' regime; of ' combined licenses are possible' because _
the ' nation now has enough experience with the ' design, construction,. and a complete description of. a design before it is constructed. The first designs are now before the NRC for certification-as' standard _ designs.
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The. Honorable Slade Gorton. 1 It is the Commission's hope that these new regulations will not only assure q
that the licensing and construction of a nuclear power plant can proceed with the greatest possible efficiency and predictcbility, but will also help make possible an enhancement of the safety afid. reliability of nuclear power and an l
enhancement of public participation in the licensing process.
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i Sincerely, l
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Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Congressional Affairs Office of Governmental and-Public Affairs
Enclosures:
1.
October 13, 1989 Letter from Captain Eigabroadt to Senator Gorton 2.
November 21, 1989 Letter from Senator Gorton to J.M. Kennedy of FERC 3.
10 C.F.R. Part 52, regulations on standardization and combined licenses 1
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The Honorable Slade Gorton,,
e It is the Commission's hope that these new regulations will not only assure-that the licensing and construction of a nuclear power plant can proceed with the greatest possible efficiency and predictability, but will also help make possible an enhancement of the safety and reliability of nuclear power and an enhancenent of public participation in the licensing process.
Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun,- Director Office of Congressional Affairs
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Enclosures:
1.
October 13, 1989 Letter from Captain Eigabroadt to Senator Gorton-2.
November 21, 1989 Letter from Senator Gorton to J.M. Kennedy of'FERC 3.
10 C.F.R. Part 52, regulations on standardization and I
combined licenses 1
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