ML20006F344
| ML20006F344 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/16/1990 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Markey E HOUSE OF REP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9002270417 | |
| Download: ML20006F344 (3) | |
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PbR UNITED STATES
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"g NUCLEAR' REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20565 j
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jf CHAIRMAN february 16, 1990 The Honorable Edward J. Markey United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
20515
Dear Congressman Markey:
In my letter of November' 22,'1989, concerning tritium shipper-receiver discrepancies, I stated that we would inform you of the Commission's final conclusions on tritium controls following-the completion of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) investigations.
DOE has now completed these investigations and concluded that the discrepancies were caused by internal deficiencies in equipment, measurement methods, procedures, records, and management ana technical oversight in handling the tritium at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
DOE's review also concluded that stronger U.S. Government controls, i
on tritium, apart from the corrective actions taken by Oak Ridge N.tional Laboratory, were not necessary.
In reevaluating the NRC position regarding the need for additional or improved controls on tritium, we have reviewed g
current NRC regulatiuns and reassossed their adequacy.
We have also monitored the various stages of DOE's investigations in the tritium discrepancy issue.
Based on the NRC staff's direct efforts and an analysis of the information provided in DOE's investigative reports, we are satisfied that this matter has been thoroughly and completely addressed and that no changes in NRC regulations concerning tritium are necessary at this time.
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i I_want to assure you that the Commission will continue to i
exercise its regulatory responsibilities with due regard for the sensitive nature of tritium.
In that connection.-the Commission and Agreement States carefully review all applications for licenses to possess bulk tritium gas and have only approved a small number of such licenses to companies which meet all regulatory requirements.
The Commission and the Executive Branch have authorized exports of significant quantities of bulk. tritium gas only to the United Kingdom.
Switzerland, Japan, and Canada, all countries with established nonproliferation credentials.
In contrast, we have not approved several license applications for tritium gas export to countries without such credentials (see enclosure).
In accordance with the Atomic Energy Act, the Executive Branch and the NRC conduct independent reviews of programs in these countries for exports exceeding 100 curies of tritium.
These reviews include an assessment as to whether individual exports
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In making an inimicality determination, we rely heavily on the Executive Branch's assessment, our own assessment of end-use, and on other relevant information pertaining to nonprolifera-tion.
Export licenses permit no deviation from the stated end-use of tritium and require U.S. approval of retransfers to other countries.
U.S. Government representatives have also visited officials in the, United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland to establish their continued adherence to nonproliferation objectives and specific sites to confirm compliance with end-use commitments.
I believe this information should resolve the concerns you expressed in your letter of October 31, 1989.
Sincerely,
.0n,.
Kenneth M. Carr
Enclosure:
List of tritium export applications not approved
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XB1015 06/14/79 DREL Petroleum 1,250,000 loroel Ught Source Mfg.
X81039 02/29/80 Self-Powered Ughting 800,000 Dominicon Republic Ught Source Mfg.
X81041 03/i3/80 Isrooli Embossy 1,000 loroel Ught Source Mfg.
XB1074 07/18/80 Edlow 50,000 Yugoslavic Ught Source Mfg.
XB1092 01/07/82 Self-Powered Ughting 1,250,000 Dominicon Republic Ught Source Mfg.
i X81130 07/24/81 Miker 30,000 larcel Ught Source Mfg.
XB1137 01/07/82 Self-Powered Ughting,
1,250,000 South Koree Ught Source Mfg.
i X81225 04/11/86 ICM Corporation 300,000 South Koree Ught Source Mfg.
X81236 09/30/85 Edlow 200 South Africo Accelerotor Torgets XB1237 09/30/85 Edlow 2 South Africo Trocing Experiments 4,931,202 TOTAL CURES l
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l ENCLOSURE 1
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