ML20029E017

Discusses Constituent,J Fleming,940309 Ltr Re Reception Ctr for EPZ Population North of Facility in Plymouth,Ma.Requests That NRC Respond to Points Raised in Constituent Ltr

ML20029E017
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	03/24/1994
From:	Erin Kennedy SENATE
To:	Selin I, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20029C520	List: ML20029E017 ML20029E019
References
NUDOCS 9405160081
Download: ML20029E017 (4)

Text

. . . . . - . - ~ _. .. . . -

a bw=P e -a  % .m~E g

' TOWNRD M. KENMEDY -

naAssetKusgTTS Enited $tates 5tnate -

WASHINGTON, DC 20510-2101

- March 24,1994 Mr. Ivan Selin Chairman

.U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Selin:

I am writ ng on behalf of a Massachusetts constituent, Ja.Te Fleming, about the Reception Center for the Emergency Planning Zone population north of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

It is my understanding that the staff and equipment located at the Reception Center in Wellesley are being moved to a new Reception Center at the South Weymouth Naval Base. While I am pleased that this move is taking place, Mrs.

Fleming's concern is that this transition period leaves local residents in the area without an adequate Reception Center in the event of an accident. ,

Mrs. Fleming has informed me that her attempts to obtain answers from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to her questions have not been successful. I would be grateful if you and your staff would look into this matter and respond to the points raised in her letter.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, N' f Edward M. Kennedy

(

l l

( ADOCK 05000293-

-[*N A-

• PDR H 9405160081 PDR940413 ,, ,,,, ,, ,,,Y,L,,,,,,,

~b h5, , -

8 Oceanwood Drive ,

Duxbury, Ma. 02332 ,

March 9, 1994 f__m ~. Senator Edward M. Kennedy

.2 L Russell Building SR-315 -

washington D.C. 20510 cb

Dear' Senator Kennedy,

w

.'f Today I had a very productive conversation with your

]11 Staff and promised to forward this information as quickly as I possible. I hope with your assistance,.we are able to resolve this very serious situation.

~

At this time and since~Dec.1, 1993 the Emergenc'y Planning Zone (EPZ) population north of Pilgrim Nuclear Power

, Station have been without a Reception Center. As you know a reception center, has three major function in the event of.a nuclear accident. The monitoring of the public for radiation ,

contamination, decontamination,if needed, and family reunification. '

The Wellesley Reception Center has not been adequately staffed since'Dec.1,1993 and if my additional information is correct no longer equipped to function as a reception center. ,

Seabrook Nuclear Power Station also-uses this facility as a' '

reception center, therefore, -they are in the same plight.

The HRC has been aware of this pending situation since Sept. 24, 1992. (see pgs 10-12) Jim Partlow of the NRC in ,

his capacity working with my 2.206 sent.me the information -

which establishes the fact the staff would be depleted 1 completely by Dec. 1993..(see 13-21 *21)

The lack of a reception center for Pilgrim is especially l pertinent in view of the Feb. 24, 1994 NRC document 50- 'I 293/01-94 which determines the Pilgrim is operating beyond  !

design basis in most areas. Having a plant operating beyond  :)

design basis without fulfilling the most essential aspect of eme r g en cy p l ann i n e -4e- n i- Llar t o Russian Roulette, only it is Marsh g at Risk.

~

the citizens of ux ury  ;

i It is now March 1994 planning right now, calls for the public to go to an empty highway barn in Wellesley. The South Weymouth Naval Base is progressing slowly toward becoming a reception center but they do not yet feel their training is sufficient. I had the advantage of touring South Weymouth last Saturday. Although space is limited I do feel the Navy staffing will afford us with the-first real reception c2nter: we have ever had. That is the future, the question today and since Dec. is, What do we do in the event of an accident today?

1 jaf/emk

'1 1

l

. -- -.- .. - . - . ~ . . . . - = .-

0 4

. ,Ok

, p s ,~ ,

' ~

Right now the major problem we face on the reception' center.is the NRC's Commission refuses to address-this issue.

I have attempted to approach the Commission through writing, ,

a, - calling and even by sending flowers. Cliairman Selin has

'~

refused.to address the issue. The most common excuse I hear recently from NRC staffers is that FEMA handles this issue now.

, . q,r -

i sa; .The Federal Regulations 10 CFR 50:47 and NUREG 0654

'T are the federal regulations and guidelines effecting.the NRC not FEMA.(see pgs 7-9) There are, as.you know,.a myriad of court cases which establishes the NRC as the " ultimate .

authority " on Emergency Planning issues. Although the Inspector General recommended the NRC, FEMA MOU be updated to i clarify responsibilities, this has not been done. Therefore, with all of this legal precedence in place I maintain the NRC' is responsible for assuring the licensees do comport.with'the existing regulations concerning Emergency Planning. In the case of Pilgrim and Seabrook, the lack of a functioning reception center is a serious breach of the existing -

regulations. The NRC is knowingly allowing this to occur.

Public Ilealth and Safety are being ignored. .

I have requested the NRC to:

1. Set the "120 clock" to exert regulatory pressure on the ,

licensee.

2. Insist that the Emergency Broadcast System message be )

changed immediately to instruct the Public to go to South Weymouth Naval Base. (they may not be perfect but it is all we have) 3.-Insist Boston Edison supply So. Weymouth with, not only the 3 portal monitors already in place, but also, with the.

three spare monitors Edison claims it has. With six monitors So. Weymouth will then be able to monitor 2160 people in 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />. Duxbury's School population alone is over 3000.

4. That planning be change to reflect the vote of the Duxbury Selectman and School Committee that our School children be sent to the Reception Center and be Monitored whenever they are evacuated due to a radiological accident. (See page 7-8-9)

Enclosed is a packet of documentation to support my position. The majority, of which, is the official documentation from the proper authorities involved in this situation. I am almost embarrassed to-have to include the personal and pet'ty level this issue has taken with Chairman Selin but I feel you must understand the level of frustration  !

I now feel while attempting to bring an issue of importance l to the attention of the Commission. The Chairman does not j l

)

2 jar /emk  ;

-. ~. -. . .. . . . . -. - - . . - _ . -

.,..JE

.qw; . . . s, _

have to deal with me,-but, he inus t deal with the issues under i his regulatory control. This is an issue of Public Ilealth and Safety.

, Thank You'for any assistance you can lend to this issue.

If you need additional documentation or assistance I am happy to provide it.

c Sincerely,

~

~ " " " "

.pt , hh a e A. Fleming

'T' & t 9 - 9'34- 7ys/ '

P.S. Please congradulate Scott on the arrival of his son!

b 4

b r

^ 9 4

y erm y4-T-r a-