ML20030C531

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Comments on Gao Recommendations in Rept to Congress on Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 Re Commercial Reprocessing & Pu-bearing Fuel Use.Decisionmaking Proceeding Resumption Under Review.Supports Gao Re Intl Safeguards Effectiveness
ML20030C531
Person / Time
Issue date: 08/10/1981
From: Palladino N
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To: Roth W
SENATE, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Shared Package
ML20030C532 List:
References
NUDOCS 8108270050
Download: ML20030C531 (2)


Text

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August 10, 1981 CHAIRMAN l

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The Honorable William V. Roth, Jr.

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Chairman, Committee on Governmental Affairs D

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Dear Mr. Chairman:

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In its report to Congress on the Non-Prol'.feration Act of 1978, the GAO recommended that:

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t Unless the Commission determines that it would be detrimental to the U.

S. national security interests, l

NRC should resume decision-making proceedings on t

whether commercial reprocessing and the use of plu-tonium-bearing fuels should bc permitted on a widescale basis in the United States from an environmental, health, safety, and safeguards standpoint.

We would like to offer the following comments regarding the above recommendation by the GA0:

The Commission has the issue of resumption of decision-making proceedings on commercial repro-cessing and use of plutonium-bearing fuels under review.

As in the past, the Commission will give substantial deference to the President's views on this important subject.

We anticipate that the domestic nuclear policy statement to be issued by l

the Administration will provide additional views j

on this matter.

Reprocessing and use of plutonium-bearing fuels I

are integral parts of the nuclear power research and development plans of the Department of Energy.

Accordingly, assessment of the associated environ-

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mental, health, safety, and safeguards aspects i

might also be considered a part of that agency's activities.

As a final matter, Commissioner Ahearne and I support GA0's i

recommendation that the Congress clarify to what extent l

8108270050 810010 hR D

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The Honorable William V. Roth 2 effectiveness of international safeguards should be considered by NRC in export licensing.

Sincerely, Nunzio J. P ladino cc:

Senator Thomas S. Eagleton 1

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