ML20033G606
| ML20033G606 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/21/1990 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Leef P AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20033G607 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9004100386 | |
| Download: ML20033G606 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES i
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l
'i., \\ h4 WASHINGTON. O C. 20W s,
i cHAmAN March 21, l'990 1
Ms. Patricia A. Leef j
11605 Bellvue Avenue Kingsville., Marylano 21087
Dear Ms. Leef:
In your letter of March 10, 1990, you expressed a number of concerns regarding the use of nuclear reactors in the United States.
I often receive thoughtful letters from citizens such as yourself who believe that the generation of electricity by ruclear reactors is perhaps not the wisest choice for our country.
Problems with the disposal of nuclear waste, and other potential environmental impacts are often cited as related matters of While I agree with you that there are issues related to nuclear concern.
power that require our attention and resolution, I do not agree that the solution to the problem is to shut down all the nuclear reactors in the United States.
I personally believe that the reactors in our country can continue to be operated safely while we work on resolving the issues needing our attention. Along those lines, we are working very hard to rt' solve the nuclear waste issue, and have also established close liaison with the Soviet Union to better understand the events of Chernobyl, and how they may be avoided in the future.
As one of the five Commissioners who serve on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, I am respcnsible for making decisions on nuclear safety in accordance with the Commission's regulations and applicable federal legislation, primarily the Ator1ic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.
Commissioners are nominated by the President, subject to the advice and i
consent of the Senate.
I was appointed by the President to be Chaiman as of July 1, 1989. A copy of my biography is enclosed.
Under the Atomic Energy Act, the touchstone for our decisions is whether reasonable
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assurance of protection of the public health and safety has been achieved. This standard does not compel a finding by the Commission that activities under license will be risk-free, and there is no certain formula that can make every decision clear and easy.
The Comission is required to exercise its best judgment on the basis of the evidence and i
technical analysis that we are provided. Our judgment in adopting regulations, issuing licenses and' enforcing them is subject to review by j
the feceral courts.
But let me emphasize - public safety is the first and foremost consideration in the decisions that I am called upon to make.
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CORRESPONDENCE FDC I
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Correspondence from concerned citizens such as yourself is sometimes helpful to me during my deliberations because these letters often raise issues that do require careful consideration.
Thank you for taking the l
time to share your thoughts with me.
Sincerely.
wczh.b Kenneth M. Carr
Enclosure:
Biography L
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P UNITED STATES
['xij NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMIS810N N,,,,/ /
Office of Govemmental and PuMio Affaire Washington, D.C. 20055 KENNETH M. CARR i
Kenneth.M. Carr became Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Comission on July 1,1989.
He has been a member of the Comission since August 14,1986.
He retired from the U.S. Navy as a vice admiral on May 1,1985, last serving as Deputy and Chief of Staff to the Comander in Chief Atlantic Comand and the Comander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
t Mr. Carr enlistea in the Navy in 1943 and served as a crewman on an assault landing craf t in the Pacific theater before being selected for an officer candidate program at the University of Louisville in 1944, and being 6ppointed to the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the class of 1949.
In 1950, he entereo submarine school in New London, Connecticut, and in 1953 was assigned to the precomissioning detail of the nuclear submarine USS NAUTILUS.
With the exception of a one-year period for nuclear power training, he served as a member of the NAUTILUS crew until 1960.
He later served as Comanding Officer of the nuclear submarine USS FLASHER and the fleet ballistic missile nuclear submarine USS JOHN ADAMS, He was assi and Development)gned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Research in 1968, and to the staff of the Comander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in 1970, as a senior member of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board.
In 1972, Chairman Carr was assigned as Chief of Staff to the Commander, Submarine Force of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and in 1973, assumed duties of Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
From June 1977 to May 1980, he comanded the Submarine Force, U.S.
Atlantic Fleet.
He served as Vice Director of Strategic Target Planning at Offutt Air Force Baae, Nebraska, before assuming duties as Deputy and Chief of Staff to the Comander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Comand on April 1,1983.
Among his honors are the Defense and Navy Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, Presidential Unit Commendation and the Defense Superior Service Medals.
Chairman Carr was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, on March 17, 1925, and is married to Molly Pace of Burkesville, Kentucky.
July 1989 I
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