ML20038C419
| ML20038C419 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 11/24/1981 |
| From: | Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Brennan J MAINE, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20038C420 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8112110012 | |
| Download: ML20038C419 (4) | |
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November 24, 1981 SHanauer g
DEisenhut RMattson RVollmer Ncvak The Honorable Joseph E. Brennan BSnyder Governor of Maine fD -10949 Augusta, Maine 04333
Dear Governor Brennan:
SCavanaugh I am writing in reply to your letter of October 5,1981, regarding the issue of embrittlement of nuclear reactor pressure vessels.
I want to assure you that NRC regards this as an important safety issue and that we are devoting a good deal of attention to the problem.
Our current judgment is that inmediate regulatory 'ction is not required and that we have time to evaluate carefully the condition of the pressure vessel and the proposed solution to the problem before any regulatory action is needed.
In addition, the Maine Yankee design provides the ability to heat the ECCS water prior to injection and the utility has comitted to a " low leakage" core configuration at its next reload. These items can significantly reduce the prob-ability of a vessel rupture during a thermal shock.
Our schedule is to complete cur analyses of Maine Yankee reports on the matter and reach a decision on any required corrective actions by next sumer.
If our ongoing review indicates that more urgent action is needed, we will not hesitate to take appropriate steps tc ensure the safety of Maine Yankee.
In closing, I would like to assure you that we place the highest oriority on assuring that operating facilities achieve and maintain adequate levels of protection of public health and safety Sincerely, Origins 1 signed by Nunzio J. Palladino h2110012811124 Nunzio J. Palladino 05000309 H
PDR Cleared with all Cmrs' Offices by SECY C/R.
Cmr. Ahearne did not concur in the last paragraph.
He telt NRC's highest priority was on licensing rather than on assuring that operating facilities achieve and maintain adequate levels of protection of public health and safety.
Re f. -CR-81-153 Originatii.g Office:
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The Honorable oseph E. Brennan Governor of Malpe
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Dear Governor Brennan:
f I am writing in rep to your lettei of October 5,1931, regarding the issue of embrittlemenh I want to assure you that NRC reg,of nuclear reactor pressure vessels.
j ards this at an important safety issue and that we are devoting a good deal of at,tention to the problem.
Our current judgment is th t, the chance of a severe overcooling accident that would threaten the integri,ty of the pressure vessel of fiaine Yankee is sufficiently remote that weihave time to evaluate carefully the condition of the pressure vessel and the proposed solutions to the problen before further regulato action is needed.
Our schedule is to complete /our analyses of Maine Yankee reports on the matter and reach a decision on any required corrective actions by next sumer.
If our ongoing rfview indicates that rore urgent action is needed, we will not hesitate to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of Maine Yankee. /
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In closing, I would like to assure you that naintaining adequate safety of operating reactors is HRC's highest priority activity, and we will s
not let the burden of licensing new reactors otract from that priority.
If I can be of further help, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Sincerely,
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Nunzio J. Palladino
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ACTION CONTROL DATES COMPL DEADLINE 10-29-81
-gov. Joseph E. Brennan ACKNOWLEDG MENT DATE DOCUMENT Maine
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PREPARE FOR SIGNATURE FINAL REPLQf ry, O [ 4 CHAIRMAN Chairman Palladino FILE LOCATION g /
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DESCRIPTION Q LETTER OMEMO C REPORT O OTHER SPECI AL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS Expresses Concern re excessively PRIORITY brittle containment vessels CLASSIFIED DATA I
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