ML20040E369
| ML20040E369 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 02/01/1982 |
| From: | Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Ottinger R HOUSE OF REP., ENERGY & COMMERCE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML16340C288 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8202040236 | |
| Download: ML20040E369 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
- WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 g6 E
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'% * * * * * /g February 1, 1982
,Q CHAIRMAN F.'. G.
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%p ro-3AS The Honorable Richard Ottinger, Chairman Subcommittee on Conservation and Power Committee on Energy and Conrnerce United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We share the concerns expressed in your November 13, 1981 letter regarding the implication of the recent seismic design errois detected at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.
The implication of these errors has been and will be thoughtfully considered by the Commission.
The timing of the detection of these errors, so soon after authorization for low-power operation, was indeed unfortunate and it is quite understandable that the Congress' and the public's perception of our licensing process has been adversely affected.
Had this information been known to us on or prior to September 22, 1981, I am sure that the facility license would not have been issued until the questions raised by these disclosures had been resolved.
Because of these design errors, on November 19, 1981 we suspended Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) license pending satisfactory completion of the following:
1.
The conduct of ar independent design review program of all safety-related activities performed prior to June 1,1978 under all seismic-related service contracts used in the design of safety-related structures, systems and components.
l 2.
A technical report that fully assesses the basic cause of all l
design errors identified by this program, the significance of the errors found and their impact on facility design.
3.
PG&E's conclusions of the effectiveness of the design verification program in assuring the adequacy of facility design.
4.
A schedule for completing any modifications to the facility that are required as a result of the design verification program.
In addition, the Commission ordered PG&E to provide for NRC review and approval:
1.
A description and discussion of the corporate qualifications of the company or companies that PG&E would propose to carry out the F202040236 820201 PDR ADOCK 05000275 U
t 2
independent design verification program, including information that demonstrates the independence of these companies.
2.
A detailed prcgram plan for conducting the design verification program.
In recognition of the need to assure the credibility of the design verification program, NRC will decide on the acceptability of the companies proposed by PG&E to conduct this program after providing the Governor of California and Joint Intervenors in the pending operating licensing proceeding 15 days for comment.
Also, the NRC will decide on the acceptability of the plan proposed by PG&E to conduct the program, after providing the Governor of California and the Joint Intervenors in the pending operating license proceeding 15 days for comment.
Prior to authorization to proceed with fuel loading, the NRC must be satisfied with the results of the seismic design verification program and with any plant modification resulting from that program that may be necessary prior to fuel loading. The NRC may impose additional requirements prior to fuel loading necessary to protect health and safety based upon its review of the program or any of the information provided by PG&E.
This may include some or all of the requirements specified in the letter to PG&E dated November 19, 1981.
Responses to each of the four questions in your letter are enclosed.
A decision to permit PG&E to proceed with fuel loading will not be made until all the actions contained in the Commission's November 19, 1981 Order are fully satisfied.
Sincerely, w
s Nunzio J. Palladino cc:
Rep. James T. Broyhill
Enclosures:
- 1. Commission Order, dated 11/19/81
- 2. Ltr from Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, NRC to PG&E dated 11/19/81
- 3. Responses to Questions
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