ML20040F823

Advises That Termination of Wpps Projects 3 & 4 Will Not Affect Proposed Licensing Plans for Skagit/Hanford Project. CPs Projected for Second Quarter of 1983

ML20040F823
Person / Time
Site:	Skagit
Issue date:	02/01/1982
From:	Myers R PUGET SOUND POWER & LIGHT CO.
To:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 8202100346
Download: ML20040F823 (2)

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PUGET SOUND POWER & LIGHT COMPANY PUGET POWER BUILDING -(206) 4544363 BELLEVUE. WASHINGTON 98009 S

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Mr. Harold R. Denton, Director 19 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation hk

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Dear Mr. Denton:

Status of the Skagit/Hanford Nuclear Proiect The events of the past few weeks centered ar7und the termination of Washington Public Power Supply System's Nuclear Projects 4 and 5 and the extensive coverage of these events in the national and regional news media, have, I expect, raised some questions in your mind about the present status of our proposed Skagit/Hanford Nuclear Project.

As I have indicated to you in previous conversations, Puget Power plans to aggressively pursue Construction Permits for the Skagit/

Hanford Project with the objective of receiving them in the second quarter of 1983. This objective is compatible with other related events in the Region and a presumption that, within the same time period, improvements in the regulatory and financial environment will be evident.

The Regional Power Planning Council appointed by the Governors of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana under the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act is scheduled to adopt, by April, 1983, a conservation and electric power plan covering the Region's need for additional generating resources and the rela-tive cost effectiveness of the various types of resources available.

I believe that, after examining the facts, the Regional Council will find that the region does need additional resources, and that nuclear power represents a cost-effective resource. Accordingly, we want to be in a position to quickly move ahead with our Skagit/

Hanford Project. Our present plan is intended to position us in the right place, at the right time, with the necessary permits hnd approvals in place.

The events surrounding Washington Public Power Supply System Pro-jects 4 and 5 have no direct bearing on the Skagit/Hanford Project or on our plans for licensing. It must be recognized, however, that the situation surrounding these projects is still evolving.

Among other things, a question frequently asked is whether acquisi-tion of the WPPSS projects by Puget Power would represent a viable alternative to our project. As you can appreciate, this is an

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PU2ET SOUND POWC3 O LI!HT COMPANY J

Mr. Harold R. Denton Page Two February 1, 1982 extremely complex question and one that may require months to answer. All we can say.at this time is that we are willing to explore this question in cooperation with the parties in interest.

Meanwhile, we must continue to move ahead on schedule with our licensing, and Puget plans to do just that. I am optimistic that, by mid-1983, the necessary regulatory environment will exist, our economy will have improved to the extent that infla-tion and interest rates will have dropped to acceptable levels, and we will have Construction Permits for Skagit/Hanford.

We appreciate the responsiveness of you and your staff in establishing a schedule for the Skagit/Hanford Project review that meets the needs expressed above. I will make every effort to keep you apprised of any events that would materially affect the present schedule and the objectives we have described to you.

Ver ,truly yours,

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Robert V. Myers /

Vice President,'

Generation Resources l

! cc: Mr. Nicholas D. Lewis j- Senator Henry M. Jackson l Senator Slade Gorton l Representative Sid Morrison j Governor John D. Spellman l

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