ML20042B390
| ML20042B390 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 03/22/1982 |
| From: | Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Simpson A SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20042B391 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8203250272 | |
| Download: ML20042B390 (2) | |
Text
C
.,k~
UNITED STATES 0
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION h
j WASHINGTON. D., 20555 t
\\...../
March 22, 1982 cHammu
'82 Im 22 #13 N
- hk
~
The Honorable Alan K. Simpson, Chairman 2...
Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation DOMET MBER "jD.LUTIL FAC. g, pg Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate
' Washington, D. C.
20510 DOCKET NUMBERROD
~
Dear Mr. Chairman:
l Last October the Nuclear Regulatory Commission provided l
testimony to.you on nuclear accident cleanup insurance legislation (S-1606) introduced by Senator Heinz.
In a't Me 4m 1' V/K testimony we supported prompt steps to overcome the
.n'in'-
cial problems which are hindering the cleanup of the Th'ree?
~
~\\
Mile Island, Unit 2 (TMI-2) nuclear po'wer plant.
[
It is now three years since the TMI.-2. accident and the D2x -
financial problems, if anything, appear further from(pan "I" s'lu ~(-
o l
tion than they did last fall.
My fellow Commissioner d
/
therefore want to emphasize our belief that the cleanuK;of.. _
TMI-2 must be accelerated.
The potential for slow degrada-e.t.c..
tion of containment integrity and equipment capability plus
' # Y+p '
the increasing concern-for ah unexpected release of radio
-f active material argue that, as a last resort, it is time for the Federal Government to take a more aggressive role.
A more detailed explanation of our concerns 1s enclosed.
1 Our purpose in pointing this out to you.is to ask that you support: (1) establishing some form of funding that will-guarantee a rapid cleanup; and (2) DOE plans to take poss~es-sion and dispose of the entire damaged reactor core as soon as technically feasible.
e We believe greater Federal parti'cipation in assuring finan-cial viability is, a prerequisite to an acceptably rapid program.
If the owners of the damaged reactor go bankrupt, the cleanup will still have to be done and the entire job and associated costs may fall upon the Federal Government.
That possibility has recently become more likely.
Restart of the undamaged Unit i reactor at Three Mile Islan'd is the principal element in the owner's plan to finance the cleanup of Unit 2.
Serious new technical problems, however, now indicate a 6s12 month or longer delay before Unit 'l could be gC3' in a position to generate any revenue.
This setback adds a new degree of urgency to the increased Federal involvement
.3 we are recommending for clean up of TMI-2.
/ /
8203250272 820322 PDR ADOCK 05000289 U
~
i The Honorable Alan K. Simpson 2 We support DOE's decision to accept and manage all the high-level waste, including taking possession of the entire core
- f the damaged reactor for research and eventual disposal.
oFor our part, we in th.e Nuclear Regulatory Commission are committed to a timely as well as thorough execution of our responsibility to regulate the cleanup of TMI-2 in the l
interests of public health and safety.
- Commissioner Gilinsky adds that he agrees with the Commis-l sion's statement regarding the pressing need to assure adequate financing for a prompt cleanup of TMI-2.
- However, he thinks the Commission should limit its advice to health and sa.fety questions and leave it to the President a'nd the Congress to strike a balance among the competing equities of I
the licensee, the affected States, a,nd the Federal Government.
I would be pleased to meet with you to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,.
L ae44 -
Nunzio a
adino i
Enclosure:
As stated cc:
The Honorable Gary. Hart 4
=
4 e
e O
4
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -