ML20046B511
| ML20046B511 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/18/1993 |
| From: | Chairman, Selin I NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9308040320 | |
| Download: ML20046B511 (2) | |
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NOTATION V0TE j
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RESPONSE SHEET
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SAMUEL J. CHILK, SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION FROM:
THE CHAIRMAN
SUBJECT:
SECY-93-127 - FINANCIAL PROTECTION REQUIRED 0F LICENSEES OF LARGE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS DURING DEC0INISSIONING r
APPROVED x
DISAPPROVED ABSTAIN-NOT PARTICIPATING REQUEST DISCUSSION See attached comments.
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CORRESPONDENCE PDR RELEASE VOTE
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June 18, 1993 DATE 1
WITHHOLD VOTE
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ENTERED-ON "AS" YES No
1 Chairman's comments on SECY-93-127:
I am persuaded by OGC's analysis that the Commission has discretion to maintain or reduce financial protection coverage for shut-down plants--i.e., the Commission may reduce the amount of primary coverage from the current $200 million and may exempt such plants from participation in the secondary coverage (though it may not reduce the amount of secondary coverage if such coverage is deemed required).
Essentially, the Commission's discretion should be guided by whether a potential for an accident, including precautionary evacuations, exists which should be insured against and whether damages could exceed $200 million.
If the Commission concludes that the potential for such an accident is remote or hypothetical, Price-Anderson coverage is not required.
The technical staff has analyzed the risks of accidents and determined that the.only reasonably conceivable accident with significant off-site consequences would involve the handling, storage or transport of spent fuel.
The most significant accident would involve a complete loss of water in a spent fuel pool and a resulting zirconium fuel cladding fire.
However the l
possibility of such an accident, depending on fuel storage density, exists only for about one to three years after spent fuel is placed in the pool.
Accident scenarios after this cooling period have greatly reduced consequences, but could result in off-site damage or precautionary evacuation.
Based on experience with the TMI liability claims, the staff believes insurance coverage of $100 million should be sufficient.
I believe the staff proposal to permit licensees, after a minimum spent fuel cooling period, to reduce primary coverage to $100 million and to withdraw from the secondary protection plan is an i
appropriate one, and the staff should issue exemption s consistent with this approach (and which would not prejudice the outcome of the rulemaking) to licensees as requested until revised criteria are finalized through rulemaking.
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