ML20049A249

Responds to Re Licensing of Nuclear Plants.Tmi Accident Resulted in Need for Changes in Approach to Safety. NRC Is Preparing for Review & Approval of Action Plan That Will Specify Actions to Be Taken

ML20049A249
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	03/28/1980
From:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Carlberg E AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
References
NUDOCS 8005060063
Download: ML20049A249 (1)

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DI ST RIBUT IO!':

Docket tios. 50-320;

!1RC PDR MAR 2 81930 h.$enton EGCase PFine MASB R/F l's. Evelyn C. Carlberg R. 3, Eox 222 Arreyo r,rande, California 93420

Dear Ms. Carlberg:

This is in reply to your letter of March 4,1980, about licensing of nuclear plants.

After the accident at Three Mile Islard, the fluclear Regulatory Ccc-ission decided not to license new nuclear power plants until criteria for fr. proved safety had been developed.

The TPI accident resulted in a need for changes in the approach to safety.

The Nuclear Regulatory Comission has found that actions recomended by its own staff and by the President's Coar.ission on the Accident at Three l'ile Island in the areas of hur.an factors, operational safety, emergency planning, nuclear power plant design and siting, health effects, and public inforation are necessary and feasible.

At this tire we are preparing for review and approval by the f vtlear Regulatory Comission an Action Plan that will specify the precise actions to be taken.

It will include new or improved safety objectives, detailed criteria for their implementation, and various implenentation deadlines. As soon as the Action Plan is completed and approved, the resulting regulatory requirer.ents will be transmitted to all utilities concerned.

It is recognized that there will be a significant effect on the availability of power generating capacity if those plants now in the final stages of con-struction do not receive operating licenses by the dates previously anticipated, and every effort is being rade to avoid unnecessary delays. With this objective, the Comissioners approved on February 28, 1980, the issuance of an NRC license to the Tennessee Valley Authority for the Sequoyah fiuclear Plant Unit 1 to load fuel and, under specified conditions, to operate at low power levels for testing. Several other similar cases are under consideration.

I assure you that every effort is being made to protect the public health and safety at all nuclear power plants currently in operation and those that nay begin operation in the future.

i Sincerely, 6(

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