ML20049A672
| ML20049A672 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/31/1981 |
| From: | Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| To: | Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20049A636 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-10CFR9.7 S81-427, NUDOCS 8110010186 | |
| Download: ML20049A672 (3) | |
Text
9 IN RESPONSE REFER
[ p caco b I!NITED STATES TO S81-427 N
NUCLEAR HEGULATORY COMMISSION N
- k W ASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 5
t,5 f
'%*****J August 31, 1981 1
I OFFICE C9 THE SECRETARY MEMORANDUM FOR:
William J.
Dircks, Execut'
' Director for Operations
.?]
ki FROM:
Samuel J. Chilk, Secretar
SUBJECT:
SECY-81-427 - APPROVAL OFud PROPOSED LICENSE TO EXPORT LEU TO THE PHILIPPINES (XSNM01471)
This is to advise you that the Commissioners have reviewed the subjec. license to Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
e The Commission (with three Commissioners approving) has t
l accepted your recommendation to export to the Philippines l
121,000 kilograms of uranium, enriched to 3.6 percent U-235, l
In the form of uranium dioxide.
l Commissioners Gilinsky and Bradford are of the opinion that l
NRC should seek the views of the Department of State (DOS) and await a reply prior to taking final action.
Commissioner l
Gilinsky's views are attached.
Commissioner Bradford agrees l
with these views.
While the other Commissioners agreed in i
general with the concerns expressed by Commiusioncr Gilinsky, they voted to issue the license at this time.
The Commission currently has under consideration proposed actions which will involve DOS.
The staff will be informed l
of any requirements at a later date.
In the meantime the license should be issued now.
The Office of International Programs was informed of this action by telephone on August 28, 1981.
Attachment:
As Stated i
l cc:
Commissioners Commission Staff Offices Director, International Programs' Public Document Room CONTACT:
E.
W. McGregor (SECY) 41410
~
8110010186 810831 PDR 10CFR sPT9.7 PDR
w COMMISSIONER GILINSKY'S COMMENTS ON PHILIPPINE EXPORT LICENSE '
In reviewing the reactor export to the Philippines I took che view that as a practical matter the'NRC could not conduct an adequate health and safety review and that, at least as far as potential radiation impacts on the Philippines were concerned, we had to leave such questions to the government of the Philippines.
At the same time, where health and environmental effects might extend beyond the territory of the Philippines, we need to take an interest.
The disposition of high level reactor wastes potentially poses just such an issue.
We should be reasonably confident that the exported fuel when spent, or its high level waste, will be disposed of in such a way that it will not be a hazard to the United States or the global commons.
In dealing with exports to the countries of Western Europe and to Japan, we can be reasonably confident that the was'e t
disposal problem will be handled responsibly in the context of the extensive nuclear power programs in these countries.
But in exporting fuel to a small country with only one reactor and little nuclear power experience, the outcome is more doubtful.
Reprocessing, by the way, does not solve the problem because so far, at any rate, the commercial reprocessors (in practice, the UK and France) insist on returning all the wastes to their customers.
This issue is, of course, not peculiar to the Philippines; but it is their first request for fuel and we have to start somewhere.
(('I i
2-Since this shipment is not scheduled until January 1984, the Commission should take the time to examine the question.
I suggest we ask the State Department to discuss it with the Government of the Philippines to see what can be worked out.
I e
E 8
4 e
0 e8 e.
h
-r--=
+-n m
v w.,
.o
,-n,-