ML20050C284

Comments on Petition for Rulemaking to Amend Regulations in 10CFR50 Extending Period of OLs for Nuclear Power Plants. Recommends Mods to Present Policy

ML20050C284
Person / Time
Site:	Crane
Issue date:	02/08/1982
From:	Thorpe J GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP.
To:	Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY)
Shared Package
ML20050C282	List: ML20050C281 ML20050C284
References
RULE-PRM-50-30 NUDOCS 8204080372
Download: ML20050C284 (1)

Text

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CPU Nuclear

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100 Interpace Parkway

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B. H. Cherry TELEX 136-482 W. D. Carland Writer's Direct Oral Number:

R. C. liyland G. J. Mencinsky R. F. Wilson February 8, 1982

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Mr. Samuel J. Chilk Secretary of the Commission U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Docket No. PRM-50-30 The staff of GPU Nuclear Corporation herewith submits its comments on the petition for rulemaking entered by the Council on Energy Independence to amend the regulations in 10 CFR, Part 50 te extend the period of operating licenses for nuclear power plants.

Comments were requested in a December 17, 1981 Federal Register notice (46 FR 61844).

We are in agreement with the premise of. the petition that the Commission's current practice of issuing operating licenses for a period of 40 years as measured from the date of issuance of the construction permit unduly restricts the useful operating life of the plant.

When the current practice was initiated the time for construction of a nuclear plant was apprcxi=ately five years, whereas today, the time for construction of ten exceeds ten years; and thus the useful operating life of some plants has been unduly reduced to less than 30 years.

While we agree with the premise of the petition, we do not believe changes to the regulations are needed. We submit that the existing regulations contained in 10 CFR 50,51 and 50.57 provide the legal authority to issue operating licenses for periods up to 40 years.

Therefore, we reconnend that the Commission not amend the existing regulations, but instead, =odify its present policy and practice to allow applicants to request, and NRC to issue, an operating license for any duration up to 40 years.

To assure that the new policy is clearly understood, we recommend j

that the Commission publish a statement providing the appropriate guidance to the NRC staff and the regulated industry.

Sincerely, ik ' /

w/. f..;g. /e nja-John R. Thorpe Director 8204080372 820208 PDR ADOCK 05000289 Licensing & Regulatory Affairs PDR p

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