ML20054D524

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Requests Info Re Serious Problem of Pressurized Thermal Shock at Facility
ML20054D524
Person / Time
Site: Maine Yankee
Issue date: 03/23/1982
From: Kerry J
MAINE, STATE OF
To: Palladino N
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20054D521 List:
References
NUDOCS 8204230093
Download: ML20054D524 (2)


Text

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March 23, 1982 The Honorable Nunzio J.

Palladino Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.

C.

20555

Dear Chairman Palladino:

On April 10, 1981, Mr. Demetrios L.

Basdekas, a Reactor Safety Engineer of the Nuclear Regulatory Com-mission, wrote to U.S.

Representative Morris K.

Udall, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environ-ment of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, about the hazards of pressurized thermal shock in nuclear generating plants.

I was particularly struck by a passage of Mr. Basdekas' letter in which he stated,

" Pu r th e rmo re, a recent discovery of a discrepancy be-tween the estimated versus the measured values of neutron fluence for the Maine Yankee reactor vessel indicates a generic problem that makes things worse.", and that the actual neutron fluence at Maine Yankee is some 2.3 times higher than estimated in the Maine Yankee Final Safety Analysis Report.

This coming November, Maine voters will again be faced with a referendum questioneas to whether Maine Yankee should be shut down.

It is imperative that they have the fullest information possible concerning the safety of the Maine Yankee plant.

I am particularly concerned about the serious problem of pressurized thermal shock at the Maine Yankee plant, j

which 1 understand can cause a molt-down.

It is my F20423OO93 820415 PDR ADOCK 05000309 H

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The Honorrable Nunzio J.

Palladino March 23, 1982 unde rs tandirig, from a recent communication of Congressman Udall, that while the N.R.C.

is working in this area, it is not making expeditious progress.

My question then remains, Sir, on behalf of the people of Maine, and particularly the people of the First Congres-sional District whom I hope to represent:

Is Maine Yankee, in its present condition, safe to continue operating?

What is the likelihood of an accident at Maine Yankee producing stresses similar to the " Rancho Seco" accident in California last year?

A incerel

urs, Jo,hn '. Ke y

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[S,ta te enator Wnd Candidate for the Democratic Nomination for U.

S.

Congress, First District, Maine JMK/m 1

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