ML20054M701
| ML20054M701 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Humboldt Bay |
| Issue date: | 07/07/1982 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Simpson L AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8207140247 | |
| Download: ML20054M701 (2) | |
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SNorris MStine Docket tio. 50-133 Gray File OELD AE0D IE JUL
't-det Laurie Stepson, Esq.
1355 Giuntoli Lane Arcata, California 95521
Dear Ms. Sinpson:
Thank you for your letter dated June 4,1982 in which you expressed concern related to the need for deconnissioning Humboldt Bay Power Plant, Unit Ho. 3.
On July 2,1976, the Hunboldt Bay Plant was shutdown for replacenent of some of the fuel in the core. By Order dated May 21, 1976, the HRC required that before resuming operation, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the licensee) conplete certain activities. The licensee was required to upgrade as necessary, the seismic capability of safety-related equipment (e.g. the reactor coolant pressure boundary) to current requirements, and to resolve nore recent seismic concerns having to do with earthquake vulnerability that had arisen since the time an operating license was issued on August 29, 1962.
The licensee has replaced the fuel in the core, undertaken extensive geological investigations, and completed some plant modifications. The future operation of the !!umboldt Bay Plant is before a Licensing Board which on February 16, 1982 issued a Menorandun and Order which established a time table for the licensee to decide whether it would resume operation of the plant or decom-nission it.
Before approving resumed operation of the Humboldt Bay Plant the NRC staff would have to be assured that the health and safety of the public is adequately protected with the plant in operation. While the plant is shutdown the NRC staff nust be satisfied that the health and safety of the public is adequately protected with the plant in the shutdown condition.
Since the time that the liunboldt Bay Plant was shutdown, the standard inspec-tion (surveillance) progran for a shutdown reactor has been performed by the NRC Regional Office at the Hunboldt Bay Muclear Power Plant.
This inspec-tion consists of inspections of design changes and modifications, activity of the Onsite Review Connittee 0A progran, overall training program, fire prevention and protection, surveillance of equipment during extended shutdown, security and material accountability, radiation protection program, trans-portation of radioactive naterials, and radioective waste management.
Inspec-tions have not revealed any najor problens at the plant.
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t The consequences and types of accidents possible at the Itunboldt Bay Plant are greatly diminished because of the present shutdo.m' condition of the plant. Staff studies show that Humboldt Bay fuel has decayed sufficiently that air cooling is adequate to preserve fuel cladding integrity. There-fore, measures to assure core cooling or mitigate loss of coolant consequences are unnecessary. Due to the long period since shutdown, nobile radioactivity has decayed very significantly.
Issues regarding economic impacts on ratepayers of a decision to deconnission do not lie within the purview of the NRC, and therefore, cannot be considered by the NRC in requiring decommissioning. However, we can assure you that all safety issues pertinent to an operating reactor will be resolved before the Commission would pemit future operation of the Humboldt Bay facility.
ilith the plant in its present condition the staff considers that the health and safety of the public is adequately protected, and finds no basis to require decomissioning the olant.
I hope this information will be of use to you.
Sincerely, origiar! Sipal by IL R. Dentag,
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l"
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Laurie Simpson ATTORNEY AT LAW g
June L, 1982 Mr. Harold Denton Director of Nuclear Reactor Regula'tions
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- 50-133
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NRC Washington, D.C. 20555
Dear Mr. Denton,
The time to deco _mmission the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Power Plant is long overdue.
Politics has delayed it this long.
In the meantime the plant continues to deteriorate.
NEC,our local environmental center, reports that there have been failures in three of the six screen wash pumps in the last year.
Nobody wants that radioactive material here.
It's a perfect target should war develop, an errant meteor could hit it (highly unlikely but possible), even a plane could accidently crash into it.
All these things are unlikely, i.e. the risk is small - but if the risk should happen the results would be so devestating that only ZERO ri.sk is acceptable.
Sir.perely, s
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Laurie Simpson cc NEC 3
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~1355 Giuntoli Lane
- Arcata, CA 95521 * (707) 826-1308
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