ML20058C528
| ML20058C528 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Calvert Cliffs  |
| Issue date: | 11/17/1993 |
| From: | Thomas Taylor NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Mikulski B SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20058C531 | List: |
| References | |
| 2.206, CCS, NUDOCS 9312020478 | |
| Download: ML20058C528 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES
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NOV 171993 l
The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Mikulski:
I am responding to your letter, dated October 5,1993, with regard to i
correspondence from your constituent, Ms. Phyllis S. Johnson, dated September 15, 1993, which expressed her concerns about dry spent fuel storage at Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.
In the past, the Nuclear Regulatary Comission has responded to letters from individuals supporting-the December 21, 1992, request by the Maryland Safe Energy Coalition (the Petitioner) to reopen public hearings concerning aboYe ground storage of spent nuclear fuel at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Ms. Johnson, a member of the Maryland Safe Energy Coalition, has written to NRC supporting the request of the Petitioner. The concerns expressed in Ms. Johnson's letter are quite generic; they cover the operation of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant as well as the dry spent fuel storage facility. Most of the site-specific concerns in the Petition, which are generally expressed in Ms. Johnson's letter, were considered in the NRC Director's Decision issued under 10 CFR 2.206. A copy of the Director's Decision issued on August 16, 1993, is enclosed for your reference (Enclosure 1). The Director's Decision provides the bases for the denial of the Petition.
With regard to Ms. Johnson's general concerns on spent fuel storage, NRC l
completed its " Waste Confidence Decision," published in the Federal Reaister (49 FR 34658) on August 31, 1984 (Enclosure 2). The purpose of that study was to assess the scientific evidence that formed the very foundation of our j
belief that the spent fuel generated at our nation's comercial nuclear power stations could be safely stored and eventually disposed.
In 1990, this decision was reassessed (55 FR 38474, Enclosure 3). A brief sampling of some of the findings are provided below.
"The Comission finds reasonable assurance that, if necessary, spent fuel generated in any reactor can be stored safely and without significant environmental impact for at least 30 years beyond the licensed life for operation (which may include the tene of a revised or renewed license) of that reactor at its spent fuel storage basin, or at on-site or off-site independent spent fuel storage installations."
"The Comission finds reasonable assurance that at least c<ne mined geological repository will be available within the first quarter of the 21st century, and that sufficient repository capacity will be available within 30 years beyond the licensed life for operation of any reactor to dispose of the comercial high-level radioactive waste originating in such reactor and generated to that time."
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Ibvenber 17, 1993 The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski 2
The Commission reviewed dry cask storage as well as many other options. The Commission found "...that dry storage installations can provide continued safe storage of spent fuel at reactor sites for at least 30 years after expiration of the plant's license." (49 FR 34684)
In dealing with these issues, we have carefully considered the concerns of the members of the Maryland Safe Energy Coalition and others. We will continue to keep the public health and safety of the citizens of Maryland and all other states our paramount concern in these activities.
I trust that this reply responds to your constituent's concerns.
We will forward a copy of this letter to Ms. Johnson.
Sincerely, Original signed by agehkkdylor Executive Director for Operations
Enclosures:
1.
Director's Decision dated 8/16/93 2.
49 FR 34658 3.
55 FR 38474 cc: Ms. Phyllis S. Johnson DISTRIBUTION:
EDO #9419 7ecatr 72 - f NRC File Center PDR/LPDR NMSS Dir. Office R/F IMNS Central File NMSS R/F.
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NAME CJPaperiello GAArlotto RMBernero DATE 11/05/93 11/04/93 11/h/93 11/S /93 11/k/93 k
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