ML20058F814

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Ltr Ballot approving,w/comments,SECY-90-211 Re Proposed Rule for Licensees & Radiation Requirements for Large Irradiators
ML20058F814
Person / Time
Issue date: 08/15/1990
From: Curtiss J
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To: Chilk S
NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY)
References
NUDOCS 9011090148
Download: ML20058F814 (3)


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N 0 T A~T I O N V0T(

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RESPONSE SHEET eate' i

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TO:

SAMUEL J. CHILK, SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION FROM:-

C0mISSIONER CURTISS

SUBJECT:

SECY-90-211 PROPOSED RULE FOR LICENSES AND RADIATION SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE IRRADIATORS X/with APPROVED connents DISAPPROVED ABSTAIN N6T PARTICIPdTING REQUEST DISCUSSION' lCOMENTS:

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August 15, 1990 L-DATE L

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, Commissioner Curtiss' comments on SECY-90-211:

g I_ approve: publication of this notice of proposed rulemaking, subject to the revisions recommended by Chairman Carr.

I would specifically note that I support the reinstatement of the r

a discussion on the RSI-Decatur accident, indicating that the f

Commission is reevaluating and soliciting comment on whether continued use of sources containing soluble cesium-137 should be permitted.

Regarding~the analysis of the RSI-Decatur accident, I continue to be concerned with the manner in which our evaluation of this

. incident, and?specifically the suitability of the WESF sources, i

.is proceeding.

It is my understanding that considerable data.

have emerged.since the accident at RSI that would call into

-question the; fundamental safety of the design.and manufacture of these sources.

In. view of-this, I am growing increasingly l.'

uncoslortable waiting for what now appearsLto;be an indefinite perir>d of'timeifor DOE to complete its evaluation of these caprules.- We have witnessed one delay after;another in the completion of DOE's analysis and,1now that lawsuits have been filed, it'is'likelyithat we will see.further' delays.

Moreover, if-these< sources are~indeed'as inhomogeneoussas recent reports seet to1 indicate, it is not at all clear that a conclusive.

'assassment of-the cause of failurelat RSI, however long in i

7' fcoming, will provide us adequate assurance-that the failure mode of all other-WESF sources can be accurately-predicted or

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prevented.

LForotheseareasons,-and to facilitate a timely Commission. decision

.on:the suitability of.the WESF capsules, I would recommend.that

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.weldirect-the staff,to undertake'the following actions:

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Staff shouldtformally' request a' copy of the' Interim Report'of. DOE's; Type ~B' Investigation.

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. Board.

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Following~ receipt and' review of this report l staff

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should aesemble anreview pane 11 composed of

.individualsiknowledgeable11n'healthLphysics,

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metallurgy, physicalichemistry, metal' corrosion,-

'and manufacturing QA, who have not-been directly Jinvolved in, licensing decisions affecting-the:use

, 50 ofithe WESF sources? lThis'panelishould promptly.

SM review the Board's. findings and recommendations.

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and.reportLto the Commissiontwithin 30 days with' an assessment of the report's implications'for y

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continued 7 commercial licensing of,the WESF.

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~The recommendations _of this-review: panel, along.

~ ith-any public comments received during comment.

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'onLthe? rule, should,then form the basis of a staff

,, f paper l evaluating the, continued licensability of

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these sources along with options for Commission action.

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