ML20079Q834

Commends NRC for Responsiveness in Closing Facilities Due to Emergency Planning Deficiencies.Urges Review of Testimony Presented at Hearings.Facilities Should Remain Closed Until Adequate Emergency Plans in Place

ML20079Q834
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point, 05000000
Issue date:	05/25/1983
From:	Gilman B HOUSE OF REP.
To:	Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20079F261	List: ML20079F259 ML20079Q834
References
FOIA-83-130 NUDOCS 8402010384
Download: ML20079Q834 (2)

Text

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CD AMth'CAN PRISONERS AND 15514 IN SOVTHLAST ASW Mr. Nunzio J.

Pallidino

Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W.

f Washington, D.C.

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Dear Mr. Pallidino:

8 Regulatory Commission for its responsivenessPermit me to ta o.

ear (closing of the nuclear power plant at Indian Point, Y'

in ordering the 5

New York, e'

report, the NRC decision a necessity. including the absence of realistic evac c ory FEMA 6

s, made in a more heavily-populated area than any other nucleci fThe Indian Po h

in the nation.

Accordi acilities cvent of any emergency,ngly, the well-being of the populace, in the any decisions by the NRC.should be the uppermost consideration in d

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I have long been skeptical of the safety of the Indi 9

facility, Nuclear Regulatory Commission's hearings on this mattand t an Point g(

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my earlier testimony, in January 1982, I pointed out that more than er. During than any other nuclear power plant in the nationtwice as y

of Indian Point millions of lives in jeopardy should any emergenc,y arisethus placing g

pointed out at 7

that time the unique problems that I

o-these factors would have to be taken into consideratian t

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that mere compliance with NRC regulations at on, noting b2 enough.

Indian Point would not uO J

I also brought kpordinatelylargenumberofplantto the attention of the Commission the in-s

1. oq the years, due shutdowns at Indian Point over P." problems, to operating errors, equipment failures, security d)minedtheconfidenceofthepeopleand management practices.

These shutdowns have under-R LThus, in the safety of Indi

'a greater degree the efforts made to insure the safety in an Point.

) vicinity of Indian Point.

It is regrettable to note that not only have these ext assuage the concerns of the populace not been taken ra steps to first emergency drill, held in March 1982,the rudimentary requ but even e.

The lack of preparation for any accident.

underscored the shocking especially senior citizens, invalids, children,Many of our citizens, N

and the handicapped, SE ;uPLY TO:

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'.g Mr. Nunzio J.(' lli'dino ggg Chnirm;n g

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l-Nuclear Regulatory Commission May 25, 1983

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met with great problems in obtaining transportation.

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Many did not hear the alarms.

The drill failed utterly in its t;;

objective of reassuring the populace.

O The second drill, held a year later, in March 1983, was aw=r notable not only in its continued failure to reassure the people, E =-

but also in the fact that it received failing grades from the r

Federal Energency Management Agency (FEMA).

It was on the basis of the devestating report from FEMA that NRC had no option but jkk to order the closing of the plant.

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E Throughout all of this, the NRC has had to keep in mind the 555 fact that the plant is located within one mile of a geological

~jss fault which has experienced earth tremors within recorded history.

b That fact has increased the trecedation of the citizens of MO; the area.

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All of these factors add up to a pu'blic relations disaster CII for the licensees, and additional work for the NRC, which must 53[

make a just decision while keep'ing the confidence of the public.

55; Considering all of these factors, the NRC had no choice but to 5ti.

close the plant, and to keep it closed, until and unless the

$[3 licensees conduct the monumental task of answering each and 55?

every one of these concerns.

1_5__5 I have been informed that the licensee and the local I.. _ _

governments will be afforded the opporunity to rebut the

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NRC decision prior to June 9th.

With due respect, I am skeptical

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that in such a limited time the licensees and local governments r--

can submit adequate rebuttals to the FEMA report and to the myriad of concerns which ha ve aris'en in recard to Indian Point.

Accordingly, I urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to F-"-

once again review the substantial testimony presented at the bes months of hearings held on this topic and to keep the Indian

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Point generating plants closed until adequate, detailed emergency gds plans are in place.

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..m.m Thank you for your time and attention in this matter.

jyy Wit) best wishes,

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Sincerely, 5?jf r=

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BENJA. MIN A.

GILMAN

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Member of Congress MG-BAG: 2 l-7 j

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