ML20084C331

Discusses AEC Concern Over Continuation of Plant Pressure Vessel Repair Program Pending Further Review of Info Filed W/Aec on 680325.No Justification Exists for Discontinuing Present Stub Tube Overlay & Field Weld Work

ML20084C331
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek, 05000000
Issue date:	04/09/1968
From:	Ritter G JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT CO.
To:	Price H US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
Shared Package
ML19289B326	List: ML20084C182 ML20084C331 ML20084C502 ML20084C552 ML20084C740 ML20084C761
References
NUDOCS 8304070620
Download: ML20084C331 (2)

Text

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"3 Jersey Central Power & Light Company

+ M ADISoN AVENUE AT PUNCH BOWL Ro AD

• MoR RISToWN, N. J. 07960 0 539-6111 April 9, 1968 NI /

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Fr. Harold L. Price q SI Director of Regulation United States Atomic Energy Commission

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(A Washington, D. C. 20545 sA ' $:,f;W' W m';b y.

Dear Mr. Price:

y'gg In Dr. Morris' letter of March 22 and in subsequent discussions, you and members of your staff have expressed concern over the continua- F !f tion of the Oyster Creek pressure vessel repair program pending your g. g further review of the information on the program filed with AEC on ,KMb Farch 25 %M.

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As you know, the General Electric Company has begun and is rC d currently carrying out the first phase of the program consisting of the f J7 :.

inspection, preparation and overlay of the exterior surface of the ves'sel M #.Td.

stub tubes, using a 308L stainless steel weld cladding and remaking of A;

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the field welds.  ;.

You and your staff have recently advised us, however, that our e L;f harch 25 report does not contain sufficient information to permit you to gy' complete your evaluation of the vessel repair program and that further r g;c data and safety analysis will be required. Much of the additional d y^'

information requested consists of documentation of matters with which ~%

your staff is already familiar through numerous inforral meetings and disc acions. We will respond with rupplemental data at the earliest ph possible date. We are prepared also to make available at any time and at your convenience experts from General Electric and our own consultants to discuss with your staff any aspect of the repair program. Meanwhile, ,k however, the question is not whether sufficient data has been supplied g\ ,h to enable AEC to complete its safety evaluation but whether there is any V ,h justification for our bringing to a halt the repair work now in progress. 'y \ .

Before undertaking the present repair work, we, our consultants ,\ <

and the General Electric Company considered whether the tork could j possibly prevent the undertaking of any alternative repair program which ,f might later be required. We also considered whether this work would be ' gy e30407o62o 69o106 COP _Y SENT REGION l , 0 1195 PDR ADoCK 05000 A

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O O Mr. Harold L. Price April 9, 1968 inconsistent with further investigation into the cause of the stub tube crack ng, taking into account the two stub tubes which are being held in reserve and on which no repair work has been done. We have concluded that this would not be the case. Nothing in our numerous discussions with your staff has suggested a different conclusion.

We can, therefore, think of no justification for discontinuing the present stub tube overlay and field weld work. If, as we believe, we are on the right track, we will save critical weeks in the completion and startup of the Oyster Creek plant. At worst, even if the AEC were ultimately to decide that the Oyster Creek vessel repair program was unsatisfactory, we might find that we and General Electric have expended money and effort to no purpose. We cannot conceive that this expenditure, minute in relation to the cost of the total project, could in any way influence or prejudice AEC's decision on the adequacy of the pressure vessel repair program or on our pending license application.

Because of our conviction that the stub tube repair program presently undertaken is in the right direction, because proceeding with the program would not prevent any alternative solution which might later be required, and because of the importance of completing the Oyster Creek plant at the earliest possible date, we request that no feml action be taken regarding the work in progress 'without first e! fording us an appoint-ment to discuss the matter with members of the Comnssion.

Very t yourg,

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J' Geo. H. Rit'ter l Vice President J

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