ML20086U076

Discusses Allegations Re Irregularities at Oyster Creek During Operation.Forwards Ltr Allegations from Source W/ Request That Immediate Appropriate Investigation Be Undertaken.W/O Encl

ML20086U076
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	09/27/1973
From:	Reggie Sullivan NEW JERSEY, STATE OF
To:	Doub W US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
Shared Package
ML20086U039	List: ML20086U037 ML20086U076
References
FOIA-95-68 NUDOCS 9508030261
Download: ML20086U076 (2)

Text

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( C) 9/27/2 3 t I 9tatt at Kru Ertsfg DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION )

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September 27, 1973 s

certified Mail #9836 Cossaissioner William O. Doub United States Atomic Energy Commission 1717 H Street, Northwest Washington, D. C. 20545 Dear Commissioner Doub Refer to USAEC Docket 50-219 l NJPUC Docket 60-652

. . .a A number of years .ago the State Government of New Jersey was presented with'a'11egations concerning irregularities connected with the construction of the primary loop for the Oyster Creek Nuclear Electric Generating Station Unit No. 1. l The allegations were transmitted to Dr. Roscoe Kandle, Dr. whoKandle '

then headed Governor Hughes's Atomic Energy Council.

elected to advise the then Division of Compliance of these l allegations. I am happy to write that the AEC, specifically Mr. Robert Kirkman, then Director of Region I, Division of Compliance, responded immediately and undertook an investigation l

which essentially substantiated the allegations. Appropriate i

corrective action was undertaken.

i We have been in receipt of a number of anonymous telephone allegations concerning irregularities at Oyster Creek during operation. Some of these allegations if substantiated may l have rather severe consequences with respect to the availability I

l of a safety system of the reactor when needed and the overall health and safety of the general public. I am attaching to this letter allegations from a source with the request that an The immediate appropriate investigation be undertaken.

l Commission is further requested to advise this State Government

' as to the findings and if indeed the allegations are confirmed,

' what corrective action can and is being taken. Specifically, did a loss of total J1ectric power take place resulting in l

inability for any length ot time to effect forced convection cooling; and if so, did this result in clad defects and thermal Finally, is stresses resulting in core structural damage.

i there any substance to the allegation that an abnormal release also occurred.

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- 2-September 27, 1973 Comatissioner Doub The allegations relating to an abnormal occurrence were

,first called to the attention of this Department in an unusual

• manner. A reporter, John Allen of the Atlantic City Press, called this Department's twenty-four hour line about 9 p.m.

on Septe:nber 8 and was put in touch with our Nuclear Engineer, Charles Amato. Mr. Amato in turn contacted Mr. J. P. O'Reilly of your King of Prussia officeMr. and the New Jersey State Police O'Reilly responded isusediately (per standard procedures).

and called the plant and the plant superintendent (at his home),

then advised Mr. Amato of his findings which did not suggest a core melt-down or near melt-down as the allegations implied.

At a meeting on September 14, Mr. O'Reilly discussed the matter with Mr. Amato, advised him a Reactor Inspector had visited Oyster Creek on September 11, and gave Mr. Amato a copy of

' Oyster Creek Abnormal occurrence Report No. 73-19, which is PDR material (this abnormal occurrence had been reported to the AEC on the morning of September 8). A copy of the just noted Abnormal Occurrence Report is attached for the sake of completeness.

I would be remiss if I failed to coussend Mr. O'Reilly for his cooperation and timely response. We have come to expect this of Mr. O'Reilly and his Staff.

You may be interested in noting that two unusual or abnormal Each occurrences took place at Oyster Creek about a month apart.

took place on a FridA'y or Saturday preceding a Lacey Township Planning Board public meeting scheduled to determine if a Building Permit should be issued for the Forked River Station.

I am looking forward to receiving at the earliest possible date your findings in this investigation.

truly your

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I Richard J. livan Commissioner i

Encl.

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