ML20092G421

Objects to Cancellation of NRC Caseload Forecast Panel Insp. Expresses Concern Re Discrepancy Between NRC & Licensee Estimates for Commercial Operation.Need for Independent Review Stressed.Rescheduling of Insp Urged

ML20092G421
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	04/13/1984
From:	John Carlin KANSAS, STATE OF
To:	Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20092G363	List: ML20092G421 ML20092G465
References
NUDOCS 8406250123
Download: ML20092G421 (2)

Text

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STATE OF KANSAS f:

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OFFICE OF THE COVERNOR State Capitol Topeka 66612-1590 J hnCuhn Gmemor April 13, 1984 Nunzio J. Palladino, Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission Room 1114 Matomic Building

'1717 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20555.

Dear Mr. Palladino:

I wish to register strong objection to the cancellation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its Caseload Forecast Panel inspection of the Wolf Creek Generating Station scheduled for this week. While I understand that the NRC generates this forecast for.its own purposes you must.also recognize the significance of the nuclear plant construction schedule assessments as an independent. check against those prepared and released by the utilities constructing the plants.

In the case of the Wolf Creek Generating Station I regard the inspection just cancelled as especially critical. The plant is nearing its commercial operation date,, reported to be spring of 1985 by the managing partner of the project, Kansas Gas and Electric Company. At the conclusion of the last review by the Caseload Forecast Panel, however, there was an eight-month variance between the NRC and utility estimates for commercial

- operation of the plant. According to published accounts the utilities estimate that an eight-month extension of the construction schedt?e would add approximately $400 million to the current projected cost of $2.67 billion.

Any increase in the cost of Wolf Creek -- which most Kansans already believe to be excessive -- would be cause for very-serious concern not only for its implications for ratepayers but for the utilities as well. .The utilities have little incentive to revise official schedule and. cost estimates, making an independent review all the more'important.-

8406250123 840604

. -i PDR COMMS MtCC A CORRESPONDENCE P,D*! ,

0 Mr. Nunzio J. Palladino April 13, 1984 Page Two On behalf of the ratepayers of the Wolf Creek utilities and the people of Kansas, I urge you to reschedule the Caseload Forecast Panel inspection and to do so immediately. I ask further that you provide me directly with the NRC's completion estimates for major milestones remaining on the construction schedule for the Wolf Creek Generating Station.

Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.

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- JOHN CARLIN j bovernor JC:dh cc: Kansas Congressional Delegation O