ML20100F160
| ML20100F160 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 11/12/1964 |
| From: | Case C SENATE |
| To: | Roberts C US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20100F143 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-95-389 NUDOCS 9602200270 | |
| Download: ML20100F160 (5) | |
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November 12, 1964 9.lCnifeb Stafe. Senal, Charle s R. Roberts.' M. D.
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Respectfully referred to Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman Atomic Energy Commission W.ashingto.n,.D..C, 20545 for such consideration as the communication herewith submitted may warrant, and for a report thereon, in duolicate to accompany return of inclosure.
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NEW JERSEY pg3Lic SCIENTISTS' COMMITTEE FOR P*? E,M INFORMATION 268 gagdgr0*dd Ave.
Teaneck, New Jersey Oct. 28 1964 The Honorable Clifford P. Case United States senate Senate Office Building washingtone D.C.
Dear Sir:
The enclosed letter was sent to Senator Williams Jr. The N.J. Scientists' Committee for Public Info 21sation has/ instructed s to asil it to you. We would appreciate your responses to the same questions which we asked of Senator Williams in the enclosed.
We are certain that you share our belief that issues which relate to the public health and welf are of citizens of New Jersey merit our joint serious attention. In the belief that you share our concern, we respectfully urge you to devote your energy to the crucial matter referred to in our comusunique to Senator Williams.
I an also enclosing a letter which we sent to Dr. Kandle,
tate Commissioner of Health.
S An early reply to the queries herein would be gro6tly.
a appreciated.
3 Sincerely yours, 1
5 Charles R. Roberts, M.D.
Co-Chairman N.J. Scientists' Co::mittee i
for Public Information.
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The Honorable Senator Barrison A. Williams, Jr.
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United States Senate-
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Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am writing you on behalf of the New Jersey Scientists' Comnittee for Public Information (SCPI) in the matter of the proposed construc Our coamaittee was established four a nuclear power plant at Oyster Creek.
- dicine, years ago as a group of scientists representing the f S
f the people pects of radiation as they might affect the health and welfare l
nergy especially where potential hazards are possibiliti of New Jersey.
Our ilar to some committes is an independent, non-profit, non-political group sim bound together by twenty sister groups of scientists, each independent, but d
n informed the belief that solution of problems of nuclear energy deman s a 4
i citizenry.
f We are deeply concerned about some unresolved questions relevant Public hearings held by The l
to the proposed Oyster Creek nuclear plant.
l Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, October 14 - 16, at Toms River havd served to allay our' anxieties in this matter.
to learn your views about the following questions:
l Are you in accord with the issuance of a " construction
- 1 permit" by the Atomic Energy Commission to th (a) l satisfied that the final design of the plant will meet the fullest requirements consistent with safety to New Jersey residents?
Why did New Jersey Central Power and Ligh i
(b) nuclear site, before a " construction permit" was issued, in?
-fact peipyr to the holding of public hearings in the matter r
I Are you satisfied that every detail of safety pertaining to possible accidents within the reactor, to possible radioactive (c) contamination of the' drinking water for nearby residents, to dio-the fate of marine and fish life in Oyster Bay (where ra active wastes are to be discharged from the plant), and other questions, is being resolved fully by the A.E.C. 1>efore a gcl
" construction permit" is issued?
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The' Honorable Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr. - #2 October 28, 1964
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(d) Are you. aware thitt Chicago Bridge and Iron Company has al-
-f ready received a one and one-half million order for con-uc-
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tion of a contaimnent system for the nuclear. plant? - Ye at
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-the hearing at Tom's River, presided over the Atomic Safety j
and Licensing Board, the.latter questioned whether certain i
s structural and operational safety limitation had been ade.
quately demonstrated by New' Jersey Central Power and Light
-l Company.-.The award to Chicago Bridge and Iron Company is j
probably contingent on " permit" approval by the A.E.C.
However, we are quite concerned about the Division of i
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Reactor.l.icensing taking the position that the containment l
system's safety operation be a " matter....more properly.
resolved at a later licensing stage." Are you in accord j
with our feelings that matters involving possible hazards to the public be properly resolved before " construction" of
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the plant is begun?
t (e) Are you aware that the New Jersey State Radiation Conunission, headed by.Dr. Frank G. Dunnington, expressed acute reservations i
about the project at the hearing? These included among others, questions about how smoke would be dispersed from stacks at the plant; radioactive waste disposal; an estimate of the magnitude of thermal pollution discharge to the public domain
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and its methodiof control.
Dr. Dunnington asked that the A.E.C. withhold the " con-struction permit" until the A.E.C. and state health authorities had come to agreement on certain points.
(f) Are you aware that the New Jersey State Department of Health and the New Jersey State Depdrtment of Conservation had expressed certain concerns? These included anxiety about over-c.
heating of creek or river water, contamination of fresh water supplies with saline water and possible discharge of radioactive materials into the waterways and Barnegat Bay. At the hearings; after expressing these concerns, the Health and Conservation Departments withdrew their objections to the issuance of a
" construction permit",because of " promises" by the Jersey Central of closer consultation with the state authorities in the future.
Senator Harrison, do you feel that " promises" of this sort warrant a reversal by state officials in their objections to the issuance of a " construction permit", when the very questions of doubt that these officials raised at the hearing were not adequately answered by the Jersey Central representatives?
Should a " construction permit" be issued by the A.E.C. before the questions of these state officials are satisfied as to safety.
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The Honorable Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr. - #3 October 28, 1964 (g) 4 Finally, there is the legal question as to whether the A.E.C. can pre-empt aspects of wider public healther and welfare involving state police powers. This point has not yet been tested in the courts. What is your position on this in the event that the A.E.C. decides to exercise what it considers to be its pre-emption prerogatives over the objections of the State of New Jersey or any of its citizens in the matter of the proposed nuclear plant?
We are most interested in your views to the above questions. In addition, would you kindly supply us with all the available data related to the various Government the application for construction of the nuclear plant, documents in the case, sand the records of tha proceeding of the three-day
^ hearing held at Tom's Rive on October 14 - 1, 1964. Our couanittee believes 6
- that it has a continued responsibility to inform the public about facts con-cerning the uses of nuclear energy specifically where public health dangers are a possibility. The Oyster Creek project affects every resident of New Jersey directly or indirectly. Whether nuclear energy provided by the plant will be used judiciously or injudiciously will affect the lieves of the citizens of this state for untold years. Therefore, it is paramount that a cautious, chorough, objective scientific approach be exercised by all before the plant becomes a reality.
We appreciate that at this time you are engaged in an arduous However, the A.E.C. and its Atomic Safety and Licensing electoral campaign.
Board are now in the midst of deliberations as to whether New Jercey Central Power and Light Company should be granted a " construction permit". Hence, your prompt reply to this letter would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours, Charles R. P.oberts, M. D.
Co-Chairman New Jersey Scientists' Committee for Public Information t
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