ML20113E792
| ML20113E792 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 05/01/2020 |
| From: | Kristine Svinicki NRC/EDO |
| To: | Keating W, Markey E, Warren E US HR (House of Representatives), US SEN (Senate) |
| Jacki Storch x415-2877 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20098F323 | List: |
| References | |
| CORR-20-0039, LTR-20-0134 | |
| Download: ML20113E792 (2) | |
Text
May 1, 2020 The Honorable Edward J. Markey United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Markey:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your April 7, 2020, letter expressing concern regarding emergency preparedness and planning requirements for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) public health emergency.
Pilgrim permanently ceased power operations on May 31, 2019 and reached the effective date for the Commission-approved exemptions on March 31, 2020. Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (HDI), which became the Pilgrim licensee for decommissioning operations in August 2019, must continue to maintain adequate onsite emergency planning measures to classify and respond to a potential radiological event involving a loss of spent fuel pool water or radioactive material in remaining systems, structures, and components. HDI must also continue to maintain adequate onsite emergency planning measures to notify State and local response organizations of such a potential event. Although the NRC has adjusted its inspection activities in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, it maintains oversight that supports reasonable assurance of adequate protection of the public health and safety. Based on this oversight, the NRC believes that Pilgrim is able to comply with the applicable emergency planning requirements at this time and has no basis to rescind the effectiveness of the exemptions. The NRC will maintain its oversight and remain in regular communication with the licensee during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
I appreciate your continued interest in these matters. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me or have your staff contact Eugene Dacus, Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, at (301) 415-1776.
Sincerely, Kristine L. Svinicki Kristine L.
Svinicki Digitally signed by Kristine L. Svinicki Date: 2020.05.01 12:33:20 -04'00'
Identical letters sent to:
The Honorable Edward J. Markey United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Elizabeth Warren United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable William R. Keating United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515