ML20126A861

Requests to Be Advised of ASLB Intentions Re Resumption of Facility Operation.Serious Electrical Shortfall Exists in Pacific Northwest.Util Has Been Borrowing Expensive Power from Other Utils

ML20126A861
Person / Time
Site:	Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png
Issue date:	12/11/1979
From:	Johnson L OREGON, STATE OF
To:	Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20126A853	List: ML20126A850 ML20126A854 ML20126A858 ML20126A861 ML20126A864
References
NUDOCS 8002260556
Download: ML20126A861 (2)

Text

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o F FIC E OF THE GOVERNOR

• STATE CAPITOL "

5ALEM. CRECON 97310 December 11, 1979 f

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John Ahearne '

Chairman s U. .S . Nuclear Regulatory Commission ~

Washington, D.C. 20555 -

Dear Chairman Ahearne:

The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board presently has. before -it s r

the issue of whether or not to permit the Trojan nuclear plant ~.

to resume operations.

de cision.

I do not wish to interfere in their ._

However, due to the serious electrical shortfall confronting the Northwest, it is imperative that the State of g Oregon have some , idea when their . decision will be forthcoming. M It is our understanding that the Board's decision could be made s as early as Christmas, but on the other hand, if it intends to B hold hearings, then a decision may not be made for several 5 months. ~~

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Due to the closing of Trojan, the shortage of water in the i=~

reservoirs and the national shortfall of petroleum, the Northwest states face a critical electrical energy supply problem. The k, problem is particularly acute with respect to Portland General ~

Electric. In order to meet that problem, we have already '

authorized' Portland General Electric to operate its petroleum-fired plants at Bethel and Harborton. Under the Federal Clean Air Act, the Harborton plant can only operate for approximately 150 hours0.00174 days <br />0.0417 hours <br />2.480159e-4 weeks <br />5.7075e-5 months <br />. Portland General Electric has been borrowing expensive power from other utilities. The resulting costs to Oregon '

4 ratepayers are enormous. However, unless there is a turn in -

events, these_ measures will not be sufficient to meet probable [=

shortages af ter January 1. E We are preparing contingency plans, including.the imposition of i mandatory curtailments. Such curtailments will not only cause -

serious inconvenience to our citizens, but more important will ,

mean a substantial loss of employment throughout the Northwest.

It is impossible for us to proceed with these plans in any f; orderly fashion until we have some idea when a der:ision on 9 Trojan ~ will be forthcoming. -

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Forthese reasons , I would greatly appreciate your advising [yj me what the Board's intentions are. I do think it is important E.]

that we have an expeditious decision. However, if it is the @j Board's intention to have prolonged hearings , then it would 31 be valuable for me to know this now so that the State of Sj Oregon may proceed in trying to solve its problem. Your gj immediate attention and response would be greatly appreciated. Q Sincerely, M

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j Vi or Atiyeh [

Governor  ?

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=s (Dictated and approved by Governor Atiyeh) '

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