ML20126E409

Notifies That AEC to M Reizen,State of Mi Dept of Health Concurred in by Lj Chandler,Tf Engelhardt & Hoffmann

ML20126E409
Person / Time
Site:	Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png
Issue date:	04/27/1973
From:	Chandler L US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
To:	US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
Shared Package
ML20126E404	List: ML20126E400 ML20126E406 ML20126E409 ML20126E411
References
NUDOCS 8101270271
Download: ML20126E409 (1)

Text

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O April 27, 1973 Note to Files BIG ROCK - LETTER TO DR. M. REIZEN, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, STATE OF MICHIGAN The subject letter has been concurred in by L. J. Chandler, and T. F. Engelhardt, 0GC, Bethesda. Mr. Hoffmann's concurrence was verbally transmitted by M. A. Rowden to L. J. Chandler, ,

who confirmed same to R. Diggs. '

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u L. J. Chandler Office of the General Counsel 97049l

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MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF PUtsLIC HEALTH LANSING. MICHIGAN 48914 4

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March 16, 1973 /.I bl.; ~, . fw ..b i

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.7 Ms. Dixy Lee Ray, Chainnan

, U. S. Atomic Energy Comission Washington, D.C. 20545

, 3 Dea r Ms. Ray:

The Division of Radiological Health staff of the Michigan Department of Public Health has myfewed the Change No. 34 and Anen&ent No. 4 (dated Deceober 6,1972) to Facility Operating License No. DPR-6 authorizino Consumers Power Company to operate its Big Rock Point Nuclear Reactor Plant Cl at Charlevoix, Michigan, to use fuel mds enriched with plutoniun oxide.

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There is enough uncertainity among scientists to question the validity of the conclusion by the Atomic Energy Comission staff found in Docket' Ho. 50-155, License No. DPR-6, Amendmont No. 4. Item 4, "the amendment does not involve significant hazard considerations different fmm those previously eval uated. " The department questions this statement since the amendnent pemits an increase in plutonium inventory from 50 kilograms to 150 kiloorams and constitutes the first licensum for significant plutonium fuel usage in commercial reactors.

Plutonium fuel is more toxic than the conventional uranium core composition and its physical properties make it one of the most difficult elements to centrol.

It could, in our opinion, not only change the public health and safety criteria for normal operation but could also materially increase the potential public hazard in event of an incident.

Finally, the Hazards Sumary Report did not consider the use of plutonium fuel and an envimnmental impact statement has not been submitted for the operation of the Big Rock Point Plant.

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