ML20126E426
| ML20126E426 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 06/07/1977 |
| From: | Case E Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Warren C COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20126E427 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8101270877 | |
| Download: ML20126E426 (2) | |
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w DISTR 1BUTION Docket 50-155,,
JtJN 7 1977 NRC PDR w/ incoming Local PDR w/ incoming EDO Reading DKDavis NRR Reading JShea ORB #2 Reading EAReeves The Honorable Charles Warren EGCase OELD Chaiman, Council on Environmental Quality RSBoyd GErtter(ED0-01925) 722 Jackson Place, N. W.
REHeineman MGroff Washington, D. C.
20006 HRDenton EPeyton VStello RMDiggs w/ incoming
Dear Mr. Chairnan:
DCrutchfield KRGoller Your letter of May 11, 1977, and accompanying letters to you ano Congressnan Elford A. Cederberg from Ms. Mary Sinclair concerning safety and environnental f actors relating to conducting ERDA-funded nuclear fuel research at the Big Rock Point nuclear plant have been referred to ne for response.
The kuclear Regulatory Commission (NP.C) hos not, at this. time, received a proposal from Consumers Power Company, operator of the Big. Rock Point nuclear olant, to insert fuel rods for.this.research progran into the However, we are aware, from infomation made Big Rock Point core.
available to the public, that ERDA and Consumers Power plan to explore ways to improve nuclear fuel perfomance in light water reactors through a 115.1 million, 8-year progran. Our understanding is that Exxon Nuclear plans to provide denonstration fuel rods to be irradiated at Consumers Power's Big Rock Point plant at Charlevoix, flichigan.
While we have not evaluated this progran, past efforts to improve fuel performance over the 15-year operating period at Big Rock Point have been successful. Continuation of these evolutionary technological improvements could have important safety and economic advantages.
The Huclear Regulatory Conmission will independently evaluate any proposal by Consuraers Power Company to insert fuel rods with design and faorication characteristics that are cifferent from those previously reviewed and approved for use at the Big Rock Point plant. NRC approval to irradiste a limited nursber of demonstration fuel rods at the Big Rock Point plant will be granted only if it can be detemined that there is no undue risk to the heelth and safety of the public or significant environmental impact.
The duclear Regulatory Comission routinely reviews many nuclear power l
plent licensee proposals to modify fuel rod design. Big Rock Point is no exception.
In reviewing such proposals, the Nuclear Regulatory Coccission requires that the primary assurance of safety be attained
. through a high degree of reliability and predictability obtained by glata7o8'72
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DISTRIBUTION Docket 50-155..
DKDavis NRC PDR w/ incoming JShea Local.PDR w l
EDO Reading / incoming EAReeves OELD NRR Reading
'GErtter-(ED0-01925: !
ORB #2 Reading MGroff Mr. Charles Warren, Chaiman EGCase EPeyton Council on Environmental Quality RSBoyd 722 Jackson ~ Place, N.'W.
REHeineman RMDiggs w/ incoming Washington, D. C.
20D06 rt ield
Dear !!r. Warren:
VStello KRGoller Your letter of May 11, 1977, and accompanying letters to you ana Congressman Elford A. Cederberg from Ms. Mary Sinclair conc and environmental. factors relating to conducting ERDA-funded nu v'
research at for response.the Big Rock Point nuclear plant have been referred to me t
i The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has not,' at this time 4
nuclear plant, to insert fuel rods for this research
, received Big Roci: Point core.
However, we are aware, from information made i
available to the public, that ERDA and Consuraers Power plan to ex ways to improve nuclear fuel pe a $15.1 million, 8-year program.rformance in light water reactors through plans to provide demonstration fuel rods tn be' f rradiated at Co r
Power's Big Rock Point plant at Charlevoix, Michigan.
s.
While we have not evaluated this program performance over the 15-year operating pe,riod at Big Rock Point hav been successful.
improvements could have important safety and econom The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will independently evaluate by Consumers Power Company to insert fuel rods with design and characteristics that are different'from those previously reviewed and A
approved for use at the Big Rock Point plant.
Q a limited number of demonstration fuel rods at NRC approval to irradiate j
4 to the health and safety of the public or significant environmental g
4 impact.
4 1
plant licensee proposals to modify fuel rod design.Th Big Rock Point is j
ig no exception.
In reviewing such proposals the Nuclear Regulatory
!)
Commission requires that the primary assura,nce of safety be attained through a high degree of reliability and predictability obtained by 3,, _ 3 -_ m i
une L
y 1
--.t The Honorable Charles Warren <
appitcation of rigorous standards in the design, fabrication operation of the. facility and through extensive quality assur,ance and i
control s.
engineered safety features are provided to mitigate th of accidents postulated to occur in spite of these measures. sequence Corcpany, in general, and the Big Rock Point p stateraent has been prepared for Big Rock Point.not me
, do mental impact statement has not been prepa The reason an environ-since the passage of the Wattonal Environmental Policy Act.
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Ms. Sinclair's safety allegations, she cites cra Regaroing
, back-as areas not meeting NRC's minimum safety standards.
case; Big Rock Point does meet NRC safety standards.This-is not the perforuance to assure that all nuclear plants are sa The NRC uses a cited by Hs. Sinclair have been thoroughly considered and correct The examples actions taken when needed.
core cooling system, the NRC Commissioners specificall matter.to assure that an adequate level 'of safety exists.
We trust that this reply is responsive to any concern that may be related to WRC responsibilities.
Sincerely, OriginalSpd D E. G. Case.
Edson G. Case. Acting Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
i 1.
Ms. Sinciatr's #/6/77 Itr.
- 2. f/7/77 ltr. froc. Ms. Sinclair to Honorable Elford Cederberg 3.
S/11/77 letter from Mr. Warren to Mr. Robert Fri 4
5/11/77 Itr from Mr. Warren to Ms. Sinclair
- NOTE:
SEE ATTACHED YELLOW FOR PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES.
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operation of the facility and through extensive qu controls.
engineered safety features are provided to mitigate the of accidents postulated to occur in spite of these measures. sequences 1
Company, in general, and the Big Rock Point pla l
statement'has been prepared for Big Rock Point.not meet
, do mental impact statement has not been prepared for Big Rock Poitit i The reason an environ-no NRC action affecting the quality of the environment has occurred s j
the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Ms. Sinclair's safety allegations, she cites cracks Regarding
, bach-as areas not meeting NRC's mininua safety standards.
case; Big Rock Pofnt does meet HRC safety standards.
This is not the performance to assure that all nuclear plants are safe The NRC uses a cited by Hs. Sinclair have been thoroughly considered and correctivo The examples actions tr. ken when needed.
core cooling systen, the NRC Comissioners, specifically con matter to assure that an adequate level of safety exists.
We trust that this reply is responsive to any concern that may be related to NRC responsibilf tfes.
Sincerely, Edson G. Case, Actin 0 Director Office of Nuclear Reactor ReDulation
Enclosures:
1.
Ms. Sinclaf r's 5/6/77 Itr.
2.
5/11/77 Itr. from Ms. Sinclair to Honorable Elford Cederberg 3.
S/11/77 letter from Mr. Warren to Nr. Robert Fri 4.
5/11/77 ltr from Mr. Warren to Ms. Sinclair j
- NOTE:
SEE ATTACHED YELLOW FOR PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES.
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