ML20126G819

Responds to Re Storage of Spent Fuel at Facility. EIS Will Be Prepared to Consider Environ Aspects of Util Proposal to Increase Spent Fuel Storage Capacity.Related Fr Notice Encl

ML20126G819
Person / Time
Site:	Maine Yankee
Issue date:	03/26/1981
From:	Zech G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Marcoux L AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
References
NUDOCS 8104010475
Download: ML20126G819 (3)

Text

Tj- .

m / . , , .

sDRC8co,

• 0,; UNITED STATES y j* 51 g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION r,, E WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

%,,-8(( ./

4. .

%! x

• • • • • %. c~ /.

f2;Y {i 6 ,l,.r.

i sb o  % .jg-Ms. Lillian C. Marcoux b~' {, 7.

380 East Avenue Lewi ston, Maine 04240 IJ q',1A 2 7dOOI A l T ,\ 8 %'A, ssW'on E

Dear Ms. Marcoux:

\Q~ / ,. , 4.Qc' 3 This is in reply to your letter of March 1,1981, to Dr. Jos Mdf e i regarding the storage of spent fuel at the Maine Yankee Atomic Pow Station.

The haine Yankee Atomic Power Company submitted letters to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on September 18, 1979, and September 29, 1980, proposirg modifications in the storage of spent fuel in order to increase storage capacity. Enclosed is a notice that appeared in the Federal ,

Register on January 28, 1981, regarding the proposed issuance of an amendment to the facility operating license to permit expansion of the storage capacity from 953 to 1,545 spent fuel assemblies.

The staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will prepare an environmental impact appraisal to consider the environmental aspects of this proposal and a safety evaluation report to consider the safety aspects. An Atomic Safety and Licensing Board was established to' preside over the proceeding, and any person whose interest may be affected has been given an opportunity to participate in the proceeding.

We appreciate your interest in this matter and assure you that it is being handled in accordance with nonnal procedures.

Sincerely, Gary . ech, Chief Technical Support Branch Planning-a Program Analysis Staff Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

As stated THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS

. B104 010 975 P00R QUAUTY PAGES N

. - .- .-- - - ~. - -- - - - - - . ------ - -

9318 Fed:rel Registcr / Vel 48. No.18 / Wednesday lanuary 28, 1981 / Notices

=

may amend his petition, without cause for the granting of a late petition .

accornplished by replacement of the esisting spent fuel racks in which spent requestingleave of the Board up to and/or request. net determination win fifteen (15) days prior to the first be based upon a balancing of the factors fuel suemblies are stored on 12. loch centers with new racks in which spent prehearing conference scheduled in the specified in to CFR1714(a)(1)(lHv) and fuel assemblies and/or spent fuel pia proceeding, but such an amended 2.714(d).1 storage containers are stored on 10.5 petition must satisfy the specificity For further detaus with respect to this inch centers. As a result of the proposal requirements described above- action, see (1) the application for '

to use the r=w spent fuel storage racka, Not later bn fifteen (15) days prior to amendment dated September 18.1979, the Ucensee has requested modification the first prehearing confmace and (2) the supplemental applicados cf the Technical Specifications to scheduled in the proceeding, b '

dated September 29,1980, which are  ;

increase the K effective from equal to or petitioner sha!! Ble a supplement to the avsDahle for pub!!c inspection at the less than 0.90 to equal to or less thaa petiuon to intervene which must include Commission's Public Document Room.

0.95. a list of the contentions which are 1717 H Street. N.W. Washington. DC Pursuant to an order issued by the sought to be litigated with regard to the and at the local Public Document Room Board in this proceeding orrJanuary g. additional proposed modificatipns and at the Wiscasset Public Ubrary 1981 the Nuclear Regulatory the bases for each contention set forth Association. High Street. Wiscasset, Commission (Commission)is hereby with reasonable specificity. A petitioner Maine.

who fails to file such a supplement ' A co ofi m lasuing e Supplemental Notice of Proposed issuance of Amendment to

, which satisfies these mquirements with obtainekupon requ(1) est ud addressed (2) to the say be nspect to at least one contention will US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Focality Operating Ucanse for the facility. By this Supplemental Notice the not be permitted to participate as a Washington, D.C. 20555. Attention:

Commission is affording any person pany. . Director, Division of Operating Reactors, Thou permitted to Intervene become whose interest may be affected by the es to the proceeding, subject to any Deted at Bethuda. Maryland this 15th day additional proposed modificadons (the , tations in the order granting leave to of January, test ,

utillation of the new spent fuel storage Wemne, ad nan b opponun to Me Nuciur Regulatory Commi,ssh .

rocks to increase spent fuel storage Robert A.Cimk, +

capacity and the utilization of b fuel participate fully in b conduct of ti e ,

hearing. Including the opportunity to Qief, Operoungitsoctor: Branch Na A cask laydown area for additional present evidence and cross eumme Division afucensi, temporary storage) the opportunity to participate in this proceeding. ',' st for a be or a petition 3" ""#

By February 27.1981 any person ' " ' " " " w for leave to interven all be Sled with whose interest may be affected by these the Secntary of the Commission. United h', ; [t a lo p pt a a party in the (Docket Nee. 50-275 OL and 50-323 OL1

""8 "" * ## * "#**I be Pacific Gas and Electric Co.(Diable forca to in e eIn r an delivmd t Commission a Public . Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unita 1 with the provisions of to CFR 2.714. H5 et N W. and 2)(t.ow Power Test Proceeding) -

Those wh: have previously filed in ,"h ton, by ,

response to the October 24.1979 Notice Where petitions are Sled during the last (Scheduling a Confenoce of Counsel) of ProposedIssuance af Amendment ten (10) days of the notice period,it is I*"

need not refile unless they wish to do so* requested that the petitioner or In a conferice cad on January 2L If they do not refile, their rights to spresentative for the petitioner pr rticipate wiD be considered on the 1981(which was finally convened after basta of their previous filings.

promptly so inform the Commission by a extended difficulty) it was agreed that  ;

toij. free telephone call to Westers As required by 10 CFR 2.714. a there would be a conference with the Union at (800) 3264000 (In Missourt Board and counsel for the Parties in the petition for leave to intervene shall set (800) 342-4700). ne Western Union . sth Door hearing room at East. West forth with particularity the interest of operator should be given Datagram Tomre. 4350 East West Highway, the petitioner in the proceeding and Identification Number 3737 and b how that interest may be affected by the following message addressed to Robert Beemlamaryland.%e confmnae results of the proceeding.De petitia wiH begin at eso a.m. Occal time) on i A. Cerk:(petitioner's name and ,

should specifically explain the reasons January 2a.19st and will continue the l telephone number): (date petition was mailed): (plant name); and (publication following day,if necenary. Matters to why Intervention shoc!d be permitted be considered were discussed in the wim particular reference to the date and page number of this Federal following factors:(1) the nature of the Register notice). A copy of b petition confmaca caH.

petitioner's right under the Atomic should also be sent to the Executive he public is invited but there will not Energy Act to be made a party to the 1, gal Director. U1 Nuclear Regulatory be limited appearance statements proceeding: (2) the nature and extent of Commission. Washington. DC :0555, aceived nor will this conference be an '

the petitioner's property, fm' ancial. or and to Domas G. Dignan. Jr. Esq. and evidentiary hearing. Dose matter. will other interest in the proceeding: and (3) R. K. Cad III. Esq., Ropes & Cray. 225 be considered for a later date near the the possible effect of any order which Franklin Street. Boston. Massachusetta site of the facility.

may be entered in the proceeding on the 02110. attorney for the UcenseE It is so ordered, petitioner's interest.The petition should Nontimely filings of petitions for leave Fw ee Atomk Safety and Dansing Board, also identify the specific aspect (s) of the to Intervene, amended petitions. 131:abee 5. Bowers, subject matter of the proceeding as to supplemental petitions and/or request

• which petitioner wishes to intervene. for hearing will not be entertained Adealidstraure/udre.

Any person who pursuant to this notice absent a determination by the presiding in o=. e -am me-eset sio .=1 has either filed a petition for leave to omrer of the Daard that the petitioner s u m coes neo

• e inten ene or been admitted as a party has made a substantial showing of good

.. Federal Register / Vct. 46. No.1a / Wednesday, January ?.8.1981/ Notices 3315 moi!4 cations. if any, needed to conform Director. Offica cf Nuclear Reactor (Docket Me. 9No81 to the ernetic acceptance criteria by July Regulation. U.S. Nuclest Regulatory

31. twt 2 should be confirmed and - Commission. Washington DC 20555. Malne Yani ee Atomic Power Co.!

formattred by Order, and to Isham. Uncoln & Beale. SupplementalNotJce of Proposed I Counselors et 1.aw. One First National lesuance of Amendment to Fact!Ity Plaza. 42nd Floor. Chicago. E!!nois Operating Ucense The Commission hereb7 extends the 806c3. attorneys for the licemee.

ewmption from General Design A notice of Proposed lesuance of If a hearirig is held conedning such Amendment to Facillt ratim!

Crite-ton 50 of Appendu A to lo CFR Part 50 granted to the Ifeensee on Order, the issues to be considered at the Ucense was publishe n e Federal hearing shall be: Register on October 24.19"9 (44 nt rchruary 28,1978, only for the time nm.ma to complete the actions 1. Whether the !!censee should be . 01273) with respect to the application of equired y Section V or VI of % required to prompt! assess the Maine Yankee Atornic Power Co. i Order. Substantf a! improvements have suppression pool b drodynamic loads in (Ucensee) for an amendment dated )

already been made in the margins of accordance with the requirements of September 14.1979. which would revise  ;

safety of the contaihment s stems and Section V of M Order; and. the provisions in the Technical wl!!i;ontinue to be improv during this & Whether the licensee should be Specifications to permit expansion of period whenever recticable, and,in required, as set forth in Section V of this the spent kl storage capacity from 953 any event all a ed improvements. lf Order to complete the design and to 1545 spent bl suembling at the

" lastallation of plant modifications it Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station Mh this Order of S -do VI of any. needed to assure that the facility

. conf rms to the Acceptance Criteria (the facilityllocated in uncoln County Maine. As indicated in this Federal ne Commission has determined that. contained in Appendi.x A to NUREC- Register notice. this incmase in storage good cause exists for the extension of 0861. capacity was to be accomplished  ;

this nemption. that such exemption is . b Order set forth in Section V through a modified a t fuel pin authorized by law. will not endanger life hemof win become effecuve on - storage cacept inv ee or property or the common defense and expiration of the period during which disasumbly of spent fue asseinblies - i security, and is in the oblic interest. Se licensa may request a he or. la and reassembly into consol! dated bl The Commission has termined that &e event a hearing is held, on the ate bundles designed to provide a more the granting of this exemption will not specified in an order issued fouowing compact fuel pin array within the, result in any significant environmental further proceedings on this Order. existing spent fuel racka.The notice impact and that, pursuant to 10 CFR Vu added that the amendment would not al.5(d)(4), an environmentalimpact _ invoM an incmase in storage locations.

statement or negative declaration and For further details concerning this On November 23.1979. pursuant to the ,

ens tronmental impact appreisal need action, refer to the foUowing documents notice a tition for leave to latervene not be prepand in connection with this which are avaUable for inspection at the was file by Sensible Maine Power.

action. Commission's Public Document Room at Also on November 28,1979, the State of 1717 H Stnet. NW Wuhington, DC Maine, by its Attorney General. notified Y 31656 or through the Commission's local the Commission ofits intention to Accordingly. pursuant to the Atomic Pubue docurnent room at the Moline participate as an interested State Energy Act of 1954. as amended. and the Public Ubrary. 504-17th Stnet. Moline, pursuant to 10 CFR 2.715(c). Thereafter.

Commissions regulations in to CFR glinois, on December 3,1979, an Atomic Safety Parts 2 and 50. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED 1. " Mark I Containment Program I.oad and ucensing Board (Board) was TilAT the license be amended to '

Definition Report." General Electric established to preside in this proceeding include the foDo conditions: Topical Report. NEDO-21888. December (44 FR 71490. December 11.1979).

1. the licenne sha rom t!y assess 1978. On September 29.19e0, the Ucensee the suppression pool b d ynamic 3. " Mark I Containment Program Sled an application for an amendment loads in accordance with NEDO-21aas Structural Acceptance Criteria Plaat which supplements the application for -

and NEDO-24583.-1 and the Acceptance Unique Analysts Applications Cuide." an amendment of September 18,1979.

Criteria conteined in Appendix A to Generel Ele *:tric Topical Report. NEDO., h tember 14,1979 application for NU REG-0661. .

34583-1. October 19"9. amen ent as supplemented the

2. any plant modifications needed to 3. " Mark l Containment Long Term application for amendment wh ,

assure that the facility conforme to the m Safety Evahtlon Report.= supplements the application far an Acceptance Criteria contained in 1. July 1900, amendment of September 29, teso.

1 Appendix A to NUREC-4eet shall be would permit:(1) the incream of the

4. Letter from C. Reed. CECO. to D. C.

designed and its installation shall be Einnhut. NRC. dated May 11.1979. long-term spent bl storage capacity of completed not later than October 31. the spent fuel pool from 953 storage

5. Letter from C. Reed. CECO to D. C.

test or,if the plant is shtit down on that gisenhut. NRC, dated July 2.1980, locations to 1500 storage locations date, before the ruumption of power s Letter to licenses dated January 13, ' which can secommodate 1500 spent bl

- thereafter. ,, 1931, assemblies in their as discharged form or 2430 epent fuel asamblies O' N I*""*'Y 18'1 " "

aonsolidate<l for spent fuel pin storage De licensee or any person whose For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission- as described by the application for laterest may be affected by the Order Dane 8 C. tisenhet,

• amendment dated Septembet ta.te?9.

est forth in Section V hereof ma D6seter. D/ Is/oe efuoensig. OfEco of and (2) the uti!!r.ation of a spent fue!

request a hearing within thirty ys of NuclearJteactorJteguJetiaa

• reck to occup,~ the facility's spent fuel the date of publication of this Order'in yaom m.aue m o.a 4 ee .=i omsk laydown area for short. term the Federal Register. Any request for a snassa eaos rese.ews storage, when necessary.De increase '

hearing shall be addressed to the in long-term storage capacity would be e e a- *'

r t

LILLIAN C. MARCOUX 380 Esst Avenue LEWISTON. MAINE 04240 March 1, 1981 Mr. Joseph Hendrie Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street N. W.

Washington, D. C. 20555

Dear Mr. Hendrie,

Enclosed is a copy of my Letter-to-the-Editor regarding the storage of spent fuel rods at Maine Yankee. Also enclosed .

is a news clipping copy.

Please be advised that not all of us in Maine support our governor and attorney general in their anti-nuclear views.

Most of us are concerned with the long-range planning of the energy mix in our state and country, and we believe that nuclear energy is very much a part of our livelihood.

It is most disturbing to note that so many anti-nukes are on the Maine Energy Committee. Politics and vote getting has much to do with it, and any further granting of funds could well be used adversely. Gordon Weil and his personnel have sufficient funds to accomplish what is necessary. I strongly oppose granting any more funds to them.

I do hope that the spent fuel rod situation at Maine Yankee can be finalized for our long-range benefit. The majority of us voted for progress along with the rest of the United States.,

and our wishes should be considered.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, L 0k Lillian C. Marcoux (207)782 2153

& 8/03IBDC0$

~ c l-.bys %

• stet' Onit y E uf N Aj'3 7l '6 ) s

\ i3 IVkO!fl6 Of6dO:lb lU N- L)6 CIC {3 i space for all tne spent fue, in4 Maine Yankee caused by store mnre fuci rod; .n the pool melud >

By SMUREEN DEA increased radiation levcis *and the risk of ac-AUGLSTA ' AP' ~ Attorney General James willWithoutuse until 3M the chance. Maine Yankee will run out etdent3, Tierney on Thursday fded papers with the of storacn space in the mid-iteos and could be A P. othbay Har:.nr ara anti nucicar group.

Nue! car flegatory Commdsinn stat mg Maine's forced to close because tht rt' t> no place in the Sensitne Mame i n.ser is thy opiy>mther in-objections to Mamn Yankee's request to rn<.rease nation in send the used fuci, plant of f scials say.

115 spent fuel storace capac:tv.

" s ble . a.t n r n d- that the af;- Mame Yankee contends the chance would be pi. cntially vo es tent al ad er> put c heal safe. cwy eaW h Mate isn t sure of thatdancerousp ropot.ed storate meWM is anct inat it wouM turn ine 'A 48, .nsset and ent:ronmeraal consmer.aions t, hat are o'f because the proposed method of restackmg the serious enntern lo the state of Maine. fuel rods hasn't been tried in any other plant in plant site min a loneterm nudear Amp The Maine Yannee Atomic Power Co. has c un y Untd last month former Line Concressman ashed the NRC for permission to change the way The state also contends that Mame Yankee Stanley Tupper had been the attorney (or the it stores used racmactive tuol in a bloot pool of "may not have fuHy explored safer state water at the Wisca.iset plant site.

alternatives" had decidedgroup. but he to oppose ornpped Maine out partly b Yankee's The company says that restackmg the (uel to the storage method proposed .

roda closer together m the pool would provide Tierney said potential dangers that could be proposal.

y*

e ..

Q ,.; n ,y n.u

' ".s w i . , @,n ot y ,;Ly.. t 'o r I l O b i;.f' '('~ n

%rrq

%) %.? J J N Q'$c m;,crv

'v ^ V, y > \; & 5 \, y L. V s, kration in order 10 ronlinue Thal 1 'm n not a -o h ch-Storing Spent Fuel operanon. ananmg. ,, n nr t c h, To the Kddor M Nhn countnes that are ac- Ainencan uno want:, to +e this The discuuton of the various tive m the nuclear power programs conniry sta3 strong and tub-ene gv mised and our means of are developing their own sequent ly. Iree.

i repn si , id con crvation,15 top pnonty with .

g gg most of us hverv source of energy ' '

up, put up and shut up, we damned is mo-t imponant.

F k N h M*r in u ell may be Lin" n up

% hiie some individuals are p pagani reprocesing and classuication concerned wuh future vote.;:ettme 4,g attitudes ano plans, all of us should be greally concerned. in the name They are handhne 400 tons of spent fuel pn year, and they are building y p g egnpy another reprocc>sma plant twice y of our unborn descendants, with ggg the size of their first which is due W tne legacy they will inherit as a result of our wisdom with the for compkh,on this ycar.

a u o Doctors for Future means of energy left for them to y to,an"keet To the Ethlor: l su m rearrange the spent fuel rods on Re: " Plenty of Doctors" The projectian for solar powered satellites supplymg a major source hand, while we await progress in editorial on 2/ll/81 of our energy is four or five the technology of safe nuclear Is it true Do we plan to deny our decades from now.

waste disposalin the United States.

Meanuhile we do have nuclear Lillian C. Marcoux own qualined, competent. g motivated young people a chance energy whlen has proven to be a . 80 East Ave.

to pursue medicme and invite safer and more ecoromical portion kwista doctors and dentists from ollier of our present ener;:y mix than the states and connine.- to meet our fossil fuels bemg uu!! zed. There medicai needs' are ecolocical benehts as wc!1.

Reprocessinc the spent reactor ppgnapgdgggg r This seems a shortsighted view i fuel to remove reusable plutonium of our own resources Our young and uranium in our nuclear pow er To the Fditor people deserve the opportumty to plants would add centunes of about Iwoufdjustlike tosa tha be educated and serve, if they usable energy to the over all am thankful for the following. qualify.

program. At Maine T ankee alone "" " "# d5 the reusaole stel could save That ! Mvc the Ormns to know that if we cannot donate one hour a should contact representatives and thousar.ds of dahrs. suppyt our yong peopk s op.

Spent fuel assemblies are day to our military planes for low level flying over our state, then we portunity to pursue their calling.

removed from the reactors and Sielva C. Geores placed m water filled storace pools are donating 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> a day to the at the site to allow the temperature un military preparedness of this North Leeds >

and radioactivity to subside. They "" U"'

must remam in the pools for at For being a war veteran and least six months by rc;:ulation. knowing what it is like to see blood. L.kes i the Change ,

These assemblies pose little or no guts and dead inends lying around hazard to the public, because of because a nation was un-prepared To the Editor:

the manner in which they are militarily. I took the time, a few wecks ago, stored. That we have a free press so that to wrne you a letter voicinc my opi.

Most pools weredesigned to have I may answer some of those who nion agamst the T.V. Format that enough space to store three full think our boys up there are preceded the one you have now. ,

cores. If the pools fill up before a wrecking our pretty flowers, decision on reprocessmg and tourist business, wild llfe-Now, I'd like to wnte you a letter to let you know how much better I waste disposal can ,be provided, tranquility and all the rest, instead think the present T.V. Format is.

operating reactors will either have of protecting the very same from a s to build more pool space, world. wide enemy - the Soviet, it,s nice to know, that your paper "

rearrange their spent fuel atheistic government. is concerned about how your assemblics into a higher Gnsity That I do not fall for the anti. readers feel about its contents.

configuration (which can be 6ane American double talk, for the Mrs. Chnstine Begos without harm to the public), or ship purpose of halting this 23 East Ave.

their spent fuel to a centralized preparedness exercise. Lisbon Falls w a-.,ce .-r <~ --e ,- n erm e -

--r,- ---er c mar- ,

r