ML20129A922
| ML20129A922 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/28/1984 |
| From: | Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Asselstine, Palladino, Roberts NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20127B589 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-84-784, FRN-49FR27769 AB60-2-110, AB61-2-110, NUDOCS 8507150411 | |
| Download: ML20129A922 (4) | |
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[ggdFg; s :g UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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V "M p' September 28, 1984 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman Palladino Commissioner Roberts
. Commissioner Asselstine Comissioner Bernthal Comissioner Zech FROM: Carlton Kamerer, Dire or Office of Congressiona irs
SUBJECT:
LLOYD/FUQUA HEARING ON HEU/ LEU FUEL CONVERSION On Tuesday, September 25, 1984, the Subcommittees on Energy Research and
- Development (Lloyd) and Energy Development and Applications (Fuqua) of the House Comittee on Science and Technology held a hearing to exantine the need for and the impact of requiring research and test reactors to convert to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. A list of attendees is attached. -
In her opening statement, Chairman Lloyd questioned the necessity of requiring fuel conversion. She noted a previous attempt to set a nonproliferation example by halting the development of domestic fuel reprocessing capability while the rest of the world simply forged ahe'ad using alternate. supply sources.
- Following NRC's prepared testimony, Comissioners Asselstine and Bernthal responded to questions concerning security during transport, security at the facilities, and the amount of material that would pose a credible threat. The member mnerally agreed that NRC's goal is laudable and that the proposed rule is comendable as a progressive action; however, there was disagreement in the area of cost and impact vs. benefit.
Testimony from the ACRS, other federal agencies, and reactor ope.rators then followed. Noteworthy comments include:
- NRC's proposed rule is. based upon zero risk whereas less restrictive precautions would lead to acceptable risk. These precautions include use of'40-50% enriched fuel, storage of unirradiated fuel offsite at DOE facilities, and increased security precautions. (Dr. Mark of ACRS, DOE,EPRI,'TRTR) 8507150411 850417 PDR FOIA HIRSCH84-784 PDR 1 ,
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- The diversion of irradiated fuel is not considered a credible event.
(DOE)
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- NRC may have the best intentions of simplifying the licensing process for fuel conversion; however, history has shown that simplifying the licensing (NEDHO) process is beyond the capability of the agency as it currently exists.
- The Federal Government should fund all costs of conversion including licensing and litigation. (EPRI,NEDHO,TRTR)
- If fuel conversion is forced upon domestic research reactors, some of them will m'ost certainly shut down even if the costs are funded by the government. (DOE,NEDHO,TRTR)
- Congress should consider exempting NRC from conducting public hearings on licensing issues related to fuel conversion so as to avoid uncertainty over litigation and court action. (Dr. Remick of ACRS)
- Reactors with lifetime cores should not be required to convert because of their small fuel inventory, the impracticality, and the fact that there is no similar requirement on foreign reactors of this design.
- Advanced nuclear R&D capabilities are already gravitating abroad and forced. conversion of domestic reactors will further that trend.
(EPRI,TRTR)
Copies of written testimony are available from the Office of Congressional Affairs.
Attachment:
As stated cc: EDO OPE OGC SECY RES ACRS o
O A -
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ATTENDEES HEARING ON HEU/ LEU FUEL CONVERSION SEPTEMBER 25, 1984 SUBCOMMITTEES: Rep. Marilyn Lloyd (D-TN)
Rep. Don Fuqua (D-FL)
Rep. Robert Walker (R-PA)
. Rep. Rodney Chandler (R-WA)
Rep. P.obert Young (D-MI)
Rep. Claudine Schneider (R-RI)
WITNESSES: (SEE ATTACHED SHEET) 1 e
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Haaring,on Conysrsion of Rassarch and Test Reactors
( ) Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Ft Tuesday, September 25, 1984 1:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Room 2325 Rayburn House Office Building .
Witness Lisi Panei h h Nuclear Recul aterv Commission D!RQ),
Honorable Frederick Bernthal Acting Chairman Accompanied by:
Honorable James Asselstine -
Commissioner Panei t, blR_Q Adviserv Committee an Reactor Safeauards ( ACRS) and Others Jesse Ebersole, Chairman Edwin L. Zebrosky
'NRC ACRS Electric Power Research Institute Accompanied by:
J. Carson Mark, Chairman Subcom. on' Safeguards and Security Forrest J. Remick, Member Panel 5;. Acencies Carlton R. Stolb'er, Director James S. Kane, -Deputy Director Office of Export and import Office of Energy Research Control U.S. Department of Energy Bureau of Oceans and interne-tional and Scientific Affair's U.S. Department of State Armando Travelli, Manager Reduced Enrichment for Res.
and Test Reactor (RERTR) Program Argonne National Laboratory -
, Panel h Research and Ig.31 Reactor Ooerators and Users Robert S. Carter, Chief A. Francis DiMeglio Reactor Radiation Div. National Organization of Test, National Bureau of Standards Research and Training Reactors U.S. Dept. of Commerce Center Rhode Island Nuclear Science l
James J. McGovern , Paul J. Turinsky,' Chairman Union Carbide Corporation Nuclear Engineering Dept. Heads
. Medical Products Division Organization
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Depart. of Nuclear Engineering ,_)
North Carolina State University _
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