ML20129B556
| ML20129B556 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/06/1984 |
| From: | Rehm T NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20127B589 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-84-784 NUDOCS 8507150538 | |
| Download: ML20129B556 (5) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES e
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20565 September 6,1984 NOTE TO:
C. Kammerer, OCA FROM:
T. A. Rehm, EDO E
SUBJECT:
B00QUARD TESTIMONY Attached is draft testimony for the Bouquard Hearing.
I am sending it a little early as
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Cornissioner Roberts may want some time to consider it.
The text can be reduced in length J
or complexity if the Comnission desires.
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While the Comission/Comissioner is reviewing, r
IP will confirm Department of State's position
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to assure it is stated correctly.
E Attached also are some Q&As on the issue.
IP will develop some additional ones over the next 10 days and we will provide them separa T. A. Re 8
Assistant for Operations, EDO Attachments:
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Dr. Philip N. Powers [6 M E RITVI fp f GNP.
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School of Nuclear Engineering BRANCH Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47905 g
Dear Dr. Powers:
/d82j As you may have heard, UCLA has decided to permanently shut down their research reactor. The university has been in a protracted ASLB hearing on the renewal of their reactor's license. Apparently the cost and time to counter the intervenors, mainly the Committee to Bridge the Gap, has forced this decision by UCLA's administration.
Currently the NRC Commissioners are considering issuing proposed rules requiring non-power reactors to convert from HEU to LEU fuel and to implement augmented security. The commissioners and ACRS have had public meetings on the proposed rules. Both the Nuclear Engineering Department Heads Organization (NEDHO) and the Test, Research and. Teaching Reactor (TRTR) Organization have testified ' opposing the HEU to LEU conversion rule and urged a more careful evaluation before implementing augmented security requirements. The augmented security requirements are being pushed toward implementation in an expedited manner in spite of the NRC staff's position that current security requirements are adequate. The Committee to Bridge the Gap and Nuclear Control Institute have urged promn+ idoption of both proposed rules.
NEDHO a are concerned that the conversion rule will result in many university reauors permanently shutting dcwa. This cost is judged to be much greater.than the benefit of reduced division risk. A recent analysis by Dr.
Zebrowski of EPRI indicates both the small amount of total HEU that is located at NRC licensed non-power reactors (note DOE reactors are exempt from conver-sion) and the difficulty of simultaneous diversion and weapon manufacture without low enfo. cement intervention.
The concern that some university reactors will permanently shut do[n origi-nates because of both licensing and financial concerns. A lengthy and costly licensing process driven by intervenors cannot be afforded financially or in terms of staff at many universities. The proposed rule indicates generic licensing, but past experience with this approach has not proven successful.
The proposed rule also indicates that the availability of federal funds will be consOfered during rule implementation. It is unclear what costs such funds-would cover, e.g., legal fees, and what will happen if adequate funds are not available. Some funding currently exists in pending Senate legislation but has been renoved during markup in House legislation.
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North Carolina State Univerrity is North Carolina's originalland-grant mstitution
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and is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina.
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Dr. Philip N. Powers Page 2 June 19,1984 Departments of Nuclear Engineering have been under considerable pressure from university administrators due to a declining share of engineering enrollment and high cost per degree. Several academic programs have already closed down or been merged with other programs. Within this environment the proposed conversion rule if adopted may be enough to force university adminis-trators to close down reactors and academic programs. The real cost of this rule will be the lost educational experience for our future nuclear leaders and research associated with university reactors. We also should be concerned that additional success on the part of the intervening groups in shutting down unt-versity reactors may provide momentum for a more ambitous objective of stopping,
nuclear power.
I urge you to contact the President, Presidential Science Advisor George Keyworth and NRC Commissioners to express your opinion on this matter. Time is of the essence since the NRC Commissioners are due to vote shortly on issuing the proposed rules.
I would appreciate you sending me copies of any correspon-dence and advising me of what actions you have taken.
If university nuclear engineering progrcms are severely damaged, one cannot be optimistic about the future of nuclear power in this country.
With th,anks a,nd best regards.
Sincerely, Raymond L. Murray Professor Emeritus RLM:dcr 9
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9yg7y0N V0TE NESPON5ESHEET.
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SiMUELJ'.CHILK.,SECRETARYOFTHECOMMISSION FROM:
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b3 NRC-SECY FORM DEC. 80
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