ML20133K537
| ML20133K537 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 05/23/1985 |
| From: | Aamodt N AAMODTS |
| To: | NRC |
| References | |
| FOIA-85-395 NUDOCS 8508120266 | |
| Download: ML20133K537 (4) | |
Text
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UNITED' STATES OF AMERICA w.M M, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSICM BEFORE Tf!E CO" MISSION q
g In the Matter of METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY et al.
Docket 50-299 Ydh (Three Mile Island Muclear Generating Station, Unit 1)
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION UNDER F.O..I.A.
MUREG-0600, The Report of the President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island, and the Muclear Regulatory Commission Special Inquiry Group all reported that the reactor " scram" was timely and complete in the reactor " trip" which occurred early in the TMI-2 accident of March 28, 1979.
However, we have heard rumors over the past several years that, contrary to official accounts of the accident, several of the control rods did not fall.
Recently, we came into the possession of information which supports the validity of those rumors.
On May 19, 1985, we met for the first time with Randall C. Thompson who served as a health physics technician at TMI-2 during April 1979 to discuss alpha radiation measure-ments in plant during the accident.
Mr. Thompson volunteered l
information he derived from conversations with plant operations l
personnel which confirmed these rumors of an incomplete scram.
He also provided us with an Associated Press release from the Oklahona Times of Saturday, June 26, 1982 which detailed licensee's attempt "to remove eight control rods into the reactor core".
This release and Mr. Thompson's resume' are attached.
8508120266 850523 PDR FOIA AAMODTBS-395 PDR
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, The absence of eight control rods would, obviously, have caused the fission reaction to have continued unabated during the crucial period when shutdown was being attempted.
Conclusions drawn by investigators concerning the relevance of the open PORV (pilot operated relief valve) would be largely invalidated.
Conclusions drawn with regard to the importance of the block valves being closed would also be largely invalidated.
Perhaps most importantly, the reliability of control rod functioning is seriously challenged.
We request the Commission to provide us with all informattion information in the possession of the Staff with regard to thei their knowledge of this matter.
We would move for a reopening of the record if we find evidence that there is b basis to assert that this matter would lead to change in outcome of the ASLB conclusions regarding licensee's competency or integrity and Unit 1 plant design.
- Clearly, for the reasons stated above, the timeliness and relevancy standards have been met.
The request is made under the Freedom of Information Act.
Respectfully submitted, i
lb!Midt hl-kud{f""
, -,.f Norman O. Aamodt May 23, 1985
i 4
Randall C. Thor::pson U.S. Navy nuclear power training system Nuclear Power School, Bainbridge, MD Nuclear Submarine service 2i years Comercial nuclear power experience Virginia Electric & Power Company North Anna Power Station,1:ineral, VA Health Physics training, Argon National Labs Radiation Safety Technician course.
Radiological chemistry training and " cold" Established errrironeental kmckground
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chemistry application.
monitoring system prior to plant start-up.
Surry Nuclear Power Plant, Surry, VA Pressurized water reactor refueling and outage maintairance.
Health Physics coverage in high dose areas.
Reactor chemist'ry and resin research.
RAD Services, Inc. (a radiological service company)
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Delta, PA Sr. Health Physics and Chemistry technician Sr. Plant Chemist Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, Middletown, PA Sr. Health Physics technician at final radiological control point at Unit II.
One of the ranking technicians on site during the amnth of April,1979 Radiological control as
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well as " release" stack monitoring and special Containment status se?H ng. Worked closely with NRC and Utility manage-ment. employees.
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.q, SATURDAY Ol[1.All0 MAN & TIMI'S June 26.1982 35, YUKoM CZECH HALL The Street People 3m. s y,,s.,,, og 1'
tatUS O UC eor Oni nC 00r m,se a d A m e==e*
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Scientists are moving each 12-foot rod - ac-plete the insertion set. 2s stoew M., ua, *e r e =
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(AP) - Officials at the rods hoping to get tually a bundle of 16 Thursday af ternoon, een Three Mlle Island nu-solid evidence of liow pencil: thin metal rods but it refused to budge, i,
clear power plant said badly the reactor is
- was used to be sure Bedell said.
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.lb fb N t'.U, b Friday that altnough damaged. If there is that the nuclear sfuel Three other rods r."
testing has gone well so debris in the rods' was spent evenly dur-were lowered through n
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I far it is still too soon to tubes, it would give.tcl-Ing the fisslori reaction.
tubing into the core on (lp...,
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- j. f,fe d,b,f' say what shape the enlists an Indication of They were in a raised Thursday. Bedell said H P, I u.
s, plant's crippled reactor the extent of damage.
position when the acci _ the second rod went 96 ffet.5 0
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M,.k'.3 good vibes, but we're temperature readings, lhe tesis started.
and the fourth was in-NJ-J not ready to draw any sound.'ngs and theory.
Sixty-one other rodi,' serted 81 percent.
I SAIE$ e slRVIC[ e lt$$0NS cverall conclusions on The tests, costing used to stop and start
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If testing goes as the condition of the about $2.8 million, fission within the 40-planned, scientists
'if 840-1616 foot reactor, were i
reactor and we may not mas k the first move.
hope to remove the 160-9,,[,,f.*,gg M,L. 3; trom these lests alone,, ment inside the Unit 2 drepped into the core t 3
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ton reactor dome pext shut down the reactor f),% 'd" TMI spek esman Doug reactor since it was DANCE CLAGS Dedell said.
shut down on Mas cle 3, during the accident.
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tool roels into the scac-of the two units at the rod into the core. It q% 4 u.I.
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