ML20136B220

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Ack Receipt of Ltr Expressing Concern for Nuclear Power. Outlines NRC Actions Resulting from TMI-2 Incident:Plant Mods to B&W Designed Reactors,Development of Waste Disposal Program & Addl Personnel Training
ML20136B220
Person / Time
Site: Three Mile Island Constellation icon.png
Issue date: 08/06/1979
From: Vassallo D
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To: David Nelson
AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML20136B225 List:
References
TASK-TF, TASK-TMR NUDOCS 7908310028
Download: ML20136B220 (2)


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'. i Mr. David ibl son 33 Rowley Street Rochester, New York 1'

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Thank you f appreciat- your recent lette expressing vn.,. v1ews on nuclear dowr. We ensur- your concerns and asswNu'that every effort is being made to nuclei the continued protecticn of the health and safety of the public at alls \.

.ar power plants.

'we have taken or are taking a number of actions with respect to all nuclear \ ,

power plants as a result of tne Three Mile Island accident. Specifically, l full-tine inspectors have been assigned to each operating plant utilizing

  • Babccck & Wilcox pressurized water reactors like those at Three Mile Island.

In avoition, the licensees of all these plants which were not already shut down have voluntarily shut down their plants. We have issued confirmatory orders to the licensees of all Babcock & Wilcox reactors like those at Three Mile Island to assure that necessary plant modifications, additional training and resised operating procedures will be effected prior to resuming operation.

Licensees of all operating plants utilizing pressurized water rea'cfors have been inttructed to take specific actions with regard to the status of certain equipnent, plant procedures, operator actions and facility designs. Licensees of all operating plants, including those utilizing boiling water reactors, have been instructed to provide us with additional information with regard to their facilities in light of the Three Mile Island accident. In addition, substantial effort is being expended within this agency to evaluate the factors which :orr tributed to the Three Mile Island accident and to prevent a similar occurrence in the futura. j.

We will carefully review all the information obtained and developed as a result of the Three Mile Island accident and take whatever further action is deemed appr @ iate. -

l With inspect to waste disposal, the Department of Energy has been pursuin9,a progrih designed to accommodate the anticipated need for disposal of high,.1evel ,

waste ar spent fuel that is expected to accunulate OLthe nuclear powerd iustry ~

contirbes to grow. This program includes, among other things, plans lop several operations for disposal of high-level wastes in stable geolo 4m a-ity tions. The purpose of these f acilities would be to demonstrate the 7 908310 Cg%,

l Mr. David fblson M 6M of a specific geological formation for permanent disposal of high-level and transuranic wastes. These facilities would be treated as permanent disposal repositories. The Department of Energy is now awaiting a Presidential direction of policy and plans which will occur following completion of studies recormended by an interagency task force formed by the President. There are several methods of high-level waste disposal which are technologically feasible. The Department of Energy is expected to continue to investigate options to determine whether superior disposal alternatives can be developed. Meanwhile the tRC staff is making preparations for the licensing review of geological repository applications to be submitted by the Department of Energy.

We assure you that every effort is being made to ensure the continued protection of the health and safety of the public at all nuclear powr plants.

Sincerely, s

D. B. Vassallo, Acting Director Division of Project Management Of fice of Nuclear Reactor Regulation