ML20136C930

Submits Reactor Captain Concept for Safe Operation of Nuclear Power Reactors

ML20136C930
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	04/17/1979
From:	Pitzer K CALIFORNIA, UNIV. OF, BERKELEY, CA
To:	Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20136C918	List: ML20136C914 ML20136C920 ML20136C924 ML20136C930
References
NUDOCS 7910170567
Download: ML20136C930 (1)

Text

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N.5.w. 2006 lN REPLY PLE ASE QUOTE: TELEPHONE: 692 1122.

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, . , ox 1154 l Mr. Joseph M. Hendrie, I Chairman,  ;

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, )

WASHINGTON, D.C. )

U.S.A. q

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• , i 17th April, 1979. i l

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Dear Mr. Hendrie,

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While this is written from Sydney, Australia, where l I am for the moment a visiting professor, I wish to comment from my background as member and chairman of the General Advisory Committee to th e U . S . Atomic Energy Commission in the early sixties. At that time the Committee considered the human organizational aspect for safe operation of nuclear reactors and recommended the concept of " reactor captains" somewhat analogous in role to the captain of a ship. We were concerned lest reactor operations be left in the hands of operators with insufficient depth of knowledge and sense of responsibility and that unnecessary mistakes or carelessness might then occur as apparently did occur at Three Mile Island.

The essential elements of the " reactor captain" concept include an appropriate professional education providing real understanding of the complexities of a nuclear reactor with government examinations and licensing, and clearly recognized responsibility with the corresponding full authority for the safe operation of the reactor.

This concept also implies subordinate but comparably trained and licensed reactor officers, an accurate " log" of the condition and operation of the reactor, etc. --

I still believe that this concept is appropriate, indeed that it is necessary, and urge its renewed' consideration.

Yours very sincerely, 7

[_ ;l - - -

7 9102 70t957 Kenneth S. Pitzer.

P.S. Please note my permanent address as Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720.