ML20141A883

Requests That Commission Ensure Util Proposal Not Be Reviewed Narrowly as Shipping Package Issue,But Reviewed for Overall Effect on Safe Decommissioning of Plant & Safety

ML20141A883
Person / Time
Site:	Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png
Issue date:	05/15/1997
From:	Blumenauer E, Furse E, Rich Smith CONGRESS (JOINT & ROTATING COMMITTEES, ETC.)
To:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20141A747	List: ML20141A744 ML20141A785 ML20141A883 ML20141A893
References
NUDOCS 9706230192
Download: ML20141A883 (1)

Text

. . . . _ . _ .

- Congregg of tIJe THnitch fatates N.lasfjington,1D0 20515 i

l l

l May 15,1997 i

The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman i Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555 Rockville Pike l Rockville,MD 20852 i

l l Re: Decommissioning of Trojan Nuclear Plant - Removal of Reactor Vessel

Dear Chairman Jackson:

In regards to the decommissioning of the Trojan Nucicar Plant near Rainier, Oregon, we understand the '

Commission staff is presently addressing issues concerning a one-time shipment of the Trojan Reactor Vessel as proposed by Portland General Electric Company in its March 31,1997 letter to the NRC OfIice of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards. As PGE's request is being considered, we request simply that j the Commission ensure PGE's proposal not be reviewed narrowly as a shipping package issue, but is reviewed for its overall effect on the safe decommission of Trojan and the public health and safety.

l l

l We understand the alternative a PGE's pmposal for a one-time shipment would be to cut up the internal components of the reactor vessel and dispose of them separately. According to PGE this approach would l

result in substantially higher occupational radiation exposures to Trojan workers, more than 40 separate l

shipments instead of one, and could increase public exposun: to radiation.

l The Commission's rules for transporting radioactive materials were apparently written for reusable l

containers over the very wide variety of transportation condidons that might be encountered. PGE asserts l

the very limiting shipping restrictions it plans to impose on the one-time shipment to ensure safety will adequately compensate for any deviations from the technical pro isions of the rules.

i l

As the NRC reviews PGE's proposal to determine whether the proposed one-time shipment can be done safely, we request you consider one-time shipments in the context of the possible safety and emironmental concerns ofincreased handling before, during and after multiple shipments. We urge you to carefully consider this point when evaluating PGE's proposal.

We look forward to the results of your review.

e A V

EarlBlumenauer li beth Furse

' ember of Congress Member of Congress Robe'rt F. Smith a

Member of Congress cc: Commissioners Nils J. Diaz, Kenneth C. Rogers, Greta J. Dicus, and Edward McGafligan, Jr.

9706230192 970613 rano mewo rma PDR COMPIS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR