ML20141A893

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

ML20141A893
Person / Time
Site:	Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png
Issue date:	06/05/1997
From:	Galen Smith, Wyden R SENATE
To:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20141A747	List: ML20141A744 ML20141A785 ML20141A883 ML20141A893
References
NUDOCS 9706230199
Download: ML20141A893 (2)

Text

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f Enited $tates Etnatt I WASHINGTON, DC 20510 June 5,1997 The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman  ;

Nuclear Regulatory Commission l 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852 l I  ;

Dear Chairman Jackson:

l In regards to the decommissioning of the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, we understand the Commission staffis presently addressing issues concerning a one-time shipment of the Trojan Reactor Vessel as proposed by Portland General Electric Company in its M 1997 letter to the NRC Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards. As PGE's request

being considered, we request simply that the Commission ensure PGE's proposal act be I

reviewed narrowly as a shipping package issue, but reviewed for its nystall effect on the saf decommissioning of Trojan and the public health and safety.

We understand the alternative to PGE's proposal for a one-time shipment would be to cut up internal components of the reactor vessel and dispose of them separately. According to I approach would result in substantially higher occupational radiation exposures to Tro I workers, more than 40 separate shipments instead of one, and could increase public exposures radiation.

The Commission's rules for *ransporting radioactive materials were apparently written for reusable containers over the very wide variety of transportation conditions that might be encountered. PGE asserts the very limiting shipping restrictions it plans to impose on the one-time shipment to ensure safety will adequately compensate for any deviations from technical provisions of the rules.

As the NRC reviews PGE's proposal to determine whether the proposed one-time shipme be done safely, we request you consider one-time shipments in the context of the pol and environmental concerns ofincreased handling before, during, and after multiple shipme j

We urge you to carefully consider this point and other relevant safety considerationsl l

evaluating PGE's proposal.

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' 6/9....To EDO to Prepare Response for Chairman's Signature....Date due Comm: 6/25 Cpy to: Chairman, RF, OCA to Ack... 97-0590

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! PDR COMMS NRCC j CORRESPONDENCE PDR

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The Ilonorable Shirley Ann Jackson June 5,1997 Page 2 We look forward to the results of you review.

Sincerely, 7

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hw bug GORDON SMITII RON WYDEN l United States Senator United States Sen or cc: Commissioner Nils J. Diaz Commissioner Kenneth C. Rogers Commissioner Greta J. Dieus Commissioner Edward McGaftigan Jr.

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