ML20141A895

Urges Continued Efforts to Assure Full Funding of TMI-2 R&D Program.Reduction in Planned DOE Expenditures Could Potentially Affect Current Cleanup Schedule & Amount & Quality of R&D Info Obtained from Damaged Reactor

ML20141A895
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	02/11/1986
From:	Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Herrington J ENERGY, DEPT. OF
References
NUDOCS 8602240002
Download: ML20141A895 (2)

Text

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/ o UNITED STATES g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g

[ a WASHINGTON, D. c. 206s6 j t

.....jf CHAIRMAN FObruary 11, 1986 .

The Honorable John S. Herrington Secretary of Energy Washington, D. C. 20585

Dear Mr. Secretary:

My colleagues and I have been following closely, and are supportive of, the Department of Energy's (DOE) efforts to maximize the amount of research and development (R&D) information obtained from the damaged Three Mile Island Unit 2 nuclear facility (TMI-2). It has recently come to our attention that there is a possibility that DOE's TMI-2 program may be reduced or portions even eliminated due to budgetary constraints. As a result, the Commission wishes to express the f

significance we attach to the completion of this work and our concern over the possibility of reductions to the program.

Information from the DOE R&D program at THI-2 holds great significance for the development, safe operation, and effective regulation of nuclear energy. It is expected that the l information obtained from DOE core and equipment examinations l will greatly augment existing information on the progression and effects of major reactor accidents. From a regulatory perspective TM1-2 research data will be valuable in developing better means for accident prevention and mitigation, and reducing uncertainties associated with requirements for plant design and operation.

DOE has provided the NRC staff numerous opportunities in the last several years to participate in the development of the TMI-2 examination plans and objectives and the review of interim results. This has allowed effective use of skills and experience developed for the Power Burst Facility (PBF) and Loss *

( of Fluid Test (LOFT) experimental programs at Idaho. The

! results of this experience have considerably enhanced the abilities to characterize the core damage in ways which are now beginning to provide significant detailed information. Since the accident has been shown in the last year or so to have progressed into the lower regions of the reactor vessel, the information obtainable from the damaged THI-2 core components and the widespread debris relocation could not possibly be duplicated even in large scale tests of accident situations.

Specific regulatory issues which could be affected by information from THI-2 core examinations includet source term reassessment, emergency planning guidelines, equipment qualification for accident environments, severe accident policy, and safety goal policy. It is our understanding that reductions at this time in the DOE multi-year program may seriously impact l

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4 the amount and quality of R&D information obtained from the damaged reactor. As you are aware, much of DOE's earlier funding went towards preliminary activities which were required to access the damaged core and commence defueling. Now that core samples are being made available, any program reductions may prove disproportionately costly in terms of lost R&D information.

The Commission also maintains a continuing interest in the pace of the TMI-2 cleanup. It is important, from a health and safety perspective, to safely remove and dispose of the damaged

, radioactive fuel and the bulk of radioactive contamination from the island as expeditiously as possible. The Federal Government's role, through DOE, in the cost-sharing program initiated by Pennsylvania Governor Thornburgh has been viewed as fundamental by the program's other supporters. This program as currently established has assisted in assuring multi-year funding and as a result, has increased the pace for completing some major cleanup milestones. The Commission is necessarily concerned that any reduction in planned DOE expenditures holds some potential for affecting the current cleanup schedule.

Accordingly, the Ccmmission urges you to continue your efforts to assure full funding for the TMI-2 program. Please contact me if we can be of any assistance in realizing this important Foal.

Sincerely, '

'7 Acr -t?~ cTh is W I Nunzio J. Palladino cc: James C. Miller III, OMB l

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