ML20141N800
| ML20141N800 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 03/18/1986 |
| From: | Kirby E MASSACHUSETTS, COMMONWEALTH OF |
| To: | Taylor J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8603180146 | |
| Download: ML20141N800 (2) | |
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THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS State Senate Committee on Ways and Means ROOM 413-H. STATE HOUSE BOSTON 02133 TELEPHONE E6 5 78 722-1330 comuirTate oui CENATOR EDWARD P. KIRBY 7pameronta rrom CECOND PLYMOUTH CISTRICT l
CaiminaL Justact Pusuc Sinincg Mr. James M. Taylor Office of Inspection and Enforcenent United States Rerulatory Conmission
'<!a sh in r. ton,
D.C.
20555
Dear Mr. Taylor,
As a followun to my letter of February 24, 19 %,
I'd like to call your attention to the enclosed Patriot Ledger editorial ' from '! arch 7.
The Pilcrin nuclear nower plant had its best year ever in 1985, operating at 8 5", o f capacity.
At the same time, desnite an overall 1985 rating of " acceptable," I am concerned over the 'IRC's report of " poor perfornance" in some areas.
This resulted in your agency's sendinc in a team of inspectors to conduct an in-depth inspection.
How do standards of performance at the Pilgrim facility compare with those of other plants around the nation?
I an understandably concerned about the safety of the residents living near the Pilgrin plant, and would appreciate hearing fron you on this natter.
Sincerely,
[*_
Edward P.
Kirby State Senator Second Plvnouth District ar2'3 JT prTAMBWs3
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Shape up the Pilgrim plant A year ago, the Nuclear Regulatory be teleased for two months. FAison Commission said Boston Edison had offichts claim that improvements had improved operations at its Pilgrim been made in the second half of last nuclear power plant in Plymouth.
year that weren't reflected in the I
At the beginning of this year the report.
company reported that the plant had We hope so, for the plant's grades for its best year ever in 1985, operating at the year are not reassuring for the 84 percent ofits potential capacity and public, available to generate electricity more Nor were the NRC's specific com-time,91 percent of the time. That "upplaints detailed at Wednesday's public than was a remarkable turnaround meeting in Plymouth confidence-in-from the plant s disappointmg perfor-spiring. Commission officials cited a mance in past years, was far above shortage of workers licensed to run the national average, and saved Boston plant from its control room, failure to Edison s customers about $170 milhon educate workers in safety procedures, in fuel costs.
. lack of progress in controlling small, had news,e good news for 1985.The in plant releases of contaminated wa-That's th is a mediocre report card ter and steam, and having the smallest from the NRC on standards of perfor-emergency preparedness staff of any mance at the Pilgrim plant.,Overall, plant in the region.
the plant's performance durmg 1985 was graded as " acceptable," but the It is certainly not reassuring to have commission said Pilgrim met only these deficiencies with a nuclear plant minimal standards in some categories. opeyating so close to full capac,ty i
The NRC said it was concerned with durmg the year. Nor to learn that some the lack of improvement in plant plant perators were on the job for more than 30 hours3.472222e-4 days <br />0.00833 hours <br />4.960317e-5 weeks <br />1.1415e-5 months <br /> m several two-day operation, the program to protect workers from radiation, maintenance, peri ds last year.
surveillance and emergency prepared-After years of past criticism of ness. In the last three areas. Regional operations at Pilgrim,includi g a 1982 t
i Administrator Thomas E.
Murley fine of $550.000 for poor management, wrote last month, the commission residents of Plymouth and neighbor-found " improvements followed by a ing communities have a right to expect slippage back to the lower level of something much better than an "ac-i performance in later years." As a result ceptable" rating with slipping stan.
c/ what Murley called " poor perfor-dards in some areas. The NRC should mance" in some areas, the NRC last see to it that Boston Edison raises its month sent a team of inspectors to the standarda of performance, and keeps i
plant to conduct an in. depth inspec-them there. Instead of a marginally tion unprecedented in the New Eng-ac eptable facility, Pilgrim should be land region.
or. the honor roll for well.run nuclear The rewlt, of that in mu tion sCol.mts 7
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