ML20149E283

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Responds to to DOE Forwarding E Wells Ltr Re Concerns About Effect of Conventional Bomb Hitting Nuclear Reactor During War.All Reactors Required to Protect Against Radiological Sabotage,Including External Assault
ML20149E283
Person / Time
Issue date: 12/29/1987
From: Stello V
NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To: Lagomarsino R
HOUSE OF REP.
References
NUDOCS 8801130286
Download: ML20149E283 (7)


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  1. '% UNITED STATES

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L -j i NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 o .:

%, v..../ DEC 2 9 387 The Honorable Robert J. Lagomarsino United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 I

Dear Congressman Lagomarsino:

The letter you forwarded to the Department of Energy on October 14, 1987, from Mrs. Ethel Wells, was referred to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission for action.

In her letter, Mrs. Wells expressed concern about the effect of a conventional  !

bomb hitting a nuclear reactor during a war. In your fonvarding letter you I requested comment on the ability of nuclear facilities to survive blasts from i conventional munitions and asked what security measures have been instituted ,

to defend against incursions from the ground or air. 1 The Nuclear Regulatory Comission requires all licensed operating power reactors in this country to protect against possible acts of radiological sabotage,  !

including the threat of determined violent external assault. These requirements ,

are published in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 73 (a copy i ofwhichisenclosed). 1 Licensees' safeguards systems are fonnidable and they typically include (1) exterior facility; (2) physical barriers a system and intrusion of badging, escorts,alarms interior to controland barriers, access to the alanned portals to control access within the facility, and (3) armed security forces and contingency planning arrangements with local law enforcement agencies.

However, licensees are not responsible for safeguarding against the effects of attacks and destructive acts by enemies of the United States or effects arising from the use or deployment of weapons incident to U.S. defense activities, (see the enclosed copy of 10 CFR 50.13). The national defense and internal security capabilities of this country constitute our basic safeguards with respect to possible hostile acts by an enemy of the United States. While this is the case, nuclear power reactors are required to be designed and constructed to withstand external hazards such as earthquskes, floods and tornadoes. Thus, inherent strength of the structures of these reactors would afford a certain degree of protection against most conventional weapons.

I hope this information will be helpful in responding to Mrs. Wells. I jinceely,')/'

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W 8901130286 871229 PDR COMMS NRCC Victor'SteH o, Jr.

CORRESPONDENCE PDR Executive Director for Operations fl u.,r.

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Enclosures:

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1, 10 CFR 73.1 d0 h!

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2. 10 CFR 50.13 1 9'f W (Oh J

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION RULES and REGULATIONS TT.'LE is. CMAPTER 1, C00t Of ptDE AAL fit 0ULAT10sd8 - ENE R0Y g

73,1 73,1

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PART 73 PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF PLANTS AND MATERIALS W M*""**** #f**'"*s hNa, Yostca d sabot es ets 3 F3.1 PWrPoes aM acope.

Nr,*,T,Nr"h'r,' "*g* th' (a) Purpose. This part presenbe:

73.72 Requirement for a rice nouce of requirements for the estabhahment and 73 1 Purpose and maintenance of a physical protection sMpment of special oudear material 73J system wh ch wiu baW capabilities for Wtion[ons. MM Requtument for sovsnu not$ce 73J Interpretat er a protect 3on of saport a ments the protect { ion of special nuclear 73 4 Communica tions. of special auclear saaterial low material at fixed sites and in transit and 734 Specific exemptions. stretesse ses amcance.

TM4 Requirement for advance notice of plants in which spedal nuclear 734 Exemptions for certain quantibes enc

  • a d P'1*n or import stupments materialis used. The foUowirts design kinda of special av. lear material 11e naformaison soueetion requirements: Ns'i"*,,'eT *p*$th$". $."Mon besis threeta. where referenced in sections of this art,thaU be oms 8pproval on the physacal protectes of Nuclea, 73JD General performance requirements, m terial. ens,t useo design safegue a systems to T3.21 Requirements for the Protecoon Infereemset protect against acts of radiological of Safeguards Informadon. r3Jo V6olation . sabotage and to prevent the theft of pm,,* &_ ,_ _ . spedal nudear material:

73,3 '- (1) Radio icalSobotage. (i} A Physical prasaal== el Spedal Nedear Appen&x A--United States Nuclear determined olent external assault, e,, Mater 6alla Treast Regulatory Comaluice Regional Omces attack by stealth, or deceptive actions.

Appendix B-General CMteria for Securtry of several persons with the following 71J4 Performance capabibues for physical personnel attributes, assistance and equipment; protection of strates:c spedaj nuclear Appendix C-Ucensee Safeguards (A) way trained (including military snaterialin transit, . Contingencyp iau training and skille) and dedicated 73Je Transpo-tation physical protection Appen&x Mysical Protectjon of ated R 3 ladividuals (B)inside assistance which

, {svbyyms,

, cymponenta, and o ue inTransit Trsining :: may laclude a knowledgeable indavidual 73E Notincation requiremente. { who attempts to efpate in a passive Appendas E-tevens of phrsical >totecuon . rok (e.34 rovid information), an active 73R Requiremeny for physical protection To n. Apphee in laternsuona

  • of irredanted reactor fwlin trans1L Trsnapart of Nuclear Metartai role (e 3, cilitate entrance and exit, MP'*8's F-Nadons That An parues so disable alarms and communications, Phyeka! Prosarei== R" -- ^ et h ad partidpa in violent attack), or both,
  1. 88 Nr*mcNi$cE"N'Nessear 848 ' *"*3
  1. 8 P F3.so Physical protectiort General requirements at haed sites.

, bud b d a'uto e esPons, )

equippe with auencers and havit:3 1 7348 Performance capabLbtles for thed alta 'h Authority: Seca.13.10L to Stat am en se effective long range accuracy. (D) hand-Pb sicalprotection. afrended, sec 147,94 Sist 700(42 US C 73 44 imed site physical protection eyetems- carried eq alpment,induding embeysterna, componente and procedures.

2073.2167 M 6 as a W h incapacita agentsanda losives for se Stat tan as amended,1343 (42 US C use as toola entry or for o erwise 732n Requirements for physical protection of heeued activtues st4L a6441 destroying reactor, facility, transporter, 73M Requirements for physical protection Section 73J7(f) also issued under ses 301,

'er container bt@ or featurn of the of beensed netivities in nuclear power Pub. L stes.94 Stat ras (42 Uit 5641 saf ards systm ud eoectors saatast redaological sabotage. 8bote). Section 7347 is hswd under ses 006, (ifl Aninternalthreat of aninside' 7137 Raquirements for enainal history j Puh L es-see and sec.tett es Stat Set (42 l

      • of ledeviduah granted ensecorted
  • UM 2Jc1[$ incitiding (2) Theft orD an em! version offormuloleye I

S as acanes so a audsar Power facihty ce acrees [ pgese Quantitiee of Strategic Specia/ Nuclear

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3 nm are laswd neder sec. ieth es Stat on asaaalt, attack by staalth, or deceptive

"**' ee ernended (42 US C. 231[b)). Il nJo

. 73A0 Additional requinments for the 73 R Fa n 73 2 n r.73r,r m n n actions, by a smau group with the physical protecnon of special nuclear 73 m um. nas, and nr are tashder foUowing attributes. assistance and

" " ** ecc,191L es Stat 94a. as amended 142 US C equipment:(A) Well tralned (induding Phrdcal Protect 6ce of Spedal Nucinar military training and skiUs) and

  • Wili)): and i173J0(cMIL 73J4lb)(ik beatorial of Moderate and Law Seelegic 73Ja(b)(3). (hXsk and SX4).73r(s) and fbt dedicated individuals. (B)inside 73rifk n 40(b) and (d). n 46ls)l6) and fh)(2), assistance which may include a 7347 1Jcensee amed site ar5d in-transit F330(g)l2) (3Xili)(B) a nd (h). 73.3Saf)(2). and knowledgeable individual w he attempts requirements for the physJeal protection (4)(lliXB). 73.Ftt n n M.n are iseved under )

of special nuclear matenal of moderate sec seso, se Stat S50. as amended (42 US.C and low atrategic sigruncance. .

221[o. Receeds and Repeets 73.70 Records. 13.n aer ria of.a.ccoanieno. l "y p m June 30,1987

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10 CPR Ch.1 (1 147 Edition) Nucl+er Reevletery Commissten

                                                                                                                                                                                    ,       gg           i lH.12 Speere aseseydeas,                                              (1) Whether conduct of the proposed (s) The Commisalon may, upon ap-                                activities till give rise to a alanificant         Cusstr2cartow axo Descurrion or adverse impact on the environment                                                                Laczmss.s puesthn by any interested person or apon its cwn initiative, grant exemp-                              and the nature and extent of such 3 H.n Two,1                                                            of13ceu .,

Lions fro'n the requirements of the impact. if ant. egulations of this part, which am (2) Whether redress of any adverse IJeenses viu be lasued to named per. (1) Authorised by law, wiU not sons applying to the Commiulon 2 resent an undue risk to the pubut environment the impact can proposed activides frozn conduct of therefor, and a1H be either class 104 or reasonably class 103. sealth and safety, and are consistent be effected should such redress be nee. rtth the common defense and securi. sesary, 8 HJ1 Claea 164 ticemees; for medical (3) Whether conduct of the proposed th*P1 '****A ^^d delopment (2) The Comminaion wDI not conald. activities would foreclose subsequent fac1 Dues.""d hI"" '* cesNfr un! nt. p adoption of alternatives;and A class 10411eense wiU be issued to (4) The effect of delay in conducting an appilcant who quaufles, for any one ircumstances are present whenever-d) Appucation of the regulation in such acth1 des on the public interest, or more of the foDostnt: to transfer or he parucular circumstances confUcts includng the power needs to be used receive in interstate commerce, manu. rlth cther rules or requirements of by the proposed faciljty, the availab!]. factun, produce, transfer, acquire, he Commtanton; or ity of alternadve sources. If any, to possess, or use. (11) Appuestion of the regulation in meet those needs on a timely basis and (a) A utinsation faciuty for use in he particular circumstances would delay costs to the appUcant ard to snedical therapy; or consumers. (bX1) A production or utilization fa. he or n a to achieve as ance mch an exempdot2 shau be underlying Putpose of the rule; or was p to s not be deemed to constitute a commit- Uon 104b of the Act prior to December ment to issue a construction permit. 19,1970; e o ot r that a During the period of any exemption ignificantly in excess of those con. granted pursuant to this paragraph (2) A production or utilization fac!D. rmpir.ted when the regulation was (b), any acthttles conducted than be ty for industrial or commercial pur. dopted, cr that are significanUy in poses constructed or operated under scess of those incurred by others canted Mt in nch a manner as wnl an arrsagement *102 U2e Mministra. milarly situated; or m'n'mW tal impact.or reduce their environmen. tion entered into under the Coopera. (iv) The szemption would result in Un hwer Reactor Demonstradon enefit to the pubuc health and safety tram, except as otherwise specift. sat compensates for any decrease in 12,1H5) site, naar. 3,19u; 60 FR 60777 Dec, utred by appUcable law; and Liety that may result frozn the grant (3 production or utuisatlon facill. I the exemption; or ty fo poses Ladustrial or commercial pur. (v) The exemption would provida 8 H.13 Attacks and destructive acts by on. hen specifically authorized by aly temporary reDet from the appu omnica of the Uansed States; and defense law, , actirtues. (c) A 'roduction or utilization facill. p g i th i

> oomply with the regulation; or                               struct and o          te a produ on or UzAtton incility, or for an amendment Act, anc                                                                     o          the

[ P M I &A[g 0 to such license, is not required to pro- which is not a* facility of the 1 he regulation was adopted for whic vide for design features or other eness- type spe lfled in paragraph (b) of this cculd be in the pubbe interest t section t ant an czemption. If such conditic uns !or tM spe@c pm of ph in i 60.22* ' uon against the effects of (a) attacks (42 U Al 31H-21H. 223t; sec.141, ma reded on exclusively for satisfyir t and destructin acts, including sabo. amended Pub.1. a3-703, sa Stat. H8 (42 warraph (aX2) of this section, t1 e tare, directed art!nst the facility by 38-4H. UAC. 22 temption may not be granted uni 1 84 It sec. 301 ma ameMed. P.th 1. stat.1343 (43 UAC. 6841n le Executive Director for Operatiol s an enemy of the United States, wheth. na consulted with the Commtulon. er a foreign government or other FR tal FR 3 18145 5.Jan.19.1958. ma amended at 31 person, or (b) use or deployment of 1870;38 1 Dec. 3. IM6; 35 FR IH59. Dec. 29. (b) Any person may request an e , weapons incident to U.S. defense ac. Feb.17,1 R 11448. Mas 8.1973; 43 FR 89H. option permitting the conduct of a tJvities. ill bitles prior to the issuance of a co 9 H.22 ( inas 103 Incenses; for comunercial ruction permit prohibited by 150.1 (32 FR 13445. Sept. 36,1H71 and be Commianton may grant such a idustrial facillues. nmption upon considering and be, A cl 103 lleense will be issued, to icing the fouosing factors: an a cant who Quall'les. for any one l or te of the following. To transfer ( 7' ro VA * *

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5 w f-FROM: DUE: 12/09/97 EDO CONTROL: 003315 DOC DT: 10/14/87 REP. ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO FINAL REPLY: TO: DOE FOR SIGNATURE OF: ** OREEN ** SECY NO: 1344 E..ICUTIVE DIRECTOR DESC: ROUTINO: ENCLOSES LETTER FROM ETHEL WELLS CONCERNINO MURLEY NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS ABILITY TO WITHSTAND MURRAY MUNITION OR COMPARABLE BLASTS DATE: 11/24/87 ASSIGNED TO: NMSS CONTACT: THOMPSON SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: l l 1E Wan Due to Na Irector's Ottice , l By _ . y e7 4 4//4d3 ACTION Naa ReCeIveo: NOveMacR 27, 1987 DUE TO NRR DIRECTOR'S OFFICE ACTION: ~ DRIS:PARTLOW 9 BY how 9, /17_7 i NRR ROUTING: MURLEY/SNIEZEK 4- - f -,_r_~ MIRAGLIA STAROSTECKI  ! GILLESPIE j THOMAS BLAHl. MOSSBURG l

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      'e' OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:     CRC-87-1344                                                LOGGING DATE: Nov 20 87 ACTION OFFICE:    EDO AUTHOR:           R.J. Lagomarsino--Const Ref AFFILIATION:      U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                                                                          I LETTER DATE:      Nov 13 87      FILE CODE: ID&R-6 Haz Eval i

SUBJECT:

Nuclear power plants ability to withstand munition ' or comparable blasts ACTION: Direct Reply DISTRIBUTION: OCA to Ack SPECIAL HANDLING: None NOTES: Ethel Wells -- DOE Referral DATE DUE: Dec 4 87 SIGNATURE: . DATE SIGNED: AFFILIATION: Pec'd Off. EDO Date _ ll J +-P 7 Time _. } >& goo --- 003315

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                 *'$^AIRMglORCE                     14 0etober 1987                                  ves C a.swas.-Pa.a s Mr. Theodore J. Garrish Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs Department of Energy Room 7B-138 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20585

Dear Mr. Garrish:

Please find enclosed a letter I received from my constituent, Mrs. Ethel Wells of Santa Barbara, California regarding the cecurity of U.S. nuclear facilities. I have corresponded frequently with Mrs. Wells about nuclear and arms control issues and would appreciate it if you would comment on the survivab._ili_tv of nuclear facilities from conventional munitions or comparat1e__ 2 blasts. For Tx a_ mp1Eh~ow_itToTg the_waT1s ofXreTctorFWhat. _securitv been_ inst_ a r.e.ITu t _e_d_t o dif end_Ag Ai n_si. i n cu r.s i o.n s_f

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mea,sur4s_have ground,or_ai_r? I would also appreciate any other information you believe would be of assistance in responding to my constituent Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincer(ly, / } y , e . m ~

3. k jie ro con ss Enclosure l

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DEFI.0?ENEF.GY EXECUTIVE SECREirJh1 013131 870C719 Pilla.cl 0 4

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  *~b ETilEL R. WELLS 4089 L AGO DRIVE I                                  S A N TA B A R B A R A, C A LIFO R NI A $ 3110 September 25, 1987 L

The Honorable Robert J. Lagomarsino 2332 Rayburn Bldg. [q9U g Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Lagomarsino:

Your letter of September lith still does not address the problem of uncontrollable fall-out from nuclear explosions of any kind whatso-ever. It's the fall-out that has deterred both the United States and the Soviet Union from using nuclear weapons, not the retaliation poss-ibilities. That is what makes nuclear weapons totally useless. , Conventional weapons are now also capable of creating fall-out in countries with nuclear reactors. The United States and the Soviet Union have the most nuclear reactors. The Chernobyl accident was extremely minor compared to one conventional bomb hitting a nuclear reactor. The result is uncontrollable fall-out which affects every nation on earth. We can no longer think in tenns of surviving from any war between the major nations. The basic premise must be based on cooperation to prevent an accidental nuclear holocaust so we can have the time to reconcile our differences around discussion tables, because , the whole world would be the battle field in any type of nuclear explosion due to the uncontrollable fall-out. The SDI would not be a shield against nuclear fall-out. That's why I object to the huge cost of SDI, The earth has become very small. The fall-out will get us one and all.* Sincerely,

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Ethel R. Wells ERW:jeh

  • Please note enclosure confirming this considered opinion.
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           * ' '.                      . Department of Energy x                         Washington, DC 20585 3

t NOV I 31987 t Honorable Robert J. Lagomarsino House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Lagomarsino:

This will acknowledge your recent letter in which you referred a letter from your constituent: Mrs. Ethel Wells 4085 Lago Drive Santa Barbara, California 93110 , Because the subject of your constituent's letter does not fall within the purview of the Department of Energy, we have forwarded your letter to: Mr. Frank Ingram ' Assistant to the Director Office of Public Affairs Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 Sincerely, , a# f

                                                    'bbs ?rA /4btsfMT&k Bennie Betancourt Director of Special Projects                                  '

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