ML20149M341

Partial Response to FOIA Request for Documents.Records in App C & D Encl & Available in Pdr.App E Records Withheld in Part (Ref FOIA Exemptions 1 & 4)

ML20149M341
Person / Time
Issue date:	12/11/1996
From:	Pugh N NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION (ADM)
To:	Hung Y AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML20149M343	List: IA-96-459, Informs of 950525 Visit by Yy Hsu,Chairman of Atomic Energy Council of Taiwan.Record Partially Deleted ML20149M341 ML20149M380 ML20149M385
References
FOIA-96-459 NUDOCS 9612160208
Download: ML20149M341 (5)

Text

. . . . . . . . ~ .. . _ . .... _ . .,, _ ..

m , m _ , % _ ,

...% FOIA 96-459 p

[

\"

(

- N RESPONSE TG FREEDOM OF lFmAt RESPONSE TYPE l xl PARTIAL t' 2 nd }

khgg INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUEST DATE g ] 5 zggg

.eeee DOCKE T NUMBE R(S) (if apphcable/

REOY.SY.R Hung l

PART 1.--AGENCY RECORDS RELEASED OR NOT LOCATED (See checked boxes /

No agency records subject to the request have been located.

N a additional agency records subject to the request have been located.

Requested records are available through another public distribution program. See Comments section.

b l Agency records subject to the request that are identified in Appendix (es) are already available for public inspection and copying at the '

x NRC Public Document Room,2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

l Agency records subject to the request that are identified in Appendix (es) are being made available for public inspection and copying at the NRC Public Document Room,2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC,in a folder under this FOI A number, 1 The nonproprietary version of the proposal (s) that you agreed to accept in a telephone conversation with a member of my staff is now being made available for public inspection and copying at the N RC Public Document Roorn,2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC, in a folder under this FOI A number.

Agency records subject to the request that are identified in Appendix {es) may be inspected and copied at the NRC Local Public Document )

Room identified in the Comments section. I Enclosed is information on how you may obtain access to and the charges for copying records located at the NRC Public Document Room,2120 L Street, X N W., Washington, DC.

X Agency records subject to the request are enclosed.

• Records subject to the request have been referred to another Federal agency (ies) for review and direct response to you.

Fees You will be billed by the NRC for fees totaling $ l You. ,ceive a refund from the NRC in the amount of $

In view of N RC's response to this request, no further action is being taken on appeal letter dated , No.

PART 11. A-INFORMATION WITHHELD FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE Cert in information in the requested records is being withheld from public disclosure pursuant to the exemptions described in and for the reasons stated in P;rt II, B, C, and D. Ar y released portions of the documents for which only part of the record is being withheld are being made available for public X inspection and copyir,g in the NRC Public Document Room,2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC in a folder under this FOI A number.

COMMENTS

• Copies of the records identified on Appendix D and the releasable portions of the records identified on Appendix E are enclosed.

hl i

uCle

$1 TUHE E CTOR, DI ISION OF F RE FINFORMA N AND PUDLICATIONS SERVICES n xA

& ;qQWp j} - ((, .

, cM s ,

, y +

y

. r m, ,,4 -

4 o i i, '[ih, G A . . J. . Q d.h,3 A a ,g i 4

9612160208 961211 '-

^

PDR FOIA HUNC96 _459 PDR iL l - , . _ _ . _ _ _.

NRC FORM 464 (Pars I) (1-91)

FotA NUMBEK(s) DAti RESPONSE TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUEST FOIA 459 CE : W6 (CONTINUATION) l PART 18.8- APPLICABLE EXEMPTIONS Records subject to the request that are described in the enclosed Appendix (es) E are being withheld in their entirety or in part under the Exemption No.(s) and for the reason (s) given below pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(b) and 10 CF R 9.17(a) of N RC regulations.

)( 1. The withheld mformation is properly classified pursuant to Executive Order,(Ememption 1)

2. The withheld enformation relates solely to the entemal personnel rules and procedures of NRC. (Exemption 2) l l3. The werhheld enformation is spectiscelly exempted from pubhc disclosure by statute indicated,(Ememption 3)

Sections 141145 of the Atomic Energy Act, which prohibits the disclosure of Restricted Data or Formerly Restricted Data (42 U.S.C. 21612165).

Section 187 of the Atomic Energy Act, whien prohibits the disclosure of Unclassified Safeguards information (42 U.S.C. 2167).

l)( l4. The withheld mformation es a trade secret or commercial or financial informat6on that is being withheld for the reasonis) indicated. (Exemption 4) y The mformation is considered to be confidential business (propnetaryl mformation The mformation is considered to be propnetary mformation pursuant to 10 CFR 2.790(dHIL The mformation was submstted and recewed in confidence pursuant to 10 CFR 2 790tdH2L l l5. The withheld mformation consists of interagency or mtraagency records that are not available encough discovery dunng Imgation (Exemption 5). Apphcable Privilege:

Deliberative Process: Disclosure of predecisional mformation would tend to enhibit the open and frank enchange of edeas essential to the deliberative process Where records are withheld in their emirety, the f acts are enestricably entertwined vth the piedecisional mformation There also are no reasonably segregable f actual portions because the release of the f acts would permet an anderect inquiry into the predecisional process of the agency Attorney work product pnvilege IDocuments prepared by an attorney m contemplation of htigation i Attomey chant privilege. (Confidential communications between an attorney and his/her client,)

6. The withheld mformation as exempted frori public disclosure because its disclosure would result m a clearly unwananted invasion of personal pnvacy (Exempt'on 61

7. The withheld mformation consists of re:ords compiled for law enforcement purposes and as being withheld for the reasonis) endicated (Exemption 7) p- Disclosure could seasonably be expected to interfere with an enforcement proceedmg because it could reveal the scope, direction, and focus of enforcement efforts, and thus could possibly allow recipients to take action to shield potential wrongdomg or a violation of NRC requirements from mvestigators. (Ememption 7 l A))

Disclosure would constitute an unwarranted evasion of personal pnvecy. (Exemption 7(C))

The information consists of names of individuals and other information the disclosure of which could reasonably be emoected to reveal orientsties of confidential sources. (Exemption 7 (D1)

I OTHtH PART 11. C-DENYING OFFICIALS Pursuant to 10 CFR 9 25(b) and or 9 25(cl of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comm ssiun regulations. it has been determined that the information withheld is eMempt from pro-duction or disclosure, and that its production or disclosure is contrary tn the pubht mterest. The persons responsible for the denial are those of ficials identif,ed below as denying officials and the Director. D. vision of Freedom of information and Pubhcations Services, Of f ce of Administration, for any denials that may be appealed to the Executive Director for Operataons (EDOL DENylNG OFFICIAL TITLE ' OFFICE RECORDS DENIED APPELLATE OFFICIAL SECRETARY IG Executive Assistant, Office of _ _EDO Sandy iloosten f,he Secretary of the Comissinn__ Ann F 1

y Director, Office of Carlton P" Stoiber International Programs ArD E-2 y l

PART ll. D- APPEAL RIGHTS The denial by each denying official identified in Part ll.C may be appealed to the Appellate Official identified there, Any such appeal must be made in writmg within 30 days of receipt E.f this response. Appeals must be addressed. as appropriate, to the Executive Director for Operations. to the Secretary of the Commission, or to the inspector General. U.S. Nuclear 7.egulatory Commission, Washm0 ton, DC 20555, and should clearly state on the envelope and in the letter that it is an " Appeal from an initial FOl A Decision.

N C F;ZM 464 (Part 2) (1-91) U S, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

\

n r r t. . .v a o pou_ed e3 accNUDOCS/AD>v TCON29 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Version 002.000

= Records 1 4 === Subject / Field / Boolean Results = Select Count 4 -

Accession # Docket Author Name Affil Issued Microfiche Address 9303230271 BRINKMAN,C.B. EMVC-E 930309 74334-118/74334-122 (0) Application to amend e,xport license XSNM-1753, changing expiration date from 950131 to 020131 & changing ultimate 9303230266 HAUBER,R.D. NEICE 930318 74334-117/74334-122 (o) Forwards application for amend to export licen'se XSNM-1753, extending expiration date from 950131 to 141231, changing name of 9303220391 BRINKMAN,C.B. EMVC-E 930309 74326-025/74326-027 (0) Application for amend to export license XR-0137, extending expiration date from 020131 to 141231 & changing ulEimate 9303220371 HAUBER,R.D. NEICE 930318 74326-024/74326-027 (0) Forwards application for amend to export license XR-0137, axtending expiration date from 020131 to 141231,cheriging name of Arrows-Scroll, ENTER-Select, F10-Mark For Download, CTRL-F9-Continue Download.

Char Mode: Replace Page 1 Count: *4 g

N s W

Re: FOIA-96-459 APPENDIX 0 dttukos BEING RELEASED IN THEIR ENTIRETY

& DAIE DESCRIPTIONMPAGE COUNT)

1. 3/1/96 Memorandum to Commissioner Dicus from Carlton Stoiber,

Subject:

Visit Request of Dr. Yin Yun Hsu, Chairman Atomic Energy Council (Wednesday, March 6, 1996) with attachment (6 pages)

2. 11/3/95 Memorandum to Chairman Jackson from Carlton Stoiber,

Subject:

Visit of Dr. Yin Yun Hsu, Chairman Taiwan Atomic Energy Council (Thursday, November 9, 1995) with attachment (5 pages)

J 4

Re: FOIA-96-459

APPENDIX E RECORDS BEING WITHHELD IN PART I

1

& DAIE DESCRIPTIONH PAGE COUNT)/ EXEMPTION

1. 5/16/95 Memorandum-to Chairman et al., from Carlton Stoiber,

Subject:

Visit Request of Dr. Yin Yun Hsu, Chairman Taiwan l

i Atomic Energy Council (Thursday, May 25, 1995) with attachment (4 pages) EX. 4

, 2. 11/8/95 Memorandum to Chairman Jackson and Commissioner Rogers from Carlton Stoiber,

Subject:

Supplemental Information on the Visit of Dr. Yin Yen Hsu, Chairman Taiwan Atomic Energy Council (Thursday, November 9, 1995) (2 pages)

EX. I l

1 1

l l

i i

i t

i a

d

1

= Y. T. HUNG and$wama/beaf $e 8381OldCourthouseRoad Suite 320 Viesma, VA 22182 (703)893-1880 Fax (703) 8931881 F0lA/PA RE UEST Case No: 9 L'h6 9 -

Date Rec'd- // - M - E_

October 31,1996 g y RelaWsse:

Mr. Russell Powell Chief of Freedon1 ofInformation Act, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Two White Flint North Building T-6D4 Washington, DC 20555 Dear Mr. PowellLeary S

This is a request pursuant to the Freedom ofInformation Act (FOIA), 5 lli .6 Section 552, as

~

amended.

^

t al, AmericanSitizens, the foll6 wing:

I Eereby fetpfest oiifichalf8f (1) Any and all documents, agreements, notes, electronic records, reports, communications and memorandum pertaining in whole or in part to the Lungmen Nuclear Power Project located in Taiwan, including, but not limited to:

i. all docilments relating to the entire Lungmen project, not just the compbrients and work provided by the General Electric Company (GE);

or GE's contractors, affiliates in the U.S.A. and in Japan.

ii. all docuwnts between or amoag the NSC and oiler agencies of the United States Government, including, bpt not limited to the Export-Import Bank, NRC, DOE, and the State Department.

(2) Any and all documents, notes, electronic records, reports, communications and memorandum pertaining in whole or in part to efforts by the Taiwan gqvernment and/or Taiwan business concerns, such as the Taiwan Power Company, to obtain nuclear relt.ted information or technology from U.S. companies.

Due to the substantial public and Congressionalinterest in ensuring that the health, safety and environmental impact currently surrounding the proposed sale of riuclear equipment, materials, and related services to Taiwan, request that the NSC expedite the process of making available the documents requested, and to not treat this request in a "first-in, first-out" marmer.

O/p;LIi-<Q f G . };f

l 1

l Further request that you disclose tiiese materials as they become available to you without waiting i until all the documents have been assembled.

- We are prepared to pay normal search fees and copying fees. However, the FOIA provides that you may waive fees ifit "is in the public interest because fumishing the information can be considered as prignarily benefiting the public," 5 U.S.C. Section 552 (a) (4) (A). Therefore, we )

request that you waive all fees in connection with this request. We further ask, in the event that i

fees are not waived, that you inform us of the specific basis for such a decision. We further request that you notify us if you expect fees to exceed $50. j We appreciate your help in obtaining this information. Should you need further information ]

concerning this request, we would appreciate you contacting me by phone at (703) 893-1880. ,

We look forward to hearing from you within ten working days, as the law stipulates. I s

Very truly ycurs,

x j Q.

A pY r<uny/ ~

\

YTH: vh ,.

i.

• \

Yi )

I l

Law Opice of Y. T. Hung 8381 Old Courthouse Road, Suite 320, Vienna, Virginia 22182. Telephone: 603)893-1L.. Far: QO3)893-1881

00 Y, -

,pe% 3r %rc c> LP _

. - eo UNITED STATES g .; NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

< t WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 4

9 . . . . . ,o March 1, 1996 i

l i MEMORANDUM T0: Commissioner Dicus FROM: hP arlton C R. Stoiber, Director 70ffice of International Programs

SUBJECT:

VISIT REQUEST OF DR. YIN YUN HSU, CHAIRMAN TAIWAN ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1996)

Dr. Yin Yun Hsu, Chairman o the Atomic Energy Council of Taiwan, will visit you on March 6, 1996 at 2:00 p.m.

By copy of this memorandum, Chairman Jackson, Commissioner Rogers, the SECY,0GC, EDO, NRR, RES, NMSS, and AE00 are also being advised of this visit.

Attachment:

Hsu Visit: Agenda /Information Talking Points / Background

/

cc: Chairman Jackson /

Commissioner Rogers SECY ,

0GC  !

ED0 NRR RES NMSS AEOD wmi ge

VISIT TO NRC 0F DR. YIN YUN HSV CHAIRMAN, TAIWAN ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL

, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1996 SCHEDULE 2:00 p.m. Meet with Commissioner Dicus  !

(Commissioner's office) .

Biooraphical Information - Dr. Yin Yun Hsu l Date of Birth: July 10, 1930; Wushih, Kiangsu, China i Education: B.Sc., Chemical Engineering, Taiwan (1955) _

M.Sc., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois (1957)

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Univ. of Illinois (1958)

Post-Doc. Fellow Northwestern Univ. (1958-1959) a j Experience:

4 1989-present Chairman, Taiwan Atomic Energy Council i 1988-1989 Visiting Chair Professor, Dept. of Nuc. Engineering, 4 Tsing-hua Univ., Taipei, Taiwan 1981-1988 Professor of Nuclear Engineering, Univ. of Maryland j 1974-1981 Senior Reactor Engineer, U.S. AEC/NRC i

l Accompanyino Persons 2

Dr. Frank Fu, Deputy Director, Science Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural j Representative Office in Washington '

i Purpose of Visit Dr. Hsu has requested the opportunity to meet with you to introduce himself, brief you on current nuclear energy activities in Taiwan, and invite you to visit Taiwan to learn more about their nuclear program.

i Previous Visits to the Commission Dr. Hsu visited the Commission in May and November 1995.

OIP Contact -

Kevin Burke (tel. 415-2317) i 1

a

i TALKING POINTS i l

You may wish to:

• Recognize the active program of nuclear safety cooperation - between Taiwan's nuclear community and the NRC Inquire about the current status of the Lungmen nuclear power project Inquire about the level of support / opposition to nuclear energy in Taiwan

• Inquire about current safety issues before the AEC 4

l

l l

TAIWAN'S NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM Overview Summary A well constructed, operated and maintained power reactor program with a l regulatory regime that follows NRC's rules and regulations l Proaram Overview six operating reactors at three sites (two sites in the north and one in the south of the island): the units came on line between 1978 and 1985 .

i four GE BWRs (two 600 MWe, two 950 MWe); two Westinghouse PWRs (900 MWe) l all reactors are of U.S. design, and generally built to U.S. standards i reactors are licensed to operate for a 10 year period before the license is reviewed for renewal single utility - Taiwan Power Company (Taipower)

. operators considered well-trained regulatory authority is Atomic Energy Council (AEC) resident i.nspector program similar to NRC AEC is supported by a competent and well-educated technical staff at the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER)

Taipower has a strong maintenance and safety improvement program through the American Institute on Taiwan (AIT) and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), NRC and AEC have an active program of bilateral safety cooperation

. NRC has agreed to provide expanded bilateral safety cooperation during nuclear emergencies at U.S.-supplied reactors in Taiwan Taipower has plans to build two additional reactors (Lungmen);

however Westinghouse and CE bids (opened 4/24/95) were more than 80% over Taipower's allotted funds for the project. The new bids, including GE's, will be opened in late March 1996.

Reaulatory Authority Atomic Energy Council (AEC) has full regulatory authority over Taiwan's nuclear power and materials program.

Key Issues / Activities For over ten years, the Taiwan Power Company has bean developing plans to  ;

expand Taiwan's nuclear power base of six reactors with two additional units '

to cope with the dramatic increase in demand for electricity. In 1990, believing that there was public support for two new units, Taipower authorities included the project in their 1991-97 energy plan. The first round of bidding involved CE, GE, Westinghouse and Framatome; however, GE and the French Framatome company later dropped out. It is believed that Framatome pulled out in favor of larger market opportunities in China, where they built the two 900 MWe Daya Bay units, have signed contracts to build two additional units, and are negotiating for several more projects. When the CE and Westinghouse bids for the 56.7 billion Lungmen nuclear power project were opened on April 24, 1995, both companies were over Taipower's budget for the project and a second round of bidding was set. Three firms, ABB-CE, GE and Westinghouse, are now competing in the second round of bids. The bids are expected to be opened by Taipower on March 29, 1996. .

Taiwan Nuclear Safety CooDeration There is a long history of active safety cooperation between the NRC and Taiwan's nuclear industry including:

Thermal Hydraulics and Kinetics Health Physics Technical Safety Support Spent Fuel Management Reactor Aging Program Decontamination and Decommissioning Mechanical Engineering Seismic Research Program Technical and Regulatory Information Exchange Low-Level Radwaste Treatment Operational Safety NRC Safety Obiectives With Taiwan and China NRC has had a " Protocol on Nuclear Safety Matters" in effect with the Chinese National Nuclear Safety Administration since 1984. The Commission's objectives of open cooperation and timely exchange of nuclear safety information is the same for both Taiwan and China, and these programs are coordinated with the Department of State. In the past, Taiwan and China have been aware of Commission-level travel to both countries, and they have always been interested in our observations. In addition, we have not experienced any negative reaction from either Taiwan or China to our programs of safety cooperation.

Travel to Taiwan The Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8 of April 10, 1979) provides the legal framework for the conduct of unofficial relations between representatives of the U.S. Government and the people on Taiwan. In addition, Administration and State Department guidelines permit heads of agencies to travel to Taiwan (with exception of the Secretary of State and Secretary of

Defense). In the last several years, Chairman Selin (5/94) and Commissioners Rogers (10/92), Remick (10/93 and 4/94), and de Planque (4/94) made

" unofficial" visits to Taipei following these guidelines as consultants to the American Institute on Taiwan (AIT). It is expected that Taiwan AEC Chairman u Hsu will invite you to visit Taiwan. Such a visit would be important for our  !

efforts to maintain strong ties and an active regulatory dialogue with Taiwan.

If asked about visiting Taiwan, recommend you respond that you would like to visit when a suitable opportunity arises.

Guidelines on Dealina with Taiwan (per Department of State, and the American Institute on Taiwan)

Do not refer to Taiwan as a country

.. Do not use the term " Republic of China" Do not refer to a Taiwan " government", instead use the term " Taiwan authorities" Do not use the term " Taiwanese", they are the " people on Taiwan" I

No " official" correspondence; no correspondence on USNRC letterhead stationery No recognition of Taiwan national day (October 10)

Do not attend Taiwan functions at " Twin Oaks" (Former Chinese ambassador's residence) i l

i 1

i l

1

, b6 YOb

~

UNITED STATES y/ ,

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION i WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001

%,...../ ,

November 3, 1995 I

MEMORANDUM T0: Chairman Jackson Commissioner Rogers ,

FROM: Carlton R. Stoiber, Director Office of International Programs h ( l

SUBJECT:

VISIT OF DR. YIN YUN HSU, CHAIRMAN TAIWAN ATOMIC ENERGY l

COUNCIL (THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1995) '

Dr. Yin Yun Hsu, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Council of Taiwan, will visit the Commission on Thursday, November 9, 1995. Attached is background information for use during the visit.

By copy of this memorandum, the SECY, 0GC, EDO, NRR, RES, NMSS, and AE00 are also being advised of this visit.

Attachment:

i Hsu Visit: Agenda /Information Talking Points / Background cc: SECY 0GC EDO NRR RES NMSS '

AE00 dw . 2 .s

/ _

n\t oe/

[] ')

4. /10 1 l)}l #IUffW

VISIT TO NRC 0F DR. YIN YUN HSV CHAIRMAN, TAIWAN ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1995 Schedule 9:30 a.m. Meet with Chairman Jackson  !

(Chairman's office) 10:00 a.m. Meet with Commissioner Rogers (Commissioner's office)

_ 1 Bioarachical Information - Dr. Yin Yun Hsu Date of Birth: July 10, 1930; Wushih, Kiangsu, China -

Education: B.Sc., Chemical Engineering, Taiwan (1955)

M.Sc., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois (1957)

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Univ. of Illinois (1958)

Post-Doc. Fellow Northwestern Univ. (1958-1959)

Experience: '

1989-present Chairman, Taiwan Atomic Energy Council l 1988-1989 Visiting Chair Professor, Dept. of Nuc. Engineering, l Tsing-hua Univ., Taipei, Taiwan 1981-1988 Professor of Nuclear Engineering, Univ. of Maryland i 1974-1981- Senior reactor Engineer, AEC/NRC Accompanyino Persons '

Dr. Frank Fu, Deputy Director, Science Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural l Representative Office in Washington last Visi_t i

Dr. Hsu last visited the Commission on May 25, 1995 Purcose of Visit Dr. Hsu has requested the opportunity to visit NRC to follow up on earlier discussions with the Commission, including the current status of the Dragon Gate project. '

OIP Contact Kevin Burke (tel. 415-2317)

BACKGROUND AND TALKING POINTS A strong program of nuclear safety cooperation exists between NRC and Taiwan's Atomic Energy Council (AEC) which closely follows NRC's rules and regulations.

This program is implemented under the American Institute on Taiwan (AIT) and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) Agreement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation. On October 2-4, 1995 in Hualien, Taiwan, AIT representatives from the State Department, DOE and NRC (Kevin Burke) met with TECR0 representatives (from the Atomic Energy Council, RadWaste Administration and the utility (Taipower) to review the status of the cooperation and develop 1

new areas for collaboration. NRC and the Taiwan AEC are currently involved in nine program areas, including: severe accident research, instrumentation and control, health physics, emergency technical support, mechanical engineering, seismic research, low-level waste treatment, operational safety, and regulatory information exchange.

You may wish to recognize the active program of nuclear safety cooperation between NRC and Taiwan's nuclear community (particularly the AEC).

For over ten years the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has been developing plans to expand Taiwan's nuclear power base of six operating reactors with two additional units to cope with the dramatic increase in demand for electricity.

In December 1990, believing that there was public support for two new nuclear power plants, the Taiwan authorities put the project, which is known as Lungmen/ Dragon Gate into the 1991-97 energy plan. On April 25,1995 after 30 months of preparation and negotiations by several bidders, (including two US firms, ABB-CE and Westinghouse) which completed vigorously for the $6.7 billion project. Taipower announced that neither ABB/CE nor Westinghouse was sufficiently close to the ceiling price and declared that the base bids had failed for the Lungmen project. Framatome and GE had earlier dropped out of the bidding. Then in May, Taipower announced a retender for the project on a component basis instead of the earlier turnkey approach. ABB/CE, Westinghouse and GE have all submitted bids. The French have pulled out in favor of larger market opportunities in China, where they have recently signed contracts to build several more units near the operating Daya Bay station (two 950MWe PWR units which they built.) The new bids are expected to be opened in late February 1996.

You may wish to inquire about the Lungmen Project (Dragon Gate); what is the next step?

Power outages or brown-outs are almost daily occurrences in Taiwan. The growth rate in demand for electricity has been 5.5% for the last several i years. To keep pace with this demand, Taipower will have to generate 30,000MW annually, a 50% increase. Today, most of the island's electricity supply is generated by thermal plants (60%); the rest comes from nuclear power (27%) and hydro power (13%). Taipower is experimenting with solar, wind and tidal power but without much reported in the way of positive results.

You may wish to inquire about the current level of electricity margin i and plans for future energy growth. '

This December the Taiwan voters will go to the polls for Presidential

elections. The National Party, or Kuomintang, remain a formidable opponent, although the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has gained strength

! with each local, county and state election. The DPP has stated its opposition j to nuclear power. President Lee is expected to be reelected, i

j You may wish to inquire about the election and the level of

support / opposition to nuclear energy in Taiwan.

In the early 1990's, the performance of Taiwan's nuclear power plants was l poor. Their capacity and availability were low and the number of unplanned scrams was very high. Taipower and the AEC have worked together and plant j performance has improved.

! ^

i .

i You may wish'to inquire about (1) steps taken to improve plant performance and (2) current priority issues before the AEC.

~

i; i

1 3

l i

~

r 4

--. . . - ~ . - - .- - __ - _ -- -- - - - - .. _. - ..- - -..- -... - .- .- - - - -.

4 TAIWAN ,

i l

NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM Overview Summary l

l j A well constructed, operated and maintained power reactor program with a 1 regulatory regime that follows NRC's rules and regulations Proaram Overview six operating reactors at three sites (two sites in the North and j one in the South) that came on line between 1978 and 1985 1

1 .

four GE BWRs (two 600 MWe, two 950 MWe); two Westinghouse PWRs (900 MWE)'

l all reactors of U.S. design, and generally built to U.S. standards reactors are licensed to operate for 10 years

, i j -

single utility - Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) f . operators considered well-trained l

regulatory authority is Atomic Energy Council (AEC)--capable group  ;

j and in a growth mode at the moment resident inspectors similar to NRC l t

i . .

AEC supported by a competent and.well-educated technical staff at the i

!. Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) i Taipower willing to spend money and make changes to improve safety l through the American Institute on Taiwan (AIT) and Taipei Economic, i and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), NRC and AEC have an active

program of bilateral safety cooperation

)- -

NRC has agreed to provide expanded bilateral safety cooperation during nuclear emergencies at U.S.-supplied reactors in Taiwan s

j -

Taipower has plans to build two additional reactors (Dragon Gate),

however Westinghouse and CE bids (opened 4/24/95) were more than 80%

] over Taipower's allotted funds for the project and new bids were called j for that will be opened in late February,1996.

4

.-- , , - . - _ , - - - - . - -- _ _ . _ - - . --