ML20151C919

Comment Opposing Proposed Rule 10CFR50 Re Licensing of Nuclear Power Plants Where State &/Or Local Govts Decline to Cooperate in Offsite Emergency Planning

ML20151C919
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	03/05/1987
From:	Peppercorn M AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
To:	Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY)
References
FRN-52FR6980, RULE-PR-50 52FR6980-00230, 52FR6980-230, NUDOCS 8807220246
Download: ML20151C919 (1)

Text

.

%[P 7M 00CKU NDH8ER g $0h RRotosED RULE

~

D 23 sg7 ggtytig; USNRC 19 NG 12 P4 :04 Mr. Samuel J. Chilk 0FFICE OF HLn i AA1 00CKETiHG A stsvlCI.

Sec. of Commission BRANCH N.R.C Washington D.C.

March 5, 1987 t

l

Dear Mr. Chilk,

I am writing to express my outrage at your proposed changes in the evacuation planning for nuclear power plants.

As a physician I know that although immediate effects of radiation release might be limited to people extremely close to I a nuclear plant, the long term effects on people farther from j the plant are inexorable and horrifying. The' evidence from l Three Mile Island and Chernobyl will not be 311'in for mahy years but both clearly do show that a one mile evacuation zone is unconscionable and way too small. There is no justification for allowing a plant to decide its own safety rules and evacuation plans since it would clearly have an economic self-interest. Accidents may be rare and plants very safe but history certainly shows that accidents can and do happen at '

some point. The public has a right to expect to have a say in-matters of such potential catastrophe. Local And state elected of ficial-s must be able to control the location and safety '

I regulations of nuclear power plants.

Unlike other enterprises, nuclear power has the potential

'fi for unalterable genetic and encogenic damage spanning generations. Chernobyl should have taught us that safety l measures should be tightened not relaxed. Evacuation zones should be at least ten miles and plants that are too close to dense populations, waterways, or agricultural areas should not be allowed to operate.

In conclusion, I would like to restate my strong belief as f a physician, mother, and citizen that states should retain I

control over nuclear plant evacuation plans and that a ten mile h evacuation zone would be a minimum safety area. Any proposed f changes in this cannot be justified except by economic i

self-interest and in matters of public health concern that g

would be unconscionable.

Sincerely, Margar t Peppercorn M.D.

Sudbury Medical Center 616 Boston Post Road Sudbury, Mass. 01776 8807220246 870305 .

5052h6900 PDR # CCP

/>N ** "_" M A 4ADGnerA R e _ w t.