ML20153B643

Ack Receipt of Ltr Re Plant.Commission Decision Authorizing Low Power Testing & Fuel Loading First Step in Review. Earthquake-related Issues Will Be Addressed in Detail by Commission

ML20153B643
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	10/02/1981
From:	Bradford P NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Kitchuck P AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML20151Y970	List: IA-87-444, Ack Receipt of Re Plant Licensing.Comments Will Be Forwarded to Secretariat for Inclusion in Public Record, Since Case Is Contested & Commission Cannot Comment ML20151Y964 ML20151Z030 ML20151Z094 ML20151Z137 ML20151Z178 ML20151Z299 ML20151Z384 ML20151Z493 ML20151Z521 ML20151Z540 ML20151Z575 ML20151Z628 ML20151Z642 ML20151Z703 ML20151Z749 ML20151Z789 ML20151Z804 ML20151Z816 ML20151Z853 ML20151Z864 ML20151Z869 ML20151Z888 ML20151Z910 ML20151Z928 ML20151Z938 ML20151Z954 ML20151Z977 ML20151Z984 ML20153B580 ML20153B594 ML20153B634 ML20153B643 ML20153B656 ML20153B663 ML20153B689 ML20153B737 ML20153B777 ML20153B831 ML20153B863 ML20153B891 ML20153B925 ML20153B971 ML20153C002 ML20153C027 ML20153C036 ML20153C050 ML20153C081 ML20153C108 ML20153C184 ... further results
References
FOIA-87-444 NUDOCS 8805060049
Download: ML20153B643 (1)

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3

WASHINOTON.Of 20666 October 2,1981 OPPCE OP THE COMMIT $10NER P. Kitchuc.:

1720 Camden Ave., #3 W. Los Angeles, CA 90025

Dear P. Kitchuck:

Thank you very much for your letter regarding Diablo Canyon. The recent Cemission decision authorizing low-power testing and fuel loading is only the first step in Comission review of this plant. Specifically, the earthquake-related issues that distinguish Diablo Canyon from most other nuclear units have not yet been addressed in detail by the Co. mission.

They will be reviewed before operation above five percent power is authorized.

While it may have some symbolic importance, a decision to authorize low-power testing poses very little danger to the public. The power level is so low that the operators have more than ample time to react to any problems in the plant, and the amount of radioactivity existing in j

the core does not begin to build up until the plant has operated for quite a while.

i Aside from the fact that the Congress has passed legislation indicating that nuclear plants are to be licensed if they meet the applicable standards, my own willingness to license individual plants iests on the perception that they are no more risky than other methods of providing equivalent electric power. Furthemore, on the basis of the evidence to date, they seem to be far less risky than the automobile, which is responsible for some 50,000 deaths per year. Of course, none of this justifies building power plants where they are not needed, and I have done what I can to correct the NRC's unacceptable past analyses of the need for power question.

I have enclosed two documents that may be of interest to you. The speech is self-explanatory. The other is in response to a petition filed by a person seeking to shutdown all nuclear power plants.

It sets forth the NRC's rationale for denying the petition. That denial is currently being appealed to the courts.

Sincere}y, 16 /

8805060049 880418 he[

Bradfor LI 444 PDR V

Enclosures