ML20153F553

Responds to to Dk Rathbun Re Requesting That Margulies Concerns Be Reviewed & Appropriate Response Be Provided.Margulies Concerns Relate to Event V & Station black-out

ML20153F553
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	09/22/1998
From:	Callan L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Sarbanes P SENATE
Shared Package
ML20153F555	List: ML20153F553 ML20153F593
References
NUDOCS 9809290164
Download: ML20153F553 (9)

Text

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UNITED STATES g

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION i

WAsHINuToN, D.C. SoseH001 N

September 22, 1998 g

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Senator Paul S. Sarbanes United States Senate i

Washington, DC 20510 2002

Dear Senator Sarbanes:

4 I am responding to your letter of August 12,1998, to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear i

Regulatory Commission (NRC) concerning a letter to you from Dr. T. S. Margulies, in your j

August 12 letter, you requested that we review Dr. Margulies' concerns and provide you with an appropriate response.

l The NRC has an extensive inspection and licensing program to ensure that Calvert Cliffs is t

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operating safely. In addition, we have inspectors in residence at every operating nuclear power plant who routinely inspect to determine whether or not operations are being canducted in accordance with the provisions of the plant's license. We believe this process provides i

reasonable assurance that the plant will continue to operate in a manner that will pose no F

undue risk to public health and safety in accordance with the Commission's regulations, in addition, the Commission evaluates issues that affect all plants or a group of plants on a i

generic basis. If the Commission finds that certain generic issues are applicable to Calvert j

Cliffs, the NRC will take appropriate ' action.

It may be helpful for you to be aware that Dr. Margulies is a former employee of the NRC and that the issues he raises in his letter to you were of great interest several years ago when he was employed here. The issues, Event V and Station Black-out, are severe accident sequences that have been studied by the NRC. NRC action on Event V has been completed.-

The NRC has also taken action on Station Black-out; however, the need for additional action is i

still under consideration. This issue may affect multiple facilities. Af ter a generic resolution for I

this issue is identified, it will be implemented for all affected plants. It is premature to determine 1

whether or not resolution of this generic issue has any special relevance to the Calvert Cliffs 1

- Nuclear Power Plant.' The cost / benefit analyses Dr. Margulies offers are somewhat similar to analyses performed by the NRC staff. To the extent that it adds to our knowledge, Dr.

Margulies' analyses will be taken into account in the regulatory process it should be noted that Dr. Margulies has written to the NRC regarding issues such as these on two different occasions. The NRC responded to Dr. Margulies by letters dated August 18 and 28,1998.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address this issue.

Sincerely, I

l h N B C W C I N 1 H C D P 'L.

d pph Callan i

Exe ive Director

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August 28, 1998 Dr. Timothy S. Margulies 1213 River Bay Road Annapolis, MD 21401 i

Dear Mr. MPrguligg,

Your letter to Mr. Collins, dated July 2?,,1998, conceming radiological risks and cost-benefit considerations for nuclear powy,eactors, Yucca Mountain, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant was forwarded to me. As you may know, the NRC is continuing to upgrade its regulations to be more risk-informed and using the kinds of information presented in your paper. I have forwarded your information to other appropriate offices.

Thank you for your interest in these matters.

Sincerely,

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Charles L. Miller, Chief Emergency Preparedness and Radiation Protection Branch Division of Reactor Program Management

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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006-0001 August 18, 1998 Dr. Timothy S. Margulies 1213 River Bay Road Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Dr. Margulies:

Your letter to the Chairman conceming radiological risks and cos! benefit considerations for nuclear power reactors, Yucca Mountain, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant was forwarded to me. As you may know, the NRC is continuing to upgrade its re and is using the kinds ofinformation presented in your papers. gulations to be more risk-inform I have forwarded yourinformation to other appropriate offices.

Thank you for your interest in these matters.

Sincerely,

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John W. Craig, Director Division of Regulatory Applications Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research G & u, r

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aqqC W W S:nator Paut S. Sarb:n::s United Stat:s Sun:ta Washington, DC 20510-2002

Dear Senator Sarbanes:

I am responding to your letter of August 12,1998, to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concerning a letter to you from Dr. T. S. Margulies. In your August 12 letter, you requested that we review Dr. Margulies' concerns and provide you with an appropriate response.

The NRC has an extensive inspection and licensing program to ensm friit Calvert Cliffs is operating safely. In addition, we have inspectors in residence at every operating nuclear power plant who routinely inspect to determine whether or not operations are being conducted in accordance with the provisions of the plant's license. We believe this process provides reasonable assurance that the plant will continue to operate in a manner that will pose no undue risk to public health and safety in accordance with the Commission's regulations. In addition, the Commission evaluates issues that affect all plants or a group of plants on a generic basis. If the Commission finds that certain generic issues are applicable to Calvert Cliffs, the NRC will take appropriate action, it may be helpful for you to be aware that Dr. Margulies is a former employee of the NRC and that the issues he raises in his letter to you were of great interest several years ago when he was employed here. The issues, Event V and Station Black-out, are severe accident sequences that have been studied by the NRC. NRC action on Event V has been completed.

The NRC has also taken action on Station Black-out; however, the need for additional action is still under consideration. This issue may affect multiple facilities. After a neneric resolution for this issue is identified, it will be implemented for all affected plants. it is premature to determine whether or not resolution of this generic issue has any special relevance to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. The cost / benefit analyses Dr. Margulies offers are somewhat similar to analyses performed by the NRC staff. To the extent that it adds to our knowledge, Dr.

Margulies' analyses will be taken into account in the regulatory process. It should be noted that Dr. Margulies has written to the NRC regarding issues such as these on two different occasions. The NRC responded to Dr. Margulies by letters dated August 18 and 28,1998.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address this issue.

Sincerely, Oriainal signed by LJCallan L. J6seph Callan Executive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

As stated DISTRIBUTION:

See attached list DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\CC1-2\\SARBANES.GT

• See Previous Concurrence To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment / enclosure "N" = No copy DFFICE PM:PDI-1 lE LA:PDI-1 l

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DATE 09/08/98 09/09/98 09/14/98 09f M 98 09/)*/98 Official Record Copy

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PUBLIC W. Travers T. Martin EDO #G980511 C. Norsworthy B. Sheron 4

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1 S;nttor Paul S. Sirb nis UnitId Stitis Sen:13 W:shington, DC 20510-2002

Dear Senator Sart> anes:

I am responding to yourletter of August 12,1998, to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concoming a letter to you from Dr. T. S. Margulies. In your August 12 letter, you requested that we review Dr. Margulies' concerns and provide you with an appropriate response.

The NRC has an extensive inspection and licensing program to ensure that Calvert Cliffs is operating safely. In addition, we have inspectors in residence at every operating nuclear power plant who routinely inspect to determine whether or not operations are being conducted in accordance with the provisions of the plant's license. We believe this process provides reasonable assurance that the p. ant will continue to operate in a manner that will pose no undue risk to public health and safety in accordance with the Commission's regulations. In addition, the Commission evaluates issues that affect all plants or a group of plants on a generic basis. If the Commission finds that certain generic issues are applicable to Calvert Cliffs, the NRC will take appropriate action.

i It may be helpfel for you to be aware that Dr. Ma.gulies is a former employee of the NRC and that the issues he raises in his letter to you were of great interest several years ago when he was employed here. The issues, Event V and Station Black-out, are severe accident sequences that have been studied by the NRC. NRC action on Event V has been completed. The NRC has also taken action on Station Black-out, however, the need for additional action is still under consideration. This issue may affect multiple facilities. After a generic resolution for this issue is identified, it will be implemented for all affected plants. It is premature to determine whether or not resolution of this generic issue has any special relevance to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. The cost / benefit analyses Dr. Margulies offers are somewhat similar to analyses performed by the NRC staff. To the extent that it adds to our knowledge, Dr. Margulies' analyses will be taken into account in the regulatory process. It should be noted that Dr. Margulies has j

written to the NRC regarding issues such as these on two different occasions. The NRC responded to Dr. Margulies by letters dated August 18 and 28,1998.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address this issue.

Sincerely, L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations DISTRIBUTION:

See attached list DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\CC1-2\\SARBANES.GT

• See Previous Concurrence To receive a copy of titis document, Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" = Copy with attichment/ enclosure "N" = No copy 0FFICE PF7PPPY) lE LA: POI-1 l

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Seqator Pcul S. S rbints Sh-309 H.irt Sin:ta Office Building Wzshington, DC 20510 2002 i

l

Dear Senator Sarbanes:

I am responding to your letter of August 12,1998, to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concoming a letter to you from Dr. T. S. Margulies. In your August 12 letter, you requested that we review Dr. Margulies' concems and provide you with an appropriate response.

It may be helpful for you to be aware that Dr. N)argulies is a former employee of the NRC and that the issues he raiset in his letter to you were of great interest several years ago when he was employed here. The issues, Event V and Station Black-out, are severe accident sequences that have been studied by the NRC. NRC action on Event V has been completed. The NRC has also taken action on Station Black-out, how'ever, the need for additional action is still under consideration. The NRC is handlitig this issue generically for resolution. After the resolution is reached, its implementation vyiN'be determined by the agency for all the impacted plants in the United States, it is premature to determine whether or not resolution of this generic issue has any special relevance tythe Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. The cost / benefit analysas Dr. Margulies offers are somewhat similar to analyses performed by the NRC staff. To the extent that it adds to our hn'owledge, Dr. Margulies' analyses will be taken into account in the regulatory process. Furthermore, Dr. Margulies has written to the NRC regarding issues such as these on two different occasions: once to the Chairman and once to the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. For your information, Enclosures 1 and 2 are our earlier responses to

)

Dr. Margulies.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address this issue.

Sincerely, L. Joseph Callan Executive Director 1

for Operations

Enclosures:

As stated DISTRIBUTION Docket File (50-317) w/ original incoming S. Bajwa J. Roe PUBLIC

'N. Travers T. Martin EDO #G980511 C. Norsworthy B. Sheron L. Callan OGC H. Thompson OPA A. Thadani OCM P. Norry NRR Mail Room (EDO#G980511 J. Blaha w/ incoming) 012G18 S. Collins /F. Miraglia N. Olson B. Bogar R. Laskin PDI-1 R/F w/ incoming A. Dromerick(w/ incoming)

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S. Little EDO R/F C. Hehl, Region I C. Paperiello SECY # (CRC-98-0775)

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\CC1-2\\SARBANES.GT

• See Previous Concurrence To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" = Copy with att chment/enclospre "N" = No copy 0FFICE PMfRDM/'

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Sin tor Prul S. Sirbinis SH-309 HIrt S: nits Office Building

.Wzshington, DC 20510-2002 l'

Dear Senator Sarbanes:

I am responding to your letter of August 12,1998, to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concoming a letter to you from Dr. T. S. Margulies. In your August 12 letter, you requested that we review Dr. Margulies' concems and provide you with an appropriate response. Accordingly, we have reviewed the issues raised by Dr. Margulies and have drafted Enclosure 1 as a proposed response.

' It may be helpful for you to be aware that Dr. Margulies is a former employee of the NRC and that the issues he raises in his letter to you were of great interest several years ago when he was employed here. These are generic issues and have no epscial relevance to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. The cost / benefit analyses Dr. Margulies offers are somewhat similar to 1

analyses performed by the NRC staff. To the extent that it adds to our knowledge, Dr. Margulies' j

analyses will be taken into account in the regulatory process. Furthermore, Dr. Margulies has i

written to the NRC regarding issues such as these on two different occasions: once to the Chairman and once to the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. For your information, Enclosures 2 and 3 are our earlier responses to Dr. Margulies.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address this issue.

Sincerely, L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

As stated i

1 DISTRIBUTION:

Docket File (50-317) w/ original incoming S. Bajwa PUBLIC W. Travers EDO #G980511 C. Norsworthy L. Callan OGC H. Thompson OPA A. Thadani OCM P. Norry NRR Mail Room (EDO#G980511 J. Blaha w/ incoming) 012G18 S. Collins /F. Mirealia N. Olson B. Boger R. Laskin PDI-1 R/F w/incon..ng A. Dromerick(w/ incoming)

J. Zwolinski(A)

S. Little EDO R/F C. Hehl, Region I C. Paperiello SECY # (CRC-98-0775)

T. Martin B. Sheron

-J. Roe DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\CC1-2\\SARBANES.GT

• See Previous Concerrence To re:eive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" = Copy with att chment/ enclosure "N"= No copy n

l OFFICE PJtP@f) lE LA:PDI 1 W /

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,09/

/98 Official Record Copy

P-Sinitor P ul S. S rbints SH-309 H rt Sinits Office Building Washington, DC 20510-2002

Dear Senator Sarbanes:

This M in response to your August 12, igg 8, letter to Mr. Rathbun contaming a letter from Dr. T.

S. Margulies. In your letter, you requested that we review the matter and provide you with an appropriate response. Accordingly, we have reviewed the issues raised by Dr. Margulies and have drafted the encio.,ed proposed response.

It may be helpful for you to be aware that Dr. Margulies is a former employee of the NRC and that

~ the issues he raises in his letter to you were of great interest several years ago when he was here. These are generalissues, with no special relevance to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant.

The cost / benefit analyses Dr. Margulies offers are somewhat similar to analyses performed by

.the NRC staff. To the extent that it adds to our knowledge, Mr. Margulies' analyses will be taken into account in the regulatory process. Furthermore, Dr. Margulies has writen to the NRC on two different occassions; once to the Chairman and the other to the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation regarding such issues. Our response to Dr. Margulies is enclosed for your information.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address this issue.

Sincerely, 1

L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations DISTRIBUTION Docket File (50-317) w/ original incoming S. Bajwa EDO #G980511 C. Norsworthy L. ' Callan OGC H. Thompson OPA A. Thadani OCM P. Norry NRR Mail Room (EDO#G980511 J. Blaha -

w/ incoming) 012G18 S. Collins /F. Miraglia N. Olson B. Boger R. Laskin PDI-1 R/F w/ incoming A. Dromt rick w/ incoming J. Zwolinski(A)

S. Little EDO R/F '

C. Hehl, Region I

' DOCUMENT NAME: GdCC1-2\\SARBANES.GT To re:eive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" = Copy with

-'att:chment/ enclosure "N" = No copy 0FFICE PM: POI 1 lE LA:PDI-1 l

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NAME J2Wotinski 550ser Scottins DATE' 09/ /98 09/ /94 09/ /98 09/ /98 09/ /98 Official Record Copy m

ACTION

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EDO Principal Correspondence Control l

FROMt DUE:.09/09/98 EDO CONTROL: G980511' DOC DT: 08/12/98 FINAL REPLY:

S:nntor-Paul Sarbanes

TO :

R2thbun, OCA ~

LFOR' SIGNATURE'OF :

• • GRN CRC NO: 98-0775 Cillan,.EDO DESCt ROUTING:

. ADDRESSING; SEVERE ACCIDENT-COH3EQUENCES --

Callan CALVERT' CLIFFS (Timothy S.-Margulies)'

Travers Thompson No: y Blaha Burns DATE: 08/25/98 Thadani, RES Paperiello,NMS!!

-ASSIGNED TO:

CONTACT:

Martin, AEOD

_NRR Collins

-SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

NRR ACTION:

DRPE:Zwolinski NRR RECEIVED: August 26, 1998 NRR ROUTING:

Collins /Miraglia Boger-'

Sheron Roe ACTION

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.SEN.' PAUL SARBANES 2-AFFILIATION:

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CALVERT CLIFFS NUCLEAR PLANT s 4

ACTIO' Signature of'EDO:'

DISTRIBUTIONi CHAIRMAN, COMRS,.SECY/ RAS SPECIAL-HANDLING:,OCA TO ACK.

CONSTITUENT:

TIMOTHY MARGULIES fNOTES:

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