ML20196G834
| ML20196G834 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 03/02/1988 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Pickle J HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20196G838 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8803100003 | |
| Download: ML20196G834 (4) | |
Text
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[Ndug' Distribution:
4 UNITED STATES Docket File 50-498
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION TMurley/JSniezek o
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March 2, 1988 NRC PDR cHAMMAN FMiraglia OCA 0Crutchfield The Honorable J. J. Pickle LPDR United States House of Representatives VStello Washington, D. C.
20515 JTaylor E00 3460
Dear Ccngressman Pickle:
SECY 88-26 Thank you for forwarding to me concerns expressed by your constituent, Mr. Dan Harrison of the South Texas Cancellation Campaign.
I want to assure you that the NRC treats very seriously allegations brought forward by workers at nuclear power plant sites and takes whatever action is necessary to ensure that public health and safety are protected.
The fact that an alleger wishes to remain anonymous would not cause the NRC to refuse to investigate an allegation.
However, if the alleger has not provided sufficient information to allow a meaningful review, his anonymity may effectively preclude detailed inspection and investigation of his concerns.
In the South Texas case, we could not obtain sufficient information to investigate some of the alleged concerns.
Following the Court decision denying enforcement of the subpoena for South Texas safety allegations, members of the NRC staff have worked cooperatively with representatives of the Government Accountability Project (GAP) to establish a means for obtaining as much information as possible on allegations made about construc-tion deficiencies at the South Texas Project and to protect the identities of those individuals who wanted to remain anonymous.
Once a framework for meeting these objectives was established, with GAP's full knowledge, the staff proceeded to obtain specific information regarding the allegations.
Technical experts reviewed all of the information made available by GAP, including documents and tapes of interviews with individuals.
GAP arranged, and NRC i
staff conducted, separate interviews to obtain more information from some of those who had made allegations.
Following this, the j
staff conducted an inspection at the South Texas site to determine l
the safety significance of the allegations.
The qualifications of the individuals performing the inspections were carefully reviewed to ensure maximum effectiveness of the inspection.
All the inspectors had sufficient experience to be able to detect the existence and nature of problems quickly.
Most had-reviewed allegations at other plants.
The site inspection was completed during the week of January 18, 1988, and a report on its findings is being prepared. We will forward a copy of the report to you as soon as it becomes available, i
Originated: NRR:Kadambi i
8803100003 080302 i
PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR
. In addition to the allegations regarding the South Texas Project, Mr. Harrison makes reference to various news reports of impropriety regarding NRC's conduct of its regulatory function.
Each of these concerns has been or is being addressed within and outside NRC.
In your letter, you also requested an update as to the status of South Texas, Unit 1 operation.
Since receiving a low-power operating license on August 21, 1987, Unit I has experienced several operating problems that have delayed the t,tartup schedule.
These include personnel operating errors, deficiencies in procedures, and the identification of several design deficiencies.
In the performance of its duties the NRC staff reviews the information on each problem that arises to determine how future licensing decisions would be affected, and also whether any past decisions should be changed.
Also, each problem is examined for evidence of wider areas for concern.
The current schedule for Unit 1 indicates that all the corrective actions proposed by the licensee, Houston Lighting and Power, will be completed prior to initial criticality.
The NRC staff is in the process of reviewing information f rom the licensee to determine if initial criticality can be supported from a regulatory viewpoint.
I hope this information will be helpful to you in responding to Mr. Harrison.
Sincerely, W.
N, Lando W. Ze
. Jr r
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NUCLEAR viEGU6ATORY LOMMISSION 3
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UNITEO STATat I
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EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL FROM:
DUE:
02/10/88 EDO CONTROL: 003460 DOC DT: 01/13/88 REP. J. J. PICKLE FINAL REPLY:
TC CHAIRMAN ZECH FOR S10 NATURE OF um PRIORITY am SECY NO: 88-26 CHAIRMAN DESC:
ROUTINO:
ENCLOSES LETTER FROM DAN HARRISON, SOUTH TEXAS CANCELLATION STEll0 CAMPAIGN CONCERNING GAP REQUEST RE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY TAYLOR WORKERS AT SOUTH TEXAS NUCLEAR PROJECT REHM RMARTIN MURRAY DATE: 02/01/88 ASS 10NED TO: NRR CONTACT: MURLEY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
DICK BRADY, PMAS/PTSB, SHOULD BE PUT ON CONCURREIK'E.
NRR RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 2, 1988 ACTION:
DRSP:CRIJICHFIELDf NRR RCUTING:
MURLEY/SNIEZEK MIRAGLIA ADT GILLESPIE FOSSBURG G
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:
CRC 26 LOGGIMQ 5DA'TE : l/19/88 ACTION OFFICE: [
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.c AUTHOR:
J J Pickle AFFILIATION:
Representative
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LETTER DATE:
l/13/88 FILE CODE: ID&R-5 So Texas
SUBJECT:
Allegations made by workers at the So Texas plant
[ TION:
Chainnan's SignaturD DISTRIBUTION:
OCA to Ack, RF, EDO SPECIAL HANDLING: None NOTES:
DATE DUE:
SIGNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
AFFILIATION:
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