ML20197H857
| ML20197H857 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 10/28/1998 |
| From: | Murray T MASSACHUSETTS, COMMONWEALTH OF |
| To: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20197H855 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9812140186 | |
| Download: ML20197H857 (8) | |
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S COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS SENATE STATE HOUSE. BOSTON 02133-1053 CENATOR THERESE MURRAY COMMrTTEES:
PLYMOUTH AND BARNSTABLE HUMAN SEPVICES AND ELDERLY Di$TRICT ArrAIRS (CHAIR)
Roou 511 C TRANSPoRTATaoN (ViCE CHAIR)
TEL. (617s 7221330 WAvs AND MEANG fax (617) 7221072 STEERING AND Policy HEALTM CARE October 28,1998 The lionorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington D.C,20555
Dear Dr. Jackson:
Enclosed you will find a letter I sent to President Clinton (similar letters went to US Senators Kennedy and Kerry) regarding recent developments regarding the sale of the Pilgrim Nuclear plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
I have contacted you in the past about safety concerns at the plant and have received prompt informative responses from your staff. The Boston Edison Company (which owns Pilgrim) is actively soliciting bids from other power-plant operators for the sale of the plant with the expectation that the buyer will continue its operation.
It has come to my attention that the NRC will not require an environmental assessment of the plant and grounds prior to its sale. As you know an environmental assessment is necessary to properly evaluate the current contamination at the site. This will ensure that the appropriate party will be held responsible should future contamination be discovered.
I strongly question this decision by the NRC and feel it is not in the best interest of future owners or the community at large.
Any information you can provide regarding this matter would be helpful. Thank you for your sistance in this matter.
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Th rese Murray State Senator Plymouth and B rnstable district TM/jdf w
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Fan t617) 7221072 Hr.ALTM CAmE FEDERAL FINANCIAL As5l STANCE October 26,1998 The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton i
The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C. 20502 Attn: Intergovernmental Affairs l
Dear Mr. President:
The Boston Edison Company (BECO) currently owns the only active nuclear power plant i
in New England, the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant located in Plymouth Massachusetts. Boston Edison is soliciting bids from other power-plant operators for the sale of the plant with the expectation that the buyer will continue its operation.
i As the State Senator representing the town of Plymouth I have a great deal of concern regarding the impending sale of this plant. Given the questionable safety record of the Boston Edison Company at the Pilgrim plant I was shocked to learn that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will not require an environmental assessment of the plant and grounds prior to its sale. This is an unsettling and somewhat arbitrary decision by an agency that has cited the company 13 times over the past year for safety violations (see attached).
An environmental assessment is necessary to properly evaluate the current contamination at the site. This will ensure that the appropriate party will be held responsible should future contamination be discovered. 'Ihis action will have serious long-range implications for both the new owner and the community.
A second matter has also been brought to my attention. Sources have told me that BECO has requested special federal legislation regarding the sale of the plant. Specifically, the legislation will exempt BECO from paying income tax on the sale.
11/05/98 THU 16:27 FAI 617 722 2897 LEGIST.SVS. BUREAU
@ 003 2) i This is this the most egregious example of corporate manipulation I have ever axperienced. The sale of this plant will have severe consequences on both the community of Plymouth and employees at the plant. It is unacceptable that BECO should receive this special consideration while others face certain hardship due to the sale.
The Town of Plymouth currently receives 25% ofits tax base from the plant. The sale of the plant and deregulation of the utility industry puts the town at immediate financial risk and puts into question its future financial solvency. Allowing BECO to evade paying taxes under some obscure federal regulations is in fact a massive bailout to a company reaping millions of dollars under deregulation of the industry.
The company has also been negligent in fulfilling its obligations to employees adversely impacted by the sale. The company has renegotiated severance and retirement packages for long time employees and has cut financial and medical benefits for some middle management.
I realize the importance of promoting industry and supporting businesses. However, this is a matter of fairness and protecting citizens who do not have the money or influence to lobby on their own behalf. Any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thank o S'
ly, Y
There furray State Senator Plymouth and B
-table district 1
TM/jdf Enclosure
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4p?"gt ACTl0N EDO Principal Correspondence Control
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?FROMs DUE: 11/24/98 EDO CONTROL: G19980669 DOC DT: 10/28/98 i
FINAL REPLY:
'S:n2 tor Therese Murray
- Macccchusetts Senate 3
!TOs Chairman Jackson FOR SIGNATURE OF :
- GRN CRC NO: 98-1031 i
Travers, EDO DESC:
ROUTING:
SALE OF THE PILGRIM NUCLEAR PLANT Travers DEDE 3
Thompson i
Norry Blaha Burns DATE: 11/10/98 Miller, RI i
~ ASSIGNED TO:
CONTACT:
NRR Collins SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY h
CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:
CRC-98-1031 LOGC.iifG DATE: Nov 9 98 1
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ACTION OFFICE:
EDO AUTHOR:
THERESE MURRAY AFFILIATION:
MASSACHUSETTS ADDRESSEE:
CHAIRMAN JACKSON LETTER DATE:
Oct 28 98 FILE CODE: IDR 5 PILGRIM i
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SUBJECT:
SALE OF THE PILGRIM NUCLEAR PLANT ACTION:
Signature of EDO i
i DISTRIBUTION:
CHAIRMAN, RF, SECY/ RAS-1 1
i SPECIAL HANDLING: SECY TO ACK i
CONSTITUENT:
j NOTES:
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DATE DUE:
Nov #98 i
SIGNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
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g COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS SENATE STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133 1053 cENATOR THERESE MURRAY COMMITTEES:
PLYMoVTH AND BARNSTABLE HUMAN SERVICE $ AND ELDERLY DISTRICT AFFAIR $ (CHAIR)
Room 511 C TRANSPORTATION (V4CE CHAIR)
TEL, (617) 722 1330 WAYS AND MEANS F AX (617) 722 1072 STEERING AND POLICY HEALTH CARE October 28,1998 The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington D.C,20555
Dear Dr. Jackson:
Enclosed you will find a letter I sent to President Clinton (similar letters went to US Senators Kennedy and Kerry) regarding recent developments regarding the sale of the Pilgrim Nuclear plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
I have contacted you in the past about safety concerns at the plant and have received prompt informative responses from your staff. The Boston Edison Company (which owns Pilgrim) is actively soliciting bids from other power-plant operators for the sale of the plant with the expectation that the buyer will continue its operation.
It has come to my attention that the NRC will not require an environmental assessment of the plant and grounds prior to its sale. As you know an environmental assessment is necessary to properly evaluate the current contamination at the site. This will ensure that the appropriate party will be held responsible should future contamination be discovered.
I strongly question this decision by the NRC and feel it is not in the best interest of future owners or the community at large.
Any information you can provide regarding this matter would be helpful. Thank you for your sistance in this matter.
' re,
i a
TL rese Murray State Senator Plymouth and B stable district TM/jdf 5.
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11/0s/98 THU 16:26 FAI 617 722 28_97
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SENATOR THERESE MURRAY HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY PLvuoVTH ANO BARNST ABLE l
AFFasms (CNain)
D6 STRICT TRANSPORTATION (VICE CHAIR)
Roou Sil C WAYS AND MEANS TEL. (617) 722 1330 FAs (617) 722 1072 HEALTM Cant FEDERAL FamANciAL AssisTawcE October 26,1998 The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton ne White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C. 20502 Attn: Intergovemmental Affairs
Dear Mr. President:
The Boston Edison Company (BECO) currently owns the only active nuclear power plant in New England, the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant located in Plymouth Massachusetts. Boston Edison is soliciting bids from other power-plant operraors for the sale of the plant with the expectation that the buyer will continue its operation.
As the State Senator representing the town of Plymouth I have a great deal of concem regarding the impending sale of this plant. Given the questionab!c safety record of the Boston Edison Company at the Pilgrim plant I was shocked to learn that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will not require an environmental assessment of the plant and grounds prior to its sale. This is an unsettling and somewhat arbitrary decision by an agency that has cited the company 13 times over the past year for safety violations (see attached).
An environmental assessment is necessary to properly evaluate the current contamination at the site. This will ensure that the appropriate party will be held responsible should future contamination be discovered. This action will have serious Ic,ng-range implications for both the new owner and the community.
A second matter has also been brought to my attention. Sources have told me that BECO has requested special federal legislation regarding the sale of the plant. Specifically, the legislation will exempt BECO from paying income tax on the sale.
11/05/98 THU 16:27 FAI 617 722 2897 LEGIST.SYS. BUREAU
@ 003
.3 2) 5 This is this the most egregious example of corporate manipulation I have ever experienced. The sale of this plant will have severe consequences on both the community of Plymouth and employees at the plant. It is unacceptable that BECO should receive this special consideration while others face certain hardship due to the sale.
The Town of Plymouth currently receives 25% ofits tax base from the plant. The sale of the plant and deregulation of the utility industry puts the town at immediate financial risk and puts into question its future financial solvency. Allowing BECO to evade paying taxes under some obscure federal regulations is in fact a massive bailout to a company reaping millions of dollars under deregulation of the industry.
The company has also been negligent in fulfilling its obligations to employees adversely impacted by the sale. The company has renegotiated severance and r..irement packages for long time employees and has cut financial and medical benefits for some middle management.
I realize the importance of promoting industry and supporting businesses. However, this i
is a matter of faimess and protecting citizens who do not have the money or influence to lobby on their own behalf. Any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thank o S'
e ly, There urray State Senator Plymouth and B table district TM/jdf Enclosure
.