ML20198J187

Advises of Completion of Reexam of Original Licensing Bases for Facility Due to Chernobyl Reactor Accident & Questions Re Similarities of Plant Design.Evaluation Concluded Continued Operation Justified

ML20198J187
Person / Time
Site:	Fort Saint Vrain
Issue date:	05/29/1986
From:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Lamm R COLORADO, STATE OF
Shared Package
ML20198J191	List: ML20198J187 ML20211Q356
References
NUDOCS 8606020309
Download: ML20198J187 (1)

Text

Enclosure 3

'd 'o, UNITED STATES Ei 't NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

,- ( WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 k...+,/

May 29, 1986 The Honorable Richard D. Lamm Governor of Colorado g Denver, Colorado 80203

Dear Governor Lamm:

In view of the recent Soviet reactor accident at Chernobyl and because of questions that were being raised about possit,le design similarities of the Fort St. Vrain reactor, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has reexamined our original licensing bases for this facility. We also asked the Public Service Company of Colorado to investigate scenariosw 'hich could lead to rapid oxidation of the Fort St. Vrain graphite core and to assess the consequences of such an event.

On the basis of these evaluations and all other relevant information available ~

to us at this time, we have concluded that continuej operation of the Fort St. Vrain facility is justified and have so informed our management and Commission. Because of your interest in this matter, I am enclosing for your

" 4 m tion a copy of the staff's evaluation and findings.

As a separate matter, the Fort St. Vrain reactor is presently authorized to operate at levels not to exceed 35 percent of full power until May 31, 1986,

~

at which time it will be shutdown in order to complete environmental

_ qualification-related equipment modifications. We anticipate that the plant -

will not be ready to operate again before September 1986.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely, ft??

ar d R. Denton, acto iff ce of Nuclear eacto egulation

Enclosure:

Memorandum for Victor Stello, Jr.

from Harold R. Denton dated May 9, 1986 cc: Richard F. Walker, President, PSC g

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