ML20199A587
| ML20199A587 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 01/16/1998 |
| From: | Boger B NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Joffe A AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20199A589 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9801280029 | |
| Download: ML20199A587 (6) | |
Text
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMIS810N f
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January 16, 1998 Mr. Allen S. JoNo 1005 Twining Road Dresher, PA 19025
Dear Mr. Joffe:
Your letter of November 20,1997, to Chairman Shirley Ann Jackson of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has been refened te me for reply. In your letter, you enclosed a copy of an article on the work of the Union of Concemed Scientists (UCS) and expressed concem regarding the asserted failure of the NRC to identify longstanding deficiencies at Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station and the apparent failure of many naclear plants to update their Final Safety Antiysis Reports (FSARs). You t'so indicatsd that you ned not been able to identify resolution of the Maine Yankee issues by either the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) or the NRC.
The NRC inspection program focuses on licensed activities with the greatest potential impact on public health and safety. The NRC staff has used the lessons leamed from Maine Yankee, and the Millstone plants in Connecticut, to critically assess the effectiveness of NRC's regulatory activities, inc5uding the inspection program. Enhancements have been i
and are being developed and implemented in a number of areas, including engineering inspection procedures; FSAR updates; licensee safety evaluations pursuant to 10 CFR 50.59, " Changes, Tests and Experiments;" verification of licensee commitments; and review of licensee implementation of safety analysis methodologies.
You asked about "the apparent fact that many nuclear plants have NOT been updating their FSARs." Nuclear power plants are required to update their FSARs periodically. The issue to which you re'er involves certain analyses required to be performed by licensees before certain changes are made to the facility described in the FSAR and ensuring that the FSAR accurately reflects the current facility design. The staff is developing a generic communication to ensure that these analyses and updated descriptions have been appropriately incorporated into the facility FSARs.
Regarding final resolution of the issues at Maine Yankee, in October 1997, DOJ referred 3
information to determine what regulatory action is appropriate. Final actio these matters back to the NRC for appropriate action. The NRC staff is reviewing the these matters will be made public.
NRC RE CEtym copy s.sa 9901200029 900116 ll l yQ 'g]
PDR ADOCK 05000309
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. r, Mr. A. Joffe,
You also expressed concem about a UCS statement regarding the NRC's " sweeping allegations under the rug." Allegations of safety problems from concemed individuals or organizations are a j
significant source of information for the NRC. As such, the staff places a high priority on i
evaluating allegations oil the basis of potential safety significance. Contrary to the UCS statement, the NRC does, in fact, evaluate and follow-up on allegations. In many instances, the i
NRC's review of allegations includes inspections by NRC personnel and investigations by our Office of Invesugations, in all cases, NRC attempts to pursue the allegations to resolution.
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In summary, we recognize our programs can be improved and we are taking important steps in that direction. We appreciate your sharing your concems and we trust that this has been responsive to those concerns.
Sincerely, Bruce A. Boger, Director Division of Reactor Projects - t/il Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 1
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January 16, 1998 Mr. A. Joff].,
You also expressed concem sbout a UCS statement regarding the NRC's " sweeping allegations under the rug." Allegations of safety problems from concemed individusts or organizations are a significant source of information for the NRC. As such, the staff places a high priority on evaluating allegations on the basis of potential safety significance. Contrary to the UCS statement, the NRC does, in fact, evaluate and follow-up on allegations. In many instances, the NRC's review of allegations includes inspections by NRC personnel and investigations by our Office of Investigations. In all cases, NRC attempts to pursue the allegations to resolution.
In summary, we recognize our programs can be improved and we are taking important steps in that direction. We appreciate your sharing your concems and we trust that this has been responsive to those concems.
Sincerely,0ariginal signed by:
Bruce A. Boger, Director Division of Reactor Projects - l/ll Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Distribution:
Docket File (50-309) (w/ original incoming)
PUBLIC (w/ incoming)
EDO #G970831 L. Callan H. Thompson A. Thadani P Nony J. Blaha S. Collins /F. Miraglia R. Zimmerman PDl-1 R/F (w/ incoming) 8.Boger J. Zwolinski M. Thadani M. Boyle (email only MLB4)
OGC OPA OCA SECY # CRC-97-1129 NRR Mail Room (EDO #G970831 w/ incoming) (012/G18)
N. Olson C. Norsworthy D. Dorman (w/ incoming)
S. Little C. Hehl, Region I DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\DORMAN\\GT970831.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 lE LA:PDI-1 w ai i ril l D:PDI-1 c 1,, (
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January 16, 1998-
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Mr A. Joffe..
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You also expressed concem about a UCS statement regarding the NRC's " sweeping allegations under the rug." Allegations of safety problems from conoemed individuals or organizations am a significant source of information for the NRC. As such, the staff places a high priority on evaluating allegations on the basis of potential safety significance. Contrary to the UCS-statement, the NRC does, in fact, evaluate and follow up on allegations. In many instances, the -
NRC's review of allegations includes inspections by NRC personnel and investigations by our Office of investigations, in all cases, NRC attempts to pursue the allegations to resolution.
In summary, we recognize our prograrns can be improved and we are toldng important steps in that dirodion. We appreciate your sharing your concoms and we trust that this has been responsive to those concoms.
Sincerely,Oariginalsigned by:
Bruce A. Boger, Director Div sion of Reactor Projects - t/11 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l
Distribution
- Docket File (50-30g) (w/ original incoming)
PUBUC (w/ incoming)
EDO #Gg70831 L Callan H. Thompson A. Thadani P. Norry _
J. Blaha S. Collins /F. Miraglia R. Zimmerman PDI-1 R/F (w/ incoming) l B. Boger J. Zwolinski M. Thadani -
M. Boyle (email only MLB4)
OGC OPA OCA SECY # CRC g7-112g NRR Mail Room (EDO #Gg70831 w/ incoming) (012/G18)
N. Olson C. Norsworthy D. Dorman (w/ incoming)
S. Uttle C. Hohl, Region I DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\DORMAN\\GT970831.GT-
- See Previous Concurrence To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" = Copy F
with cttachment/ enclosure "N' = No cora DFFICE PMIPDI+1 lE LA POI 1 Pnl D PDl 1 et f f l TECM ED*
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Scoltins LCa1Len DATE=
12/06/97 12/05/97 12/8/97 12/15/97 1/15/98 Official Record Copy
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ACTION EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM:
DUE: 12/09/97 EDO CUNTROL: G970811 DOC-DT: 17/20/97 FINAL REPLY:
Allen S. Joffe Drc3 hor, Pennsylvania TO:
Chairman Jackson FOR SIGNATURE OF :
ROUTING:
NRC'S RESPONSE TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND REGULATIONS Callan Thadani Thompson Norry Blaha Burns DATE: 11/26/97 Miller, RI ASSIGNED TO:
CONTACT:
NRR Collins SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
Put EDO and Chairman on for concurrence.
Choirman's office to review response prior to l
dicpatch.
l 1RR-RECEIVED:
NOVEMBER 28, 1997 1RR ACTION:
DRPE:80GER l UR ROUTING:
COLLINS
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:
CRC-97-1129 LOGGING DATE: Nov 25 97 ACTION OFFICE:
EDO AUTHOK:
ALLAN S. JOFFE AFFILIATION:
PENNSYLVANIA ADDRESSEE:
CHAIRMAN JACKSON LETTER DATE:
Nov 20 97 FILE CODE: IDR 5 MAINE YANKFE SUBJECT-MAINE YANKEE ACTION:
Direct Reply DISTRIBUTIC'1:
CHAIRMAN, COMRS SPECIAL HANDLING: SECY TO ACK CONSTITUENT:
NOTES:
CHAIRMAN SHOULD REVIEW PESPONSE PRIOR TO DISPATCH DATE DUE:
Dec 11 97 SIGNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
AFFILIATION:
EDO -- G970831