ML20199J927

Agrees W/Congressman Matsui Concerns in Re Safety of B&W Reactors.Recommendation Reiterated That Commission Establish Ad Hoc Panel to Review Pressurized Thermal Shock Issue

ML20199J927
Person / Time
Site:	Davis Besse
Issue date:	02/04/1986
From:	Udall M HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS
To:	Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML19301G055	List: ML20199J927
References
REF-GTECI-A-49, REF-GTECI-RV, TASK-A-49, TASK-OR NUDOCS 8604090617
Download: ML20199J927 (1)

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The Honorable Nunzio Palladino United States Nuclear Regu'.atory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Congressman Matsui has called to my attention his January 29 letter to you concerning the safety of Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) reactors. I share Mr. Matsui's concerns. His questions deserve careful attention. I wi1* conduct my own review of the Commission's response to him.

As you know, in recent years I have written several letters to the Commission concerning the pressurized tnermal shock (PTS) issue. In my June 13, 1985 letter on the matter, I recommended that the Commission establish an ad hoc panel of experts to l assess the PTS hazard and the adequacy of the Commission's I efforts to reduce it to an acceptable level. In its July 18, 1985 response to my recommendation, the Commission stated that an ladhocpaneltofurtherreviewthePTSissuewasnotneeded. l While I have full respect for the Commission's judgement that it has devoted sufficient attention to the PTS issue, the recent Davis-Besse accident serves to highlight the importance of leaving no stone unturned. I continuo to believe the consequences of a PTS could be so severe that extra steps are warranted to make sure it does not happen. Accordingly, I reiterate my recommendation that the Commission establish an ad hoc panel to review the natter.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sinceroly 7 MORRIS K. UDALL cq,g7 [l g Chairman ,

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