ML20202G035

Ack Receipt of 860626 Request for Increased NRC Emergency Planning Requirements for Low Power Licensing of Nuclear Power Reactors.Ltr Being Served on Parties to Licensing Proceeding.Commission Response Forthcoming.Served on 860711

ML20202G035
Person / Time
Site:	Shoreham File:Long Island Lighting Company icon.png
Issue date:	07/11/1986
From:	Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY)
To:	Cuomo M NEW YORK, STATE OF
References
CON-#386-982 OL-3, NUDOCS 8607150286
Download: ML20202G035 (3)

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,. DOC 7, jtg; ERVED JUL //1986 The Honorable Mario M. Cuomo Governor State of New York Executive Chamber Albany, New York 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo:

The Comission has received your letter of June 26, 1986 requesting .l.l increased NRC emergency planning requirements for low-power licensing of' ' '

• nuclear power reactors, and for a stay of low-power testing at the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant. The Commission hopes to respond to your request shortly, and in the interim is serving your letter on the parties to the Shoreham licensing proceeding.

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Dear Dr. Palladino:

I respectfully reqtiest that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) consider changing its regulations or the ,

5 interpretation thereof so as to require an approved offsite emergency evacuation plan as a condition to low-power testing att any nuclear facility.

I also request that, pending completion of this re-evaluation of its regulations, the NRC stay low-power testing at the Shoreham nuclear facility and other nuclear facilities where a low-power license has been authorized and there is no approved offsite emergency evacuation plan.

As you know, Chernobyl was operating at only six to seven percent of power when the April 29th accident occurred.

This raises numerous questions for the nuclear power industry and for the NRC. Among the issues which I believe the NRC should consider in light of Chernobyl are:

a. Does Chernobyl indicate that low-power testing can pose far greater risks to surrounding populations than previously asserted?

b. Can a serious accident with widespread geographic effects occur even when a nuclear power plant is operating at low-power levels?

c. Should an offsite emergency evacuation plan be required for low-power testing?

d. What level of risk, if any, is considered acceptable by the NRC, even without an emergency evacuation plan?

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Dr. Palladino Page 2 June 26,1986 I have previously suggested answers to several of these questions. In particular, I proposed that low-power testing not be permitted without approval of an offsite emergency evacuation plan. The Chernobyl incident only serves to strengthen the case for such a policy. I ask that you reconsider it and require an approved offsite emergency evacuation plan as a condition to low-power testing. I also request that you stay such testing at the Shoreham nuclear facility until such an evacuation plan has been approved.

Sincerely, t

M .

s Honorable Nunzio J. Palladino Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission Matomic Building 1717 H Street, N. W.

Washington, D. C. 20555 1

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