ML20203H962
| ML20203H962 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Haddam Neck File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png |
| Issue date: | 02/17/1999 |
| From: | Travers W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Lieberman J SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20203H967 | List: |
| References | |
| RTR-NUREG-1628 NUDOCS 9902230198 | |
| Download: ML20203H962 (9) | |
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fV c1 ,0 t UNITED STATES i g j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION p 2 WASHINGTON, D.C. 2006H001 + February 17, 1999 The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman United States Senate l Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Lieberman:
I am responding to your letter to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), dated January 21,1999,in which you forwarded a number of questions from one of your constituents regarding spent fuel at decommissioned nuclear plants. I have enclosed the answers to your questions, but lu me briefly state that the geology of the Connecticut Yankee site has been evaluated several times and the earthquake resistance of the plant meets regulatory requirements. The licensee will retain responsibility for safe storage of the spent fuel even if some portions of the site are sold to other organizations. The licensee has financing arranged to suppcrt fuel storage at the site. The Department of Energy will not be involved with the site. NRC's Region I office i is working closely with State of Connecticut officials to oversee the licensee's decommissioning activities. Because of the wide-ranging nature of your constituent's inquiries, I am enclosing our publication, " Staff Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors" (NUREG-1628). It provides information on other questions your constituent may have. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact me. Sincerely, jf_n M}Y ^ A_A-William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations l
Enclosures:
I b-[ O l
- 1. Responses to questions about
( Connecticut Yankee
- 2. NUREG-1628 9902230198 990217 PDR ADOCK 05000213 l
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r RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS ABOUT CONNECTICUT YANKEE Q. What is the earthquake resistance of the spent fuel pool (SFP) at Connecticut Yankee? A. The criteria established by the NRC for the earthquake resistance of an SFP are that an SFP must be designed to withstand the effects of an earthquake without losing the ability to perform its safety function. The SFP'o safety function is to hold enough water to keep the spent fuel cool and to shield the fuel. At Connecticut Yankee, this task was accomplished by founding the floor L of the SFP on the bedrock, which is granitic gneiss formed approximately 435 to 500 [ million years ago. The floors and walls of the SFP are made of 6-foot-thick, steel-reinforced concrete. It is lined with a 1/4-inch-thick stainless steel plate. The bottom of the pool floor is 13 feet below the surrounding ground level, which enhances the structure's ability to retain water. The Atomic Energy Commission issued a hazard analysis of the Connecticut Yankee plant l on March 13,1964, which drew the following conclusions: "No geological evidence has l been developed that would indicate movement on faults at the site within geologic time. Based on the United States Geological Survey review of the geology of the proposed site, we have concluded that the site is suitable from this standpoint." That position was reaffirmed in an AEC safety evaluation that was issued on May 12,1967, which supported issuance of the Provisional Operating License for the Connecticut Yarikee plant. In August 1981, a series of shallow micro-earthquakes were recorded in the area. The NRC and the licensee re-examined the geology of the area. The closest known major fault is the Bonemill Brook fault, it is located about 1000 feet east of the plant. In 1982, the NRC participated in field surveys of the area, which resulted in the recognition and mapping of minor geologic features that had not been included in earlier surveys. However, the NRC fcund that the faults were very ancient and that there was no evidence of recent faulting or other geologic hazard: that would invalidate earlier findings of the seismic adequacy of the site. Q. Who is responsible for the spent fuelif the plant is sold? A. The Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (CYAPCO) is the licensee of the Connecticut Yankee nuclear plant. CYAPCO will remain responsible for the spent fuel until it is transferred to another organization licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or to the Department of Energy (DOE) for disposal. It is possible that a portion of the site may be sold to a non-licensed entity. In order to do so, the licensee must demonstrate that the portion can be released for use in accordance with the rcgulations in 10 CFR Part 20. A sale of that nature would not relieve CYAPCO of its licensed responsibilities for safe storage of the spent fuel. 1 1
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Q. How is spent fuel storage being financed? A. The NRC's rules require a permanently shutdown plant to notify the Commission of its plan for spent fuel management (10 CFR 50.54(bb)). CYAPCO submitted its plan by letter dated October 2.8,1998. The licensee plans to keep the fuel in the SFP until such time as the DOE takes physical possession of it. Financing the cost associated with spent fuel storage has been arranged through the use of an external sinking fund established in April 1984. Under those arrangements, CYAPCO provided that each wholesale purchaser of power from CYAPCO j would be obligated to pay for spent fuel storage. These arrangements meet the NRC's requirements. Q. What states' rights issues are involved with respect to the storage of spent fuel at Connecticut Yankee? A. Under the Atomic Energy Act, the Federal government is responsible for regulating 1 uses of radioactive materials. The Congress delegated authority for regulating the commercial uses of source, byproduct, and special nuclear materials to the NRC. j Delegation to States of formal authority over certain aspects of using radioactive materials j is arranged through the Agreement States program. This authority does not include spent fuel. Further, Connecticut hac not antered the Agreement States program. l However, the NRC has a long standing policy of cooperation with states regarding nuclear l power facilities that promotes the exchange of information and the opportunity to observe l most NRC on-site activities. For many years, the NRC and the State of Connecticut's l Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) have regularly communicated and I discussed concerns with respect to radiological safety at the Haddam Neck facility. For example, when slightly contaminated materials from the plant were found off site in 1997, the State actively participated in decisions and confirmatory inspections regarding i remediation of these off-site properties. To oversee decommissioning activities directly, j the State has established an inspector at the plant itself, and the NRC inspectors routinely l discuss ongoing activities with the State inspector. It is the NRC's understanding that l CTDEP is satisfied with the NRC's cooperative working relationship. l i Q. Will the Department of Energy be involved in the administrative management functions of spent fuel storage at Connecticut Yankee? A. The DOE has no jurisdiction over NRC licensees and would not normally be involved in management of the spent fuel storage fat'ity at the Connecticut Yankee plant.
NUREG-1628 Staff Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors Draft Report for Comment U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation John L. Minns and Dr. Michael T. Masnik p ua i
February 17, 1999 Tha Honortbla Josrph 1. Lizb2rman United States Senate - Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Lieberman:
I am responding to your letter to Dennis K. Ratnbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), dated January 21,1999, in which you forwarded a number of questions from one of your constituents regarding spent fuel at decommissioned nuclear ~ plants. I have enclosed the answers to your questions, but let me briefly state that the geology of the Connecticut Yankee site has been evaluated several times and the earthquake resistance of the plant meets regulatory requirements. The licensee will retain responsibility for safe storage of the spent fuel even if some portions of the site are sold to other organizations. The licensee has financing arranged to support fuel storage at the site.. The Department of Energy will not be involved with the site. NRC's Region i office ~ is working closely with State of Connecticut officials to oversee the licensee's decommissioning activities. Because of the wide-ranging nature of your constituent's inquiries, I am enclosing our publication, " Staff Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors" (NUREG-1628). It provides information on other questions your constituent may have. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact me. Sincerel gghp W/- p D.Trew M William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations
Enclosures:
- 1. Responses to questions about Connecticut Yankee
- 2. NUREG-1628 DISTRIBUTION: See next page PDND:PM TECH ED.*
PDND:LA PDND:(A)SC OGC TFredrichs BCalure EHylton MMasnik 2/ /99 2/1/99 2/ /99 2{ l 2/02/9 V' f OCA j PDND:D DRPM:D DONRR ED SWeiss DMatthews SCollins hv ers DKRattnbun W~09 2/ 2/17/99 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\SECY\\ACTN_ITM\\GTOO42.TF 1 1-
r-i DISTRIBUTION: DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\SECY\\ACTN_lTM\\GT0042.TF HABD COPY Docket File 50-213 (w/ incoming) PUBLIC (w/ incoming) EDO#G19990042 WTravers (016-E15) MKnapp (T8-A23) FMiraglia (016-E15) PNorry (016-E15) JBlaha (016-E15) SBurns, OGC (015-B18) CPaperiello (T8-A23) MMiller, Ri SCollins/RZimmerman (05-E7) BBoger (05-E7) BSheron (05-E7)- DMatthews (012-E5) TCarter, NRR Mail Room (EDO#G19990042 w/ incoming) (05-E7) OGC (015-B18) OPA (02-G5) OCA (017-A3) SWeiss MMasnik TFredrichs PDND r/f (w/ incoming) MManahan (G19990042) (012-E5) EHylton (w/ incoming) JHickey (T7 F27) Region i E-MAIL COPY RBurrows (RABS) RDudley (RFD) MFairtile (MBF) PHarris (PWH1) WHuffman (WCH) TKenyon (TJK2) AMarkley (AWM) JMinns (JLM3) Pray (PMR) DScaletti (DCS1) LThonus (LHT) I' MWebb (MKW) DWheeler (DXW) e
7 Tho h or:bla J:s:ph 8. LiebtrmIn United tates Senate l Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senatbr Lieberman:
\\ l am responding to your letter to Dennis K. Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NBC), dated January 21,1999, in which you forwarded a number of questions from 'one of your constituents regarding spent fuel at decommissioned nuclear plants. I have enclosed the gnswers to your questions, but let me briefly state that the geology of the Connecticut Yankee site has been evaluated several times and the earthquake resistance of th3 plant eets regulatory requirements. The licensee will retain responsibility for safe storage of the spent fuel even if some portions of the site are sold to other organizations. The licensee has financing arranged to support fuel storage at the site. The Department of Energy will not be involved with the site. NRC's Region I office is working closely with Sta't.e of Connecticut officials to oversee the licensee's decommissioning activities. Because of the wide-ranging n ture of your constituent's inquiries, I am enclosing our publication, " Staff Responses t g requently Asked Questions Concerning F Decommissioning of Nuclear Pow r Reactors" (NUREG-1628). It provides information on other questions your constituent m y have. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact me. Sincerely, William B. Travers Execktive Director for O erations
Enclosures:
- 1. Responses to questions about Co r cticut Yankee
- 2. NUREG-1628 DISTRIBUTION: See next page i
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FROM: DUE': _02/10/99 EDO CONTROLi Gl9990042 1 DOC DT: 01/21/99 FINAL REPLY: S nnter Joseph I..Lieberman l .TO s 1 R2thbun, OCA. i f FOR SIGNATURE OF :
- GRN CRC NO: 99-0080 Travers,_EDO I
DESC ROUTING: 1 SPENT FUEL AT DECOMMISSIONED NUCLEAR PLANTS Travers (M2ry-Ellen Marucci) Knapp Miraglia i Norry I Blaha i Burns 'I DATE:.01/27/99 Paperiello,NMSS Miller, RI ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT: E . Collins-SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: N/ (([J/vffg ACTION I M &4-b ay a, /979 cue 10 naa D! RECTOR S OFFICE YT WA gy a 19-
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W OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER: CRC-99-0080 LOGGING DATE: Jan 26 99 ACTION OFFICE: EDO 4 AUTHOR: JOSEPH LIEBERMAN AFFILIATION: U.S. SENATE 4 ADDRESSEE: RATHBUN i l LETTER-DATE: Jan 21 99 FILE CODE: )
SUBJECT:
SPENT FUEL AT DECOMMISSIONED NUCLEAR PLANTS l ACTION: Signature of EDO DISTRIBUTION: M-20 ) 1 SPECIAL HANDLING: OCA TO ACK I CONSTITUENT: L NOTES: ] DATE DUE: Feb 10 99 [ f SIGNATURE: DATE SIGNED: AFFILIATION: r l l l ) EDO --G19990042 ., - * ~. ,}}