ML20203M975
| ML20203M975 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/03/1986 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Markey E HOUSE OF REP., ENERGY & COMMERCE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19303D369 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8609120242 | |
| Download: ML20203M975 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o
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September 3,\\31986 CHAIR 4AN
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g The Honorable Edward J. Markey, Chairnan s/
Subcommittee on Energy Conservatiot asd Power Committee on Energy and Commerce L-
,- United States House of Representatives s
Washington, D C.
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Dear Mr.,
Chairman:
I am respo'r. ding to'your letter of Adgust 6, 1986'which reiterates Congressman Matsui's prey.ious recommendation that the Commission establish a special review group to conduct a review of safety problems with Babcock and'Wilcox (B&W) reactors.
You also expressed your views that the lead role of the B&W Owners TN' Cvoup in this review is unacceptable and that the pitfalls of the Commission's Advisory th\\s' approach have been noted by(ACRS).
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Cor nittee on Reactor Safeguards
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In my July 23, 1986 letter to Congressman Matsui, I noted that the majority of the Commission believes?that a special review group is not justified.
The NRC believes'the role of the B&W Owners Group is appropriate.
My July 23cletter-also provides the basis for this conclusion.
.The ACRS commented on the B&W Owners Group Safety and
- Performance Improvement Program in a letter dated July 16, 1986.
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The ACRS expressed concern that the B&W Owaern Group program was directed at improving plant on-line performanca rather than v
having plant safety as its central focus.
The NRC staff previously indicated concern;with the scope of the program.
In
- a letter dated June 2, 1986 to Mr. Hal Tucker," Chairman of the T'
B&W Owners Graup, the staff noted thatfthe10wners Group program 4
primarily addrsssed trip reductior( Mt mp' roving the post-trip response of the B&C plant.
While.theit.taff believes that such a program is;necessary to reduce the frequency of complex t transients 'in'B&W' plants, it is concerned th&t the B&W Owners
'Gr The staff intends, through
,wo,oup pr'ogram goals are too narrow.
rking level meetings with the Owners Group, to ensure that the
'4 scope.of the specific projects in the programsfis sufficiently broadened.
Based upon the recent workingslevel meetings on the integrat3d control system /non-nuclear instrumentation (ICS/NNI) evaluations and the sensitivity studies 1being performed by MPR Associates, tde NRC believes this approach will ensure that the broader plant safety issues are addressed.
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' o' Cohr.iissioner Asselstine disagrees with this response and continues to hold the views expressed in his previous letters.
Your final concern deals with the Commission's correspondence procedures.
I proposed that the Commission adopt these new procedures with the intention of being more efficient in responding to large amounts of correspondence.
They are the result of the intent to express NRC positions on questions and issues more effectively and promptly.
Sincerely,
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Lando W. Ze cc:
Rep. Carlos Moorhead