ML20205A472

Expresses Concern W/Shipment of Spent Nuclear Fuel Rods from West Valley,Ny to Oyster Creek Nuclear Station.Requests NRC Reinspect Already Approved Route,Focusing on Portion of I-287 Scheduled for Const

ML20205A472
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	02/26/1985
From:	Kean T NEW JERSEY, STATE OF
To:	Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20205A430	List: ML20205A426 ML20205A472
References
NUDOCS 8504250525
Download: ML20205A472 (2)

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. STATE or NEw JERSEY OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TRENTON Oooas THOMAS H. KEAN Govangon February 26, 1985 Honorable Nunzio Palladino Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am writing to reiterate my longstanding concern with the shipment of spent nuclear fuel rods from West Valley, New York to the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township, New Jersey.

As you may know, my administration has continuously expressed reservations over the planning and regulation of these shipments. We have been concerned, going back to July 1984, about the safety of one portion of the route approved by the NRC -- I-287 -- which is scheduled for major construction repairs during the fuel shipment period. Although we expressed this concern to the NRC and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), the utility persisted and the route was approved by the NRC in September 1984.

Following NRC approval, New Jersey denied the State-required certificate of handling to the utility because of the construction problems. However, a l federal district court ordered that the certificate be issued by the State and further, concluded that an alternate route using the Pennsylvania and New Jersey i

Turnpikes (" southern route"), which the State had suggested to avoid the use of I-287, did not satisfy federal requirements. I might add that the route we selected was used previously by the utility to remove the fuel from New Jersey.

l- New Jersey immediately appealed this decision in the Court of Appeals for the

! Third Circuit, bat shipments have continued and construction is scheduled to

, begin on I-287 next month. Of course, the NRC is well aware of our prefer-ence for the " southern route" and action to facilitate its use would be most welcome.

As for the ongoing shipments, we have taken all necessary protections to ensure the safe transportation of these shipments and the public health. Toward 8504250525 850404

! PDR COMMS NRCC l CORRESPONDENCE PDR

7 i

Honorable Nunzio Palladino -

Page 2 February 26, 1985 this end the New Jersey State Police have worked closely with the NRC staff.

Nevertheless, I request that the NRC reinspect the already approved route focusing on that portion of I-287 scheduled for construction. Specifically, a NRC representative should visit the construction area to reconfirm acceptability of the route.

I trust this request will receive your immediate attention.

Sincerely,

% /L Thomas H. Kean Governor