ML20205B066
| ML20205B066 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/16/1999 |
| From: | Rathbun D NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Inhofe J SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20205A488 | List: |
| References | |
| FRN-64FR12117, RULE-PR-21, RULE-PR-50, RULE-PR-54 AG12-1-023, AG12-1-23, NUDOCS 9903310145 | |
| Download: ML20205B066 (1) | |
Text
..., - -
Ast2-L
[N f b g,_
y i
UNITED STATES g
P; NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION e
WASHINGTON, D.C. Sose6 eem
,,/
March 16, 1999 The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Enclosed for the information of the Subcommittee are copies of a Public Announcement and a proposed amendment to 10 CFR Parts 21,50, and 54. The proposed rule would allow holders of operating licenses at currently operating reactors to voluntarily amend their design bases to replace the current accident source term with the revised source term in NUREG-1465, Accident Source Terms for Light-Water Nuclear Power Plants. The NRC is also proposing some changes to various sections of its regulations to conform with revisions implemented earlier.
Since the publication of the current accident source term in 1962, significant advances have been made in understanding the timing, magnitude, and chemical form of fission product releases from severe nuclear power plant accidents. Many of these insights developed out of the major research effort started by the NRC and the industry after the accident at Three Mile island (TMI). The proposed rule would enable currently licensed power reactors to propose applications of the revised source term that could reduce unnecessary or ineffective requirements in the facility design basis, thereby reducing the regulatory burden, it is believed that the proposed rulemaking would also result in an improvement in the allocation of resources both for the NRC and for industry. Also, there is an expectation that many of the revised source term applications may provide concomitant improvements in overall safety and in reduced occupational exposure, as well as economic benefits.
The NRC staff has determined that the public health and safety and the common defense and security would continue to be adequately protected if the proposed rule is implemented.
Sin rely, W
Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosure:
Public Announument Federal Register Notice cc: Senator Bob Graham i
I I