ML20212E702

Ack Receipt of ,Forwarding Concerns Re Contamination at Connecticut Yankee Haddam Neck Plant & Requesting NRC Conduct Addl Testing to Ensure Decommissioning Activities Fully Protect Public Health

ML20212E702
Person / Time
Site:	Haddam Neck File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png
Issue date:	10/20/1997
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Rowland J CONNECTICUT, STATE OF
References
NUDOCS 9711040032
Download: ML20212E702 (1)

Text

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UNITED STATES

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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October'20, 1997

- CHAMAN The Honorable John G. Rowland Govemor of Connecticut Hartford, Connecticut 06106

Dear Govemor Rowland:

I have received your letter to me dated September 15,1997, forwarding concar.is of the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) regarding contamination at Qnnecticut Yankee's

- Haddam Neck Plant.. You requested that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conduct additional testing to Snsure decomraissioning activities fully protect the public health and safety.

Over the past two months, we have been working closely with the staff of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to assess the nature and extent of containination at the site. We independently sampled and have made radiation measurements at a number of locations on site and in the surrounding area. As you are aware, this action, conducted in cooperation with the State, has to date identified one ofi-site location with minor contamination. We also initiated a detailed review of site records and have interviewed appropriate station personnel. Furthermore, we are continuing to review the information developed during the DPUC proceedings and will expand the scope of our effort as the situation warrants.

From what we know at this point, conditions at the Haddam Neck station do not pose a

. health and safety risk to either the plar.t workers or the general public.

The decommissioning phase now in effect at Connecticut Yankee, vill prepare the site for license termination. NRC requires the licensee to reduce residual radioactivity to levels established in NRC regulations. To demonstrate compliance, the licensee must conduct two very detailed radiation arveys. - NRC scrutinizes such surveys very closely and performs t

independent tests to verify accuracy. The license cannot be terminated until NRC is satisfied

- that all limits have been met.

We will continue to work closely with your Department of Environmental Protection and encourage State observation of NRC inspection activities at the site. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or request additional information. Our State Liaison Officer, Mr. David Chawaga, will serve as our regional staff contact and can be reached at (610) 337-5246.

Sincerely, gy i I

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Ik.1didriey Jackson Oeinman Unleed sates Nuclear Regulasary r==i=i=

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Washington,DC 20555-0001 near %ia-a Jeokson:

r Today the C- =+9x Department of Pubuc Udlity Centrol filed testimony with the Federal Energy Ragulatay rammimina concerning the Connecticut Yaakee Nuclest power plant.

in this testimony, the DPUC has made the public aware of possible ndioactive contamination at Connecticut Yankee. As you know the plant is l

intheprocessofdecommissioning.

11:e department is== = -4 that testing at the site has uot fhlly _

deterndned the extent and nasure of contamination, Thsestbre I am sequesdag that the NRC annawe additional tests as soon as possible to essure that whatever '==_=?== toning snessures are taken fbily pm the beeMb and safety of ran-ceicut's residents today and in the years to come.

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Thank you for your prompt sensation to this matter.

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Contact:

DeanPagani 860-524-7313 septeenbet16,1997 GOVRMMOR.IO3tM BnWr.AND TAKRs ACTION ON CONNECTICUT YANERR RArmif AND COET TAsukA Governor John Rowlsed today annotated sever 61 measures to addrens safety and cost ecocerns related to the decanadesioning of the Connecticut Yankee nuclear power plant in Haddam.

"We have uncovered a distatdag p.r i.. ofimprudent and ackless management at Connecdout Yankee that raises serious concerns about amenagement's ea==hm== to the avhtanent, hs neighbors, ratepayers, and shareholders," Govemor Rowland said.

Governor Rowland is urging the Departinent of Public Utility Control and Amarney Geossal Richard Blueneathal to continas to visaro" sly oppose CommandoutYankee Anosnic Power ca-m's eBarts to saa tts customers pay fbr any of the cost of the dehwstooing of the CW Yankee l

P ant-A noview of operational teconds of the Connecticut Yankee plant, counpiled by a nuclear power industry cammh=* working with the Attomey Genend and the DPUC, provides substeatlal evidenes oflong term "hapaudentusengement"ofthefacility. 'Ibe'q d :managementcited in the consultant's tenthnany to the Federal Energy Regulatory Coannission, has contnbuted to innseed decomadssioning cost projections.

CY's operssom have esthasand the cost of decomadssioning at

,,. _+1"y $426.7 miniant 'Ibe DFUC and Arm.oarj General Bhanenthal believe that projection is double the actual cost of daea==iantoning and that most of the cost has aheady been paid by cassamers throush their electricity bine.

P.82/05 618 2 5241 USNRC MMC OF RED AM ser-46-ten 15812 a.-

1he DPUC has also produced streng evidence that suggests a number of incidemas involving the mishandling ofredioactive materials at the plem may have led to soll and asphalt aanmminadon at the thcDiry. While the canemmlannaa discovered se far appears to pose no imanadiate health threat it will requ% oteen vy, or. :--9%

Monday Govemor Rowland wrees to Dr. Shirley Jackson, the Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Reguietary ca==i==ian aaldag the NRC to thoroughly testibe CWout Yahkee she to detenniac the extent of wo:i Mation at theplant TheGovernorhasalsoaskedtheNRCtoenseeevery ww.;!an is taken dudag the plant's deoonamissioning to protect the ben!th and safety ofConnecticut's residents.

- The Connecticut Depetment of Envirnamental Protection has been ordered to continue ha testing of the area surrounding the plant and to seek expert assistance if necessary to anadner the most accurate testing for radioactive eamamlamelan available.

Governor Rowland is urging the DFUC to require the w.64. of Connecticut Yankee to pay flor any advanced testing necesenry to determine the estant of anae==landan "We will continue to fight any effort to oceapel aaanmaars to pay one nickel of the cost messenary to tumedista the aa-eaminadan conned by the company, Attorney GenesalBhanenthat said. "Theradioactive aaammlandan is the result ofblatant nuclear adsmanagement that should condnue to be LQ"__"

DFUC Chahmen Donald W. Downes said imprudent management at CY is responsible for any additionaltsedag m rtenediation oosts and therefore "none of those costs should thli to Cele *'s stepayers." The DPUC has informed all w+, e-state sad federal agencies of its findings and j

made those flodings available to the general pMe

-END-

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. ACTIONS TAERN BY GOVenMORROWLAND

1. The NRC has been uked by Govemer Bowland to thoroughly test I

the ceansedcut Yuka she fbr eedionedw sc

=5- +6 and ensure alt necessesy steps are taken to protnot the public hashh and safety during the h{==t-ww process.

2. Oovernor Rowland has orderd the Commeedout DEP to con testing for contaminsalen around the CY diallky and to me the most sophisdcated testing svallable to tacover any r../aly m g m_-

3. Govemor Rowland is urging the DFUC to nequire the operators of CY to pay fbr any advancedtesting necessary.

4. The Governar has asked the DPUC and Attorney General Blueneathal to vinosously oppose any esteenyt by the owners and operators of CY to pass the oost of darmauniantaming on to

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