ML20214E438
| ML20214E438 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/11/1987 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Bumpers D SENATE, SMALL BUSINESS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20214E442 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8705220089 | |
| Download: ML20214E438 (8) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES ki y
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JTaylor TRehm my 11, 1987 EBeckjord l
CHAIRMAN JMurray DNussbaumer BDavis L
- The Honorable Dale Bumpers, Chairman TMurley/JSniezek Committee on Small~ Business FSchroeder United States Senate 0Crutchfield Washington, D.C.-
20510 PD-4 PNoonan 0GC DMossburg-2718
Dear Mr. Chairman:
CA PShea SECY WPaulson I am responding to your letter of April 4, 1987 concerning the PD-4 GT File NRC's ongoing reassessment of nuclear reactors designed by the Babcock and Wilcox (B&W) Company.
the January 1986 decision by the NRC to initiate-a Following'nt of B&W plants, the Babcock and Wilcox Owners' Group reassessme (BWOG) assumed the leadership role in accomplishing key aspects of
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the overall effort.
It was appropriate for the BWOG to assume 1
this roleubecause they are responsible for the proper design and operation of their-plants and they have the expertise and resources to devote to this effort.
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The NRC's_ role in its reassessment of B&W plants is consistent with its traditional role of assessing the work of the utilities.
In light of the BWOG lead role in the reassessment of B&W plants, much of the staff's activities involves interacting with the Owners' Group and reviewirig the results of their efforts.
Meetings between working and management levels of the BWOG and the NRC staff have been held to discuss ongoing activities.
As a result of the BWOG efforts, a reassessment plan (BAW-1919) was' developed. The staff reviewed this plan and proposed chances that have been incorporated by the Owners' Group.
The staff is confident that the BWOG program is responsive to concerns related to B&W plants.
In addition to providing input to the BWOG reassessment, the staff is also pr forming limited, independent evaluations of the B&W plant design.
This includes review of operating experience, input from the NRC regional inspection staff and limited risk and thermal hydraulic analyses.
The staff expects to' complete its B&W review by June 30, 1987, the results of which will be documented in a safety evaluation report.
The petition to which you referred was submitted by the Union of Concerned Scientists on February 10, 1987 pursuant to 10 CFR 2.206.
The petition was then referred to the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation for appropriate action in accordance with usual Commission practice.
The petition requested the Commission to (1) require all utilities operating or building nuclear power reactors n fs Identical Ltr for Sen. David Pryor g
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. designed by B&W to modify their nuclear generating facilities to correct alleged safety deficiencies;-(2) hold public hearings on the sufficiency (of these modifications to correct the alleged deficiencies; and
- 3) revoke the operating license or construction permit of any utilitj that does not meet the pr'oposed requirements that emerge from (1) and (2) above.
In addition, the petition requested that NRC immediately suspend the operating licenses and construction permits of any utility operating or building nuclear power reactors designed by B&W.
By letter' dated March 13, 1987, the Director, Office of Nuclear.
Reactor Regulation, informed the Union of Concerned Scientists that the concerns expressed in the petition did not warrant immediate suspension of the operating licenses and construction permits in question.
The NRC staff is continuing to review the petition, and a formal decision on the requests stated in the petition is scheduled to be issued by~mid-May.
The staff's-decision will be subject to the Commission's review.
I will keep you apprised of any significant developments concerning the ongoing NRC reassessment of the B&W-designed reactors and the petition filed by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Commissioner Asselstine does not agree with this response and will provide his views in a separate letter.
Commissioner Roberts did not participate in this response.
Sincerely, WyW.
Kenneth M. Carr Acting Chairman
e
, The petition to wh1% you referred was submitted by the Union of Concerned Scientists on February 10, 1987 pursuant to 10 CFR 2.206.
The petition was then referred to the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
The petition requested the Commissihn to (1) require all utilities operating or building nuclear power reactors ' designed by B&W to modify their nuclear generating facilities to correct alleged safety deficiencies; (2) hold public hearings on the sufficiency of modifications required by (1) to correct the alleged deficiencies; and (3) revqke the operating license or construction permit of any utility that does n t meet the proposed requirements that emerge from (1) and (2).
In addition, the petition requested that NRC immediately suspend the operating licenses and construction periqits of any utility operating or building nuclear power reactors designed by B&S By letter dated March 13, 1987, the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regu1'ation, informed the Union of Concerned Scientists that the concerns expressed in tie petition did not warrant immediate suspension l
of the operating licenses and construction permits in question.
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The NRC staff is continuing to review the petition, and a formal decision on the requests as stated in the petition will be issued forthcoming.
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In response to your request, I will keep you apprised of any significant developments concerning both the ongoihg NRC reassessment of the B&W-designed reactors and the petition filed by the U ion of Concerned Scientists.
Sin erely, Lando W.\\ ech, Jr.
Z Chairman \\
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- SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE PD4*
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. The petition that you referred to was submitted by the Union of Concerned Scien-tists on February 10, 198% pursuant to 10 CFR Section 2.206.
The petition was referred to the Office of kpclear Reactor Reg'ulation.
The petition requested the Commission (1) to requihe all utilities operating or building nuclear power reactors designed by B&W to odify their nuclear generating facilities in order-to correct alleged safe y deficiencies; (2) to hold public hearings on the sufficiency of modifications required in (1) to correct the alleged deficiencies; and, (3) to revo e the operating license or construction permit of any utility that does not me t the proposed requirements that emerge from (1) and (2).
In addition, the' petition request 9d the NRC to suspend immediately the operating licenses and construction permits \\pf any utility operating or building nuclear power reactors designed by B&W.
BXletterdatedMarch 13, 1987, the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulatiog informed the Union of Concerned Scientists of the conclusion that the concerns pxpressed in the petition do not warrant immediate suspension of the operatin licenses and construction permits in ques-tion.
The NRC staff is continuing to review t(1e petition, and a formal decision on the requests as stated in the petition sill be issued in the reasonably near future.
In accordance with your request, you will e kept apprised of any significant developments concerning both the ongoing NRC, reassessment of the B&W designed reactorsandthepetitionfiledbytheUniongofConcernedScientists.
Since\\
re.y, Lando W. Ze
, Jr.
Chairman
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The petition that you hferred to was submitted by the Union of Concered Scien-tists on February 10, 1987 pursuant to 10 CFR Section 2.206.
The petition was referredtotheOfficeofNuclearReactorRegulation.
The petition requested the Commission (1) to req ire all utilities operating or building nuclear power.
reactors designed by B&W o modify their nuclear generating facilities in order to correct' alleged s fety deficiencies; (2) to hold public hearings on the sufficiency of modifications required in (1) to correct the alleged deficiencies; and, (3) to r voke the operating license or construction permit of any utility that does not meet the nroposed requirements that emerge from (1) and (2).
In addition, the petition req "ested the NRC to suspend immediately the operating licenses and construction perm ts of any utility operating or building nuclear power reactors designed by B&W.
By letter dated March 13, 1987, the Director, Office of Nu:: lear Reactor Regul tion informed the Union of Concerned Scientists of the conclusion that the concerns expressed in the petition do not warrant immediate susperision of the operd, ting licenses amd construction permits in ques-tion.
The NRC staff is continuing to review the petition, and a formal decision on the requests as stated in the petition will be issued in the reasonably near future.
In accordance with your request, you w'ill be kept apprised of any significant developmentsconcerningboththeongoihgNRCreassessmentoftheB&Wdesigned reactors and the petition filed by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
S cerely, Lando W. Zech, Jr.
Chairmag
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- 7 l Thepetitionthatyourhferred'towassubmittedbytheUnionofConceredScien-tists on February 10,19Q7 pursuant to 10 CFR Section 2.206.
The petition was referredtotheOfficeo{NuclearReactorRegulation.-Thepetitionrequested the Commission (1) to re ire all utilities operating or building nuclear power reactors designed by B&W o modify their nuclear order to correct alleged s'afety deficiencies; (2) generating-facilities in
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to hold public hearings on the sufficiency of modifications required in (1) to correct the alleged 1
' deficiencies; and, (3) to revoke the operacing license or construction permit of any utility that does no meet the proposed requirements that emerce.from (1) and (2).
In addition, the petition req sted the NRC to suspend immediately the operating licenses and construction permi s of any utility operating or. building nuclear
. power reactors designed by B&W.
By letter dated March 13, 1987, the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regul tion informed the Union of. Concerned Scientists oftheconclusionthattheconcetnsexpressedinthepetitiondo'notwarrant
-immediate suspension of the operating licenses amd construction permits in ques-tion.
The NRC staff is continuing to review the petition, and a formal decision.on the requests as stated in-the petiti.on.will be issued in the reasonably near future.
In accordance with your request, you will be kept apprised of any significant-developments concerning both the ongoihg NRC reassessment of the B&W designed reactors.and the petition filed by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
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S;i,ncerely,
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Lando W. Zech, Jr.
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UNITED STATES
'8 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
.o-j' WASHINGTON, D. C. 20665 -
EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL 20 FROM:
DUE: 04/9/87 EDO CONTROL: 002718 DOC DT: 04/04/87 SEN. DALE BUMPERS FINAL REPLY:
SEN.-DAVID PRYOR
.TO L CHAIRMAN ZECH n
pJg),R3%
SECY NO:.87-335 FOR SIONATURE OF CHAIRMAN DESC:
ROUTINO:
REQUEST BE KEPT. FULLY APPRISED OF ALL DEVELOPMENTS STELLO CONCERNING UCS PETITION AND ONGOING NRC ROE REASSESSMENT OF BLW REACTORS REHM ZERBE DATER 04/07/87 BECKJORD
-ASSIONED TO: NRR CONTACT.DENTON TAYLOR
-~ _____
MURRAY N')SSBAUMER SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
DDAVIS REF. EDO 2530 & 2626 J'
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n NRR RECEIVED: 4/8/87 y$ '
ACTION:
DMa:MIRMIL5E$-
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-NRR ROUTING:
DENION/SNIEZEK 2
PPAS MOSSBURG V
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> ~s OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:
CRC-87-0335 LOGGING DATE: Apr 6 87 ACTION OFFICE:
EDO AUTHOR:
D. PRYOR/D BUMPERS AFFILIATION:
LETTER DATE:
Apr 4 87 FILE CODE:
SUBJECT:
NRC's ongoing reassessment of B&W reactor designs ACTION:
Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION:
RF, OCA to Ack.
SPECIAL HANDLING:
NOTES:
DATE DUE:
Apr 20 87 SIGNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
AFFILIATION:
Rec'd Off. EDO Date -
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Time
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