ML20214P900
| ML20214P900 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Peach Bottom  |
| Issue date: | 05/28/1987 |
| From: | Bernthal F NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Fielder G, Hardwicke J, Hatem F, Hooper J, Jack Parrott, Risacher B, Schafer J HARFORD COUNTY, MD |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20214P903 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8706040154 | |
| Download: ML20214P900 (4) | |
Text
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Distribution:
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o UNITED STATES TRehm 81 3w[g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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RGallo WKane CHAIRMAN May 28, 1987 JAllan WRussell SVarga 1
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The Honorable John W. Hardwicke SECY 87-0410 President Docket Nos. 50-277/278 County Council of Harford County Public Document Room 20 West Courtland Street Local Public Document Room 1 Bel Air, Maryland 21014 Commonwealth of Pennsyl-vania i
Dear Mr. Hardwicke.
i I am responding to your letter of April 8, 19.87 concerning the action taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to shut down operation of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station.
The Commission shares your concerns regarding the problems at the plant and appreciates your support for our recent actions.
We i
will ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken prior to authorizing restart of the plant.
With regard to your concerns on the Mark I containment, the J
containment structure at Peach Bottom is a large, leak tight steel and concrete structure designed to prevent the release of radioactive material from a wide range of postulated accidents.
Additionally, there is a second building (Reactor Building) surrounding the containment structure.
The atmosphere in the Reactor Building passes through special filtering systems prior to release to the environment whenever plant conditions signalling
]
potential for radioactive material release are detected.
Regarding the risk of a severe accident and subsequent potential containment failure, these types of events have an extremely small i
probability of occurring.
Subsequent to the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, a great deal has been done to reduce the risk associated with plants using Mark I containments.
Improved j
operator training and symptom based emergency operating procedures have been adopted.
Nevertheless, we are currently evaluating, and will soon decide, whether additional measures to enhance the capabilities of the Mark I containment to further mitigate the consequences of severe accidents are appropriate.
Although analyses indicate a higher probability of failure for a BWR Mark I containment as compared to a PWR large dry containment, the calculated core melt probabilities for BWR plants are typically lower, so that the overall risk for BWR Mark I's is comparable to that for other plants.
I believe it is important that State and Local officials in the vicinity of NRC regulated facilities be kept apprised of our activities.
In this regard, on April 14, 1987, William F. Kane, Director, Division of Reactor Projects, NRC's Region I office, and (sh
.- other NRC staff briefed members of Governor Schaefer's staff in addition to other public officials at Annapolis on the events leading to the shutdown order.
It is my understanding that State delegates of the Maryland General Assembly from your co nty were represented at that briefing.
The NRC staff will periodically meet with local public officials, like yourselves, to discuss our ongoing actions and address your concerns.
If you have any questions, please contact the Region I state and government affairs staff at (215) 337-5216.
I thank you and the rest of the Harford County Council for your interest in these important issues.
Commissioner Asselstine disagrees with this response.
He will provide his views in a separate letter.
Commissioner Roberts did not participate in this response.
- ncerely, sa m
a Frederick M. Bernthal Acting Chairman Identical Ltrs to: Joanne S. Parrott, Councilwoman, District B J. Robert Hooper, Councilman, District D Frederick J. Hatgem, Councilman, District F Barbara Ahern Risacher, Councilwoman, District A John W. Schafer, Councilman, District C G. Edward Fielder, Councilman, District E Originated:
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UNITED STATES t
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION -
3-aE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 EDO PRINCIPAL CORRFSPONDENCF CONTROL
=__________
FROM:
DilF: 04/29/87 EDO LONTROL: 002774 DOC DT: 04/08/87 JOHN W.
HARDWICKE, PRES.
FINAL REPLY:
COUNTY COUNCIL OF HARFORD COUNTY MARYLAND TO:
CHAIRMAN ZECH FOR SIGNATURF OF:
- PRIORITY **
SFCY NO: 87-0410 CHAIRMAN DESC:
ROUTING:
CONCERNS RE SAFETY OF PFACH BOTTOM STELLO TAYLOR DATE: 04/20/87 REHM ASSIGNED TO: RI CONTACT: ALLAN MURLFY, NRR MURRAY, OGC/B SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMAR
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:
CRC-87-0410 LOGGING DATE: Apr 17 87 ACTION OFFICE:
EDO AUTHOR:
J.W. HARDWICKE AFFILIATION:
LETTER DATE:
Apr 8 87 FILE CODE: ID&R 5 PEACH BOTTOM
SUBJECT:
CONCERNS RE SAFETY OF PEACH BOTTOM ACTION:
Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION:
RF SPECIAL HANDLING:
NOTES:
DATE DUE:
May 1 87 SIGNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
AFFILIATION:
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