ML20215N670
| ML20215N670 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 10/27/1986 |
| From: | Erin Kennedy SENATE |
| To: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| CON-#486-1370 OL, NUDOCS 8611070145 | |
| Download: ML20215N670 (2) | |
Text
/ 3 70 EDWARD M. FINNEDY ausucuusarrs EnittD 8tatti 6tnatt W
WASHINGTON. DC 20610
'26 MN -4 A11 :16 DOCKET NUMBER %:: C/g/J/MM/-6'd PROD. & UTIL FAC.....---
October 27, 1986 0FFE 00C6tip
,..9 r.m.
Mr. Lando W.
Zech, Jr.
Chairman M NOV -41986 U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
Dear Mr. Zech:
I am deeply concerned over the recent decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to grant the Seabrook nuclear power plant an operating license with a no power restriction.
This decision is premature and unwarranted in view of Governor Dukakis' announcement that it is impossible to submit safe emergency evacuation plans for the six Massachusetts communities that are closest to the Seabrook plant.
I urge you to evaluate the concerns raised by Governor Dukakis' decision and the issues associated with the Seabrook project.
The safety of the residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the New England region must be the primary consideration in determining whether to issue an operating license to the Seabrook facility.
The NRC should not permit the Seabrook facility to operate, on any level of power, unless a safe evacuation plan is approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
If a safe evacuation plan cannot be established, then alternative uses of the Seabrook facility should be developed that will help our New England region safely meet its energy needs.
It is my understanding that Seabrook is seeking authori-zation from the NRC to begin low power testing of the facility.
m I oppose any low power testing at the Seabrook facility.
s$$
Since a decision on the licensing of the plant has not been gga made, and should not be made until an evacuation plan has been
-o approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it is premature to assume that the plant will, in fact, become operational.
og eu My particular concern is that once radioactive fuel is 88 loaded into the facility and power testing is conducted, g<
extensive contamination will ensue, which will prevent the conversion of the plant to a fossil-fuel facility in the future.
A commitment to authorize power-testing at this mao time could be an irrevocable short-term step that will prove extremely costly in the long term.
In the aftermath of the Three-Mile Island and Chernobyl tragedies, we must take extra precautions to ensure the safety of nuclear power.
Even in small quantities, the transporting, loading and testing of radioactive fuel can result in serious mishaps.
Mr. Lando'W. Zech, Jr.
-Chairman-October-27, 1986 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page'Two
-Therefore, I strongly recommend that'you delay any, further' decisions on licensing and low-level testing at the Seabrook plant, until an effective evacuation plan has.been established for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Sin ly, dward M.
Kenne b
L
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