ML20216A989
| ML20216A989 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/05/1998 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Lieberman J SENATE |
| References | |
| FRN-62FR66038, RULE-PRM-50-63A NUDOCS 9803120388 | |
| Download: ML20216A989 (3) | |
Text
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March 5, 1998 DOCKET NUMBER PETITION RULE PRM So-&3 A OFFC 7 ~ cr"
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The Honerable Joseph I. Lieberman United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Lieberman:
Thank you for your January 27,1998, letter which urged the Commission to revise its current policy regarding the availability of potassium iodide (KI) for use by the general public in the event of an emergency at a nuclear power plant. As you requested, your letter has been included in the record of the rulemaking. We have also posted it on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Web Page which includes the comments from the public received on the petition.
As a result of the petitioner revising his petition, the Commission published a request for public comments in the Federal ReaisteI on December 17,1997 (62 FR 66033). The comment period was extended until February 17,1998, by a Federal Reaister notice published on January 21, 1998 (63 FR 3052). Following receipt of the staffs recommendation, which we anticipate will be provided in the near future, the Commission will make its decision on the disposition of the petition. We anticipate publishing a revised policy regarding the stockpiling and availability of potassium lodide for the general public shortly after the Commission makes its decision on the petition.
For your information, I am enclosing a copy of the January 16,1998, press release that the NRC issued on this matter. The Commission appreciates your interest in this matter.
Sincerely, bfC Shirley Ann Jackson
Enclosure:
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United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Public Affairs Washington, DC 20555 Phone 301-415-8200 Fax 301-415-2234 Internet:opa0nrc. gov January 16, 1998 No. 98-12 NRC SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION FOR RULEMAKING CONCERNING USE OF THYROID-PROTECTING DRUG IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on a petition for rulemaking which asks that the NRC modify its regulation, 10 CFR 50.47 (b) (10), to require that nuclear power plant emergency plans consider the inclusion of the use of potassium iodide, a thyroid-protecting drug, for the general public.
The deadline for comments is February 17.
Current Federal policy, published July 24, 1985, calls for potassium iodide to be stockpiled for distribution during emergencies to emergency workers and institutionalized persons.
If taken in time, the substance blocks most of the thyroid pland's uptake of radioactive iodine.
It could thus help reduce the risk of thyroid cancer and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive iodine which could be dispersed in a severe nuclear accident.
The Commission last year voted to approve a proposed revision to the current Federal policy which would offer to provide funding fe-states which want to stockpile potassium iodide for use by the general public in the event of a nuclear power plant emergency.
The rulemaking petition now pending before the Commission calls for a change in NRC regulations to specify that states and licensees consider the use of potassium iodide, as well as evacuation and sheltering, in the preparation of nuclear power plant emergency plans.
an NRC staff The petition was filed by Peter G. Crane, The original attorney who took the action as a private citizen.
January 16 deadline for comments has been extended by 30 days to Persons wishing copies allow sufficient time for public comment. Rules and Directives Branch, Division of the petition may write:
of Administrative-Services, Office of Administration, U.S.
Nuclear. Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC'20555.
,A copy of the petition.and other related documents are also available at-the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L. Street'NW (Lower Level),
DC. The petition also-may be accessed on the Internet Washington, at http://ruleforum.llnl. gov /cgi-bin /rulemake? source-KI_ PETITION.
Comments should be' mailed to:
Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 20555-0001, _ Attention:
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC Rulemakingszand Adjudications ~ Staff.
Comments also may be between 7:30 a.
delivered to 11555 Rockville Pike,-Rockville, MD,They also may be provided
- m. and 4:15 p. m. on Federal workdays.
through.the NRC's interactive'rulemaking website,;which may be reached via the Internet at http://www.nrc. gov by looking for d School
.rulemaking under the heading "Public Participation an Programs."
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WASHINGTON, DC 2051H76 eensoor.i masse oev i i.,
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l The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson Chainnan The Nuc' ear Regulatary Co:nmission Washington, D.C. 20555 f
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Dear Dr Jackson:
I am writing to commend your agency for proposing to modify its approach to f
l stockpiling potassium iodide (KI) as a protective measure for the general public in case of a severe nuclear reactor accident. However, I am concerned that the proposed rule does not go far enough. Senator Alan Simpson and I wrote to the NRC about this matter on April 20, 1994.
i I applaud the NRC's proposal to federally fund the purchase of KI for any state requesting it. However, I believe that the record supports going further, as advocated by Commissioners Diaz and McGaffigan: stockpiling KI should be mandatory.
As you know, it is well-established scientifically that KI is extremely effective in preventing the uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid. - If taken in the proper dose prior j
to exposure to radioactive iodine, KI can completely block the uptake of the radioactive iodine.
The distributio~ of KI to the general population in the event of a nuclear emergency is a widely accepted protective measure. The World Health Org**= don has recommended its use for people living near a nuclear power plant if radiation levels are expected to exceed a predetermined dose. A number of foreign governments - the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Canadian provinces with nuclear power plants, and the former Sov l
Union - stockpile KI for distribution to and use by the general public in the event of a nuclear emergency. Several states include the use of KI in their emergency planning.
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' Thank you for your consideration of this matter. I request that these comments be included in the record of the rulem*ing consistent with applicable legal standards.
- erely,
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4 h I, Lieberman cc:
Commissioner Greta J. Dieus Commissioner Edward McGaffigan, Jr.
Commissioner Nils J. Diaz TOTAL PAGE.03 **
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