ML20234D680
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b. - 19 0 Washint; ton, D. C. J OV g./ ~ . Attention: Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman .. / r,s% ,/ o
Dear Dr. Seaborg:
I wonder if your office. coul.d provite re with certain inhormtion, = I the answer to certain e,uestions: with respect to the. nuclear fission-;nnerated ~ l electric power plant which the Pacific Gas and Electric Conpany is planning l to build at Dodega Head in this aron; assuning that there were a.ajor earth-quake centered at or near Bodega Head, and ~assunin,g it-vere of sufficient magnitude to demolish the co.nany's installations there, uhat is.the expect-ation of experts as to Vhat nicht or voidd happen with respect to the releaso of uncontrolled nuclear energy? I have been assured, for instance, by an acquaintance uhos I presune to be kncwledgsable that ue could' expect' not to have an erolosion, such as results fro:.1 the detonation of a nuclear ' powered bomb..Still I wonder: Is this true, and if it is, what are the other possibilities? I find :1yself quite in the dark on this. subject. o 7, l I know that.1W:E has given assurancas that it plans to take ovary precaution in the' construction of its phnt, and-I knou that the question q of whether or not these safoguards are adoquate 'in the r.ircu:. stances will, I l alone; with other mttere, cone under consideration at the hearings which I l your Commission will be holding on this issue. I' also acauno there must bo - sone kind of grave dangersi or why the safeguards? ihy AE-inposed precautionary l rules and regulations? Why the unwillingness.of private insuranco carriors, i who are in businons to nake noney by taking reasantblo' rishs, t 'enierurito I - beyo.? a very(lirited amount - such a ven "sure thin?? k ??e qusstion I ar. oosin-is. I quite recognize) hypothetical: 7 at cr.1?. .'s c~,:ct if tho safeguards failed' Another question - or perhaps another un.y 'of 'achin : tho :.. :o question'- is: J!nt 'can ne reasonably allou ourselves ta iragine nicht h*.vc :.c,:poned had' the FE plant actually. been, standing at S!;opje, when an ear':i.. quake destro$ed that' city recently? I'vonld appreciate., your turn $ntthis lotts.r: over to those in tho'. Co:rission who can answer thess. questions,"oit%r in a dire' t reply or.with- -l e relevant published mterials which may; I hope, b6 comprehensible to a laynan.- 1 Than' you. .V truly yours,- g; r l ] \\ I AM Y.g %- 8709220163 851217 . u nr Saum n "~" PDR F01A FIRESTD85-665 PDR f J.j 4- . ~.,}}