ML20234E455

Opposes Const of Proposed PG&E Plant at Bodega Head

ML20234E455
Person / Time
Site:	05000000, Bodega Bay
Issue date:	09/02/1963
From:	Schuette C AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
To:	Seaborg G US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
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ML20234A767	List: IA-85-665, Discusses Seismic Design of Nuclear Power Plants,Including Const of Nuclear Plants in Seismically Active Zones ML20234A761 ML20234A769 ML20234A792 ML20234A798 ML20234A803 ML20234A812 ML20234A816 ML20234A827 ML20234A830 ML20234A838 ML20234A841 ML20234A844 ML20234A847 ML20234A851 ML20234A855 ML20234A858 ML20234A861 ML20234A864 ML20234A868 ML20234A871 ML20234A874 ML20234A893 ML20234A896 ML20234A900 ML20234A911 ML20234A922 ML20234A929 ML20234A932 ML20234A937 ML20234A944 ML20234A956 ML20234A965 ML20234A968 ML20234A976 ML20234A984 ML20234A993 ML20234A996 ML20234A999 ML20234B005 ML20234B008 ML20234B023 ML20234B032 ML20234B035 ML20234B040 ML20234B062 ML20234B066 ML20234B076 ML20234B084 ML20234B098 ... further results
References
FOIA-85-665 NUDOCS 8709220400
Download: ML20234E455 (2)

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• SEBA$TOPOL CALIFORNIA U,%- - September 2 1963.

Yr. OEnn Seaborg, Chairman Atomic Energy Commission I

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Deer Sir, The original 1960 ASC provision, that an atomic power )

plent should not be built within a half mile of an active ' earth-  !

quake feult, should have been amended to read not "to within and j one fourth mile" but to: within 5 miles of an active fault I then only'on s'olid rock. f The proposed.F.G.& E. plant at Bodega Head.should not be built. I do not believe that you could find any of the older j geologists that studied' the damage causedI am by the 1906 earthquake speaking.of earth-'

to state that this is a safe location. l quake damage only, not that caused by the fires in San Francisco '

i and Senta Rosa. Incidentally the fires could have been controlled if the earthquake had not cut the water mains. The main damage occurred on unconsolidated ground while buildings on hard rock l 1

f ared better .

In 1906, at the lower end of Tomales Bay a road crossing 1 the fault was displaced some 21 feet, the western block moving tho l

northwest. At Bodega Bay the displacement was also large, l

beenure of the ' sand dunes it could not be measured accurately. {

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The site of the proposed plant is formed of the "Montara Orenodiorite".or " rotten granite" as we used to call'it. It is certainly not solid rock but a sheared, faulted and disintegrated mers.  !

l There has been seismic activity on the San Andreas f ault )

both north and south of Bodega Bay in recent years and the fault 1 l

in this area'.is probably under. tension, ready to let go again. i A ne~ cycle of' earthquakes all around the Pacific seems to have stprted e's witnes' sed' by recent strong quakes in South America, Al~ka and~ Japan.

I ve'nture to state'that.a major. earthquake (movement'on; i th'e Sen. Andreas f ault) .is probable at ! Bodega Bay at any' time in'

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the next-25 years.

"ihen '.this happens , the cooling water'intak'e lines to the stomic' plant' will bef cut, the power line across Doran. Park will"be, l revered, the cooling' water . outlet will prob'ably be cut and' the

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l concrete caisson v/hich houses the plant' will probably 'be . tilted -

from the vertical, if indeed.it is not sheared off. If the-bere of this ca.isson .is ' carried to something resembling solid rock, the upper part will' be moved (tilted or sheared)- by ' '

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whifting upper unconsolidated layers of material.

I have no quarrel with P.G.&.E., in fact I think hir.hly of'its operations. 'I also believe. in atomic . energy development. But I do believe that the proposed plant! site is unsafe for' the purpose and urge you not to grant permission to go ahead with it at that location.

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Justwhatwobidhappenifintakeiandoutletpipes'.

and the. power lines were cut and the plant.csisson were: tilted'?

l "ho or.what .would draw the rods and if they could not .be drawn to stop the reaction,'just what would happen ?- Have'you ever seen people panic during an earthquake and would the crew on duty.

• be immune to panic ?

S'incerely yours f .

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