ML20235C499

Responds to 870723 & 31 Ltrs to R Reagan & L Zech, Respectively,Requesting Reconsideration of Approval of License for Facility.Aslb Concluded Reasonable Assurance Exists That Electrical Sys Could Be Operated Safely

ML20235C499
Person / Time
Site:	Braidwood
Issue date:	09/16/1987
From:	Murley T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Weber M MILAN G. WEBER ASSOCIATES, INC.
Shared Package
ML20235C501	List: ML20235C499 ML20235C538 ML20235C624
References
NUDOCS 8709240471
Download: ML20235C499 (8)

Text

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September 16, 1987 i

Docket No. STN 50-456 Mr. Milan G. Weber, President The Milan G. Weber Associates, Inc.

. P.O. Box 81 Deerfield, Illinois 60015

Dear Mr. Weber:

Your letters of July 23, 1987 to the President of the United States and of j July 31, 1987 to Chairman Lando Zech have been forwarded to me for reply. In your letters, you urge that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reconsider its approval of a license for the Braidwood nuclear power station. You base your request, in principal part, on the fact that the Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) in the Braidwood case prepared a dissenting opinion concerning licensing the plant. We have previously responded to this concern in our letters to you dated July 1,1987 and August 11, 1987.

The hearing conducted by the ASLB was only one part of the Braidwood licensing process. Prior to the hearing in which the ASLB handed down its decision on Braidwood, the hRC had extensively evaluated the plant. Each of the plant's safety systems was reviewed to ensure that it met all of the Commission's regulations and requirements. Throughout the construction of Braidwood, the NRC staff, including a full-time person on the site, reviewed and inspected all major facets of the plant to verify that it was constructed in conformance with NRC requirements. In response to concerns about construction quality, Commonwealth Edison Company, the Braidwood licensee, initiated the Braidwood Construction Assessment Program. In that program, a thorough reinspection of completed work and records was conducted by qualified' teams not connected with those engaged in the original work. Additionally, the Commission's Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards reviewed the design and the proposed operation of Braidwood, and concluded that Braidwood Units 1 and 2 could be operated at full power without undue risk to the health and safety of the public. Finally, I in a separate action, in its Memorandum and Order (CLI-87-07), the Connission found that the ASLB decision resolved all contested issues and authorized the i Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, to issue a full power license for the Braidwood facility.

The Chairman of the ASLB, in his dissent on this issue, concluded that although there had been allegations that inspectors were harassed (as you mention), the inspectors " performed their field inspections competently and successfully resisted any attempts that may have been made by management to sacrifice <

quality for quantity." The ASLB was unanimous in concluding that there is j reasonable assurance that the part of the electrical system that was installed '

during the period at issue under the allegation could be operated safely.

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Mr. Milan G. Weber .2 September 16, 1987 Please be assured that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff at all levels of responsibility is fully dedicated to ensuring that the Braidwood station

.will be operated safely in conformance with the Commission's Regulations.

Sincerely, orie, tral cienua bm mcuaa L.11arleZ/

Thomas E. Murley, Director

_0ffice of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Distribution:

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. September 16, 1987 Docket No. STN 50-456 Mr. Milan G. Weber, President The Milan G. Weber Associates, 7.nc.

P.O. Box 81 Deerfield, Illinois 60015

Dear Mr. Weber:

Your letters of July 23, 1987 to the President of the United States and of July 31, 1987 to Chairman Lando Zech have been forwarded to me for reply. In ,

your letters, you urge that the Nuclear Regulatory. Commission (NRC) reconsider .)

its approval of a license for the Braidwood nuclear power station. You base  !

your request, in principal part, on the fact that the Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) in the Braidwood case prepared a dissenting opinion concerning licensing the plant. We have previously responded to.this concern in our letters to you dated July 1,1987 and August 11, 1987.

l The hearing conducted by the ASLB was only one part of the Braidwood licensing l process. Prior to the hearing in which the ASLB handed down its decision on Braidwood, the hRC had extensively evaluated the plant. Each of the plant's i

l safety systems was reviewed to ensure that it met all of the Commission's '

l regulations and requirements. Throughout the construction of Braidwood, the l HRC staff, including a full-time person on the site, reviewed and inspected all major facets of the plant to verify that it was constructed in conformance ,

with NRC requirements. In. response to concerns about construction quality,  !

Commonwealth Edison Company, the Braidwood licensee, initiated the Braidwood Construction Assessment Program.. In that program, a thorough reinspection of j completed work and records was conducted by qualified teams not connected with l those engaged in the original work. Additionally, the Commission's Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards reviewed the design and the proposed operation i of Braidwood, and concluded that Braidwood Units 1 and 2 could be operated at-full power without undue risk to the health and safety of the public. Finally, in a separate action, in its Memorandum and Order (CLI-87-07), the Commission found that the ASLB decision resolved all contested issues and authorized the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, to issue a full power license for the Braidwood facility.

The Chairman of the ASLB, in his dissent on this issue, concluded that although there had been allegations that inspectors were harassed (as you mention), the inspectors " performed their field inspections competently and successfully resisted any attempts that may have been made by management to sacrifice quality for quantity." The ASLB was unanimous'in concluding that there is reasonable assurance that the part of the electrical system that was installed  !

during the period at issue under the allegation could be' operated safely. '

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.g Mr. Milan G. Weber September 16, 1987 Please be assured that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff at all levels of responsibility is fully dedicated to ensuring that' the Braidwood station will be operated safely in conformance with the Commission's Regulations.

Sincerely, onpie 13 a '.3

.u ua:.1. 2:nAcz/

Thomas E. Murley, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Distribution:

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September 16, 1987 Docket No. STN 50-456 Mr. Milan G. Weber, President The Milan G. Weber Associates, Inc.

P.O. Box 81 Deerfield, Illinois 60015

Dear Mr. Weber:

Your letters of July 23, 1987 to the President of the United States and of July 31, 1987 to Chairman Lando Zech have been forwarded to me for reply. In your letters, you urge that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reconsider its approval of a license for the Braidwood nuclear power station. You base your request, in principal part, on the fact that the Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) in the Braidwood case prepared a dissenting opinion concerning licensing the plant. We have previously responded to this concern in our letters to you dated July 1,1987 and August 11, 1987.

The hearing conducted by the ASLB was only one part of the Braidwood licensing process. Prior to the hearing in which the ASLB handed down its decision on Braidwood, the hRC had extensively evaluated the plant. Each of the plant's safety systems was reviewed to ensure that it met all of the Commission's regulations and requirements. Throughout the construction of Braidwood, the NRC staff, including a full-time person on the site, reviewed and inspected all major facets of the plant to verify that it was constructed in conformance with NRC requireinents. In response to concerns about construction quality, Commonwealth Edison Company, the Braidwood licensee, initiated the Braidwood Construction Assessment Program. In that program, a thorough reinspection of completed work and records was conducted by qualified teams not connected with those engaged in the original work. Additionally, the Commission's Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards reviewed the design and the proposed operation of Braidwood, and concluded that Braidwood Units 1 and 2 could be operated at full power without undue risk to the health and safety of the public. Finally, in a separate action, in its Memorandum and Order (CLI-87-07), the Commission found that the ASLB decision resolved all contested issues and authorized the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, to issue a full power license for the Braidwood facility.

The Chairman of the ASLB, in his dissent on this issue, concluded that although there had been allegations that inspectors were harassed (as you mention), the inspectors " performed their field inspections competently and successfully resisted any attempts that may have been made by management to sacrifice quality for quantity." The ASLB was unanimous in concluding that there is reasonable assurance that the part of the electrical system that was installed during the period at issue under the allegation could be operated safely.

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- Mr. !!ilan G. Weber 2- September 16, 1987 ,

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Please be assured that the Nuclear. Regulatory Comission':steff at all levels . *, y of responsibility is. fully dedicated to ensuring.that the'Braidwood station - ,

, j will be operated safely in conformance with the Comission's Regulations.

Sincerely, o,.w : 4! riy4 tu

,.a uar L. hurleZ/

Thomas E. Murley, Director .

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation .

Distribution:

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MILAN G. WEBER (?flettet3) . < FINAL' REPLY: 7/37/87 (WHITE HOUSE REFERRAL) i l TO: .s

, THE PRESIDENT & Chairmkn Zech a c OR:SIONATURE OF ** GREEN ** 'SECY NO: 87-1C05.&

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URGES RECONSIDERATION OF THE LICENSE APPROAL FOR DAVIS,'RIII BRAIDWOOD DAIE:,AS/27/87 --

TSSIGNED TO: NRR

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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR HEMARKS:

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t SECY' NUMBER: 87-1005 _

LOGGING DATE- s7nn9s

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AUTHOR: .M G Weber AFFILIATION: 9014 LETTER DATE: 870803 FILE CODE ID&R-5 Braidwnnd ,f l- ADDRESSEE:- NRC L

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SUBJECT:

Urges reconsideration of the. license approval for Braidwood  :!

ACTION: Direct Reply..ll- . Sept 9 DISTRIBUTION: Docket

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