ML20235F654
| ML20235F654 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/30/1987 |
| From: | Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Specter A SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20235F658 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8707130489 | |
| Download: ML20235F654 (9) | |
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UNITED STATES 8"
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n
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E WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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l The Honorable Arlen Specter f
United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Specter:
Your letter of May 26, 1987, forwarded a copy of correspondence that you received from your constituent Gloria Goldhirst. Ms. Goldhirst raised the t
question: "Why can't there be TV cameras focusing on every section of a plant's control room with monitors in public places, e.g., shopping malls, so that citizens can look in to see hdw their local plant is being tended?"
As discussed below, I believe there are several drawbacks to this concept.
i A nuclear power plant control room is usually very large, containing literally thousands of controls and displays. Unless many remotely controlled zoom-lens cameras were installed, it would be virtually impossible to gather any meaningful information from the control room in the way Ms. Goldhirst suggested. Several cameras with wide-angle lenses could allow an observer to see the general activity level in the control room. However, the activity level of a control room is not a good representative measure of how well a plant is being tended. For example, control rooms are very active during transients, including shutdown and startup, and are relatively quiet when the plant is at full power. Most of the operator's activities consist of keeping watch, recording information, assessing the information to detect unusual trends, and monitoring plant behavior while routine tests are being conducted. Consequently, the level of activity depends not only on the plant status or power level, but on other factors such as whether maintenance or surveillance testing is in progress, j
i Other factors also must be considered.
In addition to the cperators in the 1
control room, there are supervisors in offices, workers at other operating stations in the plant, and operators who routinely patt01 the operating spaces. Their attentiveness and proper conduct of work is similarly 1
expected, but placing cameras in the control room and other spaces involves
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questions reg udir.g impact on personnel as well as plant security.
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The Honorable Arlen Specter -
l The use of television. surveillance in the control rooms of nuclear power plants could set an undesirable precedent.
I believe that the recent incident of operator inattentiveness at the Peach Bottom plant was an isolated occurrence and is not representative of the way the majority of plants are operated. The vast majority of operators are highly professional, dedicated, and responsible individuals.
I believe that the introduction of television surveillance to control rooms would have an adverse effect on operators' morale, which in turn would be detrimental to safe operations. To
)
I subject these people to the constant monitoring of the general public is an extreme measure which we believe is unnecessary and undeserved.
To protect against malevolent acts at nuclear plants by outsiders NRC regulations require licensees to limit access to equipment and areas, such as the control room, which are important to the ability to safely shut down the
- facility. Likewise, licensees are required to limit access to information about this equipment and these areas to persons with an established need to know. Providing such information to the general public would be contrary to this goal and to our regulations.
I Sincerely, Original signed by Vict or Stellag Victor Stello, Jr.
Executive Director for Operations i
Distribution:
(WEISS-6/SWI)
Central Files T. Murley ED0 2913 G. Lapinsky F. Miraglia EDO r/f S. Weiss J. Blaha SECY-87-628 W. Regan J. Funches CA J. Roe - #002913 (6/16/87)
D. Mossburg - #002913 (6/16/87)
R. Starostecki HFAB Rdg. Files J. Sniezek PDR l
- See previous concurrence
{
HFAB:DLPQE*
HFAB:DLPQE* HFAB:DLPQE* D:DLPQE*
ADITA:NRR*
Glapinskytjs S. Weiss
. Regan J. Roe R. Starostecki 06/9/87 06/9/87
/9/87 06/10/87 06/16/87 DD:NRR*
D:NRR ED r
I J. Sniezek T. Murley V.
tello i
06/18/87 06/
/87 06/g/87 i
i u________.______________
-_.__________.__.-__._.m_
i The Honorable Arlen Specter /
/
l The use of television surveillance in the control rooms of nucledr power plants could set an undesirable precedent.
IbelievethatthVrecent incident of operator inattentiveness at the Peach Bottom plant was an 1
(e' majority of isolated occurrence and is not representative of the way t)ighly professional, l
plants are operated. The vast majority of operators are dedicated, and responsible individuals.
'I believe tha the introduction of l
television surveillance to control rooms would have adverse effect on operators' Forale, which in turn would be detriment-to safe operations. To I
subject these people to the constant monitoring of the general public is an l
extreme measure which we believe is unnecessary nd undeserved.
To protect against malevolent acts at nuclear plants'by outsiders, NRC regulations require licensees to limit acce, to equipment and areas, such as i
the control room, which are important to t e ability to safely shut down the facility. Likewise, licensees are requir d to limit access to information about this equipment and these areas to ersons with an established need to know. Providing such information to t e general public would be contrary to I
i this goal and to our regulations.
l Based on the above considerations,/I do not believe there is any benefit from a regulatory standpoint to require utilities to install TV cameras in their j
control rooms.
Sincerely,
/
/
Victor Stello, Jr.
/
Executive Director l
/
for Operations (WEISS-6/SW1)
Distribution:
Central Files
/
T. Murley EDO 2913 G. Lapinsky
/
F. Miraglia EDO r/f S. Weiss
/
J. Blaha W. Regan
/
J. Funches J. Roe - #002913 (6/16/87)
D. Mossburg - #002913 (6/16/87) l R. Starostecki/
g Rdg. Files J. Sntezek j g
- See previo's concurrence u
hFAB:DLPQE*
HFAB:DLPQE* HFAB:DLPQE* D:DLPQE*
ADITA:NRR*
Glapinsky:js S. Weiss W. Regan J. Roe R. Starostecki 06/9/87 06/9/87 06/9/87 06/10/87 06/16/87 s
,dn:NRR EDO DD:NRR*
J. Sniezek T. Murley V. Stello 06/ %/87 06/
/87 06/18/87 7 -
0FFICIAL RECORD COPY
1 The Honorable Arlen Specter The use of television surveillance in the control rooms of nucle
. power i
plants could set an undesirable precedent.
I believe that the ecent j
incident of operator inattentiveness at the Peach Bottom pla was an isolated occurrence and is not representative of the way th majority of l
plants are operated. The vast majority of operators are ghly professional, l
dedicated, and responsible individuals.
I believe that e introduction of television surveillance to control rooms would have an dverse effect on operators' morale, which in turn would be detrimental o safe operations. To subject these people to the constant monitoring of t e general public is an extreme measure which we believe is unnecessary an undeserved, j
To protect against malevolent acts, NRC regulatip s require licensees to limit access to equipment and areas, such as tt}# control room, which are important to the ability to safely shut down te facility. Likewise, licensees are required to limit access to in ormation about this equipment and these areas to persons with an establis ed need to know.
Providing such information to the general public could re'sult in terrorists using the information to cause harm.
Based on the above considerations, I fo not believe there is any benefit from i
a regulatory standpoint to require udlities to install TV cameras in their control rooms.
Sincerely, Victor Stello, Jr.
Executive Director for Operations Distribution:
(WEISS-6/SW1)
Central Files
/
T. Murley G. Lapinsky
/
F. Miraglia S. Weiss
/
J. Blaha W. Regan
/
J. Funches J. Roe-#00291/(6/16/87)
D. Mossburg - #002913 (6/16/87)
R. Starostecki' HFAB Rdg. Files J. Sniezek /
- Seeprey[ousconcurrence HFAB:DL QE*
HFAB:DLPQE" HFAB:DLPQE* D:DLP0E*
ADITA:NRR*
Glapfnsky:js S. Weiss W. Regan J. Roe R. Starostecki 06/p/87 06/9/87 06/9/87 06/10/87 06/16/87 l
/
i v/D s[
D:NRR ED0
~7' J, i ipek T. Murley V. Stello I
06 y87 06/
/87 06/
/37 l
0FFICIAL RECORD COPY l
i A
The Honorable Arlen Specter Theuseoftelevisionsurveillanceinthecontrolroomsofnuclearpower/
plants could set an undesirable precedent.
I believe that the recent incident of operator inattentiveness at the Peach Bottom plant was an isolated occurrence and is not representative of the way the majority of plants are operated.
The vast majority of operators are highly professional, dedicated, and responsible individuals.
I believe that the introduction of television surveillance to control rooms would have an adverse a'ffect on operators'moralewhichinturnwouldbedetrimentaltosafeoperations.
To j
subject these people to the constant monitoring of the generp1 public is an extreme measure which is an unnecessary and undeserved.
Toprotectagainstmalevolentacts,NRCregulationsrequjrelicenseesto j
limit access to equipment and areas, such as the contro.1 room, which are i
importanttotheabilitytosafelyshutdownthefaciljty.
- Likewise, I
licensees are required to limit access to informatiorf about this equipment and these areas to persons with an established need/ o know.
Providing such t
information to the general public could result in terrorists using the information to cause harm.
/
Based on the above considerations, I do not believe there is any benefit from
'o install TV cameras in their a regulatory standpoint to require utilitie t
control rooms, j
Sincerely,
/
Victor Stello, Jr.
j/,/
Executive Director j
for Operations
/
Distribution:
/
(WEISS-6/SW1) l Central Files
/ T. Murley G. Lapinsky
/
F. Miraglia S. Weiss
/
J. Blaha W. Regan
/
J. Funches J. Roe - #002913 (6/16/87)
D. Mossburg - #002913 (6/16/87)
R. Starostecki
/
HFAB Rdg. Files J. Sniezek
- See previous con /
currence HFAB:DLPQE*
HFAB:DLPQE* HFAB:DLPQE* D:DLPQE*
ADI RR GLapinsky:jp S. Weiss W. Regan J. Roe R. S arostecki 06/9/87
/
06/9/87 06/9/87 06/10/87 06/l
/87 f
DD:NRR D:NRR EDO J. Sniezek T. Murley V. Stello 06/
/87 06/
/87 06/
/87 3
0FFICIAL RECORD COPY
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j
/
The Honorable Arlen Specter /,/
J
/.
The use of television surve llance in the control rooms of nuclear' power plants could set an undesirable precedent with regard to our Ame'rican traditions of an individual's right to privacy.
I believe thpf the recent incident of operator inattentiveness at the Peach Bottom plaAt was an 1
isolated occurrence and is not representative of how the majority of plants are operated. The vast majority of operators are highly professional, dedicated, and responsible individuals.
I believe that the introduction of television surveillance to control rooms would have an a'dverse affect on I
operators' morale which in turn would be detrimental to' safe operations. To subject these people to the constant monitoring of the general public is an extreme measure which is an unnecessary and undeserved invasion of privacy.
To protect against malevolent acts, NRC regulatjo'ns require licensees to limit access to equipment and areas, such as the control room, which are licensees are required to limit access to jrf,the facility.
important to the ability to safely shutdown
- Likewise, formation about this equipment 3
and these areas to persons with an establ,ished need to know. Providing such information to the general public could result in an increased chance for j
those wishing to cause harm to have bepter insight and information.
Based on the above considerations, I do not believe there is any benefit from I
a regulatory standpoint to require / utilities to install TV cameras in their control rooms.
/
7
/
Sincerely,
/
,/
Victor Stello, Jr.
Executive Director c'
for Operations i
Distribution:
(WEISS-5/SW1) i Central Files T. Murley G. Lapinsky
/
F. Miraglia S. Weiss
/
J. Blaha W. Regan
/
J. Funches J. Roe - #002913 (6/16/87)
D.Mossburg-#002913(6/16/87)
R. Starostecki HFAB Rdg. Files J.Sniezek/
/
- See pre tous concurrence HFAB:DLP'QE*
HFAB:DLPQE* HFAB:DLPQE* D:DLPQE" ADITA:NP.R GLapinsky:js S. Weiss W. Regan J. Roe R. Starostecki 06/9/,87 06/9/87 06/9/87 06/10/87 06/
/87 DD:thtR D:NRR EDO J.jSniezek T. Murley V. Stello 06
/87 06/
/87 06/
/87 0FFICIAL RECORD COPY l
_ _ _ _ _ _ ____________________ - ______ - ___ - _ m
./
4 The Honorable Arlen Specter /
Based on the above considerations, I do not believe there is any/ enefit from b
a regulatory standpoint to require utilities to install TV ca ' ras in their.
l control rooms.
Sincerely,
/
Victor Stel,Jo, Jr.
Executive /irector for Opprations Distribution:
l Central Files G. Lapinsky S. Weiss W. Regan j
H. Miller J. Roe - #002913 (6/16/87)
R. Starostecki J. Sniezek T. Murley F. Miraglia i
J. Blaha l
J. Funches D. Mossburg - #002913 (6/16 7)
HFAB Rdg. Files (WEISS-6/SW1)
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A'yqjs GL an J
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/87 PD:NRR D:NRR EDO
'J. Sniezek T. Murley V. Stello 06/
/87 06/
/87 06/
/87 0FFICIAL RECORD COPY
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'A NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l { 4; '
- ,E WASHINGTON, D. C. 20055
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EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL i
't' I
4/ap//e7 FROM:
DUE: 0614f/ 87 EDO CONTROL: 002913 DOC DT: 05/26/87 SEN. ARLEN SPECTER FINAL REPLY:
TO:
OCA FOR SIGNATURE OF:
GREEN SECY NO: 87-628 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESC:
ROUTING:
l ENCLOSES LETTER FROM GLORIA GOLDHIRST CONCERNING TV CAMERAS IN CONTROL ROOMS DATE: 06/03/87 ASSIGNED TO: NRR CONTACT: MURLEY
~-
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
RETURN INCOMING WITH REPLY, NRR RECEIVED: JUNE 4, 1987 ACTION:
'DLPQ: ROE-g NRR ROUTING:
MURLEY/SNIEZ$:K I
l STAROSTECKI l
l MIRAGLIA
]
BLAHA
]
FUNCHES MOSSBURG l
l l
i
l x
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET i
PAPER NUMBER:
CRC-87-0628 LOGGING DATE: Jun 2 87 ACTION OFFICE:
EDO AUTHOR:
A.
Specter--Const Rrf AFFILIATION:
U.S.
SENATE LETTER DATE:
May 26 87 FILE CODE: C&R-2 BP
SUBJECT:
TV cameras in control rooms of nuc power plants ACTION:
Direct Reply DISTRIBUTION:
OCA to Ack SPECIAL HANDLING: None NOTES:
Gloria Goldhirst DATE DUE:
Jun 16 87 SIGNATURE:
DATE SIGNED:
AFFILIATION:
Rec'd 0ff. E00 Date 6-3-P7 Time
_ l '. O.O P i
l E DO --- 002913 w