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N HAR 1 B Docket No. 50-275 and 50-323 Ec.nonorable Sam I. Hayakawa United States Senate Washington, D. C.
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I Dear Senator Hayakawas
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I am pleased to respond to your letter of February 15, 1977, which refers I
to a letter from one of your constituents, Mr. Howard Osborne, dated January 27, 1977, in which he strongly opposes the opening of the Diablo
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Canyon nuclear power plant in California. His opposition is that he i
" feels that it is unsafe due to the possibility of an earthquake".
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l The Hosgri fault was discovered in 1971 close to the Diablo Canyon Nacicar Iower Plant and has been the subject of investigation by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the U. S. Geological Survey and the Comission since 1973 when PG&E applied for an operating license, operation of the plant is being held up, at considerable cost, because the earthquake safety questions are not yet resolved. The first unit at this site was essentially completed early last year. It appears that operation will have been held up about 11/2 years' before a &sision on the operating license can be made.
I Ee plant is located 31/2 miles trem the Hosgri fault on a foundation of competent rock. What we are dealing with here is a question of redesign and modification to withstand more sey.ere ground shaking than was considered in the original design. mere is no reason to be concerned about ground rupture at the plant site due to an earthquake. We 7ttelear Negolatory l
Cocnicsion (NBC) staff has called for an analysis toidetermine wnat changes may be necessary so that the plant can withstarsi a magnitude 7.5 earthquake on the Hosgri fault. 21s is a very severe earthquake design basis.
me plant's omr, Pacific Gas and Electric Cornpany, is performing this engineering analysis. %en the matter must be reviewed in turn by the NRC staff and by the independent Advisory Committee on Beactor Safeguards.
In the process, it will have been scrutinized by many coqpetent geologists, 5
seismologists and structural engineers, including independent consultants of national stature. Finally, the m tter will be considered by the Atomic i
1 Safety and Licensing Board at a public hearing.
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tw Bonorable Sam I. Hayakawa. It is not known, at this time, what the final decision will be.
I trust you will find this information responsive to your request.
sincerely, (figned) Lee y, caseseg
[ee V. Gonick Executive Director for Operations
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DISTRIBUTION Docket Files NRC PDR Local PDR EDO Reading NRR Reading LWR-#1 File B. C. Rusche E. G. Case R. S. Boyd D. B. Vassallo Attorney, ELD CA (3)
G. Ertter (#01558)
M. Groff E. Hughes L. Dreher J. Stolz D. Allison E. Hylton J. Yore, ASLB
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- SEE PREVIOUS YELLOW FOR PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE:
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'Ibe Ibnorable Sam I. Hayakava ]
I It is not known, at this tire, what the final decision will be. Iiowever, the tEtC's regulations require that the plant be designed to witnetand the nost severe earthquake that could be expected to occur at the site. Inis must be demonstrated before operation of the plant is permitted.
I trust you will find this information responsive to your reg.aest.
Sincerely,
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l DISTRIBUTION (
j Docket Files.
NRC PDR Local PDR EDO Reading I4RR Reading LWR 1 File B. C. Rusche E. G. Case R. S. Boyd D. B. Vassallo Attorney, ELD CA (3)
G. Ertter (#01558) i fi Groff E. Hughes L. Dreher J. Stolz D. Allison E. Hylton J. Yore, ASLB IE (3)
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