ML20236N912
| ML20236N912 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 08/06/1987 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Biden J SENATE |
| References | |
| CON-#387-4175 OL, NUDOCS 8708120150 | |
| Download: ML20236N912 (2) | |
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NUCLE AR REGULATORY COMMISSION UNITED STATES g
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'87 AUG -6 A9 :51 August 6, 1987
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The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
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United States Senate Wachington, D.C.
20510 SERVED AUG ~61387
Dear Senator Biden:
I am responding to your letter dated July 13, 1987 in which you urge the Commission to alter the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board's selection of Boston as the site of hearings scheduled to be held in September on issues relating to the New Hampshire portion'of the Seabrook Station emergency plan.
Two motions have been filed in the Seabrook adjudicatory proceeding seeking reconsideration of the Licensing Board's Since your decision to hold the scheduled hearing in Boston.
letter urges a position on a specific matter that is before one of the Commission's Boards in an adjudicatory proceeding, the Commission should not reply to the substance of your concerns.
Your' letter was served on the service list for the emergency planning portion of the Seabrook hearing.
As a general matter, it is the Commission's normal practice not to interfere in the decisions of its Boards with respect to However, it anticipates that those hearing arrangements.be made with full consideration of the arrangements will convenience of the parties and the interest of the public.
Absent unusual circumstances, evidentiary heerings have been held in the general locale of the facility at issue.
The record shows that the emergency planning hearing which is the subject of your letter was originally scheduled to be held The Board's decision on the earlier this summer in Concord.
pending motions for reconsideration should address the subject I of the Board's consideration of the location of the hearing.
Affairs to ensure that will direct our Office of Congressional is issued.
you receive a copy of the Board's decision when it Sincerely, W.
Lando W. Zec, Jr.
Chairman cc:
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JOSEPH k BIDLN,Jn.
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WASHINGTON, DC 20510 July 13, 1987 The Honorable Lando Zech Chairman U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555
Dear Mr. Chairnan:
is my understanding that a panel of the Atomic Safety It and Licensing Board plans to hold hearings in September on the New Hampshire portion of the Seabrook Station emergency plan.
I also understand that the hearings are scheduled to be held well outside the 10-mile mergency planning zone, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Public skepticism of the results of hearings on the New Hampshire portion of the emergency plan that are not held in is sure to be the affected area, or even the affected state, I urge the Commission to review the implications of high.
the proposed hearing site, and to return the hearing to the l
j affected state, Every effort must be made to assure that local input is Hearings in Boston do taken into account in emergency plans.
little to demonstrate that the ASLB and the Commission have the New Hampshire an appreciation of-the local conditions for portion of the plan.
At a time when the Conmission is for state and considering a proposal to drop the requirement local participation in the development of emergency plans, from concerned local citizens more hearings that make input difficult-will only serve to further undermine public confidence in Commissien actions.
I also recognize that security concerns have been raised by the panel, but they do not appear to be so insurmountable as to require hearings in Boston.
Advance preparation and coordination with state and local police forces should allow any reasonable concerns to be addressed.
Again, I urge the Commission to recognize the poor 1
this issue.
Thank you for signal a Boston hearing sends o your attention to this matter.
Sinc rely,
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4 oseph R. Biden, Jr.
United States Senator
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