ML20236V019

Responds to Urging Commission to Defer Granting Low Power License to Plant Until FEMA Determines That Adequate & Workable Evacuation Plans in Place

ML20236V019
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	12/01/1987
From:	Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Rich Smith HOUSE OF REP.
Shared Package
ML20236U997	List: ML20236U994 ML20236V003 ML20236V011 ML20236V019
References
OL, NUDOCS 8712040040
Download: ML20236V019 (1)

Text

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CHAIRMAN December 1, 1987 The Honorable Robert C. Smith United States House of Representatives i Washington, D. C. 20515

Dear Congressman Smith:

I am responding to your November 3, 1987 letter in which you urge the Commission to defer granting a license for low-power testing at the Seabrook Station in New Hampshire until FEMA has determined that adequate and workable evacuation plans are in place.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act and the Commission's own rules, the Commission's decisions in a contested licensing proceeding are made on the basis of the formal adjudicatory record. Because the subject you raise is at issue in a Commission adjudicator:< proceeding, a copy of your letter has been served on all parties to that proceeding. A copy of your letter has also been placed in the NRC's Public Document Room.

I am sure you will understand that the Commission cannot respond more fully at this time to the substance of your concerns. The Commission's decision in this matter will be rendered on the formal record of the Seabrook proceeding. I can assure you, however, that in reaching this decision, the Commission's primary consideration will be protecting public health and safety.

Sincerely, f Lando W.

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k mited $tates $tnate WASHINGTON, DC 20510 November 3, 1987 The Honorable Lando Zech Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Zech:

We are writing in connection with the Commission's decision-making on the Seabrook nuclear power plant and, in particular, a final Commission decision on low-power testing.

Although we are aware that the NRC can approve low-power testing before off-site evacuation plans are in place, we feel strongly that public confidence in communities within the ten mile emergency planning zone would be better served if the NRC delayed low-power testing until the Federal Emergency Management Agency has determined that adequate and workable evacuation plans are in place.

One of the concerns expressed by the interveners in the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board hearings in Concord, New Hampshire, is that public safety in the form of workable evacuation plans is being compromised for tne sake of putting the plant on line. The Federal Emergency Management Agency testified at the hearings on Cetober 21, 1987, that there are still deficiencies in New Hampshire's evacuation plan, including inadequate sheltering for the summertime beacn population. l l

There is no more important ingredient in tnese proceedings than public safety and the public confidence tnat can result from knowing that safety is receiving priority treatrent in tne licensing process. We are convinced that witncut puolic l confidence this plant cannot succeed in the icng run. l l

Witn that in mind we strongly urge the Cor?m:ssion to worx l closely with FEMA in assuring the public and this congressional delegation that emergency planning is adequate and in p'3ce prior .

to any final decision on icw-power tes;;ng.

Sincerely, q /

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. 1 "f ~itopigog aorden J. Fumph ey Warren S. Fudman l United States Senator United States Senator Sf _ _ _ _ - - - - - - - -

The Honorable Lando Zech November 3,. 1987 Page 2 0

Judd Gregg ll Robert Smith Member of Congress Member of Congress

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