ML20236V511
| ML20236V511 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Calvert Cliffs  |
| Issue date: | 07/22/1998 |
| From: | Rathbun D NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Gilchrest W HOUSE OF REP. |
| References | |
| CCS, NUDOCS 9808030295 | |
| Download: ML20236V511 (2) | |
Text
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E NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION E
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20665 4001 l
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l July 22, 1998 I
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The Honorable Wayne Gilchrest Member, U. S. House of Representatives One Plaza East Salisbury, MD 21801 i
Dear Congressman Gilchrest:
1 This is in response to the letter forwarded from your constituent, Wesley Pilchard, a Boy Scout, seeking information about the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power in southern Maryland, its potential hazards, nuclear waste disposal and transportation, and the efficiency of nuclear power in comparison to other energy sources.
Enclosed are several publications: 1) Radioactive Waste: Production. Storaae and Disposal and 2) the 1997 NRC Information Diaest, both of which include information about nuclear waste; 3) NRC: Reaufator of Nuclear Safetv: 4) Transoortina Soent Fuel; 5) and two briefing papers," Disposal of Radioactive Waste" and ' Transportation of Spent Fuel". These should i
answer Mr. Pilchard's basic questions.
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulates the civilian uses of nuclear materials in the United States to protect public health and safety, the environment and the common defense and security. This mission, given to the NRC by Congress in 1974, is accomplished through licensing of nuclear facilities and the possession, use and disposal of nuclear materials; the development and implementation of requirements governing licensed activities; and inspection g
and enforcement activities to assure compliance with government regulations.
The NRC protects public health and safety by licensing users of nuclear materials, including waste disposal, and ensuring compliance with its regulations through rigorous inspections of G Q2>
i licensed facilities.
Concerning Mr. Pilchard's questions about the possibility of an explosion, a nuclear power plant is designed so it cannot explode like a nuclear device. Plants like Calvert Cliffs, however, are also designed to deal with major accidents and must have both an on-site and off-site emergency plan for the protection of the public. NRC regulations call for an emergency planning zone of about 10 miles in diameter and for an ingestion pathway zone of a 50-mile i
diameter. The brochure, NRC: Reautator of Nuclear Safety. describes the safety systems used j
to protect the public from radiation releases in the event of an accident.
With regard to Mr. Pilchard's question about the efficiency of nuclear power, the NRC does not
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make decisions as to whether nuclear energy, coal or some other fuel will be used in a power l
plant. Those are business decision to be made by the utility and may involve appropriate state utility commissions.
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We hope this information is helpful to Mr. Pilchard in completing his merit badge requirements.
Sincerely,
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f Dennis K. Hathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosures:
As stated i
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