ML20236W271

Responds to Expressing View on Commission Decision to Issue License for Low Power Testing at Plant. Commission Decision Will Be Rendered on Formal Record of Plant Proceeding

ML20236W271
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	12/02/1987
From:	Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Simon P SENATE
References
CON-#487-4979 OL, NUDOCS 8712070366
Download: ML20236W271 (2)

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. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION UNITED STATES ?

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December 2,:.1987 N

CHAIRMAN W

' The'.: Honorable Paul.: Simon ~-

United States Senate...

Washington, D.C.

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DeariSenator Simon:

I am respondi.ng.to your November.20, 1987: letter in whichfyou' q

expressed your v bw that the1 Commission would'.befunwise to.

issue a license for. low-powerLtestingLat.thei-Seabrook St.ation' in New. Hampshire.. You presen.ted several' matters forothe Commission'.sicareful' consideration::ina re' aching.its decision on.

the low-power 1_icense.

Pursuant to thefrequirements of the Atomic Energy Act-and thef9

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Commission's.own rules the. Commission'sJdecision in'au contested licensing: proceeding is made on the basis of-' th'e.

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formal adjudicatory record.: BecauseJthe issuecyou raise-is..

before'the Commission in anladjudicatory proceeding, a.LcopyLof-your-letter has been served on all parties tojthat-proceedi'ng.'

0 A copy of-your letter hasEalso been placed in the'Public-j Document Room, d

I am sure you will understand that the Commission cannot respond more fully at this time to the substance' of.your.

The Commission's decisioniin this matterEwill be concerns.

rendered on the formal record of.the Seabrook proceeding.,:I.

'1 can assure you, however, that in-reaching this-' decision, the Commission will carefully consider'the relevant issues and that~

its primary consideration will'~be protecting'public' health-and

'4 safety.

i Sincerely, fg Uj, N;.

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.Lando..W._Zec Jr l

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~ A80R AND HUMAN RESOUnCES '

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JUDICIARY FOREIGN RELATIONS 11nited#tates,5tnate WASHINGTON, DC 20510

-November.20, 1987-Lando W.

Zech, Jr., Chairman United States' Nuclear Regulatory Commiss' ion Washington, DC 20555

Dear Chairman Zech:

I understand that the Commission-may soon be considering:the granting of a low power license for the'seabrook nuclear < power plant.

Given the controversy and uncertainty-of that facility, granting a' low power license'at this time would seem'. unwise.for several reasons..

First, there seems to be.no compelling technical reason.,to act at this time.

For all the utilities involved in Seabrook',..the projected time for bringing the' plant' up to.' full power clearly..

leaves sufficient time to delay low-power testing.

More importantly, moving up to low power testing will further-complicate the status of the facility'.

As you well know, the approval of an acceptable evacuation plan is still highly controversial.

Low level testing will' bring, the plant into operation while that matter remains unresolved, increasing public opposition and concern.

Low level testing will also contaminate the plant and begin the process of producing radioactive wastes on-site.

That will.

Q increase the costs and difficulties.of'considering. converting Seabrook to other fuel sources or-alternatives.

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I would urge the Commission.to evaluate these matters carefully.

b when you consider a low level license for Seabrook.

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My best wishes.

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SECRETARY

. NOTE FOR: DocumentLControl Desk-3 FROM:

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The. enclose'd;3ocument(s) are.LtoLbe entered.'

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the Public Document: Room.

I PLEASE INDE INDIVIDUALLY.

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