ML20237A243
| ML20237A243 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 06/15/1978 |
| From: | Hart G SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS |
| To: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20237A206 | List: |
| References | |
| 2.206, NUDOCS 8712140355 | |
| Download: ML20237A243 (2) | |
Text
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COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PL'8LIC WORMS anu.sv euamo, asuesury svar conscron WASHINGTON.,D O
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Mr. Joseph M. Hendrie Chaiman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
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Dear Mr. Chairman:
It has come to my attention that testimny presented on June 12, 1978 to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs by the Union of Con-cerned Scientists contained references to a memorandum prepared by Dr. S.H.
Hanauer, dated September 20, 1972 and a note from you to John F. O' Leary, dated September 25, 1972. 'Ihese memos were supplied to the Union of Concerned Scientists earlier this spring by a Freedom of Information request. However, I find it disturbing that certain portions of each were deleted before their release by NRC.
The purpose of the Freedom of Infomation Act is to allow the public.to be reasonably well-informed as to the matters within the purview of Federal agencies.
In order that this purpose be accomplished it is essential that the infomation shared be as complete as possible, consistent with any legal con-straints upon the agency.
This is true even if the material released may be, as in the present case, unfavorable to the public acceptance of nuclear power.
The fact that it may reflect unfavorably on the agency, one of its offi-cials, or the regulated industry is insufficient reason for withholding material from public release.
In fact, it is in just such instances that release of the information may be most useful.
Therefore, I personally would encourage you to release the complete text of these and any other related documents and place them in the Public Document Room.
Such a policy of frank, open and complete interac-tion with the public will improve the credibility of the Commission. Despite the earlier deletions, it may not be too late to achieve that goal in this instance.
Your own note was made available to the staff of the Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation prior to your confirmation hearing, although we were only partially aware of its significance at that time since we were not in possession of Dr.
Hanauer's memo which described the substance of the issue.
The Subcommittee continues to honor the Commission's request not to pub-licly release that document.
However, in view of the widespread interest in 1
this matter, and the fact that the note is six years old, it would be useful for you to make a clarifying statement, placing it in context.
1 8712140355 780615 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR
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Mr. Joseph M. Hendrie Page - 2 What is pur present view of such matters? Would you recormend against installation cf additional safety measures simply because such a requirement might slow doc, or even halt, nuclear power development by throwing into question the c:mtinued operation of existing nuclear power plants?
Finally, the Subcommittee would be interested in a technical update on the safety of pressure supression containment systems for boiling water reac-tors, including Dr. Hanauer's current opinion as to whether designs including i
this concept should still be licensed.
l Your early attention would be appreciated.
I Sincerely, s/
GARY W.
Q Chairman, Subcommittee on Nuclear Re'gulation CC: Commissiccers Kennedy Gilinsky Bradford Honorable Morris Udall t
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