ML20245F699
| ML20245F699 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000025 |
| Issue date: | 07/06/1989 |
| From: | Plotkin S SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF SCIENTISTS |
| To: | NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20245F696 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8908150041 | |
| Download: ML20245F699 (1) | |
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF SCIENTISTS O l 3318 Coteset Ave.. Suits 200 Los ANostas. CA6iromwia 90066 12131390 0308 July 6, 1989 NRC Executive Attn.: USNRC 1717 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20555 Re: Relicensing the Rocketdyne Hot Lab To Whom It May Concern:
Some weeks ago we reviewed an investigation report of the Santa Suzanna area contamination which indicates that much toxic material has been buried on the site over tne years.
Review of that document left a number of unanswered questions, all bearing on unknown or at least unpublished data, t
The Southern California Federation of Scientists has some experience with undocumented contamination data. Our experience with such matters includes the Livermore Lab plus recently revealed information of contamination at Rockwell's facility at Rocky Flats, Colorado, both under 00E contract as at Santa Suzanna.
This experience leaves us with serious reservations as to whether or not the continued operation of the Rockwell Hot Lab really serves the public interest.
Obv tously, some effort is required to ferret out what, where and how Rockwell actually buried the unknown contamination.
The clean-up required and precautions to be implemented at the Santa Suzanna facility need to be specified.
Given this Rockwell contamination problem along with the DOE scandalous I
" track record" throughout the country, one would think that nuclear fuel rod reprocessing would be precluded. The case against reactivating the Hot Lab is strengthened by the current negotiations to reduce nuclear warhead stockpiles
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in the US and the USSR. A large supply of Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239 is 1
already on hand from previously retired warheads, and this supply will increase i
as the current arsenals are pared down. Most people have realized that the current arsenals constitute a senseless capability of overkill and their sheer size increases the risk of nuclear accident, sabotage, or we.r.
Plutonium production poses a risk to public realth in the local regions and no longer serves the public interest. We recommend shut-down and final clean-up of Rocketdyne's Hot Lab facility rather tnan relicensing.
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Sincerely yours, b)
/' f Sheldon C. Plotkin, Ph.D., P.E.
Co-Chair SCP:sp l
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