ML20246C115

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Responds to Constituent Jf Shaff Concerns That Implementation of Containment Mod to Install Hardened Vents Not Immediate.Commission Direction of Staff to Initiate Backfit Analyses for Each Mark I Containment Plant Noted
ML20246C115
Person / Time
Site: Quad Cities  Constellation icon.png
Issue date: 08/17/1989
From: Taylor J
NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To: Grassley C
SENATE
Shared Package
ML20246C121 List:
References
NUDOCS 8908240219
Download: ML20246C115 (8)
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Text

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" The Hon:rable Charles E. Grassl:y pnit:dStatesS:nate August 17, 1989

  • Washingt:n, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Grassley:

l Enclosed with your July 24, 1989 letter to Chairman Kenneth M. Carr of the Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC) was a letter from one of your constituents, Mr. John T. Shaff. Mr. Shaff is concerned that a containment modification to install hardened vents is not being immediately implemented at Quad Cities Station, Units 1 and 2. The Commission has carefully evaluated this matter and has concluded that it need not immediately require all plants with Mark I containments to install hardened vents.

However, July 11, 1989, the Commission directed the NRC staff:

... to initiate plant-specific backfit analyses for each of the Mark I plants to evaluate the efficacy of requiring the installa-tion of hardened vents at such plants. Tins should be accomplished taking into consideration the individual plant designs and their respective capabilities to withstand overpressurization events.

Where the backfit analysis supports imposition of such a requirement, and after consideration of information from licensees, the staff should proceed accordingly with the imposition of a requirement that such a plant install a reliable, hardened vent. The objective should be to complete this process, including installation of hardened vents where justified, within three years. The staff's backfitting schedule should include consideration of the refueling outage schedule for each plant in order to ensure that reasonable plant implementation dates are met.

The direction provided by the Commission, which the NRC staff is following, is consistent with the NRC rule pertaining to backfit requirements. The purpose of the backfit rule is to assure that modifications imposed by the staff will result in a substantial increase in the overall protection of the public health and safety and that the costs of implementation for the licensee are justified in view of the increased protection. This approach protects both the health and safety of the public and prevents unwarranted expenditures by the utilities and ultimately their rate-payers.

Sincerel)qdsnal SDB0 D James 1Da#

James M. Taylor Acting Executive Director for Operations Similar letters sent tu:

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The Honorable Charles E. Grassley 4 Unit:d States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Grassley:

Enclosed with your July 20, 1989 letter to Chairman Kenneth M. arr of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was a letter from one of our constituents, Mr. John T. Shaff. Mr. Shaff is concerned that a containme t modification to install hardened vents is not being immediately implement at Quad Cities Station, Units 1 and 2. On July 11, 1989, the Commission directed the NRC sta : 

                      ... to ialtiate plant-specific backfit analys         for each of the Mark I plants to evaluate the efficacy of re iring the installa-tion of hardened vents at such plants. Thi should be accomplished taking into consideration the individual p ant designs and their respective capabilities to withstand over pressurization events.

Where the backfit analysis supports imp ition of such a requirement, and after consideration of information rom licensees, the staff should proceed accordingly with the i position of a requirement that such a plant install a reliable, har ened vent. The objective should be to complete this process, includ ng installation of hardened vents where justified, within three year . The staff's backfitting schedule should include consideration of e refueling outage schedule for each plant in order to ensure that r sonable plant implementation dates , are met. The direction provided by the Co. ission, which the NRC staff is following, is consistent with the NRC policy w th regard to backfit requirements. The purpose of this policy is to as ure that only those modifications that have safety significance are imple nted. This approach protects both the health and safety of the public and revents unwarranted expenditures by the utilities and ultimately their rate-p ers. . i Sincerely,  ! ( James M. Taylor Acting Executive Director { i for Operations l l Identical letters ent to: The Honorable Tom Harkin The Honorable Tom Tauke United States Senator United States House of 131 E. 4th Street Representatives 314B Federal Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Davenport, IA 52801  ; (Document Name - GT 4646) 

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The H:norcble Charbs E. Grassley / a' ATTN: Paul.M.'Collis n 

     '135 Hart S; nata Office Building i:       Washington, D.C.         20510                                             ,

Dear Senator Grassley:

Enclosed with your July 20, 1989 letter to Chairman tenneth'M. Carr of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was a letter from one of your constituents, Mr. John T. Shaff. Mr. Shaff is concerned that a containment modification to install hardened vents is not being immediately implemented at Quad Cities Station, Units 1 and 2. On July 11, 1989, the Commission directed the NRC staff: 1 

               ... to initiate plant-specific backfit analyses for each of the Mark I plants to evaluate the efficacy of . requiring the installa-tion of hardened vents at such plants. This should be accomplished taking into consideration the individua,l' plant designs and their respective capabilities to withstand overpressurization events.

Where the backfit analysis supports imposition of such a requirement, and after consideration of information from licensees, the staff should proceed accordingly with the imposition of a requirement that such a plant install a reliable, hardened vent. The objective should be to complete this process, including installation of hardened vents where justified, within three years. The staff's backfitting schedule should include consideration of the refueling outage schedule for each plant in order to ensure thatfreasonable plant implementation dates are met. 

     .The direction provided by the Commission, which the NRC staff is following, is consistent with the NRC policy with regard to backfit requirements. The purpose of this policy is to assure that only those modifications that have safety significar.ce are implemented. This approach protects both the health and safety of the public and/ prevents unwarranted expenditures by the utilities and ultimately their rate-payers.
                                              /          Sincerely, I

i James M. Taylor 

                                         /               Acting Executive Director for Operations This correspondent e addresses policy issues previously resolved by the Commissiop, transmits factual information, or restates Commission policy.

Identical letters sent to: The Honorable Tom Iauke The Honorable Tom Harkin , 2244 Rayburn House Office Suilding 131 E. 4th Street i Washington, D.C. / 20515 314B Federal Building Davenport, IA, 52801 

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                                                             )rovided by the Commission. which the NRC. staff is followirig',' is' j.#' ~ .' :The                         '  direction consistent wit) the NRC policy with regard to backfit requi.remepts. iThe
                         ' ' purpose of this policy is:to assure that' only those modifications;that have safety significance are ; implemented. This approach protects both the health
                              ;and safety of the public and prevents unwarranted. expenditures'by the utilities ais Jand, ultimately their rate-payers.

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                                                                                                                 . Sincerely, 9

James M. Taylor' - ' 

                                                                                                                 ' Acting' Executive Director ~

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                              - The Honorable Tom Tauke                                           -

The Honorable Tom Harkin 

                                '2244 Rayburn House Office Building                                                          131 E. 4th Street Washington, D.C./ 20515                                                                  314B Federal Building                                  i j

Davenport, IA, 52801 

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i .ll.onorable Charles.E. Grassley. j The guidance provided by the Commission, chich the NRC staff is9f 1 wing, is consistent with the' NRC policy with regara to backfit requirements. The purpose'of this: policy .is to assure that oniy those modificati ds that have
                  ' safety significance are implemented. This approach protects             th the health and safety of the public and prevents needless expenditures y the utilities.

Sincerely, r James M. T ylor Acting Ex cutive Director for Op rations DISTRIBUTION Docket file (50-254/265) NRC PDRs-ED04642 EDO r/f TMurley/JSniezek 

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                                                                                                                                                                       ' DOC DT: 07/24789' FINAL REPLY:
                .. S:in. Charles E. Grassley a.TO '
                     . CA~
                'FOR' SIGNATURE'DF '                                                         . ** GRN       **                                                           CRC NO: 89-0698
                      -Executive Director s
DESC: ROUTING:

ENCLOSES LETTER FROM JOHN T. SHAFF RE FLAW IN 

                # CONTAINMENT SYSTEM AT COMMONWEALTH EDISON PLANTS DATE: 08/01/89 ASSIGNED.TO:                                     CONTACT:
                                                'NRR                                                Murley.

u SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: 

          ' *f5Mdre en9 elope "Attri ad Pad CM M Col l iisonW                                                               #
               '4-Ra f . ' EDO T46357 "'~ """"" ' # """

NRR RECEIVED: -AUGUST-1. 1989 

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) . NRR ROUTING: MURLEY/SNIEZEK i PARTLOW MIRAGLIA CRUTCHFIELD GILLESPIE M0SSBURG __m__au __.-_..m1_e ._ u_ m _ . _ . _ _ . _ _ _ _ 

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OFFICE'OF THE. SECRETARY: 

                                                                        " CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET'-

[. " PAPER: NUMBER:i ' CRC-89-0698 2 ~IDGGING DATE: Jul9311-89 wn  : . L.9/ j 4 ? . 7'q , . . . . . . ..,

  • 3 ACTIO'N 10FFICE: . _ EDO '

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                            ) AUTHOR:;               .

C;E.;Grassley1 

                           -' AFFILIATION:z                 UNITED' STATES' SENATE  -

LETTER:DATE: Jul';24/ 89 ' FILE CODE: i:

SUBJECT:

1 ' Constituent's inquiry regarding containment.syst'em at QuadLCities 

                           '. ACTION':
                                           -o
                                                           '. Direct Reply

! .v::l _DISTRIBUT10N: ;- (SPECIAIrHANDLING: OCA to Ack. (NOTES: JohnT. Eihaff 

                           ' BATE-DUEi                     .Aug214 89'-
                           .-SIGNATURE '                         -

DATE SIGNED: b  : AFFILIATION:- 4- 4 . { 7 US l,I f, I EDO-~~U04b42 

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