ML20247M357
| ML20247M357 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05200003 |
| Issue date: | 05/20/1998 |
| From: | Quay T NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Mcgough M POST-GAZETTE PITTSBURGH, PA |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9805260253 | |
| Download: ML20247M357 (2) | |
Text
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y May 20, 1998 Mr. Michael McGough Editorial Page Editor The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 34 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1200
Dear Mr. McGough:
The news' feature in your May 8,1998 edition, headlined "A Parting Gift," was an interesting discussion of the Westinghouse AP600 advanced design nuclear power reactor, but it was incorrect conceming the status of the AP600's design review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Specifically, NRC has not granted a final design approval for the AP600. The NRC staff has issued what is known as the advance final safety evaluation report. -This complex document details the agency's technical evaluation findings for the AP600 application, but it also has some i
open items remaining to be resolved. It is a significant milestone, but it is only one step of a multi-step process that will culminate in NRC's decision as to whether the design will be approved. Our target date for that decision is September of this year.
Before then, we will have a number of continuing discussions throughout the summer with Westinghouse about the unresolved items, as well as several sessions at which the design will
' be assessed by the NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, an independent body established by law. Issuance of the advance final safety evaluation report will facilitate those discussions.
I If and when the NRC staff grants final design approval, one very important step still remains:
certification of the AP600 design into the Code of Federal Regulations. The certification process includes an opportunity for public comment and for an informal public hearing before a final rule l
is adopted by the Commission.
In summary, a meaningful milestone has been reached conceming the certification of the Westinghouse AP600, but the process is not final yet.
]
Sincerely, original signed by:
p%bg p pb.p p.C"X: A' R G'U Theodore R. Quay, Director r
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- Standardization Project Directorate Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No.52-003 cc: See next page
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Westinghouse Electric Corporation Docket No.52-003 cc:
Mr. Nicholas J. Liparulo, Manager Mr. Frank A. Ross Nuclear Safety and Regulatory Analysis U.S. Department of Energy, NE-42 Nuclear and Advanced Technology Division Office of LWR Safety and Technology Wei,tinghouse Electric Corporation 19901 Germantown Road P.O. Box 355 Germantown, MD 20874 Pittsburgh, PA 15230 Mr. Russ Bell Mr. B. A. McIntyre Senior Project Manager, Programs Advanced Plant Safety & Licensing Nuclear Energy Institute Westinghouse Electric Corporation 1776 i Street, NW Energy Systems Business Unit Suite 300 Box 355 Washington, DC 20006-3706 Pittsburgh, PA 15230 l
Ms. Lynn Connor Ms. Cindy L. Haag Doc-Search Associates l
Advanced Plant Safety & Licensing Post Office Box 34 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Cabin John, MD 20818 l.
Energy Systems Business Unit Box 355 Dr. Craig D. Sawyer, Manager Pittsburgh, PA 15230 Advanced Reactor Programs GE Nuclear Energy Mr. Sterling Franks 175 Curtner Avenue, MC-754 U.S. Department of Energy San Jose, CA 95125 NE-50 19901 Germantown Road Mr. Robert H. Buchholz Germantown, MD 20874 GE Nuclear Energy l
175 Curtner Avenue, MC-781 l
Mr. Charles Thompson, Nuclear Engineer San Jose, CA 95125 l
AP600 Certification l
NE-50 Barton Z. Cowan, Esq.
19901 Germantown Road Eckert Seamans Cherin & Me!!ott I
l Germantown, MD 20874 600 Grant Street 42nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Mr. Robert Maiers, P.E.
Pennsylvania Department of Mr. Ed Rodwell, Manager i
Environmental Protection PWR Design Certification l
Bureau of Radiation Protection Electric Power Research Institute Rachel Carson State Office Building 3412 Hillview Avenue P.O. Box 8469 Palo Alto, CA 94303 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8469 l.
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