ML21077A273

03-25-21 Letter to the Honorable Charles E. Schumer, Et Al., from Chairman Hanson Responds to Letter Regarding Concerns Related to the Commission'S Recent Decision to Deny Hearing Requests in the Indian Point Energy Center License Transfer

ML21077A273
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	03/25/2021
From:	Christopher Hanson NRC/Chairman
To:	Bowman J, Gillibrand K, Michael Jones, Maloney S, Schumer C US Congress, US HR (House of Representatives), US SEN (Senate)
Jennifer Scro (301) 287-9081
Shared Package
ML21054A200	List: ML21054A199 ML21077A273
References
CORR-21-0021, LTR-21-0062
Download: ML21077A273 (2)

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CHAIRMAN March 25,2021 TheHonorable Charles E.Schumer UnitedStates Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Schumer:

Iwanttothank youfor yourFebruary 22,2021, letterexpressing concerns related tothe Commission's recent decisiontodeny hearing requests intheIndian Point Energy Center transfer license proceeding. Irecognizeyour disappointment with the decision but wantto assureyouthat we share thesameobjective of ensuring there isadequate funding for thesite tobefully cleanedfor up futurereuse andthat the agency's focus isonthelicensee's compli-ance with all ourrules andregulations.

TheCommission's decision wasreached inaccordance with itsestablished process for decidingadjudicatory matters. Bylaw, NRCadjudicatory functionsare reserved tothe whole Commission acting asa collegial body. TheNRCChairman does nothave the authority to unilaterallymodify anagency adjudicatory rulingreached by the entire Commission. Given that thisCommission decision hasbeenchallenged inthecourt ofappeals andisthus the subject of ongoinglitigation,it would beinappropriate todiscuss thedecisionfurther atthis time.

Asa general matter, theNRCstaff's independent evaluation ofa license transfer application includes a thorough review ofthefinancial andtechnical qualifications ofthe proposed newlicensee. Further,aftera licensetransfer occurs, the new licensee remains tocontinuous subject NRCregulatory oversight throughout decommissioning until the radiologicalcleanup iscompleted andthelicense isterminated. Theagency alsoconducts annualreviews ofa licensee's updated estimate ofdecommissioning costs andthe funds available tocomplete decommissioning. Moreover, NRCregulations require the licensee to include additional financial assurance tocover anyshortfalls.

Again, Iwantyoutoknowthat Iappreciate hearing your candid views, andIlook forward toworking with you, theState ofNewYork, andlocal community toensure thedecommissioning isperformed safely andinamanner that protectstheworkers, members ofthepublic, andthe environment.

If youhaveadditional questions orconcerns, please contact meorhave your staff contactEugene Dacus, DirectoroftheOffice ofCongressional Affairs, at(301) 415-1776.

Sincerely, m

Christopher T.Hanson

identical lettersent to:

TheHonorable CharlesE.Schumer United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 TheHonorableKirsten Gillibrand United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 TheHonorable Jamaal Bowman United States House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 TheHonorable Mondaire Jones United States House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 TheHonorable SeanPatrick Maloney United States House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515