ML20149M086

Responds to Comments in to Zech Re Emergency Evacuation Plans for Plant.Zech Responding Separately to Proposal Re Legislation to Prevent Future Controversies Over Emergency Planning for Nuclear Plants

ML20149M086
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	02/19/1988
From:	Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Dole R SENATE
Shared Package
ML20149M088	List: ML20149M086 ML20149M094
References
NUDOCS 8802250302
Download: ML20149M086 (4)

Text

o The Honorable Robert J. Dole United States Senate Washington, DC 20510-7020 FE0 1 9 863

Dear Senator Dole:

I have been asked to reply to the coments in your letter of December 22, 1987 to Chairman Zech regarding emergency evacuation plans for Seabrook nuclear power plant. In those comments you suggested having the National Academy of Sciencs perform a study,on the ability to evacuate residents within the .

Seab' rook eme'rgeicy ' planning zone. Chairman Zech is responding separately to your proposal concerning legislation to prevent future controversies over emergency planning for nuclear power piants.

NRC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are the two Federal agencies responsible for assessing the adequacy of emergency planning at and around nuclear power plants. Since the accident at Three Mile Island,  ;

both agencies have concentrated attention on upgrading plans for dealing with nuclear accidents. In the reviews of emergency planning associated with over a hundred operating plants, both agencies have gained extensive experience in radiological emergency response planning and have assembled staffs with outstanding expertise in dealing with emergency plans. FEMA has established the Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Comittee and 10 Regional Assistance Committees (RACs) to assist in preparing its recomendations and findings to NRC and to fecilitate an integrated approach to assist offsite response organizations in the development, review, and testing of energency plans. The RACs are comprised of representatives from eight Federal [

agencies. They render technical assistance in accordance with their agency's f mission and expertise. In addition, where appropriate, recognized outside  :

experts in specific areas provide input to the review of emergency plans.

This combined effort brings together a level of expertise and experience that, I believe, provides for a thorough and professional assessment of the adequacy of radiological emergency planring.

Moreover, in contested licensing proceedings such as Seabrook, the NRC has established procedures and a legal framework that provides for an impartial

?eview of the facts as presented by the applicant, interested parties, and the NRC staff. These procedures are derived from the requirements of the ,

Atomic Energy Act and other applicable Federal laws. The NRC's licensing decisions are made in on-the-record adjudications. The Comission's Boards ,

serve as impartial and independent judges in the adjudicatory proceedings over which they preside. This process provides avenues for formal participation by interested persons, as groups or individuals, and by state )

and local governments. Currently, many interested persons, the State of New Hampshire, the Comonwealth of Massachusetts, and several individual towns are participating in the ongoing formal hearing process for Seabrook.

8802250302 880219 3 DR ADOOK 050

The Honorable Robert J. Dole I believe that the public's concerns will be adequately addressed by this process, and that further studier, Sy the National Academy of Sciences will not materially add to the body of knowledge gained from the extensive reviews and evaluations already performed and those still in progress by acknowledged experts in emergency planning.

I appreciate receiving ycur views and thoughtful coments concerning the Seabrook licensing case.

Sincerely, Ortr.ir d sigu g g Victor 5t e12,g Victor Stello, Jr.

Executive Director >

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FROM DUE: 02/12/88 EDO CONTROL: 003462 DOC LTi 12/22/87 SEN. B0B D0LE FINAL REPLY:

TO:

CHAIRMAN ZECH FOR S10 NATURE OF: um PRIORITY um SECY NO:

EXECUTIVE CilRECTOR DESC: ROUTINO:

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RESPOND TO COMMENTS RE STAY ON THE ISSUANCE OF TAYLOR LOW POWER LICENSE FOR SEABROOK

, REHM PARLER MURRAY VATEt 02/01/88 RUSSELL ASSIONED TO: NRR CONTACT: MURLEY h/

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. gi SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

OGC IS PREPARING A RESPONSE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF LEGISLATION. THEIR DRAFT REPLY IS f.TTACHED. bG 4e NRR RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 2, 1988 ACTION: DRPR: VAR h / h *- 0 ,

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