ML15261A829

Redacted Filings for Track 2 Contentions

ML15261A829
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	09/18/2015
From:	Sutton K Entergy Nuclear Operations, Morgan, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP
To:	Kennedy M, Lawrence Mcdade, Richard Wardwell Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
SECY RAS
References
50-247-LR, 50-286-LR, ASLBP 07-858-03-LR-BD01, RAS 28300
Download: ML15261A829 (3)

Text

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 Tel. 202.739.3000 Fax: 202.739.3001 www.morganlewis.com Kathryn M. Sutton Partner 202.739.5738 ksutton@MorganLewis.com Paul M. Bessette Partner 202.739.5796 pbessette@MorganLewis.com September 18, 2015 Lawrence G. McDade, Chairman Dr. Michael F. Kennedy Dr. Richard E. Wardwell Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Re:

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Indian Point Nuclear Generating Units 2 and 3), Docket Nos. 50-247-LR and 50-286-LR - Redacted Filings for Track 2 Contentions

Dear Administrative Judges:

On August 10, 2015, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Entergy) filed its statements of position and pre-filed written testimony on the Track 2 safety contentions scheduled for hearing during the week of November 16, 2015. Because these documents contain proprietary information, pursuant to paragraphs A and K of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards (Board) October 7, 2011 Order (Procedures for Evidentiary Filings) (Protective Order),

Entergy marked these documents as proprietary and served them via the NRCs Electronic Information Exchange upon the Board, its law clerks, the Office of the Secretary, and representatives of hearing participants that are authorized to receive such information pursuant to the Protective Order.

Three weeks later, on August 31, 2015, counsel for the State of New York contacted counsel for Entergy, stating that the Protective Order provides for partial redaction of documents, and accusing Entergy of transform[ing] information that is not protected by the Order (i.e., public information) into information that is included within the scope of the Protective Order. Counsel for Entergy responded on September 3, explaining that although Entergy did not agree that the Protective Order requires redacted filings, in the ongoing spirit of cooperation, Entergy would

Administrative Judges September 18, 2015 Page 2 endeavor to prepare redacted versions of its testimony and statements of position within two weeks.

Entergy notes that the Protective Order, which the State agreed to more than six years ago, states that All pleadings, issuances, testimony, exhibits, and correspondence in this proceeding that contain proprietary information shall be treated as confidential.... It further states that If the Initial Holder of proprietary information or its counsel has a good faith belief that a document or portion thereof contains information that qualifies then, among other things, it shall prominently mark with a conspicuous Contains [insert owners name] Designated Proprietary Information label each proprietary document on the first page and on each other page of the document.... Further, the Protective Order contains no provisions requiring redactions, but merely requires the parties to consult and endeavor to resolve disputes, including resolving such disputes through the use of redactions. Entergy does not concede that the issues raised by the State are a dispute under the Protective Order subject to this provision, but nevertheless agreed to prepare the redactions requested by the State.

Despite Entergys prior agreement to take voluntary actions to accommodate the States request, in a cover letter served with the States pre-filed rebuttal testimony, exhibits, and statements of position, counsel for the State again erroneously accused Entergy, before the Board, of transforming public information into non-public information. It further accused Entergy of undermining a meaningful public hearing through its allegedly across-the-board designation of proprietary information.

As an initial matter, Entergy believes that the States statements in the cover letter, again made after Entergy in good faith agreed to the States requests for redacted testimony, is inconsistent with the generally professional participation of the parties in this proceeding to date. Further, Entergy strongly disagrees with the States insinuation that, by following the requirements of the Protective Order, Entergy has inappropriately shielded public information from public view.

Administrative Judges September 18, 2015 Page 3 Finally, Entergy notes that the publics ability to review any information has no impact on the Intervenors ability to prepare for or participate in the upcoming hearing.

Respectfully submitted, Executed in accord with 10 C.F.R. § 2.304(d)

Kathryn M. Sutton, Esq.

Paul M. Bessette, Esq.

MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20004 Phone: (202) 739-3000 Fax: (202) 739-3001 E-mail: ksutton@morganlewis.com E-mail: pbessette@morganlewis.com Counsel for Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.