ML20199G225

Expresses Appreciation for Addressing Concerns Re US-Russian Plutonium Production Reactor Core Conversion Project

ML20199G225
Person / Time
Issue date:	01/07/1999
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Holum J STATE, DEPT. OF
Shared Package
ML20199G230	List: ML20199G225 ML20199G263
References
NUDOCS 9901220221
Download: ML20199G225 (2)

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 2055fM001

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January 7,1999 CHAIRMAN The Honorable John D. Holum Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs and Director, U.S.

Arms Control and Disarmament Agency United States Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Mr. Holum:

Thank you for your letter of November 3 addressing concerns that I recently relayed to you about the U.S.-Russian plutonium production reactor core conversion project (CCP). I appreciate the additionalinformation you conveyed.

As you know, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is working to define a program of l

technical assistance and advice for GAN in support of GAN's regulatory oversight of CCP l

activities. As part of this effort, over the past month NRC staff has continued to have l

discussions about safety matters with GAN representatives. I believe that we now have a better l

understanding of GAN's safety concerns related to core conversion.

The objectives, implementation schedules and technical parameters of the core conversion

- project will result in a converted core design that is unique. There does not appear to be a similarly configured reactor operating anywhere in the world. As a result, we now understand that one of GAN's principal safety concerns revolves around the lack of actual operational experience data that can be used to demonstrate how the converted cores will actually perform.

This appears to be why GAN is calling for an increased focus on the validation and verification of the computer codes used for design calculations for such safety significant areas as emergency core cooling system performance, boron absorber performance, control rod performance, core neutronics, transient and accident analyses, etc., as safety judgments will be made largely based on these computer code calculations instead of actual operational experience data.

Since the U.S. is heavily engaged in financing the core conversion project, I felt a responsibility l

I to inform you of concerns that had been conveyed to me by Russian officials at the highest j

levels. While the information to date is based on preliminary reports, I continue to encourage GAN to proceed with their safety analyses, and have pressed them on the need to document their findings. An official evaluation regarding safety concerns needs to be completed by GAN i

and shared with all relevant parties.

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PDR COMMS NRCC l

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W 2-I trust that you will join me in supporting the timely resolution of GAN's safety concerns through the existing CCP framework, and in underscoring that we remain committed to ensuring that l

safety is given the highest priority during core conversion efforts.

Sincerely,

&L Shirley Ann Jackson cc:

OVP-Leon Fuerth NSC-Gary Samore OSD-Edward Warner DOE-Rose Gottemoeller er l