ML13029A612

G20130075/LTR-13-0071 - Ltr. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Update on Actions Being Taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Address Safety Concerns That Have Been Reported at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Following Supersto

ML13029A612
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	01/25/2013
From:	Lautenberg F US SEN (Senate)
To:	Macfarlane A NRC/Chairman
Rihm R
Shared Package
ML13037A393	List: ML13029A612 ML13043A940
References
CORR-13-0014, G20130075, LTR-13-0071
Download: ML13029A612 (4)

Text

LETS U.S. NRC ticket No: G20130075 ProtrtingPeop eand t Eniironent Fe 1906 V 2 Assigned Office: OEDO OEDO Due Date: 02/14/2013 Other Assignees: SECY Due Date: 02/19/2013 Date Response Request ed by Originator:

Other Parties:

Subject:

Update on Actions Being Taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Address Safety Concerns that have been Reported at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Following Superstorm Sandy

Description:

CC Routing: NRR, OCA, OGC, Regionl ADAMS Accession Numbers - Incoming: Response / Package:

Cross Reference No: LTR-13-0071 SRM\Other: No Action Type: Letter OEDO Concurrence: No Signature Level: Chairman Macfarlane OCM Concurrence: No Special Instructions: OCA Concurrence: No Please prepare response in accordance with OEDO Notice 2009-0441-02 (ML093290179). NRR and Region I to provide input to Roger Rihm, OEDO, if required. Roger Rihm will coordinate response with OGC and OCA.

7M Originator Name: Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Date of Incoming: 01/25/2013 Originator Org: Congress Document Received by OEDO Date: 01/28/2013 Addressee: Chairman Macfarlane Incoming Task: Letter OEDO POC: Roger Rihm (IC/bS: sGCY-o Ww{1o~-e: su&f-oU

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: Jan 28, 2013 16:29 PAPER NUMBER: LTR- 13-0071 LOGGING DATE: 01/28/2013 ACTION OFFICE:

EDO j AUTHOR: SEN Frank Lautenberg AFFILIATION: CONG ADDRESSEE: CHRM Allison Macfarlane

SUBJECT:

Requests an update on actions being taken by the NRC to address safety concerns that have been reported at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station following Superstorm Sandy ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: RF, OCA to Ack.

LETTER DATE: 01/25/2013 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Commission Correspondence.

NOTES:

FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 02/19/2013 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20130075

FRANK R. LAUTENBERG NEW JERSEY APPROPRIAT IONS COMMERCE, SCIENCE. AND U nidt ýV Lutes ý*nfatc WASHINGTON, DC 20510 TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS January 25, 2013 Allison Macfarlane Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

Dear Chairman Macfarlane:

I am writing to request an update on actions being taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to address safety concerns that have been reported at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station following Superstorm Sandy.

As you know, Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey on October 29, 2012, bringing unprecedented damage to our coastline, our infrastructure, and homes throughout the state. Given that New Jersey is home to four nuclear reactors that provide approximately 50 percent of the state's electricity, we were fortunate that our nuclear power facilities generally weathered the storm well and that local communities were not put in danger.

However, three safety concerns have arisen at Oyster Creek in Ocean County, New Jersey, in the wake of Sandy.

NRC has reported that 36 of Oyster Creek's 43 Emergency Planning Zone sirens failed to operate during Superstorm Sandy. These sirens are designed to warn the public of potential hazards in the event of an emergency. The malfunction of these sirens is of deep concern, even though the plant was off-line for scheduled refueling prior to Superstorm Sandy. Please provide me with any steps the NRC is taking to correct these failures and ensure that all emergency sirens are operable during future emergencies.

In addition, rising tides, the direction of the wind, and the storm's surge combined to raise water levels in Oyster Creek's intake structure. High water levels at the facility prompted safety officials to declare an "unusual event," which was later upgraded to an "alert." While water levels eventually receded, this experience demonstrates a potential safety risk during future extreme weather events. Please provide me with NRC's plans to review or update Oyster Creek's emergency disaster plans to incorporate lessons learned from Superstorm Sandy, including changes in storm surge and flooding potential.

Finally, a safety inspection by NRC has revealed a pinhole leak of about 2 to 3 drops per minute in the reactor's cooling system. NRC has already indicated that this leak could grow into a crack if left unaddressed. However, neither NRC nor the Safety Advisory Panel answered questions about this leak at a recent public meeting. Please provide additional clarity on the status of this leak and actions NRC is requiring at Oyster Creek to address any potential safety concerns resulting from this leak.

HART SFNAIEf OFFICE* BUILDING, Smf[FEý324 2 Rivrnmir*bDwvr-ONE (':*A*

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1et 1 ii5.0;t, I O NVAR.K. NJ 07102 WASHINGTON, DC 20510 Cmn.N, NJ 09I10' 19731G39-8700 FO.x:.973) 639-8723 (202) 224--3224 FAX: (202) 228-4054 ,85 69-8922

The NRC has an obligation not only to ensure the safe operation of nuclear facilities like Oyster Creek, but also to inform affected communities about steps being taken to address safety concerns identified by the agency. I appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,