ML073240733

G20070793/LTR-07-0754/EDATS: SECY-2007-0507 - Rep. Bud Cramer Ltr. Potential Impact of Proposed Rock Quarry on Operations at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant

ML073240733
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	12/06/2007
From:	Reyes L NRC/EDO
To:	Cramer B US HR (House of Representatives)
Brown E, NRR/DORL, 415-2315
Shared Package
ML073240396	List: ML073130470 ML073240733
References
EDATS: SECY-2007-0507, G20070793, LTR-07-0754, TAC MD7297, TAC MD7298, TAC MD7299
Download: ML073240733 (2)

Text

December 6, 2007

The Honorable Bud Cramer Member, United States House of Representatives 200 Pratt Avenue, NE, Suite A Huntsville, Alabama 35801

Dear Congressman Cramer:

On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter of November 6, 2007, concerning the effects of a proposed relocation of a rock quarry to the Tanner Community near the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN). My staff has been in contact with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) who is the licensee for BFN. They have confirmed that they are aware of the concerns expressed in your letter, and are not aware of any regulatory actions required at this time. If however, TVA does identify a regulatory issue, it is expected that TVA would follow our process described below.

The licensee has the responsibility under Title 10 to the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) to assess issues that affect safe operation of their facility, and the NRC has responsibility to review this information to ensure that the facility meets NRC requirements. The NRC does not have the authority to regulate other industrial facilities, but we will continue to regulate the safe and secure use of nuclear materials, including any facility changes, for the public good.

TVA must meet NRC-promulgated regulations that ensure safety in nuclear facility siting, design, and operation in 10 CFR Part 50, "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities," and Part 100, "Reactor Site Criteria." In general terms, nuclear power plants are robust facilities that are designed to withstand a variety of events, including earthquakes. Additionally, for changes to the facility, TVA is required by 10 CFR Section 50.59 to assess whether the changes affect the design basis for the facility as reviewed and approved by the NRC. If those changes have the potential to result in a significant increase in the likelihood or consequences of a plant event or significantly affect the ability of the licensee to respond to a plant event, an analysis is required to be submitted to the NRC for review.

I would like to assure you that the NRC has and will continue to carry out its authority in regulating NPP while ensuring the adequate protection of public health and safety, promote the common defense and security, and protect the environment. Should you need additional information, please feel free to contact Ms. Rebecca L. Schmidt, Director, Office of Congressional Affairs, at (301) 415-1776.

Sincerely,

/RA/ Luis A. Reyes Executive Director for Operations

ML073240396 EDO-002