ML13220B073

E-mail from B. Shank Re GE Shutdown Tests at Limerick

ML13220B073
Person / Time
Site:	Limerick
Issue date:	08/05/2013
From:	Shank B Alliance For A Clean Environment
To:	Mel Gray Reactor Projects Region 1 Branch 4
GRAY, MEL
References
Download: ML13220B073 (2)

Text

Subject:

FW: Questions - GE shutdown tests at Limerick From: BettyShank [mailto:bettyshank@comcast.net

] Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 4:16 PM To: Gray, Mel

Subject:

Questions - GE shutdown tests at Limerick Mr. Gray, In 2010 GE first notified NRC regarding GE concerns about shut-down capabilities at Mark II Boiling Water Reactors at nuclear plants like Limerick.

September 30, 2011, GE warned nuclear plant operators of boiling water reactors like Limerick, that the plants could fail to shut automatically during an earthquake, potentially risking the safety of the power plant.

GE told nuclear operators to conduct tests to determine what conditions would prevent the reactors from shutting safely during an earthquake.

GE said most nuclear plants could fix the problem by replacing fuel channels. GE said a typical boiling water reactor has between 400 and 800 such channels.

We have questions and requests for NRC about this issue:

1. NRC told ACE that Limerick did testing in Unit 1.

• We are asking for you to e-mail an actual c opy of the results of the Unit 1 testing, not an ADAMS Reference Number.

2. Did Exelon test Unit 2?

• If so, when?

• If so, we are asking for you to e-mail an actual copy of the results of Unit 2 testing, not an ADAMS Reference Number.

• If not, why not?

3. Is Limerick one of the plants that c an fix the problem by replacing fuel channels?

• If so, has Limerick replaced any of the 400 to 800 fuel channels in either unit?

• If not, why not?

• If not, when will they be replaced?

• If Exelon is refusing to replace its fuel channels, how will the problem GE was concerned about be fixed?

We are especially concerned about this in light of the fact that we now know that the August 23, 2011 earthquake in Virginia caused multiple alarms to go off at Limerick and the GE warning concerned just such an event.

We also now know there is an earthquake fault right under Limerick, 2 other faults within 2 miles, and as NRC informed us, an active fault and fault zone within 9 miles, with another 17 miles away. With all this information, NRC is negligently allowing Exelon to wait until 2017 to complete an updated earthquake risk analysis and failing to require an updated SAMA.

We feel this is unacceptable.

• Why isn't NRC requiring the safest immediate earthquake risk analysis and action?

• Why is NRC trying to exempt Limerick, the 2nd most populated nuclear plant in the nation, from an updated SAMA?

Please provide answers to our questions and copies of tests as soon as possible.

Thank you, Betty and Charlie Shank