ML19296B260

Forwards 791221 Ltr to President Carter Urging Prompt Action on Westinghouse Application to Export Nuclear Reactor to Philippines

ML19296B260
Person / Time
Site:	05000574
Issue date:	12/21/1979
From:	Church F SENATE, FOREIGN RELATIONS
To:	Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML19296B254	List: ML19296B260
References
NUDOCS 8002200339
Download: ML19296B260 (4)

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Chairaan John F. Ahearne "a n. u-U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Coraission Washington, D.C. 20535 I5 .'

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Dear Chairman Ahearne:

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I thought you might be interestec' in the attached

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pp' fp'a letter I sent to the President tocay.

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. I look forward to discussing with you these and

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otner issues arrecting nuclear enorts in nearings . , .

j tne toreign Relations Co= ittee plans to hold on t ,p_.yj..

the subject next year. .it

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COM MITTEE ON FO A CICN RCA ATIONS rue.= a o. ace,r*.er o..s.ve.

Wa s.o wcios. D.C. M510 Dece ber 21, 1979 .

I The President '

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Washington, D.C. 20500 pi)

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Dear Mr. President:

On April 26, 1979, I expressed concern in a letter to Secretary Vance about our failure to act on the Philippine nuclear reactor erport license. In his reply, Secretary ,

Vance shared my concern that the icage of our nation as a reliable supplier uas being adversely affected, and our ability to influence non-proliferation policies of other nations was thereby diminished.

In the acantine, I understand that the Executive Branch, af ter consideration of the geological factors at the reactor site, recommended to the nuclear Regulatory Co: mission in Septecber that the license be issued.

I contend this effort to reach a decision, but are now informed that the natter, which is now before the Nuclear Regulatory Consission, is still not resolved and is not likely to be in the near future.

I feel that the continued delays in issuance of the nuclear license - ay be creating new problers in the Pacific Basin anc ir the conduct of our foreign relatiens generally. I cannot corrent on the technical aspects which nay be affecting the licensing decision, but it see=s clear that our Government's institutional structure is not responding with ~ suf ficient urgency to the need for action on cur part. It seems incongruous that a foreign policy issue of this magnitude is being decided by.an independent regulatory agency. .

The U.S. Government actively supported the reactor sale by an American exporter, against strong foreign competition.

Yet, the license application has been pending for over three I

4 The President . .

Page 2 Decer6er 21 1979 D)]Pr, '

years. During. that period, little or nothing seecs to have '"

been done by the United States to have helped the Philippine '

Government to identify or resolve the safety issues which have been alleged. Latest indications are tha t the Nuclear Regulal tory Commisrion will not make a final decision on the license until perhaps the Su=mer of 1980, at the earliest.

In view of the long delay already experienced, and with  ;

no assurance that the matter will be resolved by our Government in a timely fashion, construction work has now been suspended by the Philippine Government.

This is placing a heavy financial burden on th'e Philippine people, in added interest charges and construction costs. The delay, in addition, decands the burning of 6,000,000 barrels of i= ported oil annually, which adds over S100,000,000 each year at world oil prices before the recent increase to an already serious balance of paysents deficit for a developing Country.

The foreign policy implications are obvious , and I'c sure you and Secretary Vance share ry concern. Ue have seen cajor financial problems cevelop in a friendly country which provides us access to vital cilitary bases, and we have not yet been I able to take appropriate positive action to find a s'olution which satis fied both coun tries ' interests.

'ihile I understand that you should not influence the findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Cornission on the license i s su an c e s , I hope you will urge, in consideration of our foreign policy interests, that the Cornis sion's decision be expedited.

I fear th a t , without your strong intervention, the hard-pressed Cornission will not give the matter the priority which it de- ,

N serves. Continued delay will not only affect our bi-lateral relations, but have long-range adverse consequences on our non-proliferation objectives.

May I also urge that steps be taken by the Executive i Branch to clarify and resolve any outstanding cuestions which .

exist in the mind of the Philippine authorities. A cooperative 9 .

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Tne President

.-Pace 3 December 21, 1979 effort seems clearly to be called for.

With best wishes for the Holiday Season, Sin cerely ,

Frank Church

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• U"ITFOC'"TES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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PGUCY 32SSiGd indi For: The Co=missioners From: Leonard Bickwit, Jr., C-eneral Counsel Edward J. Hanrahan, Director, OPE

Subject:

Philippine Export License Application Discussion: We have prepared for your consideration the attached paper which summarizes public comments received by the Commission in the Philippine proceeding, analyzes various generic options pertaining to NRC consideration of health, safety and environmental effects occurring out-side the United States that could result from proposed nuclear reactor exports, and discusses alternative methods of proceeding with the review of the Philippine applications.

A meeting to discuss this paper has been scheduled for January 22.

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• U s( hs s Leonard Eickwit, J r . '-

General Couns 1 vM #

4 Edw J. Hanrahan Dir tor, OPE Attachnent: DISTRIBUTION As stated Cor nissioners Cc=issicn Sta#f Offices Exec Dir fcr Ocera-icns DUPLICATE DOCUMENT CONTACTS:

Stoiber, OGC Entire document previously Carlzen

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MEMOPANDUM FOR: Lee V. Gossick, Executive D D D .

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Director for Operations oo of U_ ,  ;;. c3 FROM: ~p 't, Samuel J . Chilk, Secretary

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SUBJECT:

SECY-78-355 - HEALTH AND SAFETY (H&S) CONSIDERATIONS I_ZT~

IN NRC REACTOR EXPORT LICENSING AND NUCLEAR ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (COMMISSIONER ACTION ITEM) ~~;

The Commission has reviewed the subject paper and cencurs with the r

t he Commissioners, less Commissioner G111nsky, staff,s recommendations.  ; .. ---. . .

concurred with the staff's reccmmendation to impisment Alternatives i, 4 . . . _ _

and 7, Commissicner Gilinsky only concurred in implementine Alternative I' "...

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2. All Commissioners agreed to defer A,tternatives 3, anc. 6. i he ._f Co=ission directed that the resources for the recommended actions kc obtained by a redirection of current funding and staffing, noting that" E one space for IP had been included in the preposed FY E0 budget to ~~~;

support this work. The Co=ission, in noting their support for this .

program, recuested that the sources of manpower and funds be identified i . '"

to the Ccm-ission in a staff coordinated program paper.

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en the need for Congressional authorization cf funding ar.d manpower "

aliccation te all Alternatives. Mcwever, he acreed to a reallocaticr. Of existing anc or approved resources. Ecth the Cnairman anc Commissioner .

Kennedy complimer'.ed the staff en the paper- Cc--issioner Kennecy's . Z:

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incicated that the resources requirec seemed excessive. His non-concurrence

.iith Alternatives I, 4 cnd 7 is based up n a sericus dcubt as to the F' cost-effectiveness of these actions. Ccrissioners Gilinsky and Bradforc i -

indicated that they would like to see the IAEA mcVe toward a form of international certification of national regulatory pro rams, similar tc

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that presented in Alternative 5. Commissioner Gilinsky also stated -

that, "As for further bilateral assistance, I be'ieve NFC should be -

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Co=issioner Ahearne's co=ents emphasized the receirement that any his

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actions taken must be supported by reallocation of existing resources.

He further noted, "The criterion (listed on) p. 23 of the June 28th [HE "

paper are interesting - in that there is no criterion explicitly relating to benefit to U.S. or 20 U.S. health and safety." }-.7 It.is the Commission's understanding that EDO will provide- them with a .

Program Plan by January 1,1979; such plan will include an identification s=3 of resource reallocations where they can be reasonably identified. iZ.

(SECY Suspense: i/1/79) [

cc:  :.. . .

Chairman Hendrie _ . . . . .

Cc=issioner Giiinsk.y --

Cc=issioner Kennedy ;i:..

Commissioner Bracford Co mi.sioner Ahearne Acting General Counsel  :..

Director, Policy Evaluation --

Ci-ectcr, Congressional Aff airs .

Director, International Program:  :

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5 Sra rr) (SECY)

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