ML062280040

G20060714/LTR-06-0401 - Ltr. Rep. Jim Saxton Comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Deis) Issued as Part of the Operating License Renewal Process for the Oyster Creek Generating Facility

ML062280040
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	08/09/2006
From:	Saxton J US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Diaz N, Klein D NRC/Chairman
References
G20060724, LTR-06-0401
Download: ML062280040 (3)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 08/24/06 EDO CONTROL: G20060714 DOC DT: 08/09/06 FINAL REPLY: Rep. Jim Saxton Former Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF :** PRI **CRC NO: 06-0401 Chairman Klein DESC: ROUTING: Comments Regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Issued as Part of the Operating License Renewal Process for Oyster Creek Generating Facility DATE: 08/15/06 ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT: NRR Dyer Reyes Virgilio Kane Silber Dean Burns Cry, OGC Collins, RI Zimmerman, NSIR Sheron, RES SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: Coordinate with OGC.Jem62~'&z 4':

-, x OFFICE OF TIlE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: Aug 15, 2006 09:18 PAPER NUMBER: ACTION OFFICE: AUTHOR: AFFILIATION:

ADDRESSEE:

LOGGING DATE: 0S/1 1/2006 REP Jim Saxton CONG CHRM Dale Klein

SUBJECT:

ACTION: DISTRIBUTION:

LETTER DATE: A CKNOWLEDGED SPECIAL HANDLING: NOTES: FILE LOCATION: Comment regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) issued as part of the operating license renewal process for the Oyster Creek nuc -en facility Signature of Chairman RF, OCA to Ack 08109/2006 No EDO....coordinate with OGC 6vA04-4.SS,0-(2 ri~ADAMS DATE DUE: 08/28/2006 DATE SIGNED: EDO --G200 6 0 7 1 4 JIM SAXTON ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE THIRD DISTRICT, NEW JERSEY SUBCOMMITTES:

WWW.HOUSE.GOV/SAXTON TERRORISM, UNCONVENTIONAL THREATS AND CAPABILITIES JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN PROJECTION FORCES RESOURCES COMMITTEE MILITARY PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEES:

FISHERIES AND OCEANS NATIONAL PARKS M 32Jfm~ of Rep mentatibe., naljington, ýQ 20515 August 9, 2006 Dr. Nils J. Diaz, Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852

Dear Dr. Diaz:

I send this letter as my official comment regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)issued as part of the operating license renewal process for the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Facility in Forked River, New Jersey.The recent DEIS, issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, states there are no environmental impacts that would preclude renewing the operating license extension of Oyster Creek. According to the report, the Commission has determined that the adverse environmental impacts of license renewal would not prevent energy planning decision makers from granting the operating extension.

As I understand it, the NRC conducted a thorough analysis to reach this determination.

However, I am concerned the environmental impacts of a potential atmospheric release of radiation have not been adequately addressed in this report. In 2005, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a report evaluating the potential risks of boiling water reactor (BWR) plants with above ground spent fuel pools. The report, entitled Safety and Security of Commercial Spent Fuel Storage, found the potential vulnerabilities of BWR pools are plant-design specific, and recommended that,"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission should undertake additional best-estimate analyses to more fully understand the vulnerabilities and consequences of loss-of-pool coolant events that could lead to a zirconium cladding fire." Although the DEIS contains a specific section regarding Severe Accident Mitigation, I inquire as to whether or not the NAS suggested analysis was incorporated into the statement?

We must not underestimate the catastrophic impacts to our' environment in the event a cooling pool is compromised.

I have long supported the involvement of an independent and unbiased third party, such as the NAS, in the license renewal process of Oyster Creek. Additionally, I support the inclusion of their suggested analysis in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and urge the NRC to make every effort to do so.Thank you for your continued commitment to this important matter.S rel Jim Saxton Member of CongressWARAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 100 HIGH STREET, SUITE 30124MANSRE HINGTON, DC 20515-3003 MOUNT HOLLY, NJ 08060-S1458 T 247 MAIN STREET (2OS ICBL GMU HLN2)1TOMS RIVER. NJ 02753-7468 12021 225-4765 1609) 261-6000 1732) 914,-2020 THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE OF RECYCLED FIBERS