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Category:Congressional Correspondence
MONTHYEARML17068A1402017-03-0808 March 2017 03-08-17 Acknowledgement Letters to Honorable Patrick Leahy, Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch from Eugene Dacus Requesting a Public Meeting on Proposed License Transfer for Vermont Yankee ML17067A2112017-03-0707 March 2017 LTR-17-0100 - Senator Patrick Leahy Et Al., Letter Request for a Public Meeting in Vermont ML15303A1212015-11-30030 November 2015 Letter to Representative Peter Welch from Chairman Burns Responds to His Letter Raising Concerns Regarding the Decommissioning of Entergy'S Vermont Yankee Plant. (Response) ML15288A4992015-10-14014 October 2015 LTR-15-0516 Representative Peter Welch, Letter Concerns Regarding the Decommissioning of Entergy'S Vermont Yankee Plant ML14066A0712014-03-0606 March 2014 03-06-14 Acknowledgement Letter to Honorable Patrick Leahy - Bernard Sanders - Peter Welch - Vermont Yankee ML12083A1282012-03-16016 March 2012 G20120192/LTR-12-0108/EDATS: SECY-2012-0131 - Ltr. Rep. Edward J. Markey Regulations and Policies to Undertake Safety and Other Improvements by NRC Licensees as Part of License Extension Proceedings ML1205408622012-02-23023 February 2012 Response to Letter from Senator Jeanne Shaheen Vermont Yankee Annual Assessment Meeting ML11298A0832011-10-21021 October 2011 G20110761/LTR-11-0574/EDATS: SECY-2011-0564 - Ltr. Rep. Edward J. Markey Nuclear Regulatory Commission'S Regulations and Expectations Related to Licensees' Statements to the Media and Other Members of the Public - Entergy Nuclear and Vermon CY-92-223, G20110523/LTR-11-0411/EDATS: SECY-2011-0411 - Ltr. from Rep. E.J. Markey to Chairman Jaczko NRC Safety Requirements for Reactors Granted Construction Permits Prior to 19712011-07-14014 July 2011 G20110523/LTR-11-0411/EDATS: SECY-2011-0411 - Ltr. from Rep. E.J. Markey to Chairman Jaczko NRC Safety Requirements for Reactors Granted Construction Permits Prior to 1971 ML1107300222011-03-0909 March 2011 G20110169/LTR-11-0103/EDATS: SECY-2011-0139 - Ltr. Rep. J. W. Olver Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Process ML1106302162011-02-28028 February 2011 G20110141/LTR-11-0088/EDATS: SECY-2011-0099 - Ltr Congressmen Patrick Leahy, Bernard Sanders, Peter Welch Ltr. Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Process ML1017204852010-06-16016 June 2010 G20100235/LTR-10-0275 - Ltr. Rep. Paul Hodes Questions Regarding Recent Events at the Vermont Yankee Plant ML1011206632010-04-19019 April 2010 G20100235/LTR-10-0175/EDATS: SECY-2010-0235 - Ltr. Paul W. Hodes Tritium Leak - Entergy Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant ML1004801172010-02-11011 February 2010 G20100079/LTR-10-0048/EDATS: SECY-2010-0094 - Ltr Fm Rep. John W. Olver to Chairman Jaczko Tritium Leak - Entergy Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant ML1002805502010-02-0202 February 2010 G20100048/LTR-10-0025//EDATS: SECY-2010-0062/LTR-10-0026 - Ltr to Senator Bernard Sanders, Senator Patrick Leahy, Congressman Peter Welch from Chairman Jaczko Tritium Leak at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station ML1002716492010-01-22022 January 2010 G20100048/LTR-10-0025/EDATS: SECY-2010-0062 - Ltr. Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernard Sanders, Rep. Peter Welch Follow Up to January 15, 2010 Letter Regarding Contamination on the Grounds of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant ML1002806642010-01-15015 January 2010 LTR-10-0026 - Ltr., Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernard Sanders, & Rep. Welch, Contamination on the Grounds of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant ML0831508612008-12-17017 December 2008 G20080745/LTR-08-0570/EDATS: SECY-2008-0617 - Ltr. Rep. Paul W. Hodes Vermont Yankee Incident ML0821004792008-07-30030 July 2008 G20080497/LTR-08-0393/EDATS: SECY-2008-0430 - Ltr. Rep. Paul Hodes Nrc'S Investigations at Vermont Yankee, Request for Additional Information for Upcoming Hearing on License Renewal ML0810906142008-05-15015 May 2008 G20080248/LTR-08-0203/EDATS: SECY-2008-0200 - Ltr. to Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Sen. Bernard Sanders, and Rep. Peter Welch Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant - Independent Safety Assessment ML0810104382008-04-0808 April 2008 G20080248/LTR-08-0203/EDATS: SECY-2008-0200 - Ltr Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Sen. Bernard Sanders, and Rep. Peter Welch Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant - Independent Safety Assessment ML0733005092007-11-30030 November 2007 G20070786/LTR-07-0751/EDATS: SECY-2007-0504 - Ltr. Sheridan Brown, Sen John E. Sununu'S Staff Safety Issues at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant ML0731202612007-11-0202 November 2007 G20070786/LTR-07-0751/EDATS: SECY-2007-0504 - Ltr. Sheridan Brown, Sen John E. Sununu'S Staff Safety Issues at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant ML0726301442007-10-31031 October 2007 G20070624/LTR-07-0595/EDATS: SECY-2007-0319 - Ltr to Sen. E.M. Kennedy; Sen. J Kerry; and Congressman J. Olver Responds to Concerns of the August 21, 2007, Collapse of a Portion of Non Safety-Related Cooling Tower Cell at Vermont Yankee Pow ML0725702462007-09-25025 September 2007 G20070590/EDATS: SECY-2007-0295/LTR-07-0562 - Ltr to Patrick Leahy, Bernard Sanders, and Peter Welch Fm Chairman Klein Occurrence at the Vermont Yankee Power Plant on August 21, 2007 ML0725402262007-08-30030 August 2007 G20070624/LTR-07-0595/EDATS: SECY-2007-0319 - Ltr. Sens. Edward Kennedy, John Kerry & Rep. John Olver Events at Vermont Yankee Power Plant on August 21, 2007 ML0723902292007-08-23023 August 2007 G20070590/EDATS: SECY-2007-0295/LTR-07-0562 - Ltr Fm Patrick Leahy, Bernard Sanders, and Peter Welch to Chairman Klein Occurrence at the Vermont Yankee Power Plant on August 21, 2007 ML0706603132007-03-0808 March 2007 G20070150/LTR-07-0151 - Ltrs to Sen. Bernard Sanders, Sen.Patrick Leahy, Rep. Peter Welch Frm Luis Reyes Request for 30-Day Extension of Deadline for Public Comment on the Environmental Impact Statement for Vermont Yankee ML0706503062007-03-0505 March 2007 G20070150/LTR-07-0151 - Ltr. Bernard Sanders, Patrick Leahy, and Peter Welch Request for 30-Day Extension of Deadline for Public Comment on the Environmental Impact Statement for Vermont Yankee ML0708602972007-03-0505 March 2007 Email: (PA-LR) Information Regarding SAMA Screening2 ML0706605012007-02-27027 February 2007 G20070155 - Sen. John Kerry Ltr. Re Request for the NRC to Address the Issues in Karen M Scott'S Letter Concerning the Vermont Nuclear Reactor ML0704000852007-02-13013 February 2007 G20070068/LTR-07-0060/SECY-2007-0019 - Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Vermont Yankee - Letters to Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, Representative Welch from Luis Reyes ML0703102832007-01-26026 January 2007 G20070068/LTR-07-0060/SECY-2007-0019 - Ltr. Senator Bernard Sanders, Senator Patrick Leahy, and Rep. Peter Welch Regarding Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Dseis) for License Renewal of Vermont Yankee ML0620206892006-08-0808 August 2006 G20060650/LTR-06-0349 - Judd Gregg Ltr Conditions at the Yankee Nuclear Power Plant ML0620103492006-06-22022 June 2006 G20060650/LTR-06-0349 - Ltr. Sen. Judd Gregg Regarding Yankee Nuclear Power Plant ML0607300852006-04-0505 April 2006 G20060230/LTR-06-0130 - James M. Jeffords Ltr Information Pertaining to the Implementation of the Extended Power Uprate at the Vermont Nuclear Power Station ML0609405942006-03-24024 March 2006 Letter from Annette L. Vietti-Cook to Senator Jeffords, Senator Leahy, and Congressman Sanders Responding to Their 03/08/06 Letter Regarding the Power Uprate Activity at Vermont Yankee ML0606900872006-03-0808 March 2006 G20060230/LTR-06-0130 - Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Jim Jeffords and Rep. Bernard Sanders Ltr. Re Vermont Yankee ML0535403902005-12-16016 December 2005 Letters from Annette L. Vietti-Cook and Luis A. Reyes Addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy, as Well as the Letter from Senator Patrick Leahy Dated November 10, 2005 ML0535403842005-12-16016 December 2005 Letter from Luis A. Reyes Addressed to Senator James M. Jeffords, as Well as the Letter from Senator James M. Jeffords Dated November 10, 2005 ML0535403732005-12-16016 December 2005 Letter from Annette L. Vietti-Cook to Senator James M. Jeffords Dated December 16, 2005 ML0535403652005-12-16016 December 2005 Letter from Annette L. Vietti-Cook to Representative John W. Olver Dated December 16, 2005 ML0532200402005-12-16016 December 2005 G20050785/LTR-05-0560 - Hon. John Olver Ltr Re. Request for Independent Safety Assessment of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant ML0535404092005-12-16016 December 2005 Letters from Annette L. Vietti-Cook and Luis A. Reyes Addressed to Congressman John W. Olver, as Well as the Letter from Congressman John W. Olver Dated November 10, 2005 ML0535404142005-12-16016 December 2005 Letter from Luis A. Reyes Addressed to Congressman John W. Olver, as Well as the Letter from Congressman John W. Olver Dated November 9, 2005 ML0532104012005-12-16016 December 2005 G20050776/LTR-05-0554 - Senator Jeffords, Senator Leahy, Representative Olver, and Representative Sanders Ltr Concerns Over Discovery of More than 40 Additional Cracks in the Steam Dryer at Vermont Yankee ML0535403992005-12-16016 December 2005 Letters from Annette L. Vietti-Cook and Luis A. Reyes Addressed to Congressman Bernard Sanders, as Well as the Letter from Congressman Bernard Sanders Dated November 10, 2005 ML0532700752005-11-15015 November 2005 G20050801/LTR-05-0569 - Ltr. Fm Sen. John Kerry Re Concerns About Nrc'S Decision to Allow Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant to Increase Its Energy Output ML0531804422005-11-10010 November 2005 G20050776/LTR-05-0554 - Sen. Jim Jeffords, Sen. Patrick Leahy, Rep. Bernard Sanders and Rep. John W. Olver Ltr Re Concerns Over Discovery of More than 40 Additional Cracks in the Steam Dryer at Vermont Yankee ML0532102092005-11-0909 November 2005 G20050785/LTR-05-0560 - Rep. John W. Olver Ltr. Re Request for Independent Safety Assessment of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant 2017-03-08
[Table view] Category:Letter
MONTHYEARBVY 24-005, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2024-01-30030 January 2024 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 24-004, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2024-01-23023 January 2024 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 24-003, Nuclear Onsite Property Damage Insurance2024-01-0404 January 2024 Nuclear Onsite Property Damage Insurance BVY 24-001, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2024-01-0202 January 2024 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 23-030, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2023-12-20020 December 2023 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 23-029, Proof of Financial Protection2023-12-12012 December 2023 Proof of Financial Protection BVY 23-028, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-11-28028 November 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 23-027, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2023-11-21021 November 2023 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 23-026, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2023-11-13013 November 2023 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 23-025, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-11-0202 November 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 23-023, License Amendment Request Addition of License Condition 3.K, License Termination Plan; Proposed Change No. 3172023-10-10010 October 2023 License Amendment Request Addition of License Condition 3.K, License Termination Plan; Proposed Change No. 317 IR 07200059/20234012023-10-0505 October 2023 Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Security Inspection Report 07200059/2023401 BVY 23-022, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-08-23023 August 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust IR 05000271/20230012023-08-15015 August 2023 Northstar Nuclear Decommissioning Company, Llc., Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, - NRC Inspection Report 05000271/2023001 BVY 23-021, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2023-08-0202 August 2023 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 23-020, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-08-0202 August 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 23-019, Update to 2022 Radiological Effluent Release Report2023-07-24024 July 2023 Update to 2022 Radiological Effluent Release Report BVY 23-018, Update to Nuclear Onsite Property Damage Insurance2023-07-12012 July 2023 Update to Nuclear Onsite Property Damage Insurance BVY 23-017, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-06-29029 June 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 23-015, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 1O CFR 20, Appendix G2023-06-0505 June 2023 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 1O CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 23-016, 10 CFR 72.48 Report2023-06-0505 June 2023 10 CFR 72.48 Report BVY 23-014, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-05-31031 May 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 23-013, 2022 Radiological Environmental Operating Report2023-05-10010 May 2023 2022 Radiological Environmental Operating Report BVY 23-011, 2022 Radiological Effluent Release Report2023-05-10010 May 2023 2022 Radiological Effluent Release Report BVY 23-012, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-05-0202 May 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust ML23117A2172023-05-0101 May 2023 Safety Evaluation for Quality Assurance Program Manual Reduction in Commitment BVY 23-009, 2022 Individual Monitoring NRC Form 5 Report2023-04-24024 April 2023 2022 Individual Monitoring NRC Form 5 Report BVY 23-008, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-04-0606 April 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 23-007, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2023-03-29029 March 2023 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 23-006, Status of Decommissioning and Spent Fuel Management Fund for Year Ending 20222023-03-29029 March 2023 Status of Decommissioning and Spent Fuel Management Fund for Year Ending 2022 BVY 23-005, Nuclear Onsite Property Damage Insurance2023-03-13013 March 2023 Nuclear Onsite Property Damage Insurance BVY 23-004, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-03-0202 March 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust ML22361A1022023-02-24024 February 2023 Reactor Decommissioning Branch Project Management Changes for Some Decommissioning Facilities and Establishment of Backup Project Manager for All Decommissioning Facilities IR 05000271/20220022023-02-22022 February 2023 Northstar Nuclear Decommissioning Company, LLC, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station - NRC Inspection Report No. 05000271/2022002 BVY 23-003, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2023-01-31031 January 2023 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 22-030, Documentary Evidence of Performance Bond2022-12-30030 December 2022 Documentary Evidence of Performance Bond ML22347A2792022-12-21021 December 2022 Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Security Inspection Plan Dated December 21, 2022 IR 05000271/20224012022-12-15015 December 2022 NRC Inspection Report No. 05000271/2022401, Northstar Nuclear Decommissioning Company, LLC, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, Vernon, Vermont (Letter Only) BVY 22-028, Re Proof of Financial Protection2022-11-28028 November 2022 Re Proof of Financial Protection BVY 22-027, Bvy 22-027; Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust for Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station2022-11-11011 November 2022 Bvy 22-027; Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust for Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station BVY 22-026, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2022-10-31031 October 2022 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust ML22273A1492022-10-0404 October 2022 Review of Decommissioning Funding Status 2022 BVY 22-025, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2022-10-0404 October 2022 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 22-023, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2022-09-0101 September 2022 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 22-022, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2022-08-22022 August 2022 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 22-021, Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G2022-08-16016 August 2022 Report of Investigation Pursuant to 10 CFR 20, Appendix G BVY 22-020, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2022-08-0101 August 2022 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust IR 05000271/20220012022-08-0101 August 2022 NRC Inspection Report No. 05000271/2022001, Northstar Nuclear Decommissioning Company, LLC, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, Vernon, Vermont BVY 22-019, Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust2022-07-0606 July 2022 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust BVY 22-013, Notification of Revised Decommissioning Cost Estimate2022-06-17017 June 2022 Notification of Revised Decommissioning Cost Estimate 2024-01-04
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November 30, 2015 The Honorable Peter Welch United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Welch:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter of October 14, 2015, in which you raise a number of concerns regarding decommissioning at Entergys Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. I appreciate the opportunity to follow up on our discussion at the September 9, 2015, hearing. Please be assured that the NRC is committed to overseeing the safe and secure decommissioning of Vermont Yankee.
Regarding State and local stakeholder involvement in the decommissioning process, we recognize that States and local communities have a strong interest in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants within their boundaries. NRC regulations provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on the licensees Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR), which includes decommissioning planning, schedule, cost and environmental impact information, and is submitted to the NRC and the affected State(s) prior to or within two years following permanent cessation of operations. State and local stakeholders may also comment on the License Termination Plan (LTP), which must be submitted at least two years before the license termination date. In addition to commenting on these submittals, the NRC conducts public meetings in the vicinity of the facility following the licensees submission of its PSDAR and LTP, and there is an opportunity for interested parties to request an adjudicatory hearing regarding the LTP.
The NRC held a public meeting to discuss the decommissioning transition process and the licensees PSDAR in February 2015 in Brattleboro, Vermont. The staff is currently reviewing this report, as well as the public comments it received. This review is expected to be completed in December 2015, at which time the NRC will determine whether the PSDAR contains the information required by regulation. The NRC staff will also address the public comments received, as appropriate. The public meeting on the LTP is expected to occur 2 years prior to the license termination date.
For many years, the NRC has strongly recommended that licensees involved in decommissioning activities form a community committee to obtain local citizen views regarding the decommissioning process and spent fuel storage issues. At most decommissioning sites, State and local governments are involved in an advisory capacity, often as part of a board or other organization aimed at fostering communication and information exchange between the licensee and the public. While licensees are not required to create a community advisory board, NRC decommissioning guidance discusses the creation of a site-specific community advisory board and provides recommendations for methods of soliciting public advice and contains useful guidance and suggestions for effective public involvement in the decommissioning process that could be adopted by any licensee.
2 The NRC is aware that the State of Vermont established its own Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel, which includes representatives from Entergy. This can be a forum for productive dialogue among the State, the licensee, and other interested parties. Also, we are aware that the Vermont Department of Public Service, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the licensee have entered into a memorandum of understanding that we understand is intended to address a number of the States concerns. In addition, the NRC maintains an active State Liaison Program, which provides States with opportunities for open communication with the NRC to make comments, ask questions, and express concerns at any time.
You also raised concerns regarding the range of activities that will be funded from the decommissioning trust fund. NRC requirements restrict the use of decommissioning trust fund withdrawals to expenses for legitimate decommissioning activities consistent with the definition of decommissioning under NRC regulations. If a licensee seeks to use its decommissioning trust fund for ancillary activities (such as site restoration or spent fuel management), a regulatory exemption must be sought and granted in accordance NRC regulations. On June 23, 2015, the NRC staff published in the Federal Register notice that it had granted Entergy an exemption from NRC regulations that would allow Entergy to withdraw decommissioning trust funds to pay for spent fuel maintenance. Use of decommissioning trust funds was the subject of a recent decision by an NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, which is now before the Commission in its adjudicatory capacity, and is also the subject of a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit.
As such, the Commission is unable to offer any views on this matter at this time.
The length of the decommissioning process and Entergys decision to use SAFSTOR was another concern identified in your letter. By regulation, power reactor licensees are allowed 60 years to complete decommissioning. Scientific studies concluded that 50 years was the optimal time for radioactive decay and would result in radiation dose rates being reduced to 1%-
2% and radioactive waste volumes being reduced to about 10% compared to the levels that exist at the time of permanent plant shutdown. Sixty years was determined to be appropriate based on 50 years to allow radioactive decay and 10 years to complete the decommissioning.
NRC regulations are flexible and allow the licensee to perform immediate dismantling and decontamination (DECON), or pursue a monitored mode (SAFSTOR), at the licensees discretion, within the 60-year period. A third option (ENTOMB) permanently encases radioactive contaminants onsite in structurally sound material such as concrete. Please be assured that during the decommissioning period, licensees are still subject to NRCs regulations. NRC inspectors conduct periodic inspections to ensure decommissioning operations are conducted safely and securely.
Your final concern addressed possible reduction in the size of the emergency planning zone and its potential impact on public safety. The Commission authorized the staff to issue an exemption from the agencys emergency planning requirements. This exemption resulted in the elimination of NRC requirements for formal offsite radiological emergency plans at Vermont Yankee, but requires the maintenance of certain onsite capabilities to communicate and coordinate with offsite response authorities. However, the State has asked the Commission to reconsider the decision. Relatedly, the State has appealed an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decision that denied the States request for hearing on Entergys request to amend the Vermont Yankee Site Emergency Plan and Emergency Action Level Scheme. The Commission is unable to comment on these matters while they are pending.
3 Regarding the dismantlement of Vermont Yankees Emergency Response Data System (ERDS), as you indicated, the Commission has ruled on the appeal principally concerned with ERDS from the State of Vermont regarding Vermont Yankees staffing reduction amendment. Since Vermont Yankee is permanently shut down and Entergys post-shutdown emergency plan does not describe ERDS or its use during an emergency, the licensee has the authority to retire ERDS without prior NRC approval, following an analysis to determine that the removal of ERDS would not reduce the effectiveness of Vermont Yankees emergency plan. On October 28, 2015, the NRC staff issued letters to the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts notifying them of the termination of ERDS at Vermont Yankee. Nonetheless, the State of Vermont Nuclear Engineer has access to Vermont Yankee's plant data server at the emergency operations facility during drills and emergencies.
Your input is important to us as we continually assess the lessons learned in the decommissioning process to identify appropriate program improvements. If you need any additional information, please contact me or Eugene Dacus, Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, at (301) 415-1776.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Stephen G. Burns
November 30, 2015 The Honorable Peter Welch United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Welch:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter of October 14, 2015, in which you raise a number of concerns regarding decommissioning at Entergys Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. I appreciate the opportunity to follow up on our discussion at the September 9, 2015, hearing. Please be assured that the NRC is committed to overseeing the safe and secure decommissioning of Vermont Yankee.
Regarding State and local stakeholder involvement in the decommissioning process, we recognize that States and local communities have a strong interest in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants within their boundaries. NRC regulations provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on the licensees Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR), which includes decommissioning planning, schedule, cost and environmental impact information, and is submitted to the NRC and the affected State(s) prior to or within two years following permanent cessation of operations. State and local stakeholders may also comment on the License Termination Plan (LTP), which must be submitted at least two years before the license termination date. In addition to commenting on these submittals, the NRC conducts public meetings in the vicinity of the facility following the licensees submission of its PSDAR and LTP, and there is an opportunity for interested parties to request an adjudicatory hearing regarding the LTP.
The NRC held a public meeting to discuss the decommissioning transition process and the licensees PSDAR in February 2015 in Brattleboro, Vermont. The staff is currently reviewing this report, as well as the public comments it received. This review is expected to be completed in December 2015, at which time the NRC will determine whether the PSDAR contains the information required by regulation. The NRC staff will also address the public comments received, as appropriate. The public meeting on the LTP is expected to occur 2 years prior to the license termination date.
For many years, the NRC has strongly recommended that licensees involved in decommissioning activities form a community committee to obtain local citizen views regarding the decommissioning process and spent fuel storage issues. At most decommissioning sites, State and local governments are involved in an advisory capacity, often as part of a board or other organization aimed at fostering communication and information exchange between the licensee and the public. While licensees are not required to create a community advisory board, NRC decommissioning guidance discusses the creation of a site-specific community advisory board and provides recommendations for methods of soliciting public advice and contains useful guidance and suggestions for effective public involvement in the decommissioning process that could be adopted by any licensee.
2 The NRC is aware that the State of Vermont established its own Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel, which includes representatives from Entergy. This can be a forum for productive dialogue among the State, the licensee, and other interested parties. Also, we are aware that the Vermont Department of Public Service, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the licensee have entered into a memorandum of understanding that we understand is intended to address a number of the States concerns. In addition, the NRC maintains an active State Liaison Program, which provides States with opportunities for open communication with the NRC to make comments, ask questions, and express concerns at any time.
You also raised concerns regarding the range of activities that will be funded from the decommissioning trust fund. NRC requirements restrict the use of decommissioning trust fund withdrawals to expenses for legitimate decommissioning activities consistent with the definition of decommissioning under NRC regulations. If a licensee seeks to use its decommissioning trust fund for ancillary activities (such as site restoration or spent fuel management), a regulatory exemption must be sought and granted in accordance NRC regulations. On June 23, 2015, the NRC staff published in the Federal Register notice that it had granted Entergy an exemption from NRC regulations that would allow Entergy to withdraw decommissioning trust funds to pay for spent fuel maintenance. Use of decommissioning trust funds was the subject of a recent decision by an NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, which is now before the Commission in its adjudicatory capacity, and is also the subject of a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit.
As such, the Commission is unable to offer any views on this matter at this time.
The length of the decommissioning process and Entergys decision to use SAFSTOR was another concern identified in your letter. By regulation, power reactor licensees are allowed 60 years to complete decommissioning. Scientific studies concluded that 50 years was the optimal time for radioactive decay and would result in radiation dose rates being reduced to 1%-
2% and radioactive waste volumes being reduced to about 10% compared to the levels that exist at the time of permanent plant shutdown. Sixty years was determined to be appropriate based on 50 years to allow radioactive decay and 10 years to complete the decommissioning.
NRC regulations are flexible and allow the licensee to perform immediate dismantling and decontamination (DECON), or pursue a monitored mode (SAFSTOR), at the licensees discretion, within the 60-year period. A third option (ENTOMB) permanently encases radioactive contaminants onsite in structurally sound material such as concrete. Please be assured that during the decommissioning period, licensees are still subject to NRCs regulations. NRC inspectors conduct periodic inspections to ensure decommissioning operations are conducted safely and securely.
Your final concern addressed possible reduction in the size of the emergency planning zone and its potential impact on public safety. The Commission authorized the staff to issue an exemption from the agencys emergency planning requirements. This exemption resulted in the elimination of NRC requirements for formal offsite radiological emergency plans at Vermont Yankee, but requires the maintenance of certain onsite capabilities to communicate and coordinate with offsite response authorities. However, the State has asked the Commission to reconsider the decision. Relatedly, the State has appealed an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decision that denied the States request for hearing on Entergys request to amend the Vermont Yankee Site Emergency Plan and Emergency Action Level Scheme. The Commission is unable to comment on these matters while they are pending.
3 Regarding the dismantlement of Vermont Yankees Emergency Response Data System (ERDS), as you indicated, the Commission has ruled on the appeal principally concerned with ERDS from the State of Vermont regarding Vermont Yankees staffing reduction amendment. Since Vermont Yankee is permanently shut down and Entergys post-shutdown emergency plan does not describe ERDS or its use during an emergency, the licensee has the authority to retire ERDS without prior NRC approval, following an analysis to determine that the removal of ERDS would not reduce the effectiveness of Vermont Yankees emergency plan. On October 28, 2015, the NRC staff issued letters to the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts notifying them of the termination of ERDS at Vermont Yankee. Nonetheless, the State of Vermont Nuclear Engineer has access to Vermont Yankee's plant data server at the emergency operations facility during drills and emergencies.
Your input is important to us as we continually assess the lessons learned in the decommissioning process to identify appropriate program improvements. If you need any additional information, please contact me or Eugene Dacus, Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, at (301) 415-1776.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Stephen G. Burns