ML20126A600

Ack 850515 Constituent Concern W/Ltr Re Util Low Level Waste Facility Permit.Regulations of 10CFR50.59 & 20 & Generic Ltr 81-38 Requirements Discussed.No Unreviewed Safety Question Exists

ML20126A600
Person / Time
Site:	Maine Yankee
Issue date:	06/04/1985
From:	Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Cohen W SENATE
Shared Package
ML20126A604	List: ML20126A600 ML20126A606
References
GL-81-38, NUDOCS 8506130403
Download: ML20126A600 (5)

Text

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The Honorable William S. Cohen United States Senate

[lb t Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Cohen:

Thank you for your letter of May 15, 1985 advising of the concerns about a new low-level waste storage facility at the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station expressed by Mr. Rae Bachelder, one of your constituents.

Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company is presently constructing the low-level waste storage facility in accordance with its building permit obtained from the town of Wiscasset in January 1985. This new low-level waste storage building is also being constructed in accordance with the conditions of Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company's existing license and its technical specifications.

Under present Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, for proposed increases in storage capacity for low-level waste generated by normal reactor operation and maintenance at power reactor sites, the safety of the proposed facility must be evaluated by the licensee under the provisions of Part 50.59 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.59). If (1) the licensee's existing license conditions or technical specifications do not prohibit increased storage, and (2) no unreviewed safety question exists, the licensee may provide the added capacity, document the 10 CFR 50.59 evaluation and report it to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission annually or as specified in the license. In addition, the Nuclear Regulatory Connission has put forth guidelines that the capacity of such new low-level waste storage facilities may not exceed the low-level waste volume projected for 5 years.

.The regulations and guidelines are outlined in a generic letter dated November 10,1981 (GL 81-38) which was sent by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to all holders of and applicants for operating licenses and construction permits. The Maine Yankee low-level waste storage facility is being constructed in accordance with the guidelines contained in GL 81-38.

A copy of that generic letter is enclosed.

Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company has found that no unreviewed safety question exists, and its license and technical specifications do not prohibit expanding low-level waste storage. All low level waste retained at the facility will be stored in accordance with the regulations in 10 CFR Part 20 which puts forth standards for protection of personnel and the environment against radiation, k h h M3 850604 H 05000309 PDR

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I hope this addresses your concerns. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,

% ned) L A, W "DilliamJ.Dircks Executive Director for Operations

Enclosure:

As stated Distribution:

Docket File NRC & L PDRs w/ copy of incoming EDO #000657 EDO Reading ORB 3 Green Ticket File w/ incoming copy OELD OCA SECY WDircks KBowman(ED0#006657) w/ copy of incoming PSears LGRouse HThompson/MJambor HDenton/DEisenhut GClainas/DNottingham GCunningham JDavis

• See previous concurrence for NMSS (concurred via telephone)

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I hope this addresses your concerns. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Sincerely, William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations

Enclosure:

As stated Distribution:

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I hope this addresses your concerns. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Sincerely, s

N William J. Dircks N Executive Director for Operations

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Enclosure:

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' .* /' [% um)o, UNITED STATES j g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION O p WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

\*****/ EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL FROM: DUE: 06/03/85 EDO CONTROL: 000657 DOC DT: 05/15/85 SEN. WILLIAM COHEN FINAL REPLY:

TO:

DIRCKS FOR SIONATURE OF: ** OREEN ** SECY NO:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESC: ROUTING:

ENCLOSES LETTER FROM RAE J. BACHELDER CONCERNING OCUNNINGHAM INTERIM LOW-LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE FACILITY DAVIS TO BE BUILT BY MAINE YANKEE OCA SECY DATE: 05/20/85 AS310NED TO: NRR CONTACT: DENTON CPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

REF. EDO 656 b; ll$ 0 l 8C live d ! 0 5/a lf86 ~

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