ML20206B372

Forwards State Representative M Weddle 870217 Ltr Re Possibility of Entombment of Facility in Event of Accident, for Response.Public Safety & Confidence in Emergency Planning Critical Before Allowing Facility to Come on Line

ML20206B372
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	03/01/1987
From:	Gregg J HOUSE OF REP.
To:	Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20206B337	List: ML20206B335 ML20206B350 ML20206B372
References
NUDOCS 8704090120
Download: ML20206B372 (3)

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(603)O83-0800 i C MMM N C0Hgrens Of tIJe WHittD 8tatti '7aII'O$'"'o WAYS AND MEANS teca)7st-sas8 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, DC 20515 March 1, 1987 Honorable Lando Zech, Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D. C. 20555

Dear Commissioner Zech:

In our continuing consideration of the issues surrounding the licensing of the Seabrook Nuclear Station, State Rep. Weddle has raised the question of the feasibility of emergency entombment, if it should ever be required. I am enclosing a copy of his recent letter to me and I would very much appreciate receiving your response to the points which he makes.

In my judgement, the two critical issues relating to planning for possible radiologic incidents are the assurance of public safety and the maintenance of public confidence in the adequacy of the plant's safety strategies, including contingency plans for nuclear emergen-cies.

While I do not wish to raise irrelevant problems, an effort must be made to assure maximum confidence in the safety of the plant before allowing it to come on line.

Sincerel ,

Jud Gregg Me er c f Congress

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c GRtOO cotQfW Congressmen Judd Cregg 308 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressmen Creggi I am writing in regard to nuclear power projects and whether or not they can be entombed during emergencies. In particular, I have serious reservations regarding the Seabrook plant.

Please find enclosed a copy of a letter received on my behalf from NRC Director, Harold R. Denton. Clearly, as mentioned in Mr. Denton's second paragraph, no emergency entombment studies have been made by the NRC. This, to say the least, is bothersome.

Entombment proved to be the Soviet's saving grace when meeting the challenge of the accident at Chernobyl. At that time, workers dug 20-foot wide tunnels beneath the troubled ccre and filled them with cement, thereby preventing a penetration of meltdown.

It is my understanding that nuclear power plants in our nation are constructed on varying geological foundations. Thus, each facility might have particular needs which would facilitate an emergency entombment. The Seabrook plant, for instance, is situated on some bedrock that is reported to be cracked, fissured and located deep within the midst of an active oceanic marshland.

Further, Seabrook workers have informed me that it is not easy to dig a dry hole when performing subterranean work at the plant. Could such a condition, in fact, inhibit an emergency entombment response? Studies should be done on this.

I would like to see an immediate investigation on whether or not the Seabrook nuclear power project can be entombed under emergency conditions and respectfully request that "ou use the powers of your of fice in order to assure that one is begun.  !

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i 2-I am further concerned that a massive release of radioactivity on the N. H.

Seacoast would force our country to deactivate military operations at nearby Pease AFB and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Are there enough protective radiation suits availabic to sustain these vital military operations in the event of a serious accident at the Seabrook facility?

I look forward to hearing from you on these matters and appreciate your time and consideration.

Very truly yours, Michael Weddle State Representative Enclosure i

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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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... FEB 0 31987 Mr. Donald R. Hunter Assistant Director for Research Office of Legislative Services State of New Hampshire Room 110, State House Concord, New Hampshire 03301 l

Dear Mr. Hunter:

I am responding to your letter of December 22, 1986 to Chairran Zech concerning Seabrock. Specifically you asked (e) if NRC has conducted a study of the feasibility of entombing the Seabrook nuclear plant, and (b) if not, was entombnent, such as at Chernobyl, possible. While your letter was not specific on this point, we assume you were referring to entombrent in the event a severe care __ damage accident were to occur.

The NRC has not conducted any studies of the feasibility of entombing Seabrook or any other nuclear plant following a severe core damage event. However, shculd an enterbment be needed, because of contaircent failure or other cor.cerns, we see no impediment te providing protectior, siciilar to that provided ct Chernobyl.

I believe this infomation 's responsive to ycur State Representative's questions.

Sincerely,

/ k Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear kractor Regulation l

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