ML072540226

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

ML072540226
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	08/30/2007
From:	Kennedy E M, Kerry J F, Olver J W US Congress, US HR (House of Representatives), US SEN (Senate)
To:	Klein D E NRC/Chairman
Norris B S, RGN-1/DRP/Br6 610-337-5111
Shared Package
ML072610184	List: ML072540226 ML072630144
References
CORR-07-0145, EDATS: SECY-2007-0319, G20070624, LTR-07-0595, SECY-2007-0319
Download: ML072540226 (5)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 09/20/07 Senator Edward M. Kennedy Senator John F. Kerry Representative John W. Olver EDO CONTROL: G20070624 DOC DT: 08/30/07 FINAL REPLY: TO: Chairman Klein FOR SIGNATURE OF :** PRI **CRC NO: 07-0595 Chairman Klein DESC: ROUTING: Events at Vermont Yankee Power Plant on August 21, 2007 (EDATS: SECY-2007-0319)

DATE: 09/10/07 Reyes Virgilio Kane Ash Ordaz Cyr/Burns Dyer, NRR.Schmidt, OCA Quinones, OEDO Laufer, OEDO Fields, OEDO ASSIGNED TO: RI CONTACT: Collins SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: Reference G20070590.

?SCE Dl 01 EDATS Number: SECY-2007-0319 Source: SECY General Inomtn Assigned To: Region I Other Assignees:

Subject:

Events at Vermont Yankee Power Plant on August 21, 2007

Description:

CC Routing: NONE ADAMS Accession Numbers -Incoming:

NONE OEDO Due Date: 9/20/2007 5:00 PM SECY Due Date: 9/24/2007 5:00 PM Response/Package:

NONE Cross Reference Number: G20070624, LTR-07-0595, Staff Initiated:

NO Ref. G20070590, Ref. LTR-07-0562 Related Task: Recurring Item: NO File Routing: EDATS Agency Lesson Learned: NO Roadmap Item: NO Action Type: Letter Priority:

Medium Sensitivity:

None Signature Level: Chairman Klein Urgency: NO OEDO Concurrence:

YES OCM Concurrence:

NO OCA Concurrence:

NO Special Instructions:

D m Ino ai Originator Name: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Sen. John F. Date of Incoming:

8/30/2007 Kerry, and Rep. John W. Olver Originating Organization:

Congress Document Received by SECY Date: 9/7/2007 Addressee:

Chairman Dale E. Klein Date Response Requested by Originator:

NONE Incoming Task Received:

Letter Page 1 of l OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: Sep 10, 2007 13:49 PAPER NUMBER: ACTION OFFICE: LTR-07-0595 EDO LOGGING DATE: 09/07/2007 AUTHOR: AFFILIATION:

ADDRESSEE:

SUBJECT:

ACTION: DISTRIBUTION:

LETTER DATE: ACKNOWLEDGED SPECIAL HANDLING: NOTES: FILE LOCATION: SEN Edward Kennedy CONG Dale Klein Events at Vermont Yankee power plant on August 21, 2007 Signature of Chairman RF, OCA to Ack 08/30/2007 No Comnr. CoTrespondence ADAMVIS 09/24/2007 DATE DUE: DATE SIGNED: EDO --G20070624 Tongress of tili 3.ntiftb ;5-tatcs August 30, 2007 The Honorable Dale Klein Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 This letter is in response to the alarming events that occurred at Vermont Yankee power plant on August 21, 2007. It is our understanding that'a non-safety related portion of-one cooling tower cell at the plant collapsed unexpectedly.

We further understand that your staff at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has determined that there is no threat to the public's health and that the plant has powered down to a 40% operating load.We are concerned about the cause of this structural failure, especially about the implications for the cooling tower cell(s) that are related to the safe operation of the plant.We understand the licensee, Entergy Vermont Yankee, is currently examining this accident to determine the cause of the collapsed tower and whether there was any evidence of structural deficiencies prior~to the collapse.

However, we find it very disconcerting that the NRC has not yet committed to undertaking a thorough investigation.

We fully support the Vermont delegation's request that the NRC undertake an immediate and thorough evaluation to determine if there are any similar structural deficiencies.

Additionally, in light of past concerns regarding'steam dryer cracks and this most recent episode, we strongly urge the NRC to expand the requested investigation to examine whether-the approved uprate has resulted in or illuminated any additional plant wide structural deficiencies that may pose a future safety concern. It is vitally important that a holistic assessment be completed in order to ensure that no future accidents occur that may possibly endanger the public's safety.Please continue to keep us informed as more information becomes available.

We are committed to assistingthe NRC to ensure the safety of residents of Massachusetts and Vermont. Your timely attention t6 this issue is appreciated'.

Sincerely; Edward M."I ey.(" John F. Keiry 1 Join W.,Olver U.S. Senate U.S. Senator', S" Representative PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, DC 20515-2101 PUBLIC DOCUMENT OFFICIAL BUSINESS M.C.f it 11118111§11111111111 111##ilDfIIiI If M iuj~jj~lifijIIIIJ