ML063540444

Letter from Progress Energy to the Orange County, Nc, Board of Commissioners Re Site Visit at Harris Plant

ML063540444
Person / Time
Site:	Harris
Issue date:	12/12/2006
From:	Hinnant C Progress Energy Co
To:	Jacobs B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Orange County, NC, Board of Commissioners
References
Download: ML063540444 (2)

Text

PrCgre'. Energy. inc.

December 12, 2006 Honorable Barry Jacobs, Vice-Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners P0 Box 8181 200 S. Cameron St Hillsborough, NC 27278

Dear Commissioner Jacobs:

Progress Energy is committed to open communication with elected officials and other stakeholders about Harris Plant operations. Thus, we were disappointed with the tone of your letter and the board's decision to decline our offer to visit the plant. We have had several key leaders from surrounding communities visit the plant in the past andAthey found the visit beneficial and informative, and we are pleased that memberso6f the Chapedl Hill Town Council and the Wake County Boafd of ormfi*sioines are-pa p Anihg iVts in the near future.

Please know that our offer stands, and we hope you will reconsider your decision. We believe a visit to the site would demonstrate first-hand the facts about the comprehensive measures that we have

,,. in place p ace to to eiisiure enur thet e' publiciheand "uli:",~ - """.. safety a of bur employe&

'-"; ga*d' nearbyb"-"communities.

r"""

It would also be a good opportuityi for the^ Orange. County commissioners to share questions and concems wit highly trained staffmembe's who can answer tem.

The Harris Plant has one of the best safety records in the country and has operated safely since it came online two decades ago. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is onsite, ensuring that the plant meets its standards and operates safely every day.

As you and I discussed during the fuel pool litigation, the NRC established a standard 10-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ) for all nuclear facilities across the country based on very conservative public .dose considerations. Data exists that would support reducing the evacuation zone to 5 miles, but the fe&deral' agenciy has detei-mined that the current EPZ will remain at 10 miles. Therefore, we .do*not support burdening county and state emergency officials, who are responsible for dvacuation plans, by arbitiply suppor anexpansion of the zone to 50 miles, when'the'safety' risk is-not present.

We are always open -tosharing information with elected officials and community members about the operations and safety feiatues6-f thi"Hadris Pant and other plants operated by Progress Energy. We have also in the pasimetdirectithN WARN to discus§ issues, including fire protection, in an attempt to alleviate their concerns. We routine ly make the plnt Open to the Raleigh, NC2702, r T> 919.548.4222 F> 919.54612405

Honorable Jacobs Page 2 December 12', 2006 media, encourage key leaders to participate in educational site visits and make additional information available via the Internet and other formats to plant neighbors interested in Harris Plant operations. A recent media day at the plant was attended by several local news outlets.

Again, please call Marty Clayton, at 919-878-5300 or e-mail to marty.clayton@pgnmail.com if you choose to reconsider a site visit and discussion with our plant operators and senior management.

Sincerely, C. S. Hinnant c: Orange County Board of County Commissioners Kevin Foy, Mayor of Chapel Hill Mark Chilton, Mayor of Carrboro Robert Gruber, Executive Director of Public Staff, NC Utilities Commission Bryan E. Beatty, Secretary, NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Doug Pickett, Acting Branch Chief, Plant Licensing Branch 11-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation