ML20154F898

Comment Opposing Proposed Rule 10CFR50 Re Licensing of Plant W/O Public Warning Sys

ML20154F898
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	05/06/1988
From:	Pratt C, Pratt J AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
To:	NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
References
FRN-53FR16435, RULE-PR-50 53FR16435-00003, 53FR16435-3, NUDOCS 8805240116
Download: ML20154F898 (1)

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RR 3, Box 44 Brentwood, N.H.1D8py 12 Pg g l

May 6,1988 o y F-33 Nuclear Regulatory Commission gy N OMI BPA C Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Commissioners,

We write to protest -- vigorously -- the Nuclear Regulatory Cetmission's intention to change its rules so as to allow the low-power licensing of a nuclear plant without a public warning system in place.

This rule is, NRC officials have reportedly admitted, explicitly designed to ease the way for Seabrook Station, i because Massachusetts communities have caused the removal of warning sirens installed by New Hampahlre Yankee. The right of the Massachusetts so .to do has been upheld by the courts. It is emphatically not the NRC's function to intervene in the struggle between New Hampshire Yankee and surrounding communities: that struggle should concern the NRC only in so far as it affects public safety, which it is the NRC's function and duty in the licensing process to protect. If a low-power license is granted without an adequate warning system in place, it will not be only those who have opposed Seabrook Station and caused the removal of the warning system who are endangered.

l If any special consideration is given to the special circumstances of Seabrook Station, it should be to the fact that PSNH, the main owner and the applicant, is bankrupt, and it is obviously financially irresponsible for the company even to consider low-power testing unless and until a full-power license is obtained. The plant, contaminated but unable to obtain a license, will become one more financial liability for PSNH, and an immense one. Who will pay for the decontamination?

The recent reversal of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's position on sheltering, which seems to have been made l

under pressure from the NRC, as well as this proposed rule ,

change, have stripped those of us who live in this area of our l few remaining shreds of faith in the regulatory process. We shiver.

1 Sincerely, CWLc.n WCW Charles W. Pratt

• Joan C. Pratt copies tos Governor Johnlu% C (%& 1 nunu l New Hampshire Senators and Representatives l Director, New Hampshire Civil Defense Agency l 8805240116 080506 PDR PR i 50 53FR16435 PDR - I

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