ML20205C202

Expresses Concerns Over Proposed Restart of Plant & Requests Opportunity to Address Commission During 881014 Meeting

ML20205C202
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	09/28/1988
From:	Erin Kennedy SENATE
To:	Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20205C179	List: ML20205C174 ML20205C202
References
NUDOCS 8810260419
Download: ML20205C202 (2)

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Ginittb 6tateg 6 enate WASHINGTON. DC 20510

] September 28, 1988 Mr. Lando W. Zech, Jr.

Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Zech:

It is my understanding that the Commissioners will be meeting on October 14th. At that time the members will likely make a decision concerning the proposed restart of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

I have stated on a number of occasions that I do not believe the 4 Pilgrim plant should be allowed to restart unless a series of

critical problems are thoroughly resolved.

4 I am particularly disturbed that the Commission is considering l restart prior to the development and successful exercise of a fully-approved emergency preparedness plan. Such a rush to restart can only be interpreted as i ll-advised and potentially dangerous to the public safety.

7l Furthermore, unsettling questions remain relative to the potential impacts this plant has had on the public health of area

' residents. The National Cancer Institute, at my urging, will

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soon begin a study of cancer mortality in populations living near i

nuclear power plants. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has already released disturbing statistics on cancer rates I near the Pilgrim roactor. This information should lead us to approach the subject of restart with caution. We should, at a minimum, defer the restart decision until the initial findings of the NCI study are known.

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! 8810260419 601007 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDC

There are also a number of continual concerns regarding the completion of important safety improvements at the facility. The NRC decision on the use of the direct torus vent has still not been made; safety questions about the Mark I Boiling Water Reactor have not been resolved; and the licensee's recent performance rating in the area of radiological controls remains less than satisfactory. Therefore, I have joined with other members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, with State elected officialn, and with local residents, in calling for a full adjudicatory hearing to fully address these and other critical safety issues. To date, the NRC has not agreed to hold such a bearing.

Last January, I chaired a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources on the proposed Pilgrim restart.

During that hearing I heard from a number of witnesses, most of whom expressed deep disappointment with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's performance in relation to the Pilgrim plant. Of particular concern was the continual inaccessibility of the Commissioners to the general public. Residents and elected officials alike felt frustrated over being denied an adjudicatory hearing. And in the absence of such a hearing, the Commission has not even agreed to provide residents with the opportunity to directly discuss their concerns with the Commissioners prior to a restart decision.

During the Senato Committee hearing, I made a commitment to the people of the Plymouth area. I tuld them that if they were not given the chance to speak before the Commissioners, then I would personally appear before the Commission to speak on their behalf.

Therefore, I would appreciate being givan a brief opportunity to address the Commission during its October 14th meeting.

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

/A-~

Udward M. Kennedy