ML20210U997

Responds to 860826 Request for Review of Milwaukee Journal 860813 Article Submitted W/P Vollrath Ltr Expressing Concerns Re Safe Operation of Plant Following Seismic Event in State of Ca.All Plants Must Meet Seismic Requirements

ML20210U997
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	10/03/1986
From:	Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Petri T HOUSE OF REP.
Shared Package
ML16341D900	List: ML20210U997
References
NUDOCS 8610100454
Download: ML20210U997 (5)

Text

... co- a c W3 96 The Honorable Thomas E. Petri United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Petri:

This is in response to your August 26, 1986 letter requesting a review of an August 13, 1986 MILWAUKEE JOURNAL article on behalf of Mr. Phillip Vollrath.

The expressed concern relates to the safe operation of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, or any other nuclear power reactor in California following a seismic event.

The newspaper cited certain conclusions from a study by California's Division of Mines and Geology, relating to the effects resulting from a major earth-quake in the vicinity of the Hayward Fault / San Francisco Bay area. The article's description of possible damage from such an earthquake included power blackouts, pipeline ruptures, fires, and disruption in transportation.

We, at the Neclear Regulatory Commission, understand and share Mr. Vollrath's concerns about the effects of earthquakes on nuclear power plants. As a consequence, all nuclear power facilities licensed by the NRC are required to be designed to meet stringent seismic requirements, and are designed and const,_cted to withstand the effects of earthquakes without endangering the health and safety of the public. Additionally, for the Diablo Canyon Plant a special Long Term Seismic Program is underway to re-evaluate the seismic design basis of the plant considering new geologic and seismic information. The program is expected to be completed in mid 1988.

As the article points out, both the Golden Gate Bridge and the subway tunnel would survive the postulated earthquake. This, of course, is because of the specific considerations given to earthquakes in the design. Similarly, for nuclear plants, and the Diablo Canyon Plant in particular, very careful consideration was given in the design to the ability of the Diablo Canyon Plant to withstand earthquake forces. You may be assured that we will continue to be diert to any new information that could impact on the safety of nuclear plants regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Comission and that appropriate action will be taken to assure the safety of the public against any undue risks.

Sincerely, mand)T.4auten

' Victor Stello, r. _ -

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FDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL FROM: DUE: 09/24/86 EDO CONTROL: 002111 DOC DT: 08/26/86 REP. THOMAS E. PETRI FINAL REPLY: -

TO:

KAMMERER FOR SIGNATURE OF: ** GREEN ** SECY NO: 86-969 EXECTIVE DIRECTOR DESC: ROUTING:

ENCLOSES LETTER FROM PHILIP VOLLRATH RE DENTON DIABLO CANYON GCUNNINGHAM DATE: 09/10/86 ASSIGNED TO: ;IBAN Q CONTACT *. MARMN %E~

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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: '

NRR RECEIVED: 9/12/86 ACTION: DPLA:NOVAK'~

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, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER: CRC-86-0969 LOGGING DATE: Sep 9 86 ACTION OFFICE: EDOg AUTHOR: T.E. Petri AFFILIATION: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LETTER DATE: Aug 26 86 FILE CODE: ID&R 5, Diablo Canyon

SUBJECT:

Constituent requests information on safety of Diablo Canyon ACTION: Direct Reply DISTRIBUTION: OCA to Ack.

SPECIAL HANDLING:

NOTES: Constituent = Philip Vollrath DATE DUE: Sep 23 86 SIGNATURE: . DATE SIGNED:

AFFILIATION:

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