ML20126L286

Ack Receipt of Forwarding Constituent Comments on Proposed Rule 10CFR2 Re Expediting NRC Hearing Process

ML20126L286
Person / Time
Issue date:	05/05/1981
From:	Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA)
To:	Bentsen L SENATE
References
FRN-46FR17216, RULE-PR-2 46FR17216-695, NUDOCS 8106020238
Download: ML20126L286 (1)

Text

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MAY 5 19'81 7-q ,MAy l 4 Iggg ;

The Honorable Lloyd Bentsen vocas mm.1 # 7 '

United States Senate 912 Fecwal Building Austin, Texas 78701 "M

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Dear Senator Bentsen:

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""A Thank you for your letter dated April 15, 1981 enclosing c\o m\,spo W'

from your constituent, Harvey I. Cohn, who is concerned abou regulations and legislation designed to reduce dela'ys in the licensing

' process for nuclear power plants.

The diverson of staff ~ resources and nethinking of safety requirements following the accident at Three Mile Island adversely affected licensing activity at the Comission. As a result, we estimate that in 1981 and 1982 approximately a dozen nuclear plants will be completed from 1 to 12 months before a full power license decision can be made. The Comission is concerned about this situation and is proposing a number of actions to correct it. Your constituent mentions several of these proposed changes, heendments to the Cosmission's Rules of Practice,10 CFR.Part 2, were published in the Federal Register for comment on March 18, 1981. These amendments, if adopted, should permit more timely conduct of NRC hearings by tightening the time allowed for. each part of the process and by providing

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firmer time manageant. Public coments received by April 7,1981 will be considered by the Cosmission before promulgation of a final rule.

Also on March 18, 1981, the Cosmission submitted proposed legislation to Congress, which would allow it to authorize interim reactor operation for fuel loading and low. power operating and testing before the completion of a hearing. Such interim operation would save at least two months and, where the low power testing revealed a need for repairs or modifications, could save substantially more time. This proposed authority would expire at the end of 1983 thereby assuring that this adjustment to our licensing requirements would be tenporary and confined to those plants which have been directly affected by the Comission's post-TMI action.

I am enclosing for your infonnation a copy of the proposed changes to Part 2 and of the letter to Congress transmitting the proposed legislation.

I hope that this infonnation is helpful in responding to your constituent.

Sincerely, h h

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Carlton Xamerer, Director k

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Enclosure:

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'DJCnifeb States Senate 1-W A3M INGTON. C.C. 109to ce April 15, 1981 C

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i Mr. Carlton C. Kammerer, Director Office of Congressional Affairs ".f

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The United States Nuclear Regulatory E-'

Commission @:

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Dear Mr. Kammerer:

I recently received the enclosed constituent inquiry, and I would very much appreciate your providing me with any pertinent information you might have regarding the matter.

E Your kind assistance is greatly appreciated. .

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lovd Jentsen E.

Enclosure F t

PLEASE REPLY TO:

912 Federal Building >

Austin, Texas 78701 I

ATTN: Wanda Garcia 1

4/16. . .To OCA for Direct Reply. . Suspense: May 11.. 0ccket.. 81-0540 .

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'4321 Travis Street, Apt. 12 Dallas, Texas 75205 IEM 30 $$

March 24, 1981 Secretary of the Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 '

Attn: Docketing & Service Branch

Dear Sir / Madam:

While to you it may just .seem like one more application to stamp, to people on the local level a nuclear power plant is a critical issue both medically and economically. To " streamline" the licensing procedure goes against any right of local citizens being able to choose, a right which is central to a democratic society.

Specifically, preventing Intervenors from engaging in formal discovery with the N.R.C. staff means that facts about the plant can be suppressed f

by the utility. Obviously the group building the plant has .the most info cuation on it, both pro and con, and obviously they will not volun-tarily release infor:sation detrimental to the granting of a license.

The public has a right to have all the facts brought out before a nuclear power plant is t tst ructed in their midst.

Finally, the granting of any kind of " interim" operating permit while hearings are still going on is totally unacceptable. Why bother to

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( license plants at all if the whole process is just a sham? I personally believe that nuclear power is a big mistake. The licensing process, such as it is, is the only assurance I have that these plants will be built and operated within some safety parameters rather thus in just the cheapest manner.

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Harvey I. Ce n

_. CC; , U.S. Rep. James M. Collins, U.S. Senator Lloyd M. Gentsen, Jr.

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