ML20125C625

Ack Receipt of Re Citizens Concerns on Low Level Waste Storage Facility.Regulations of Generic Ltr 81-38 & 10CFR50.59 Re Low Level Waste Facilities Discussed.Util Facility in Accordance W/Guidelines

ML20125C625
Person / Time
Site:	Maine Yankee
Issue date:	06/04/1985
From:	Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Snowe O HOUSE OF REP.
Shared Package
ML20125C628	List: ML20125C625 ML20125C637
References
GL-81-38, NUDOCS 8506120100
Download: ML20125C625 (6)

Text

. 3,- .1

.e Docket No. 50-309 19 4 g The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congresswoman Snowe:

Thank you for your letter of April 25, 1985 delineating your concerns about a new low-level waste storage facility at the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station.

In your letter, you mentioned a concern expressed by Mr. Rae Bachelder about a permit approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission allowing Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company to construct an interim low-level waste storage facility.

Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company is presently constructing the low-level waste storage facility in accordance with its building permit obtained from the town of Wiscasset in January 1985. This new low-level waste storage building is also being constructed in accordance with the conditions of Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company's existing license and its technical specifications.

Under present Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, for proposed increases in storage capacity for low-level waste generated by normal reactor operation and maintenance at power reactor sites, the safety of the proposed facility must be evaluated by the licensee under the provisions of Part 50.59

'of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.59). If (1) the licensee's existing license conditions or technical specifications do not prohibit increased storage, and (2) no unreviewed safety question exists, the license.e may provide the added capacity, document the 10 CFR 50.59 evaluation aid report it to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission annually or as specified in the license. In addition, the Nuclear Regulatory Comission has put forth guidelines that the capacity of such new low-level waste storage facilities may not exceed the low-level waste volume projected for 5 years.

The regulations and guidelines are outlined in a generic letter dated November 10, 1981 (GL 81-38) which was sent by the Nuclear Regulatory Comission to all holders of and applicants for operating licenses and construction permits. The Maine Yankee low-level waste storage facility is being constructed in accordance with the guidelines contained in GL 81-38.

A copy of that generic letter is enclosed.

Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company has found that no unreviewed safety question exists, and its license and technical specifications do not prohibit expanding low-level waste storage. All low level waste retained at the facility will be stored in accordance with the regulations in 10 CFR Part 20 which puts forth standards for protection of personnel and the environment against radiation.

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.I hope this addresses your concerns. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Sincerely, w a) L A. "

OU William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations

Enclosure:

As stated

. Distribution:

Docket File .

=NRC & L PDRs w/ copy of incoming EDO #000656 EDO Reading .

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I hope this addresses your. concerns. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Sincerely, William J. Dircks 3

Executive Director for Operations '

Enclosure:

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I hope this addresses your concerns. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Sincerely, Williaq J. Dircks Execut ye Director for Operations

Enclosure:

As stated .

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% * * * * * / 1/ EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL g

FROM: DUE: 06/03/85 EDO CONTROL: 000656 DOC DT: 04/25/85 REP. OLYMPIA SNOWE FINAL REPLY:

TO:

CHAIRMAN PALLADINO FOR SIONATURE OF: ** GREEN ** SECY-NO: 85-420 EXECUTIVE, DIRECTOR -

-DESC:

. ROUTING:

ENCLOSES LETTER FROM RAE J. BACHELDER CONCERNING OCUNNINGHAM INTERIM LOW-LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE FACILITY DAVIS TO BE BUILT BY MAINE YANKEE DATE: 05/20/85 ASSIONED TO: NRR CONTACT: DENTON

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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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R:p Olympia Snowe

! o- *~- CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET SECY NUMBER

• 85-420 LOGGING OATE: 5/16/85 l-0FFICE OF THE SECRETARY ACTION OFFICE: ED0 AUTHOR: . Rep Olympia Snowe--Const Ref AFFILIATION: Rae Bachelder LETTER DATE: 4/25/85 FILE CODE:

A00RE55EE: Palladino

SUBJECT:

.. Expresses concern about Comm approval to allow Manine Yankee to const an interim low-level waste storage fac ACTION: Direct Reply... Suspense: May 28 O!$TRIBUTION: OCA to ack SPECIAL HANDLING: None SIGNATURE DATE:

"P FOR THE COPMISSION:

Rec'd Off. ED0' s.t.. . . . .T. .M I Tim...... E.d...... r. .. =..

l EDO - 000656

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