ML20031B818
| ML20031B818 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Turkey Point  |
| Issue date: | 09/11/1981 |
| From: | Lorion J AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| To: | Bradford P, Gilinsky V, Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17341A609 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8110060118 | |
| Download: ML20031B818 (2) | |
Text
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- o X CNR V
CENTER FOR NUCLEAR RESPONSIBILITY U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Connission 1717 11 Street, N.W. lith Floor Washington, D.C. 20555 Nunzio J. Palladino, Chainnan Victor Gilinsky, Connissioner Peter A. Bradford, Conmissioner John F, Ahearne, Conmisssioner September 11,1981 Centlemen:
I write to you out of concern about Turkey Point nuclear unit #4, and what appears to be the NRC's lack of concern as to the increasingly severe safety problems plaguing this unit. Areas of innediate concern to myself and other Miami residents living near this reactor unit are:
- 1. Turkey Point Unit '#4 is cne of eight nuclear reactor units tint the NRC has named whose steci pressure vessel may be vulnerable to cracking or shattering caused by thennal shock in the event of an accident that requires high pressure injection emergency cooling.
- 2. Turkey Point Unit 14 is operating in an impaired condition with nearly 25%
of its steam generator tubes plugged and removed from service. This reduction in heat transfer area could cause this unit to be more susceptible to overheating, necessitating emergency cooling.
- 3. Turkey Point Unit #4 is requireil to be shut down every six months. for steam generator inspection and tube plugging in order to maintain safe operation of the unit.
The last inspection was scheduled for July of 1981 but the NRC granted FPG:. an extension on its operating license allowing Unit #4 to run for two additional months. This is despite the fact tint the NRC has stated in various documents that "we do not luve an adequate technical basis to predict steam generator perfonnance for periods longer than six months.,
- 4. Harkey Point Unit #5 is operating presently with steam generator tubes that may be on the verge of leaking. The Union of Concerned Scientists in a 1975 study on Nuclear Power Risks claims that if only a handful of tubes ruptured in an accident, the emergency core cooling system would be stalled and the core could melt. Should such an accident occur and
'thr reactor vessel did not maintain its integrity,there would be no way to protect the public health and safety of the residents of oliami.
- 5. Both steam generator tube integrity and pressure vessel integrity are unresol,ved safety issues before the NRCc w e qs u p eS a n J x n aws wwuus
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..o In light of these safety problems at Turkey Point Unit #4, we ask that t'ic Nuclear Regulatory Comission take steps to imediately intitiate a license review of this nuclear-reactor unit.
It is the responsibility of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to protect the public health and safety, and this can only be accomplished if adequate safety systems exist to protect the public in case of an accident.
Turkey Point Unit #4 will continue to deteriorate, and is quickly aggroaching the magic number of 25% of its tubes plugged. We hope at this point the NRC will derate the unit,so that it doesn't operate in an unsafe maruier.-
In closing, we ask that the NRC request tnat 'Ibrkey Point Unit #4 shut down imediately for its aircady delayed steam generator inspection.
We also ask that the NRC consider the suspension of the license for Turkey Point Unit #4 until such time as FP4L submits proof' that this reactor unit's pressure vessel would maintain its integrity in a loss of cooling accident.
As the consequences.of a core melt would.be totally unacceptabic_to the residents of Miami, we respectfully ask that prompt action be taken on these crucial matters.
Respectfully yours, fil d\\0 h'00 w
Joette Lorion Center for Nuclear Responsibility cc Marshall Grautenhuis, NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board l
Joe Gilliland, NRC Atlanta Attorney Martin flodder Robert Pollard, UCS Dr Gordon Edwards, CCNR 1
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