ML20003D885
| ML20003D885 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 03/13/1981 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS (OPA) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20003D876 | List: |
| References | |
| PR-81-043, NUDOCS 8104010331 | |
| Download: ML20003D885 (4) | |
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UNITED STATES
/.i NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISS!ON
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Yh Office of Public Affairs VVashington, D.C. 20555 No.
81-43 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tel. 301/492-7715 (Friday, March 13, 1981)
CHAIRMAN HENDRIE COMMENTS ON STEPS TO SOLVE PROBLEM OF LICENSING DELAYS Chairman Joseph M.
Hendrie of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission commented today on the steps being taken by the NRC to solve the problem of delays in licensing decisions for nuclear power plants.
Dr. Hendrie said:
"In my opinion these steps and other actions under con-sideration will reduce the impact that had been projected for plants that will be completed over the next three years.
The basic problem we are confronting is the backlog in licensing decisions for new plants which resulted from the accident at Three Mile Island.
That accident inhibited our licensing process for more than a year in spite of the additional resources provided by the Congress and the redirection of NRC staff resources that was made.
Thus, our licensing approval process now is on the critical path for operation of a number of plants.
I believe immediate solutions to the delay problem are both possible and necessary."
Dr. Hendrie said major improvements underway or being considered include:
Expedited and rescheduled review by the NRC staff for plants in the short term category--those presently complete and those to be completed in 1981 and 1982.
The delay to the Fermi and Waterford plants already has been minimized.by adjusting staff resources for a total savings of 10 months for these two plants.
Increased efficiency of the hearing process and subsequent Commission and Appeals Board review.
The time now being taken between issuance of the supplemental staff evaluation report and initial decisions by licensing boards averages 18 months.
The NRC believes it can compress that time to about 10 months by tightening up the times allowed for each part of the prehearing process and by 810 4 0103zyl.,
. 81-43' providing firmer time managec.ent of the whole process. The Commission is publishing for public comment proposed changes to its rules which would accomplish this.
Changes in the review process the Commission itself exercises over these cases.
The Commission is considering two alternatives to shorten this review period which could save at least two months in each case that has been in hearing.
Early completion of NRC staff review for plants to be completed in 1983 and beyond.
This will require better scheduling of reviews and increased staff resources applied to casework.
Some staff resources can be redirected by deferring lower priority work and shifting some work to other NRC offices.
Before making such a change, the Cc= mission will carefully review the impact on other essential satety-related activities.
"In order for these measures to be effective in reducing delays, the utilities will have to meet the schedules for submitting information to the NRC," Chairman Hendrie said.
Chairman Hendrie noted that one further step could be taken--legislation to authorize the Commission to issue limited, interim operating licenses before completion of hearings where all applicable safety requirements have been met.
"In sum, I am confident the actions we have taken and those we will take will provide major improvements in licensing schedules without compromising the regulatory requirements for safety," Chairman Hendrie said.
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Department of Energy
-Washington, D.C. 20585 March 17, 1931 i
Mr. Sidney N. Quam-519 5. W.19th Street Boynton Beach, Florida 33435
Dear fir. Quam:
4 This will acknowledge your recent letter to Secretary Edwards.
Because the subject of your letter does not fall within the curview of the Department of Energy, we have forwarded your letter to:
Ms. Margo Bridgers Chief, Administrative and Correspendence Branch Office of the Executive Director for Ooerations i
Nuclear Regulatory Commission 7735 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, Maryland 20014 Sincerely,
<b:4N' h
%c.t?:sf Bonnie Betancourt Director, Special Projects Division Executive Secretariat i
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9-519 s.W. 19th street Boynton Beach, Fla.
33435 February 27, 1981 Secretary James Edwards Decartment of Enerey Forrestal Buildine Washington, D. C.
20000
Dear yr. Edwards:
i In a recent article I read,it was stated that.
the Philadelchia Electric ' completed construction 4
of Salem Unit # 2 in March, 1979 Due to the NRC, licensine moratorium has delayed power license.
The Unit is expected to be in commercial operation l
in 1981.
This is a two year delay -- an idle two billion dollar investment.
All costs eventually are paid by the customer.
This is only one example.
Why the delay?
What is the rroblem?
A need to shake up the Nuclear Reculatory Commission?
Yours truly, brQ"{ l -
s.t(s/L c
u Sidney N. Quam a
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