ML041040353

G20040248/LTR-04-0224 - Ltr. Rep. Charles F. Bass Independent Safety Survey for Vermont Yankee

ML041040353
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	04/07/2004
From:	Bass C US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Rathbun D Office of Congressional Affairs
Shared Package
ML041210007	List: ML041040353 ML041210006
References
CORR-04-0085, G20040248, LTR-04-0224
Download: ML041040353 (4)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 04/21/04 EDO CONTROL: G20040248 DOC DT: 04/07/04 FINAL REPLY:

Charles F. Bass House of Representatives Dennis Rathbun FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** PRI ** CRC NO: 04-0224 Chairman Diaz DESC: ROUTING:

Independent Safety Survey for Vermont Yankee Travers Paperiello Kane Norry Collins Dean DATE: 04/12/04 Burns/Cyr Miller, RI ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

NRR Dyer SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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OFFICE OF TIHE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed:Apr 12, 2004 10:14 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-04-0224 LOGGING DATE: 04109/2004 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: Charles Bass AFFILIATION: REP ADDRESSEE: Dennis Rathbun

SUBJECT:

Regarding Independent Safety Survey for Vermont Yankee ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: Cy RF OCA to Ack.

LETTER DATE: 04/07/2004 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Constituent Correspondence NOTES:

FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: 05/11/2004 DATE SIGNED:

G20040248

CHARLES F. BASS ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE

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Dennis K. Rathbun, Director VIA FAX: W2O} 606-6O55 Office of Congressional Affairs Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 D car Mr. Raithbun:

I am writing on behalf of Fred M. Slavic oFFitzwilliam, New Hampshire who has written me the enclosed letter about the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant located in Vernon, Vermont, across the Connecticut River from Hinsdale, New Hampshire.

Mr. Slavic refers to a sale of the plant approved by the Vermont Public Service Commission provided an independent safety survey is completed. He feels that the safety of residents of the Monadnock Region in southwestern New Hampshire is threatened.

Whatever assistance you can provide to help me respond to my constituent would be most appreciated. I will await your prompt response.

Sincerely, Charles F. Bass Member of Congress CFB/jpl Enclosure E OILY10 (1. 142 NORTH MAIN STSEEt I I 17M0 AIN SrIXET I1 76 MAIN 1tAET ONE WSI7 smtwt CONCORD. NW 0V301 NASHUA. NH030C SUITE2C SLITE201

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Fred M Slavic 572 Rhododendron Rd Fitzwilliam NH 03447 603 585 6883 westhill@.cheshire.net Congressman Charles Bass I West St Suite 208 Keene NH 03431 April 5 200

Dear Congressman Bass:

I am writing about the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant which is located in Vermont, but is right on the border of our state. The plant was built 31 years ago with the expectation that it would be closed after 30 years as by that time the plant would be no longer safe.

It is now 31 years and far from shutting it down, a new company has bought it and not only plans to keep it running, but wants to increase its capacity by 20%. The Vermont Public Service Commission has recently approved this with the proviso that an independent survey be made to determine the plant's safety. It now appears that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is not bound by this decision and may not do an independent safety survey.

The Vernon Yankee plant is one of the oldest in the country and does not have many of the satcty 1eature. that newer plants have. It did not have a goud safcly icum d cvzII wltcli it was new, and pushing it beyond its useful life even without adding a 20% increase to its output is an outrageous assault on the safety of everyone living in its shadow.

In the event of a serious accident everyone living within 50 miles of this plant would permanently lose their homes to radiation and would not collect a penny of insurance.

Because of the Price Anderson Act they could not even sue the power company. With the banks closed there is a question as to how they could even access their savings. This is without even mentioning the radiation injuries which would especially affirt the children I realize that you are subject to many different pressures. I also realize that we need electricity. But subjecting everyone in New Hampshire and particularly those in the Monadnock region to this sort of danger is too high a price to pay.

As our Representative we rely on you to protect our interests. If you would use your influence to induce the NRC to permit an independent and honest safety inspection of the Vernon Yankee plant. it would be a popular move and would be much appreciated by all of us.

Most Sincerely.

Fred M Slavic