Docket Hos. 50-275and 50-323

Honorable Philip HartUnited States Senate

Dear Senator Hart,:

utioncket Fa.le 'E~er (DR-9928)

NRC PDR JCookMarch 24, 1976 Local PDR MQroff

EDO Reading ZHughesNRR R~~'~ff) SFb11INR 83 Pile DA11isonBCRusche EXQoulbouvneJMillev JYoreHDenton IE (3)RHeineman ERR Brench ChiefsVStello WRossELD RS BoydCA (3) EQCase

LVQossickI am pleased to respond to your memorandum of Haroh 2, 1976 whichforwarded the letter of'our constituent, Hs. Jill Greenborg, datedFebruary 10,,1976.

Hs. Greenborg expressed concerns primarily about the seismic designof the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Although construction ofthe first unit, at the Diablo Canyon site is essentially complete,the plant. is not operating. Operation of the plant will not beauthorized until tho seismic questions discussed by Hs. Grconberghave been thoroughly evaluated by the Commission and any actions whichmay be necessary to ensure an acceptable level of safety have beentaken. This evaluation-is in progress. Further det;ails are presentedin the onclosure.

Hs. Greonberg s letter indicates a belief'hat this matter is oftremendous concern to Hv. Robert, Pollard, who recently rosignod hisemployment with the Commission's staff in protest to Comaissionpractices. Hr. Pollard's protests and the Commission s detailedresponses have recently been presented to the Joint Committ;oe onAtonic Energy. However, X would like to point out here thatHr . Pollard was not: involved in t,he evaluat;ion of this particularmatter. Furthermore, to our knowledge, his remarks on this matterhave beon limited to one sentonco in his tostimony before the JointCommittee. The sentence, which briefly doscribes the sit,uation,appears as one of i number of questions which Hr, P<ollard wasrecommending for independent evaluation by the General AccountingOffice.

Hs. Greenberg advocated immediate action to halt the operation ofreactors located fn earthquake zones. Tho Commission s regulationssot forth procedures which result 'in the safety r elated portions of'

nuclear power plant, being designed to wit;hstand the largestcart,hquako that can be expected to occur at the plant; s location inan indefinitely long period of tine. The safety related portions .

0 ~C

I

~ 0 0Honorabie prtl11p Hart

7

inolude not only the comportents which contain significant amounts ofradioaotivity, but they also include the features which, in the eventof a postulated significant accidental release from those components,function to contain the radioactivity'and limit releases to theenvironment to acceptable values. Thus, nuoloar power plants. aredesigned such that an cart,hquake cannot be expeoted to result in asignificant release of radioactivity to the environment.

Finally, tfs, Groenberg advooated more research on nuolear safety.The Commission currently has a budget of about $110 million per yearfor nuolear safety research of this type. Tnis has been increased froma level of ~~67 million last year and $122 million has been requestedfor fiscal year 1977. In addition privat;e industry performs nuclearsafety research and the Energy Research and Development Administrationconducts related work such as the development of waste disposal methods.In a somewhat related matter the Commission published thc results of itsReactor Safety Study in October 1975. The object of this extensivestudy was to make a realistic estimat,e of the risks assooiated withthe operat,ion of commercial nuclear power plants . The results,indicatedthat the risks associated with the operation of 1QO such plants in theUnited States are several orders of magnitude less than the risksassociated with either nat;ural events or other man caused events.

I trust you will find this information responsive to Its. Greenberg'sconcerns. I am returning tis. Greenberg s letter as you requested,

1

Sinoercly,

William J. DircksAssistant Executive Director

for Operations

Enclosures:1. Diablo t;anyon Seismic Evaluation2. hs. Grcenberg s letter dated

February 10, 1976

SEE PREVIOUS YEUDW FOR PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

CChm ed per,ELD 76)

OPPICC+

SURNAMS~

bAYK+

D: 83Mllison1 mt

3//g/76Porm hZC-318 (RSY. 9 53) hZCM 0240

I KDQ/IJLVGoss j,~

3/ V776

DPM

WIPne 2S 3/ g/7676

k U, 4, OOVC1INM NY PRINYINC OPPICSI 1474 ~ 424 144

MVj'P,f/76

0 0 0 ~It

t

I

~ ~

'ocket Hos. 5Q-275and 50»323

-'donorablo Philip HartUnited States Senate

Dear Senator dart:

DistributionIbcket M.eNRC PDRLocal PDREDO ReadingNRR Reading (HGro )LMR $ 3 FileBCRuscheJMillevHDentonRHeineVStello'LD

CA (3

er (DR-9928}J kffEHughesSHillDAllisonEIGoulbouvneJYoveIE'3)INR Blench ChiefsWRoss

l aa pleased to respond to your memorand m of'arch 2, l976 whichforwarded the letter of your const1tue , Hs. Jill Gr eenberg, datodFebruary lO, l976.

Hs. Grcenberg expressed concerns p marily about the soisraic designaf tne Diablo, Canyon fluclear Pove Plant. M.tnough construotion ofthe first unit at the Diablo C on site is essentially co@piete,the plant ic not operating. 0 ration of the plant villnot boauthorized until the seisuic estions discussed by Hs. Greenberghave been thoroughly evaluat d by the Coauoission and any actions whichnay be necessary to ensure n acceptable level of. safety have beentaken. This evaluat1on 1 in progress. Further details are presentedin the enolosure.

Hs. Greenberg s letter indicates a belief that, this matter isoL'remendousconcern t Hr. Robert Pollard, vho recently resigned his

enployrrent Mith the omission s staff in protest to Commissionpractices. f&. Po ard's protests and tho Coaaission s detailed

'esponses have te cntly been presented to the Joint Committee onAtomic Energy. ovcver, I would like to point out hero thatHr. Pollard i<as not involved in the evaluation of this particularnatter. Furt more, to our knorrledgc, his remarks on this matterhave been li ted to one sentence in his tcstiaony before the JointCaemittec. 'he.sentence, which briefly doser'ibes tho situation,appoars as ne of a nu:nbor of questions vh1ch Hr. Pallard wasrecommend g for independent evaluation by the General AccountingOffice.

Hs. Gr enbcrg advocated in~>cdiate aotion to halt the operation ofreact rs located in enrthqua>ce zones. Tne Commission's regulationsset 'art;h procedures which result, in the safety related porti'ons afa nuolear power plant being designed to vithstand the largestearthquake hat can be expected to occur at the plant s location inan i~defi at ly lang period of time. The safety related portions

lg

~ .,0f ~

,I

I

I

Honorable 8'hilip Hart

inolude not only /he co ponents whioh contain significant amounts oradioactivity9 ey also inolude the features wnich, in the evenof a postulat'ed significant acoidental release frou those compo nts,funotion to contain tHe radioactivity and limit releases to t,environment to acceptable values. Thus, an ear qua n beexpected'to result in a significant release of adioaotiv y ~Finally, Hs. Qreenberg advocated more research on nc ear saf'ety.The Commission currently has, a budget of about Ql million per. yearfor nuclear safety research of'his type. 'This As been increased froma level of $ 67 million last year and $122 mill/ n has been roquestedfor fiscal year 1977. Zn addition private lydustry performs nuclearsafety research and the t':nergy Hescarch an Wevqlopment Administrationconducts related wor k such as the develop cnt of'aste disposal methods.Xn a somewhat- related matter the Commis on published the results of itsHeaotor Safety Study in October 1975. The ob)ect of this extensivestudy was to make a realistio estin -e of the risks assooiated withtne operation of commercial nuclea power planta. The results indicatedthat the risks associated with t operation of 100 such plants in theUnited States are several order of magnitude less than tne risksassociated with either natura events or other man caused events.

I trust you will find this nfor mation responsive to Hs. Greenberg,'sconcerns. I am returnin Hs. Greenberg s letter as you roquested.

Sincerely,

1".nclosures1. i)lab Canyon Seismic Evaluation2. Ns. reenberg's 1etter dated,

cbruary 10, 1976

ELD DPM: / WR™

OFFIC53F'

U ltNAM C ~OATS+

P:ENR II.3C----m+mt."

on/OpalfPpg /76

3/ /76

DPH

3/ /76

/ /76

ESCoae........3/ /76

KRuscjle........ LVQnssick3/ /76 3/ /76

OCA

/ /76FOna IIIEC-318 (ReT. 9.33) hZCM 0240 4 V, 5, COVCIINMKNTI'IIINTINOOFFICCI IOTA 525 !45

~ ~

pl I

gl

W

o eENCLOSURE

DIABLO CANYON SEISMIC DESIGN EVALUATION

The Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant is located on the Pacific Coastabout 12 miles from San Luis Obispo, California. Construction isessentially completed for the first of the two units at this site.The owner, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, applied for an operatinglicense in 1973. The Commission s staff is currently evaluating theoperating license application. This evaluation, which is now nearingcompletion, has been delayed nearly two years by considerationsassociated with the Hosgri fault.

The present situation presents no risk to public safety since thereactors have never operated and do not have operating licenses. New

fuel for the reactors is being stored at the plant . The Commission sstaff has evaluated this storage and determined that it involves nosignificant risk to public safety even if the largest of earthquakes

?' ~Alt tRBefore operating licenses can be issued, all actions necessary todemonstrate an acceptable level of safety will be required. Furtherdetails concerning the operating license evaluation are presentedbelow.

Construction permits were issued in 1968 and 1970 for Units 1 and 2,respectively, at the Diablo Canyon site. Based on the investigationsconducted at that time the plant was designed to withstand thefollowing earthquakes:

(1) A great earthquake of magnitude 8.5 along the San Andreasfault 48 miles from the plant.

(2) A major earthquake of magnitude 7.25 along the Nacimientofault 20 miles from the plant.

(3) A major earthquake of magnitude 7.5 along the off-shoreextension of the Santa Ynez fault 50 miles from the plant.

(0) An aftershock of magnitude 6.75 not associated with aknown fault 6 miles from the plant (directly under theplant at a depth of 6 miles).

After the construction permits were issued, offshore investigationsconducted by Shell Oil Company showed the existence of a fault whichhad previously been unmapped. This is the Hosgri fault which runs

~ 0 0 ~~ ~

~1~"'~1

hrt'

1 yt

offshore from the vicinity of Point Sal on the south to Point SanSimeon on the nor th and passes within about 3 1/2 miles of the DiabloCanyon Nuclear Power Plant at its closes approach. (One smallsplay of the fault passes within 2 1/2 miles of the plant). Chere-4s-mr;iden u+t-may-ex4end-fo~er-soubhwa~aom

Since the beginning of the operating license review, Pacific Gas andElectric Company has conducted additional investigations and submittedextensive information on the characteristics of the fault, itscapabilities for producing earthquakes and the ability of the plantto withstand earthquakes which are more severe than those consideredin the original design. The Company has proposed considering theHosgri fault capable of producing an earthquake of magnitude 6.25.Since this earthquake would result in somewhat more severe groundshaking than the original design earthquakes, the Company has performedadditional analyses in order to demonstrate that the plant could safelywithstand such an earthquake.

The U. S. Geological Survey, which is acting as a consultant to theCommission s staff in this review, has also conducted extensiveinvestigations concerning the characteristics and capabilities of theHosgri fault. The Survey has recommended considering the Hosgri faultcapable of producing a larger earthquake than the magnitude 6.25earthquake proposed by Pacific Gas and Electric. This generalrecommendation was made by the Survey and published by the Commission sstaff in January 1975. In January 1976, after considerable furtherstudy, the Survey made a tentative specific recommendation that theHosgri fault should be considered capable of producing an earthquakewith a magnitude in the range of 7.0 to 7.5. This recommendation isbased on the Survey's opinion that the fault is longer than PacificGas and Electric Company believes it is or, alternately, that the 1927earthquake of magnitude 7.3 could have occurred on the Hosgri fault.

The Commission s staff has not made final conclusions concerning thecapability of the Hosgr i fault for producing an earthquake or theplant s capability for withstanding such an earthquake. Consideringan earthquake of magnitude 7.0 to 7.5 on the Hosgri fault requiresfurther analysis to determine the effects of such an earthquake andwhat modifications would be necessary to withstand such an earthquake.The analysis for an earthquake of that size at this distance from theplant would be unique in several respects. The Commission s staff

~ ~ ~ ~so

h

l'

is actively pursuing an analysis of the effects of a magnitude 7.0 to7.5 earthquake as well as considering the different interpretationsof geological data.

In addition to its own technical expertise in the fields involvedhere, the Commission s staff has the assistance of capable consultants,including the U. S. Geological Survey. Furthermore, when the staff sevaluation is completed these matters must be considered by otherbodies before an operating license can be issued. They will first beevaluated by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards. Then theAtomic Safety and Licensing Board will hold public hearings near theplant site. At these hearings the Board will consider the evidenceand recommendations presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, theCommission's staff, the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards andother parties, including the State of California and interestedcitizens, before making a decision concerning an operating license. 7~

~ 0 ~ ~Ta~>po C'

m 1

[ l e 5

yl

a

p f-

;-~i/ROM

Gep+3Fhglfp h,. GnrC.

; TO

CONTROL NUMBER

998'ATE

OF DOCUMENT3/2/$6

ACTION PROCESSING DATES

Acknowledged ~I4276InterlijRe ly

„. (g,„~ 5 -/7,Z.

FILE LOCATION

ACTION COMPLETION DEADLINEsos/so

PREPARE FOR SIGNATURE OF:

Chairman

Dt t fRglti

DESCRIPTION L~ QOrigina I 0 Cop? Q other

ZPCX XCr fn Jl,'H CreeahEtrg OPyaoing iaemanCO Of C, lieaeaa'eyaratim OC Skate Cmym eM myel e hit Ce &fthm

eeuaheeetielm, Ok eZCXCEIZ 'Pleahe

REMARKS

Be~ erelesme mJxeply

KPGXF

REFERRED TO DATE IS NOTIFICATION TO THE JCAE

RECOMMENDED?

CaneXecheh PHae) $9 S'5se g M3

DIRECTOR OF REGULATIONCOMMUNICATiONS CONTROL

Form HQ.32 (1-73)USAEC

A

1

FROM

. 5Cgg~QMjXKP he Uaxk

, TO

', MC

CONTROL NUMBER

9928DATE OF DOCUMENT

3/XI76ACTION PROCESSING DATES

Acknowledged ~f4')76Interi Rye ly

FinaI ~

a g/ f =$ r .t d '~

F ILE LOCATION

ACTION COMPLETIONL)EADLINE3123175

PREPARE FOR SIGNATURE OF:

Chafrman

Director of Regulationx @He.ec4

t" DESCRIPTION L~ Q Original Q Copy Q O~her

K ei It@ fa JD,L Cceehazg ogpeaimg ~~~a eg a LicceeaSet ay~e@eiea OE MabLe Cage+ end mPCIO n 5Zlt2 em &SC t5eeCCRGRXCCCXCS OR XKHCtQC PXQRCO

j

REMARKS

Rcaem cnelcemt eleaply

REFERRED TO DATE IS NOTIFICATION TO THE JCAE

RECOMMENDED?

y't CacePeehat PLXm) N 27$KQ 99-325

DIRECTOR OF REGULATIONCOMMUNICATIONS CONTROL

Form HQ.32 (1-73)USA EC

V'<I

1

f.E

lt

|HBtkPtl SfBtcs ScllBt8'I

l'k ~

4I

,h'r,vr'O

MEMORANDUMMarch 2, 1976

A communicat Lon attached from:Ms. Jill Merbe GreenbergSmith College Junior Year in ItalyPiazza Antinori 2Firenze, ITALY

Respectfully referred to:Mr. Carlton C. Kammerer, DirectorOffice of Congressional AffairsNuclear Regu1atory CommissionWashington, D.C. 20/$ 5

for such consideration as the communicationteaasmitted herewith may warrant and for a reportthereon, in dup,", icate o accompany return ofthe enclos.ire,

Your assistance in this matter vil.l be aporeciatcd.

fee'd Otf. 1}".,~

3a4! gfS' 4t'imp

"incerely,

Philip A. Ha "t) U. S. S.

' lr," r,4 ~

hh

r

l( paI

I'

~ ',

, I»! rr e»rIh h ih h h '..h rihhWh

re: Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant; status oflicensing procedure and, considerationof points raised by Ms. Greenberg

~» " » > ~ ~ I

, qI hhAv»hhhhrL„r

PLEASE RETURN CONSTITUENT CORRESPONDENCE

~ Ii» h ~. „ . 4 0 I ~ » r

~ I ~,h

t 'h ~

'

"~I ~ 'i

~. ~

~ ~ I ~V P ~ I ~

', lh ~ I'S 'I

~ ~ ~ .

I ~

rI!Ih»rs. Ah»I 'a»r» ~s~»»rrahrI »h»»r»»»I YrrrIIh»r.dn CL h'~~rr»»»»myrrh...»Iv N %Ah» ''»'hah"»I

cdg

0

'.smith Colle,.junior Year in It@1@Piassa ~tin~i 2

|'ebraury 10, 1976

Senator Philip Hartl;enator of the State of NichiganUnited. States Congresswashington Distr' of Colombia

Dear Ben'ator Hart,

I have spent much time and energy in the past to encourage the United.;~tates government to exercise its power to limit the dangerous and alarm-ing construction of nuclear facilities in the United, States. I am aconstituent from the State of blichigan and have previously appealed to youas my Senator 4o encourage an immediate ban on furthux construction ofnuclear reactorsn as well as initiating furthur reaearch programs into thehasard.s of Nuclear Energy, and the protective measure" necessary for atruiy safe an(1 effective energy source. I write this time not mere1y toexpress my extreme dismay that so 1itt1e has been accomp1ished~. but to4emand that immediate action now be taken to halt operation of reactorsswhich are located in earthqualce nones. The Nuclear Regulatory Coaupissionis to decide by Narch 1, the future of not just the Diablo Canyon Reactor,out the future of the international community as well. This plant is curreht3the subject of temendous concern not merely on the part of environmentalists~ut also a high raking official of the 1G~C, has recently resigned in prote..tof the dangerous risk., involved in the American u-e of Nuclear Lnergy.

The Nuclear reactor plant at Diablo Canyon is built about 12 miles from!an Luis Obispo/ At the time construction was begun it was established thati'his reactor was.to be built some, 49 miles from the San Andreas fault andapproximently.20 miles from the Hinconada fault. To support this reactor in'-ase of earthquake, precautions were taken that would. hopefully fortify theeactor in any earthquake %hat registered up to 6.75 on the Richter scale.

.'n 1971, Shell Oil Co. found an underwater fault that is 2.5 miles fromhe Diablo Canyon plant. Recent studies by United States Geo1ogists haveevealed that this fault is probably responsible for an earthquake in 1927I'.at reached 7.25 on the i'.ichter cale. The Pacific Gas and. Electric Company

Iebates these findings, their c3;aim rema':ns that a more distant fmibt. caused,he quake of 1927. The Nuclear Regu1atory Commission is to decide whether;o grant a lf.cense for operation to the Diablo Canyon Plant. I strongly<rge you to exert"ap"muchc3nf»luance as possible to .,top furthur use of thisaslant and to forbid the construction of Nuclear .eactors in such dsn~erous~ad controversie3. locations! I furthur urge you to encourage a delay in theconstruction of all Nuclear Energy Reactors until such a time when ournowMge iis more highly developed so that such concerns as these need. not:ause widespread concern by the public. The Nuclear Regula.armory Commissions to decide not just; the immediate future of that particu1ar 'plant, but

,he future of both Nuclear L'nergy as a safe and feasable means of energy,md that of the counties., number of lives'which would. doubtlessly suffern case of an error by the HI<C.

I implore you, as my Senator, to take action immediately and anxiously.wait a respon e. Thank you for your time

",jncere iy...; 3~i 'ijd'~q j)" / '"o3.><)"."'»,

1.L

'0