ML20033G549
| ML20033G549 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/28/1990 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Mccrery J HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20033G548 | List: |
| References | |
| CCS, NUDOCS 9004100275 | |
| Download: ML20033G549 (2) | |
Text
_.
.t'
,;f' pcti -
UNITED STATES lNY "gl NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION '
{
WASHINGTON, D. C, 20655
%..... p' March 28,-1990 CHAIRMAN L
The Honorable Jim McCrery United States House of Representatives Wash.ington, D. C.
20515
Dear Congressman McCrery:
I am responding to your le.tters'fof February 6 and Februa'ry18, p
1990, in which you requested the Commission's. Views;on the proposed gas centrifuge uranium enrichment plant to be located I
in Louisiana and on H.R. 2783', designated:the Minnesota Public Lands Improvement Act of 1989.
You alsoLasked us to address the concerns of your constituent, Mr. Fletcher Robinson'. :0ur' detailed responses to the questions you posed in yourE February 8 letter are. enclosed.
The Commission is aware that Louisiana 1 Energy. Services (LES) proposes to establish a uranium enrichment plant in-the area of Homer, Louisiana.
This plant must'be licensedtby'the.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission-(NRC).
Under Section-182'of the-l Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended ~, the Commission.must l
find that the production of'special nuclear' material-will-be' in accordance with the common defense and security.and will-provide adequate protection of the public~ health'and" safety before a license can be issued for the plant.
The: operation-of-the plant would be subject-to the Commission's radiation safety and environmental protection requirements.
At this time, however, the-NRC has not received a'. license application from LES, nor do we expect to receive one until-late 1990 at the-earliest.
This application, when received, should contain the necessary details about the plant's design-and operational features that will permit the NRC-staff to-reach conclusions on the adequacy of-the plant' with respect t'o public health and safety and environmental concerns as well as the safeguarding of special nuclear material at the plant.
Our current knowledge of the Homer project is limited to information we have obtained from several meetings with LES,-
news articles, experience in regulating other plants which produce and use uranium hexaflouride, and brief visits to two European gas centrifuge enrichment plants that are similar to the proposed LES plant.
f'7 FU!.L TEXT ASCil SCAN
?00Nl607 Y t(2n gg$$
u
5
{
f r
2^-
8 In the absence of more specific _ information..we are currently.
unable to address your constituent's concerns'about'the safety of the proposed plant..We_also have no information on the closing of Parish Road 39 and therefore can express no viewfon that issue.
With' respect to H.R. 2783, the Commission'provided itsLviews.
s on the bill in-our letter of March 5, 1990, to Senator'Johnston.-
I have also enclosed a copy of that letter for your information.
I hope the information-we have provided will help clarify.the issues of. concern totyou and your constituents.
-t
-Sincerely, t
Kenneth M. Carr
Enclosures:
1.
Response to questions 2.
March 5, 1990 letter from Acting NRC Chairman Curtiss to Senator J. Bennett Johnston l
1 i
.m i
I l
.