Congressional Request for Information Concerning Steam Generator Tube Integrity (Generic Letter No. 82-22)
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
October 26, 1982
TO ALL PRESSURIZED POWER REACTOR LICENSEES
Gentlemen:
SUBJECT: CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING STEAM GENERATOR
TUBE INTEGRITY (GENERIC LETTER NO. 82-22)
Representative Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the Subcommittee on oversight
and Investigation has, by letter dated October 19, 1982, requested that the
NRC submit questions to utilities regarding steam generator tube integrity.
His letter, copy enclosed, specifically identifies the information
requested.
In order to obtain answers to these questions before Congressional hearings
on this subject tentatively scheduled for December 2, 1982, it would be most
helpful if the answers were mailed to NRC no later than November 25, 1982.
Please let us know your plans concerning this request.
This request for information was approved by the Office of Management &
Budget under clearance number 3150-0092 which expires November 30, 1982.
Sincerely,
Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director
Division of Licensing
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosure:
As stated
8210270030
.
COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
October 18, 1982
Chairman Nunzio Palladino
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
1717 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20555
Dear Chairman Palladino:
In preparation for the Interior and Insular Affairs Sub-committee on
Oversight and Investigations' hearing on steam generator tube integrity at
commercial nuclear power plants, I request that the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission request answers to the questions listed below from all commercial
licensees which operate pressurized water reactors in the United States.
The issue of steam generator tube problems is one of widespread
importance within the nuclear power industry and those government bodies
responsible for overseeing nuclear power development, regulation and
operation. While my primary interest is with safety, I am also concerned
about the costs involved in maintenance, repair and replacement, and worker
exposure resulting from these steam generator tube problems. It is my about
these important and related issues. Therefore, I ask that you submit these
questions to all utilities with operating plants so that we can know more
about eh ramifications of the problem. Please request answers to the
following questions for problem. Please request answers to the following
questions for the years 1979, 1980, 1981 and available information for 1982.
1. How many days of unscheduled outages can be attributed to steam
generator-related difficulties per year at your site?
2. During each of the years in questions, how many steam generator
tubes have been (a) plugged and (b) sleeved in each steam
generator?
3. Do you anticipate major steam generator repairs in any of your
units in the next five years, and if so how much would these
repairs cost, please specify?
.
Chairman Palladino Page Two October 18, 1982
4. What have been the total costs and specifically replacement power
costs associated with steam, generator maintenance, repair and
replacement at your plant?
5. What has been the total occupational radiation exposure (in
person-rems) caused by steam generator (a) maintenance and (b)
repair/replacement?
6. What percentage of total annual employee dose has been
attributable to steam generator-related work at your site(s)?
7. During the years in question, (a) how many workers have received
measured radiation doses from steam generator-related work, and
(b) what percentage of th total workforce do these workers
represent?
8. How many temporary workers (defined by the NRC as all workers
other than those hired directly by nuclear power-plants on a
conventional, long-term basis) received doses from steam
generator-related work at your facility each year?
9. What percentage of (a) total workers involved with steam
generator-related work do temporary workers represent, and (b) of
the total workforce do temporary workers represent?
10. Has your company used independent firms to find temporary
employees who have received an occupational dose from steam
generator-related work?
I would greatly appreciate if this matter could be handled as
expeditiously as possible in order to obtain answers to these questions
before the subcommittee's hearing on December 2, 1982. In advance, thank you
for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
EDWARD J. MARKEY
Chairman
Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations
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