JAMES A. HALEY, FLA., CHAIRMAN OY A. TAYLOR, N.C. AROLD T. JOHNSON, CALIF. RON DE LUGO, V.I. BOB ECKHARDT, TEX. GOODLOE E. BYRON, MD. JAIME BENITEZ, P.R. JIM SANTINI, NEV. PAUL E. TSONGAS, MASS. ALLAN T. HOWE, UTAH JAMES WEAVER, OREG. BOB CARR, MICH. GEORGE MILLER, CALIF THEODORE M. (TED) RISENHOOVER, OKLA. JAMES J. FLORIO, NJ. STAFF DIRECTOR LEE MC ELVAIN GENERAL COUNSEL MICHAEL C. MARDEN Mr. William Anders, Chairman Dear Mr. Anders: Recently the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment I would appreciate your informing the Subcommittee Sincerely, Morris K. Udall, Chairman UNITED BY COMMISSION OFFICE OF THE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 MAR 19 1976 Honorable Morris K. Udall, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment Dear Chairman Udall: In your letter of February 17, 1976, you asked whether conventional explosives could readily be used to sabotage shipments of spent fuel. This issue was recently addressed in testimony prepared by the staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for presentation during Atomic Safety and Licensing Board hearings on the Wolf Creek Generating Station proposed by Kansas Gas and Electric Company and Kansas City Power and Light Company. The Wolf Creek testimony was not presented because the intervenors withdrew their contention on this issue. Nevertheless, I have enclosed a copy in the hope that it will satisfactorily answer the Subcommittee's questions on this matter. The testimony includes the following conclusions: 1. The design features that enable the shipping 2. The tight packing of the fuel element (s) in the cask, the difficulty in removing the cover (s), and the level of radioactivity of the exposed fuel militate against any introduction of explosives into the cask with the intent of propelling the fuel out of the container(s). 3. A massive rupture of the cask is considered to be an incredible event. 4. 5. 6. A possibility exists that a small bore penetra- It is the staff's opinion that for quick, lethal A release of solid, non-volatile radioactive Accordingly, current regulations are considered adequate for the protection against sabotage of shipments of spent fuel, and no additional regulations are currently being considered. If we can be of further assistance, please advise. Sincerely, William A. Anders JAMES A. HALEY, FLA., CHAIRMAN TOY A. TAYLOR, H.C. AROLD T. JOHNSON, CALIF. ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER, WIS. BOB ECKHARDT, TEX. GOODLOE E. BYRON, MD. JAIME BENITEZ, P.R. JIM SANTINI, NEV, PAUL E. TSONGAS, MASS. ALLAN T. HOWE, UTAN JAMES WEAVER, OREG. BOB CARR, MICH. GEORGE MILLER, CALIF. THEODORE M. (TED) RISENHOOVER, OKLA JAMES J. FLORIO, N.J. JOE SKUBITZ, KANS. JAMES P. (JIM) JOHNSON, COLO. Mr. William Anders Chairman COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 5, 1976 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dear Mr. Anders: COPY STAFF DIRECTOR LEE MC ELVAIN GENERAL COUNSEL MICHAEL C. MARDEN Testimony received by February 26 and 27 by the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment implies existing systems in the nuclear industry are not capable of providing protection against threats which the NRC seems to consider plausible. In light of this, I believe the NRC should immediately either require an upgrading of security system quality or clarify its position concerning the nature of the threat. In I also urge you to increase the level of fines imposed for violations of safeguards regulations. I am skeptical of the rationale presented by Mr. Case at the February 27 hearing. an answer to Congressman Tsongas who expressed concern that fines were too low, Mr. Case said: "No, sir. It is not the fine that is the real penalty. The real penalty is the public notoriety and the public pressure. That is one of the things that results from NRC imposing these fines, a lot newspaper publicity and that by far is a more expensive penalty on the company." I would appreciate your earliest response. Sincerely, Morris K. Udall Chairman, Subcommittee on |