XVI. Public Document Room

MA

ма

NINETY-FOURTH CONGRESS

JAMES A. HALEY, FLA., CHAIRMAN

"AYLOR, N.C.

T. JOHNSON, CALIF.
A. UDALL ARIZ.

PHILLIP BURTON, CALIF.
ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER, WIS.
PATSY T. MINK, HAWAII
LLOYD MEEDS, WASH.
ABRAHAM KAZEN, JR., TEX.
ROBERT G. STEPHENS, JR., GA.
JOSEPH P. VIGORITO, PA.
JOHN MELCHER, MONT.
WYO.
TINO RONCALIO,
JONATHAN B. BINGHAM, N.Y.

JOHN F. SEIBERLING, OHIO
HAROLD RUNNELS, N. MEX.
ANTONIO BORJA WON PAT, QUAM

RON DE LUGO, V.I.

BOB ECKHARDT, TEX.

GOODLOE E. BYRON, MD.

JAIME BENITEZ, PR.

JIM BANTING, NEV.

PAUL & TEONGAS, 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 COLENSSEC

MICHAEL C. MARCON

MINDRITY COUNSEL

I have received reports indicating that, since
establishment of the NRC, there have been substantial
improvements in the workings of the H Street Public
This is a strong indication of a
commitment to encouragement of widespread participation
in the regulatory process.

Document Room.

I hope that those responsible for these improvements might be informed that their efforts are important and appreciated, and that their initiatives to provide appropriate improvements be encouraged.

XVII.

Plutonium Recycle Decision Making Procedures

JAMES A. HALEY, FLA., CHAIRMAN

YA. TAYLOR, N.C.

BOLD T. JOHNSON, CALIF.
MORRIS K. UDALL, ARIZ.
PHILLIP BURTON, CALIF.
ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER, WIS.
PATSY T. MINK, HAWAII
LLOYD MEEDS, WASH,
ABRAHAM KAZEN, JR., TEX.
ROBERT G. STEPHENS, JR., GA.
JOSEPH P. VIGORITO, PA.
JOHN MELCHER, MONT.
TINO RONCALIO, WYO.
JONATHAN B. BINGHAM, N.Y.
JOHN P. SEIBERLING, OHIO
HAROLD RUNNELS, N. MEX.
ANTONIO BORJA WON PAT, GUAM

ROM DE LUGO, V.I.

BOB ECKHARDT, TEX.

GOODLOE K. WYRON, MD.

JAIME BENITEZ, P.R.

JIM SANTINI, NIV.

PAUL E. THONGAS, MASSO.

ALLAN T. HOWE, UTAH

JAMES WEAVER, OREO.

BOB CARR, MICH.

GEORGE MILLER, CALIF.

THEODORE M. (TED) RISENHOOVER,

OKLA

JAMES J. FLORIO, N.J.

STAFF DIRECTOR

LEE MC ELVAIN

GENERAL COUNSEL

MICHAEL C. MARDINE
MINORITY COUMBREL

The Honorable

Marcus A. Rowden, Chairman
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Rowden:

For purposes of clarifying and expanding upon the
discussion at the Subcommittee's hearings held on
September 20, 21 and 28, I would appreciate your
providing answers to the questions listed on the
attached pages. These questions were based, in part,
on the response we received to Mr. Tsongas' suggestion,
made during the hearings, that witnesses submit questions
to be addressed to others who had presented testimony.

In order that the record be published at an
early date, I hope that we would receive these answers
no later than November 23, 1976.

Sincerely,

Morris K. Udall, Chairman
Subcommittee on Energy

and the Environment

for Information to be Inserted in the Record

of GESMO Procedures Hearings before the
House Interior Committee Subcommittee on
Energy and the Environment, September 20, 21, and 28

1. To what extent would an NRC decision to allow use of plutonium in light water reactors rest on the

assumption that LMFBRS will become commercially viable
in the 1990's?

2. To what extent does the NRC consider that the GESMO
and associated procedures now in progress also encompass
the fuel cycle aspects of the LMFBR? For example, if
a positive decision is made by the NRC with regard to
plutonium recycle, and the LMFBR eventually is determined
to be safe and economically viable, to what extent will
NEPA require a de novo analysis of the health, safety,
environmental and safeguards aspects of the plutonium
fuel cycle?

3. Please describe the NRC procedure for preparation
and review of the Final GESMO.

What was the procedure used to delineate the

plutonium recycle alternatives to be analyzed in the

GESMO? For example, what was the basis for not considering the following alternatives: a fuel cycle based on the use

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of thorium; the "tandem fuel cycle" suggested by the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; non-fission alternatives to plutonium recycle; and matching of fuel reprocessing plans to the schedule for introduction of the LMFBR? To what extent will matters not considered in the Final GESMO (e.g. inter