Agenda - 03-29-2007- - Laserfiche WebLink

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BARRYJACOB$ CHAIR ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THEN CAREK JR0775, V/CECHA/R POST OFFICE BOX 818' 4LEWEP. FOUSNEE 200 SOUTH CAMERON STREET .4LJCEM. GORDON HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 November 27, 2006 Mr. Doug Pickett, Acting Branch Chief Plant Licensing Branch II -2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852 Dear Mr. Pickett: sgnsti/ Thank you for inquiring about Orange County's resolutions regarding the Shearon Harris nuclear plant. The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) has deliberated the merits of either joining as an active petitioner in the 10 CFR § 2.206 petition to suspend the operating license for the Shearon Hams nuclear generating facility, or to support the petition in the same vein as the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill by being placed on 'a distribution list for Nuclear Regulatory Commission correspondence with the petitioners. The BOCC has determined that Orange County will opt to remain a supporter of the petition with a place on the distribution list as opposed to becoming an active petitioner. The BOCC does support the request that the NRC hold field hearings or public meetings in this area as part of its evidentiary and deliberation processes. Furthermore, it is Orange County's desire that its resolution in support of emergency planning throughout the designated 50 -mile radius ingestion pathway be taken as a statement in support of the fire petition, given that fires represent the greatest risk of accidental release of radioactive material. The BOCC's emergency planning concerns are specific to the Shearon Harris facility in that the ingestion pathway area includes Orange County. We do not necessary expect that the ingestion pathways of all nuclear power facilities will encompass similar levels of population as is the case in the Research Triangle Area. However, it seems prudent on the part of the NRC and the nuclear power industry, particularly in light of recent experiences around the nation with flawed evacuation efforts, to work with local emergency management officials to ensure the safety of those living within the ingestion pathway of any nuclear power facility. If not addressed as a part of the current discussion, Orange County's concerns related to evacuation planning will arise again, perhaps during relicensing deliberations. WWW.CO.ORANGE.NC. US PROTECTING AND PRESERVING - PEOPLE, RESOURCES, QUALITY OF LIFE ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA - YOU COUNT.I (919) 24x2130 • FAX (919) 644 -0246