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Testimony: Charles Tedford P^ag 2 



Governor Walter J. Hickel recently requested the U.S. 

 Ambassador to Russia, Robert Strauss, to provide better notifica- 

 tion procedures on Russian nuclear power incidents. The request 

 followed unofficial reports of a radiation release from a nuclear 

 power plant on the Chukotka Peninsula, just across the Bering 

 Strait from .\laska. 



The release into the atmosphere, which reportedly occurred at 

 the Bilibino power plant on July 10, 1991, was listed by The Econo- 

 mist , a British newsmagazine, in the March 28 issue as one of five 

 nuclear power accidents in the former Soviet Union since January 1, 

 1991. The magazine also reported that there have been 270 

 unscheduled stoppages of nuclear reactors in that time, including 

 10 unscheduled stoppages at the Bilibino facility. 



While this particular incident may not have involved cross- 

 boundary releases, Governor Hickel told .Embassador Strauss he wants 

 procedures in place to ensure that the State of .\laska receives 

 prompt notification of all future incidents. 



Governor Hickel stated, "The State must have immediate and 

 direct information if we are to establish a meaningful monitoring 

 system to evaluate possible impacts." 



The Governor also expressed concern about separate news 

 reports that the Russians are considering expansion of the power 

 plant even while 170 specialists are planning to leave the area. 



