On August 21, 2007, the State of
South Carolina notified LaSalle County Station that it was suspending Radioactive Waste Permit 0178-12-07-X as of August 22, 2007, for a period of not less than 30 calendar days. This action was in response to noncompliance with applicable state regulations. Specifically, Shipment No. 0607-13412 was inspected by the State of
South Carolina on July 9, 2007, at the Energy Solutions burial facility in Barnwell,
South Carolina. During the process of opening the shipping cask and removing the liner for burial, loose radioactive material was identified on the bottom of the cask. The exposure rate of the material was 35 rem/hr. LaSalle County Station personnel were made aware of this finding on July 9, 2007, by Energy Solutions staff, the operators of the burial facility in Barnwell,
South Carolina. The identified debris was described as a 1/8 inch by 1/8 inch black chip, with radiation levels of approximately 35 rem/hr when removed from the shipping cask and isolated. The Energy Solutions staff contained the debris with other incidental site generated debris and buried it in the facility, rendering the material inaccessible. In response to identifying the debris in the cask, licensee personnel initially reviewed the cask loading procedures to identify any provisions that needed to be made to minimize the risk of debris on the outside of the liner or inside the cask. Following the notice of non-compliance from the State of
South Carolina, the licensee initiated a root cause analysis of loading activities associated with this shipment. This event remains under review by the NRC and is categorized as an Unresolved Item. (
URI 05000373/2007004-03;
05000374/2007004-03