IR 05000201/2020002

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Monitoring Visit Report No. 05000201/2020002, West Valley Demonstration Project, West Valley, New York

ML20307A612
Person / Time
Site:	West Valley Demonstration Project
Issue date:	11/02/2020
From:	Anthony Dimitriadis Decommissioning Branch I
To:	Bower B West Valley Demonstration Project
References
IR 2020002
Download: ML20307A612 (7)

Text

November 2, 2020

SUBJECT:

U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION MONITORING VISIT REPORT NO. 05000201/2020002, WEST VALLEY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, WEST VALLEY, NEW YORK

Dear Mr. Bower:

On October 7, 2020, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted a monitoring visit at the U.S. Department of Energys West Valley Demonstration Project site to review ongoing decommissioning activities. Additional monitoring activities (in office reviews) were conducted remotely as a consequence of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) during the year.

The monitoring visit consisted of observations by the NRC representative, review of documents, and interviews with personnel. The results of the monitoring visit were discussed with you on October 7, 2020, and are provided in the enclosed report. No public health and safety issues were identified.

No reply to this letter is required. Please contact Katherine Warner at (610) 337-5389 if you have any questions regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Anthony Dimitriadis, Chief Decommissioning, ISFSI, and Reactor HP Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Docket No. 05000201 License No. CSF-1 Enclosure:

Report No. 05000201/2020002 cc w/Encl: Craig Rieman, Deputy Director Moira Maloney, Regulatory Strategy and Environmental Compliance Janice Williams, Regulatory Affairs Paul Bembia, Program Director

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP)

NRC Monitoring Visit Report No. 2020002 An announced monitoring visit was conducted on October 7, 2020 by United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff at the DOE WVDP site in West Valley, New York.

Additional monitoring activities were conducted remotely during the year as a consequence of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). NRC staff also participated in the DOE quarterly public meeting on May 27, 2020 via telephone. The monitoring visit included a review of programs and activities associated with the WVDP site decommissioning project. The monitoring visits consisted of interviews with DOE, DOE contractors, and New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) personnel; a review of documents; tours of the facility; observations of prepared work areas and in-progress work activities. The program for conducting NRC monitoring visits at the WVDP is described in Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0111, Region I Monitoring Activities for the DOE West Valley Demonstration Project. Based on the results of these activities, no public health and safety issues were identified.

ii

REPORT DETAILS

1.0 Introduction In accordance with the WVDP Act of 1980 and as implemented by a Memorandum of Understanding between the DOE and the NRC, routine, an announced monitoring visit was conducted on October 7, 2020, by NRC staff at the DOE WVDP site in West Valley, New York. NRC staff also participated in the DOE quarterly public meeting on May 27, 2020. The program for conducting NRC monitoring visits at the WVDP is described in IMC 0111. The monitoring visits included a review of programs and activities associated with the WVDP site decommissioning project. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NRC monitored limited on-site activities while still maintaining awareness of site activities.

2.0 MPPB Deactivation

a. Inspection Scope

The NRC reviewed DOEs continuing progress for the deactivation of the Main Plant Process Building (MPPB) in preparation for eventual demolition, specifically the mock-up and operation of decontamination activities in Product Purification Cell - South (PPC-S).

The monitoring visit consisted of interviews with DOE staff and contractor personnel including discussions with cognizant personnel on the deactivation process. NRC staff performed observations of PPC-S operations, as available. NRC staff reviewed and observed COVID-19 on-site COVID-19 protocols.

b. Observations and Findings

WVDP continues deactivation of the MPPB in preparation for eventual demolition.

Additional deactivation work has been scoped into the current contract including work in the General Purpose Cell (GPC), Product Purification Cell-South (PPC-S), and the Vent Wash Room. During the May 27, 2020 DOE quarterly public meeting, DOE made a statement that the MPPB deactivation was approximately 98% complete.

As part of the deactivation work, DOE directed its contractor to reduce the material at risk (MAR) in PPC-S. Significant contamination on PPC-Ss surfaces under a difficult-to-remove fixative applied during previous decommissioning activities, combined with tight cell dimensions created numerous challenges for decontamination. The monitor previously reviewed the process and additional information may be found in Monitoring Report2020001 (ML20041D726). The NRC noted that work at WVDP other than essential activities was halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 PHE. At the time of the on-site visit, the site had begun additional select on-site activities while still employing telework for employees, as appropriate and in accordance with DOE and New York state guidelines associated with COVID-19 restrictions.

During the monitoring visit, the NRC monitor conducted additional observations of the decontamination work and held discussions with personnel associated with the mockup activities that occurred since the January monitoring visit. The discussions also included COVID-19 protocols for PPE requirements and processes. The NRC monitor noted that in-cell decontamination activities that had commenced on January 6, 2020, were stopped due to the COVID-19 PHE, and then restarted in September, 2020 after COVID-19 protocols were put in place. The NRC noted that DOE and its contractors appear to be appropriately focused on radiological and physical safety and several sections of wall had been successfully decontaminated.

c. Conclusions

No public health and safety issues were identified. The NRC monitor will continue to review decontamination activities during future visits.

3.0 Public Meetings DOE WVDP Quarterly Public Meetings NRC staff also participated in the DOE quarterly public meeting on May 27, 2020, via telephone and webinar. During the public meetings, DOE staff, DOE contractors, and NYSERDA representatives provided updates on the progress of various project milestones. The NRC noted that these meetings have moved to an online format due to the COVID-19 PHE.

4.0

Exit Meeting Summary

The NRC Region I representative discussed the monitoring visit results with Mr. Brian C. Bower, Director of the West Valley Demonstration Project and other members of the WVDP staff on October 7, 2020.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED

Department of Energy

B. Bower, Project Director

D. Gray, Facility Representative

J. Prowse, DOE Contractor

NYSERDA

P. Bembia, Program Director

B. Frank, Program Manager

A. Mellon, Project Manager

PARTIAL LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

Monthly WVDP Project Performance Reports (various)

Weekly WVDP Project Status Reports (various)

LIST OF ACRONYMS USED

DOE Department of Energy

GPC General Purpose Cell

IMC Inspection Manual Chapter

MAR Material At Risk

MPPB Main Plant Processing Building

NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NYSERDA New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

PPC-S Product Purification Cell - South

WVDP West Valley Demonstration Project

Enclosure