IR 05000266/2020012

NRC Inspection Report 05000266/2020012 and 05000301/2020012; Preliminary White Finding and Apparent Violations

ML20216A765
Person / Time
Site:	Point Beach
Issue date:	08/03/2020
From:	David Curtis Division of Reactor Safety III
To:	Strope M Point Beach
References
EA-20-081 IR 2020012
Download: ML20216A765 (13)

Text

August 3, 2020

SUBJECT:

POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 - NRC INSPECTION REPORT 05000266/2020012 AND 05000301/2020012; PRELIMINARY WHITE FINDING AND APPARENT VIOLATIONS

Dear Mr. Strope:

On June 23, 2020, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 and discussed the results of this inspection with you and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.

Section 71124.08 of the enclosed report documents a finding with associated apparent violations that the NRC has preliminarily determined to be White- a finding with low to moderate increased safety significance. Your staff offered for transport a radioactive material package as Low Specific Activity - II (LSA-II) that did not meet the radiation level limits specified in 49 CFR 173.427 for shipping as LSA. Point Beach staff did not recognize that measured radiation levels were in excess of 10 mSv/ hour (1 Rem/hour) at 3 meters from the unshielded package, exceeding the conditions of transport for LSA material and requiring the package be shipped as a Type B shipment. Consequently, the shipment did not contain the appropriate emergency response information for a shipment containing primary resin, which is required by 49 CFR 172.602(a) and the appropriate package markings required by 49 CFR 172.302(a). The finding was assessed based on the best available information, using the applicable significance determination process (SDP). The finding also resulted in apparent violations of NRC requirements and is being considered for escalated enforcement action in accordance with the Enforcement Policy, which can be found at the NRCs website at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/enforce-pol.html. In accordance with NRC Inspection Manual Chapter 0609, we intend to complete our evaluation using the best available information and issue our final significance determination and enforcement decision, in writing, within 90 days from the date of this letter. The NRCs significance determination process (SDP)

is designed to encourage an open dialogue between your staff and the NRC; however, neither the dialogue nor the written information you provide should affect the timeliness of our final determination. Before we make a final decision, we are providing you with an opportunity to (1) attend a Regulatory Conference where you can present to the NRC your perspective on the facts and assumptions the NRC used to arrive at the finding and assess its significance, or (2) submit your position on the finding to the NRC in writing. If you request a Regulatory Conference, it should be held within 40 days of the receipt of this letter, and we encourage you to submit supporting documentation at least one week prior to the conference in an effort to make the conference more efficient and effective. The focus of a regulatory conference is to discuss the significance of the finding and not necessarily the root cause(s) or corrective action(s)

associated with the finding. If you choose to attend a regulatory conference, it will be open for public observation. If you decide to submit only a written response, it should be sent to the NRC within 40 days of your receipt of this letter. If you decline to request a Regulatory Conference or to submit a written response, you relinquish your right to appeal the final SDP determination, in that by not doing either, you fail to meet the appeal requirements stated in the Prerequisite and Limitation sections of Attachment 2 of NRC Inspection Manual Chapter 0609.

If you choose to send a response, it should be clearly marked as a Response to Apparent Violations in NRC Inspection Report 05000266/2020012 and 05000301/2020012; (EA-20-081)

and should include for the apparent violations: (1) the reason for the apparent violations or, if contested, the basis for disputing the apparent violations; (2) the corrective steps that have been taken and the results achieved; (3) the corrective steps that will be taken; and (4) the date when full compliance will be achieved. Your response should be submitted under oath or affirmation and may reference or include previously docketed correspondence, if the correspondence adequately addresses the required response. Additionally, your response should be sent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Center, Washington, DC 20555-0001 with a copy to the Regional Administrator, Region III, and a copy to the NRC Resident Inspector at the Point Beach Station within 40 days of the date of this letter. If an adequate response is not received within the time specified or an extension of time has not been granted by the NRC, the NRC will proceed with its enforcement decision or schedule a Regulatory Conference.

Please contact Steven K. Orth at 630-829-9757, and in writing, within 10 days from the issue date of this letter to notify the NRC of your intentions. If we have not heard from you within 10 days, we will continue with our significance determination and enforcement decision.

Because the NRC has not made a final determination in this matter, no Notice of Violation is being issued at this time. In addition, please be advised that the number and characterization of the apparent violations described in the enclosed inspection report may change as a result of further NRC review. The final resolution of this finding will be conveyed in separate correspondence. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosure and your response (if any) will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room and the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.

Sincerely, David Digitally signed by David Curtis Curtis Date: 2020.08.03 16:16:46 -05'00'

Mohammed A. Shuaibi, Director Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos. 05000266 and 05000301 License Nos. DPR-24 and DPR-27

Enclosure:

As stated

Inspection Report

Docket Numbers: 05000266 and 05000301 License Numbers: DPR-24 and DPR-27 Report Numbers: 05000266/2020012 and 05000301/2020012 Enterprise Identifier: I-2020-012-0023 Licensee: NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC Facility: Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 Location: Two Rivers, WI Inspection Dates: June 1, 2020 to June 23, 2020 Inspectors: J. Cassidy, Senior Health Physicist G. Edwards, Health Physicist Approved By: Steven K. Orth, Chief Plant Support Branch Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting a NRC inspection at Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, in accordance with the Reactor Oversight Process. The Reactor Oversight Process is the NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors. Refer to https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/oversight.html for more information.

List of Findings and Violations

Failure to Properly Ship Radioactive Material Cornerstone Significance Cross-Cutting Report Aspect Section Public Radiation Preliminary White [H.12] - Avoid 71124.08 Safety AV 05000266/2020012-01 Complacency April 2020 Open EA-20-081 A finding of low to moderate safety significance (Preliminary White) and associated Apparent Violations were reviewed and evaluated by the inspectors involving the licensees transport of a radioactive material package as Low Specific Activity - II (LSA-II) that exceeded the LSA shipping limits for radiation levels as specified in 49 CFR 173.427. The licensees staff did not recognize that measured radiation levels were in excess of 10 mSv/ hour (1 Rem/hour) at meters from the unshielded package which exceeded the conditions for transporting LSA material; and thus, failed to ship the package as a Type B shipment. Consequently, the shipment did not contain the appropriate emergency response information for a shipment containing primary resin as required by 49 CFR 172.602(a) and did not contain the appropriate package markings as required by 49 CFR 172.302(a).

Additional Tracking Items

None.

INSPECTION SCOPES

Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs)in effect at the beginning of the inspection unless otherwise noted. Currently approved IPs with their attached revision histories are located on the public website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html.

Samples were declared complete when the IP requirements most appropriate to the inspection activity were met consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2515, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program - Operations Phase. The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel to assess licensee performance and compliance with Commission rules and regulations, license conditions, site procedures, and standards.

Starting on March 20, 2020, in response to the National Emergency declared by the President of the United States on the public health risks of the coronavirus (COVID-19), regional inspectors were directed to begin telework. For the inspection documented below, it was determined that the objectives and requirements stated in the IP could be performed remotely.

RADIATION SAFETY

71124.08 April 2020 - Radioactive Solid Waste Processing & Radioactive Material Handling, Storage, & Transportation Waste Characterization and Classification (IP Section 03.03)

(1) The inspectors evaluated the licensees characterization and classification of radioactive waste shipment 20-015.

(2) The inspectors evaluated the licensees characterization and classification of radioactive waste shipment 19-037.

Shipping Records (IP Section 03.05) (5 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the following non-excepted radioactive material shipments through a record review:

(1) Shipment Number 19-063; UN3321, Radioactive Materials, Low Specific Activity (LSA-II)

(2) Shipment Number 19-045; UN2915, Radioactive Materials, Type A Package

(3) Shipment Number 20-015; UN3321, Radioactive Materials, Low Specific Activity (LSA-II)

(4) Shipment Number 19-033; UN2913, Radioactive Materials, Surface Contaminated Objects (SCO-II)

(5) Shipment Number 19-037; UN3321, Radioactive Materials, Low Specific Activity (LSA-II)

INSPECTION RESULTS

Failure to Properly Ship Radioactive Material Cornerstone Significance Cross-Cutting Report Aspect Section Public Radiation Preliminary White [H.12] - Avoid 71124.08 Safety AV 05000266/2020012-01 Complacency April 2020 Open EA-20-081 A finding of low to moderate safety significance (Preliminary White) and associated Apparent Violations were reviewed and evaluated by the inspectors involving the licensees transport of a radioactive material package as Low Specific Activity - II (LSA-II) that exceeded the LSA shipping limits for radiation levels as specified in 49 CFR 173.427. The licensees staff did not recognize that measured radiation levels were in excess of 10 mSv/ hour (1 Rem/hour) at 3 meters from the unshielded package which exceeded the conditions for transporting LSA material; and thus, failed to ship the package as a Type B shipment. Consequently, the shipment did not contain the appropriate emergency response information for a shipment containing primary resin as required by 49 CFR 172.602(a) and did not contain the appropriate package markings as required by 49 CFR 172.302(a).

Description:

On May 30, 2019, the licensee sent a radioactive material (primarily resin)shipment for waste processing. During April 2019, the licensees staff sampled the primary resin that entered the liner and sent this sample to a vendor for analyses. The licensee used the data provided by vendor analysis as inputs into its waste characterization software for the Department of Transportation (DOT) Classification Summary analysis. The computer software calculated a radiation dose rate of 814 mrem/hour at 3 meters from the liner. The inspectors noted that the software output indicated that the package contained Part 37 Category 2 Quantity and reportable quantities of radionuclides. Because the software calculated a dose rate less than 1000 mrem/hour at 3 meters from the liner, the computer applied an exemption for Low Specific Activity (LSA) that is allowed by the regulations.

During the shipping preparation process, the licensee conducted routine and required infield pre-shipping radiation measurements of the liner for the purpose of recording dose rates at several locations and distances in relation to the liners position. The licensee's survey results ranged from 600 mrem/hour to 1400 mrem/hour, with 5 of the 10 measurements exceeding 1000 mrem/hour, which exceeded the LSA exemption criteria in 49 CFR 173.427(a)(1). The licensee packaged the material in an NRC approved Type B package; however, the licensee prepared the shipment for transport as an LSA-II shipment.

Thus, the resin was incorrectly shipped as LSA-II instead of Type B as required by 49 CFR Part 173. The shipment arrived at the waste processor without any incident during transport from the licensee facility.

The licensees failure to identify that the dose rates measured at 3 meters from the unshielded liner were different from the computer calculated results, caused the licensee to assign an incorrect description (basic) and package markings to the shipment. The basic description is required to be documented on shipping papers and is composed of the UN Identification Number, Proper Shipping Name, Hazard Class, maximum activity contained in each package in SI units and number and type of packages. Markings on bulk packages such as this shipment are comprised of the identification number on orange or white square-on-point displays. As documented on the shipping papers, the licensee assigned a basic description of UN 3321, Class 7, Radioactive Material, Low Specific Activity (LSA-II),as opposed to the required basic description of UN 2916, Class 7, Radioactive Material, Type B(U) Package (non-fissile or fissile excepted). In the case of the markings, the licensee provided package markings of UN 3321 on an orange panel/display, as opposed to the required markings of UN 2916 on an orange panel/display. The misclassification also caused the licensee to provide the carrier with the incorrect emergency response information. The licensee provided the carrier with emergency response information that did not communicate the hazards associated with the shipment.

The emergency response information that was supplied to the carrier by the licensee failed to include relevant information for materials that exceed the conditions of transport for LSA materials. Specifically, the basic description of the package was incorrect, and the information provided by the licensee for immediate hazards to health stated some material may be released from packages during accidents of moderate severity, but risks to people are not great; however, the radiological conditions in the shipment (primary resins) had unshielded dose rates of greater than 1 Rem/hour at 3 meters, representing risks to people. Additionally, the information provided by the licensee for the immediate precautions to be taken in the event of accident or incident stated Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural firefighters protective clothing will provide adequate protection; however, the SCBA and protective clothing would not have provided protection from the substantial external radiation exposure potential from a package failure.

Corrective Actions: This issue was identified during a Nuclear Assurance Radiation Protection Audit during March of 2020. After the issue was identified, the licensee's staff generated a condition report and notified the Site Resident Inspectors and the Regional Health Physicist of the issue of concern.

Corrective Action References: AR 02346768, Gaps in CAT 2 Radwaste Shipment Documentation Identified during Nuclear Assurance PBN 20-003, Radiation Protection Audit.

Performance Assessment:

Performance Deficiency: The licensee failed to identify that the radiation dose rates, measured 3 meters from the unshielded liner, were higher than the calculated value for the primary resin liner associated with shipment 19-037. Specifically, the licensee failed to identify dose rates that were greater than 10 mSv/hour (1 Rem/hour) at 3 meters from the un-shielded material on 5 of 10 measurements, exceeding the conditions of transport for LSA material. This failure led the licensee to assign the incorrect basic description and markings to the shipment package. Additionally, this failure caused the licensee to supply the carrier with the incorrect emergency response information.

Screening: The inspectors determined the performance deficiency was more than minor because it was associated with the Program & Process attribute of the Public Radiation Safety cornerstone and adversely affected the cornerstone objective to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety from exposure to radioactive materials released into the public domain as a result of routine civilian nuclear reactor operation. The licensee failed to identify that the radiation dose rates, measured 3 meters from the unshielded liner, were higher than the calculated value for the primary resin liner associated with shipment 19-037. This failure led the licensee to assign the incorrect basic description and markings to the shipment package. Additionally, this failure caused the licensee to supply the carrier with the incorrect emergency response information.

Significance: The inspectors assessed the significance of the finding using Appendix D, Public Radiation Safety SDP. The inspectors determined that the violations were of low to moderate safety significance (White) because it was a finding in the transportation branch in which: there was a failure to provide emergency response information as required by 49 CFR 172.602 (Block N2). Specifically, the licensee did not provide the correct package markings and did not provide the emergency response information for the shipment required by 49 CFR 172.602, which described the basic description, immediate hazards to health and immediate precautions to be taken in the event of an accident or incident.

Cross-Cutting Aspect: H.12 - Avoid Complacency: Individuals recognize and plan for the possibility of mistakes, latent issues, and inherent risk, even while expecting successful outcomes. Individuals implement appropriate error reduction tools. Specifically, the licensee determined that complacency within the staff caused multiple individuals to not identify various technical issues associated with the shipment. Radioactive shipments and shipping documentation completion at the site are viewed as routine but given the rarity of shipments from the site containing primary resin, more attention to detail should have been invoked.

Enforcement:

Violation: 1) Title 10 CFR 71.5

(a) requires, in part, that each licensee who transports licensed material outside the site of usage, as specified in the NRC license, or where transport is on public highways, or who delivers licensed material to a carrier for transport, shall comply with the applicable requirements of the DOT regulations in 49 CFR parts 171 through 180, appropriate to the mode of transport.

Title 49 CFR 172.600

(c) requires that no person to whom this subpart applies may offer for transportation, accept for transportation, transfer, store or otherwise handle during transportation a hazardous material unless:

(1) Emergency response information conforming to this subpart is immediately available for use at all times the hazardous material is present; and

(2) Emergency response information, including the emergency response telephone number, required by this subpart is immediately available to any person who, as a representative of a Federal, State or local government agency, responds to an incident involving a hazardous material, or is conducting an investigation which involves a hazardous material.

Title 49 CFR 172.602

(a) requires that for purposes of this subpart, the term emergency response information means information that can be used in the mitigation of an incident involving hazardous materials and, as a minimum, must contain the following information:

(1) The basic description and technical name of the hazardous material as required by 49 CFR 172.202 and 172.203(k), the ICAO Technical Instructions, the IMDG Code, or the TDG Regulations, as appropriate (IBR, see CFR 171.7 of this subchapter);

(2) Immediate hazards to health;

(3) Risks of fire or explosion;

(4) Immediate precautions to be taken in the event of an accident or incident;

(5) Immediate methods for handling fires;

(6) Initial methods for handling spills or leaks in the absence of fire; and

(7) Preliminary first aid measures.

On May 30, 2019, the licensee delivered to a carrier for transport licensed material , and, the emergency response information that accompanied the shipment did not include the basic description of the hazardous material as required by CFR 172.202 and 172.203 (k); failed to adequately describe the immediate hazards to health associated with the resin shipment (a Type B quantity of material); and failed to adequately describe the immediate precautions to be taken in the event of an accident or incident:

• the basic description of the hazardous material was for a low specific activity shipment rather than a Type B shipment;

• for the immediate hazards to health, the licensee supplied information to the carrier that stated, some material may be released from packages during accidents of moderate severity, but risks to people are not great however, the radiological conditions in the shipment (primary resin) had un-shielded dose rates of greater than 1 Rem/hour at 3 meters, representing risks to people; and

• the immediate precautions to be taken in the event of accident or incident stated Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural firefighters protective clothing will provide adequate protection; however, the SCBA and protective clothing would not have provided protection from the external radiation exposure potential from a package failure.

Violation: 2) Title 10 CFR 71.5

(a) requires, in part, that each licensee who transports licensed material outside the site of usage, as specified in the NRC license, or where transport is on public highways, or who delivers licensed material to a carrier for transport, shall comply with the applicable requirements of the DOT regulations in 49 CFR parts 171 through 180, appropriate to the mode of transport.

Title 49 CFR 172.302

(a) requires, in part, except as otherwise provided in this subpart, no person may offer for transportation or transport a hazardous material in a bulk packaging unless the packaging is marked as required by 49 CFR 172.332 with the identification number specified for the material in the CFR 172.101.

Title 49 CFR 172.332 requires, in part, that identification number markings must be displayed on orange panels or placards as specified this section.

Title 49 CFR 172.101 requires, in part, that the designation of UN 3321 be assigned to LSA-II, non-fissile or fissile-excepted packages and the designation of UN 2916 be assigned to Type B(U), non-fissile or fissile-excepted packages.

On May 30, 2019, the licensee offered a bulk package containing hazardous material for transport and failed to mark the packaging with the identification number specified in 49 CFR 172.101 (table). Specifically, the licensee incorrectly marked the Type B radioactive material with the United Nations (UN) number UN 3321 which is for LSA-II radioactive material. The Type B package was required to be marked as UN 2916.

Violation: 3) Title 10 CFR 71.5

(a) requires, in part, that each licensee who transports licensed material outside the site of usage, as specified in the NRC license, or where transport is on public highways, or who delivers licensed material to a carrier for transport, shall comply with the applicable requirements of the DOT regulations in 49 CFR parts 171 through 180, appropriate to the mode of transport.

Title 49 CFR 173.427 (a)(1) requires, in part, that low specific activity material must be transported in accordance with the condition that the external dose rate may not exceed an external radiation level of 10 mSv/h (1 rem/h) at 3 m (10 feet) from the unshielded material.

On May 30, 2019, the licensee offered a LSA-II bulk package for transport with spent resin, that when unshielded, exceeded the external radiation level limit of 10 mSv/hour (1 Rem/hour) at 3 meters (10 feet) from the unshielded material. Specifically, the licensee was required label the shipment as Type B because survey results revealed that 5 of 10 measurements had dose rates greater than 10 mSv/hour (1 Rem/hour) with the highest reading being 14 mSv/hour (1.4 Rem/hour).

Violation: 4) Title 10 CFR 71.5

(a) requires, in part, that each licensee who transports licensed material outside the site of usage, as specified in the NRC license, or where transport is on public highways, or who delivers licensed material to a carrier for transport, shall comply with the applicable requirements of the DOT regulations in 49 CFR parts 171 through 180, appropriate to the mode of transport.

Title 49 CFR 173.22

(a) requires, in part, that except as otherwise provided in this part, a person may offer a hazardous material for transportation in a packaging or container required by this part only in accordance with the following:

(1) the person shall class and describe the hazardous material in accordance with Parts 172 and 173 of this subchapter.

Title 49 CFR 173.427 (a)(1) requires, in part, that low specific activity material must be transported in accordance with the condition that the external dose rate may not exceed an external radiation level of 10 mSv/h (1 rem/h) at 3 m (10 feet) from the unshielded material.

On May 30, 2019, the licensee failed to describe the hazardous material in accordance with Parts 172 and 173 of this subchapter. Specifically, radiation level surveys of the package indicated the hazardous material should be described as Radioactive Material, Type B(U)package non-fissile or fissile-excepted; however, the material was described as Radioactive Material, LSA.

Enforcement Action: These violations are being treated as apparent violations pending a final significance (enforcement) determination.

EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS

The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.

• On June 23, 2020, the inspectors presented the NRC inspection results to Mr. Michael Strope, Site Engineering Director (Acting Site Director) and other members of the licensee staff.

DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

Inspection Type Designation Description or Title Revision or

Procedure Date

71124.08 Corrective Action AR 022694878 NRC RP INSPECTION - SHIPMENT DOCUMENTATION - 06/27/2018

April 2020 Documents MINOR

71124.08 Corrective Action AR 02346912 Required Survey Documentation Missed - RW Shipments 03/20/2020

April 2020 Documents

71124.08 Corrective Action AR 02347115 RW Shipping Record Accuracy and Completeness Gaps 04/20/2020

April 2020 Documents

71124.08 Corrective Action AR 02347870 Negative Trend: PBN Rad Materials Shipping Process 03/12/2020

April 2020 Documents

71124.08 Corrective Action AR 2346878 Gaps in Cat 2 Radwaste Shipment Documentation 03/04/2020

April 2020 Documents

71124.08 Miscellaneous 2020 DAW Data Analysis per 10CFR61 02/06/2020

April 2020

71124.08 Miscellaneous 2017 DAW Data Analysis per 10CFR61 04/02/2018

April 2020

71124.08 Miscellaneous HP-100-032718 Plant Source Term and Impact on RP Program 03/27/2018

April 2020 R0

71124.08 Self-Assessments Evaluation of NOS RP Radwaste Findings Summary 03/09/2020

April 2020

71124.08 Self-Assessments PBN 20-003 Point Beach Nuclear Assurance Report - Radiological 03/12/2020

April 2020 Protection and Radwaste

71124.08 Shipping Records19-033 UN2913, Radioactive Materials, Surface Contaminated 05/10/2019

April 2020 Objects (SCO-II)

71124.08 Shipping Records19-037 UN3321, Radioactive Materials, Low Specific Activity (LSA-II) 05/30/2019

April 2020

71124.08 Shipping Records19-045 UN2915, Radioactive Materials, Type A Package 07/17/2019

April 2020

71124.08 Shipping Records19-063 UN3321, Radioactive Materials, Low Specific Activity (LSA-II) 12/12/2019

April 2020

71124.08 Shipping Records20-015 UN3321, Radioactive Material, Low Specific Activity (LSA-II) 03/25/2020

April 2020

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