ML061070626
| ML061070626 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Braidwood  |
| Issue date: | 02/10/2006 |
| From: | Steven Orth NRC/RGN-III |
| To: | Phillips M NRC/RGN-III |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2006-0115 | |
| Download: ML061070626 (2) | |
Text
-Anne Boland - EDO Call Bullet for Braidwood Page 1.l From:
Steven Orth To:
Monte Phillips Date:
Fri, Feb 10, 2006 10:22 AM
Subject:
EDO Call Bullet for Braidwood
- Monte, Sorry that I could not provide any earlier.
Steve CC:
Anne Boland; John Cassidy
~Anne Boland -EDO Epllet (10Feb06).wpd Page 1 Braidwood Tritium Contamination Update Godlley Meeting: On Tuesday, February 7, 2006, Region Ill attended a contentious and heated pub'ic meeting at the Village of Godley, Illinois (near Braidwood Station) to discuss tritium conlamination in groundwater. The meeting was widely attended (approx 300 attendees),
including members of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), media, local/state/federal officials (or staffers), and anti-nuclear activists. Region Ill and the Illinois EPA, consistently communicated the position that the public is safe. Region Ill indicated that we werae concerned that the radioactivity was in an area that was unintended, but that the resulting conlamination was below NRC and Federal EPA standards. We also communicated our independent sampling/analysis and inspection focus. Paul Gunter (NIRS), K. Leinweber (AdliocProject Committee) and Dr. and Mrs. Sauer provided statements concerning the significant health hazards resulting from any exposure to radioactivity. Residents reacted very emctionally to the information presented, accused EXELON of covering up the issues, and challenged the independence of the NRC and Illinois EPA. At times, the crowd became somewhat hostile, and media coverage was mixed, but stressed the public distrust of EXELON and the regulators.
EXE LON correspondence: On Tuesday, February 7, 2006, the licensee provided the NRC with a written, docketed correspondence stating its cessation of radioactive liquid discharges.
The letter included a statement that communications-with the NRC will be performed prior to resuming any discharges through the blowdown line. The Region is pursuing extending the communications to include radioactive liquid discharges through any line and prior to the licer see's processing or release of the radioactive liquids in temporary storage.
Briefing of Congressional Staff: On Thursday, February 9, 2006, Region Ill participated in a briefing of Congressional Staff (Cong. Weller and Sen. Obama staffers), with members of NRIR, OCA, and OEDO, to provide an update of Braidwood Tritium contamination. The Region Ill staff provided current information including the licensee's activities, NRC activities, extent of contamination identified, and public and media participation. Region Ill also indicated its participation at the Village of Godley meeting and the level of public and media interest in the event. Congressional staff appeared to be appreciative of the level of the briefing, but provided feedback indicating that external interest was rising and discussing concern regarding the rise in additional contamination found offsite. Sen. Obama's staffer indicated that the NRC should eXPE-ct to answer questions concerning Braidwood at the March 2006 subcommittee meetings.