ML071710605
| ML071710605 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 06/25/2007 |
| From: | Dyer J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Gruskin S State of NY, Dept of Environmental Conservation |
| Boska J, NRR/DORL, 301-415-2901 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML071710613 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2007-0324, G20070402, LTR-07-0393, TAC MD5707, TAC MD5708 | |
| Download: ML071710605 (5) | |
Text
June 25, 2007 Mr. Stuart F. Gruskin Executive Deputy Commissioner New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-1010
Dear Mr. Gruskin:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your May 24, 2007, letter to Mr. Fred Dacimo of Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Entergy), the licensee for Indian Point Nuclear Generating Units 2 and 3. Entergy had detected elevated levels of tritium in the Indian Point sewer system, which discharges to the Village of Buchanans waste water treatment system. In your letter, you request that Entergy expand and intensify its investigatory efforts to identify and remedy the source of tritium. You also requested that the NRC "... ensure that the source(s) of the tritium contamination be identified, and to take all necessary action to protect the adjacent community and natural resources."
I assure you that the NRC has been closely following the situation at Indian Point. Entergy complies with all Federal regulations regarding the discharge of radioactive isotopes.
Regarding the elevated levels of tritium in the Indian Point sewer system, Entergy announced on May 31, 2007, that backup samples of the sewer system show that the initial indications of tritium were a "false positive", likely caused by interference due to some organic materials and chemicals commonly found in sewer systems. Further sample analyses by two different laboratories detected no tritium within the detection sensitivity of the analyses.
The Indian Point site does have low levels of radioactive isotopes in groundwater at the site.
The NRC has conducted numerous inspections and monitored this closely since it was first reported by Entergy in September 2005. The NRC has sponsored a biweekly phone call since December 2005 to inform government officials and State agencies of developments in the investigation into the groundwater contamination. Mr. Tim Rice of your office participates in these phone calls. Entergy installed about 40 monitoring wells at the site, routinely analyzes samples from these wells, and has developed a sophisticated hydrology model of the site. The NRC and your Department frequently analyze simultaneous samples to verify the accuracy of Entergy's results. The groundwater contamination levels have shown no significant increases, and Entergy is working on long-range plans for monitoring, leakage isolation, and remediation.
The NRC also requires licensees to conduct a radiological environmental monitoring program in which samples are taken from the environment in the vicinity of the plant and submit an annual report, which is publicly available, to the NRC.
S. Gruskin The NRC is charged with ensuring adequate protection of the public health and safety and protection of the environment by regulating how our licensees use and control radioactive materials. I can assure you that we are providing the oversight necessary to maintain public protection.
Sincerely,
/RA/
J. E. Dyer, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-247 and 50-286 cc: See next page
S. Gruskin The NRC is charged with ensuring adequate protection of the public health and safety and protection of the environment by regulating how our licensees use and control radioactive materials. I can assure you that we are providing the oversight necessary to maintain public protection.
Sincerely,
/RA/
J. E. Dyer, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-247 and 50-286 cc: See next page DISTRIBUTION: G20070402/LTR-07-0393 Public RidsNrrAdro RidsNrrOd RidsNrrPMJBoska RidsNrrLASLittle RidsOGCRp LPL1-1 R/F ECobey, R1 RidsAcrsAcnwMailCenter RidsNrrDorl RidsOpaMail RidsNrrWpcMail RidsOcaMailCenter RidsSecyMailCenter RidsEdoMailCenter
- Via telecon Incoming: ML071570156 Response: ML071710605 Package: ML071710613 OFFICE LPL1-1/PM LPL1-1/LA LPL1-1/BC NRR/DORL/D NAME JBoska SLittle MKowal CHaney DATE 6/21/07 6/21/07 6/21/07 6/21/07 OFFICE TechEditor RGN1/DRS/BC*
NRR/D NAME HChang JWhite JDyer DATE 6/21/07 6/21/07 6/25/07 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 & 3 cc:
Mr. Michael R. Kansler President & CEO / CNO Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. John T. Herron Sr. Vice President Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Sr. Vice President Engineering & Technical Services Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. Fred R. Dacimo Site Vice President Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 450 Broadway, GSB P.O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. Anthony Vitale - Acting General Manager, Plant Operations Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 450 Broadway P.O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. Oscar Limpias Vice President Engineering Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. Joseph P. DeRoy Vice President, Operations Support Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. John A. Ventosa GM, Engineering Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Mr. John F. McCann Director, Nuclear Safety & Licensing Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Ms. Charlene D. Faison Manager, Licensing Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Mr. Ernest J. Harkness Director, Oversight Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. Patric W. Conroy Director, Nuclear Safety Assurance Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 450 Broadway, GSB P.O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. T.R. Jones - Acting Manager, Licensing Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 450 Broadway, GSB P. O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. William C. Dennis Assistant General Counsel Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601
Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 & 3 cc:
Mr. Peter R. Smith, President New York State Energy, Research, and Development Authority 17 Columbia Circle Albany, NY 12203-6399 Mr. Paul Eddy New York State Department of Public Service 3 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12223-1350 Regional Administrator, Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Senior Resident Inspectors Office Indian Point 2 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 59 Buchanan, NY 10511 Senior Resident Inspectors Office Indian Point 3 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 59 Buchanan, NY 10511 Mr. Charles Donaldson, Esquire Assistant Attorney General New York Department of Law 120 Broadway New York, NY 10271 Mayor, Village of Buchanan 236 Tate Avenue Buchanan, NY 10511 Mr. Raymond L. Albanese Four County Coordinator 200 Bradhurst Avenue Unit 4 Westchester County Hawthorne, NY 10532 Mr. William DiProfio PWR SRC Consultant 48 bear Hill Road Newton, NH 03858 Mr. Garry Randolph PWR SRC Consultant 1750 Ben Franklin Drive, 7E Sarasota, FL 34236 Mr. William T. Russell PWR SRC Consultant 400 Plantation Lane Stevensville, MD 21666-3232 Mr. Jim Riccio Greenpeace 702 H Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Mr. Phillip Musegaas Riverkeeper, Inc.
828 South Broadway Tarrytown, NY 10591 Mr. Mark Jacobs IPSEC 46 Highland Drive Garrison, NY 10524 Mr. Michael A. Balduzzi Sr. Vice President & COO Regional Operations, NE Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601