ML15141A175
| ML15141A175 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Texas A&M University, 05000128 |
| Issue date: | 06/01/2015 |
| From: | Patrick Boyle Research and Test Reactors Branch B |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Boyle P, NRR/DPR, 301-415-3936 | |
| References | |
| TAC MF6159 | |
| Download: ML15141A175 (5) | |
Text
June 1, 2015 LICENSEE:
Texas A&M University FACILITY:
Aerojet General Nucleonics Reactor
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF MAY 11, 2015, MEETING WITH TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AND RENUKE SERVICES TO DISCUSS THE RELOCATION OF THE 5 WATT AEROJET GENERAL NUCLEONICS REACTOR (TAC NO. MF6159)
On May 11, 2015, a Category 1 public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives from Texas A&M University (TAMU) along with their contractor ReNuke Services, at NRC Headquarters, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The purpose of the meeting was for TAMU to provide NRC staff with more information on the planned relocation of the 5 watt Aerojet General Nucleonics (AGN) reactor. Specifically, TAMU presented an overview of the existing nuclear engineering program, expansion plans encompassing the Zachry building (current location of the AGN),
relocation plans for the AGN reactor, and proposed changes to the existing Nuclear Science Center (NSC). The meeting notice and agenda, dated April 22, 2015, is available in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management Systems under Accession No. ML15114A440. A list of the attendees is provided in the enclosure.
The NRC staff opened the meeting by providing TAMU with a few remarks about the importance of continued engagement and open communication with the NRC as the relocation plan is developed and implemented. The NRC indicated many divisions and offices are required for support of the relocation effort and encouraged additional dialog in follow up to this initial meeting.
TAMU verbally presented (via telephone) their expansion plans at TAMU as it related to the Nuclear Engineering department with an emphasis on the large size and aggressive growth plans. TAMU is making a significant financial investment to expand the engineering facilities and the relocation of the AGN reactor falls within that financial/strategic plan. TAMU further emphasized, that while the AGN may be placed in storage at the NSC, they do not want it to remain shut down any longer than absolutely necessary. TAMU acknowledged the existence of the legacy items for the AGN, specifically the outstanding Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) and ongoing license renewal work. TAMU stated that the relocation efforts will not distract from these current licensing activities. In fact, they stated that they now have additional resources available to address the open items for the CAL and license renewal related to the support for the relocation of the AGN reactor.
TAMU outlined its plan to remove the AGN from the Zachry building and place it in storage at the NSC. They acknowledged that this would require a license amendment for the Training, Research, and Isotope Production, General Atomics (TRIGA) reactor located at the NSC,
in addition to a license amendment for the AGN reactor. TAMU indicated they would like to decontaminate and release the areas in the Zachry building that currently house the AGN reactor, after the AGN reactor is removed from the Zachry building. TAMU indicated that they have a fairly aggressive schedule to vacate and release the Zachry building. They would like to be completely out of the building and release the space by the end of April 2016. To support this they plan on submitting the required license amendments in the July to August 2015 timeframe. They would like to begin the physical move no later than January 2016, with decontamination and decommission work to follow.
The NRC staff followed with questions related to the planned activities including transportation requirements, decontamination and survey plans, and proposed licensing activities including responding to existing requests for additional information related to the ongoing license renewal and CAL.
An opportunity was provided for public comment and no questions were asked. Following closing remarks from the licensee, the meeting was adjourned.
Please direct any inquiries to me at 301-415-3936 or Patrick.Boyle@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Patrick G. Boyle, Nuclear Engineer Project Manager for the TAMU-AGN Reactor Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos.50-059 and 50-128
Enclosure:
List of Attendees cc: See next page
ML15141A175 NRC-001 OFFICE DPR/PRLB/PM DPR/LA DPR/PRLB/BC DPR/PRLB/PM NAME PBoyle ELee/NParker AAdams PBoyle DATE 05/21/2015 05/28/2015 5/28/2015 6/1/2015
Texas A&M University Docket No.50-059 cc:
Mayor, City of College Station P.O. Box Drawer 9960 College Station, TX 77840-3575 Governors Budget and Planning Office P.O. Box 13561 Austin, TX 78711 Christopher Crouch, AGN-201M Reactor Supervisor Texas A&M University Nuclear Engineering 129 Zachry Engineering Center 3133 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-3133 Radiation Program Officer Bureau of Radiation Control Dept. Of State Health Services Division for Regulatory Services 1100 West 49th Street, MC 2828 Austin, TX 78756-3189 Technical Advisor Office of Permitting, Remediation & Registration Texas Commission on Environmental Quality P.O. Box 13087, MS 122 Austin, TX 78711-3087 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter P.O. Box 118300 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-8300 Radiological Safety Officer Texas A&M University Environmental Health and Safety 1111 Research Parkway College Station, TX 77843-4472 Dr. Yassin Hassan, Department Head Texas A&M University Nuclear Engineering Department 337 Zachry Building 3133 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-3133
Enclosure LIST OF ATTENDEES May 11, 2015 MEETING WITH TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Name Organization John A. Zwolinski ReNuke Services Richard P Werdann ReNuke Services Chris Crouch Texas A&M University (TAMU)
Patrick Boyle U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Carl Weber NRC Zahira Cruz NRC Duane Hardesty NRC Dan Barss NRC Mirela Gavrilas NRC Alexander Adams NRC Michelle Moser NRC Mitzi Young NRC Norbert Carte NRC Via telephone:
Dr. Sean McDeavitt TAMU (presenter)
Jerry Newhouse TAMU Daniel Menchaca TAMU Christina Robertson TAMU Michelle Simpson NRC Rich Jacoby PUBLIC