ML18066A334
| ML18066A334 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 11/24/1998 |
| From: | Grobe J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Thomas J. Palmisano CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18066A335 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-255-98-18, 50-255-98-20, EA-98-443, NUDOCS 9812020032 | |
| Download: ML18066A334 (2) | |
See also: IR 05000255/1998020
Text
November 24, 1998
EA-443
Mr. Thomas J. Palmisano
Site Vice President and General Manager
Palisades Nuclear Generating Plant
27780 Blue Star Memorial Highway
Covert, Ml 49043-9530
SUBJECT:
NRC RADIATION PROTECTION INSPECTION REPORT 50-255/98020(DRS)
Dear Mr. Palmisano:
On October 30, 19~8, the NRC completed an inspection of your Palisades Nuclear Generating
Plant. The enclosed report presents the results of this inspection.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license related to radiation safety and
to compliance with the Commission's rules and regulations and with the conditions of your *
license. The inspection consisted of a selective examination of representative records and
procedures, walkdowns throughout the facility, observations of work activities in progress, and
interviews with plant personnel. Specifically, the inspection focused on the radiological
environmental monitoring program (REMP), and the radiological controls throughout your
facility. In addition, the inspection included a review of the corrective actions which were
d(3veloped to address three violations identified during the 1998 refueling outage, as
documented in Inspection Report 50-255/98009(DRS).
Overall, your corrective actions for the violations identified in Inspection Report
- 50-255/98009(DRS) appeared to be adequate and there have been no recurrence of these
violations for the past several months. Based on this information, we have closed the violations
and have no further questions at this time. The REMP was well implemented and the 1997 *
data indicated that there was no discernable radiological impact on the environment from plant
operations. The radiological controls for radioactive materials and site postings were generally
appropriate, although an issue regarding the presence of rainwater ih two radioactive material
st,o~ag~ as~;:is wa~ identified and was addressed by your staff .. No violations of NRC
requirements were identified during this inspection.
This letter also responds to your letter dated October 30, 1998, regarding a previously identified
apparent violation. The circumstances of this apparent violation were previously addressed in
Inspection R~port 50-255/98018(DRS). Specifically, this inspection reviewed the results of your
evaluation of a shipping cask which was used at the Palisades facility to transport a Type A
_ ___ _ _ _ ______ shipment-of Class-7-(radioactive )-material~-This-exclusive-use-epen-transpor-t-vehicle-shipment-
exceeded the regulatory limits for radiation levels on the external surface of the package. Our
review consisted of an examination of design drawings and radiographs of the cask, radiation
calculations and surveys of the cask during radiography, and interviews with personnel.
9812020032 981124
ADOCK 05000255
G
T. Palmisano
-2-
Regarding the apparent violation, the NRC has concluded that your radioactive material
transportation program was adequately implemented for this shipment, and the limits for radiation
levels on the external surface of the package were exceeded because of a flaw in the cask's
shielding. Therefore, the NRC has concluded that your facility was not in violation of regulatory
requirements, and our office has closed this issue. A copy of this report, and the assembled data
concerning the defective shielding of this Department of Transportation (DOT) Specification 7 A
Type A cask, will be forwarded to the DOT for their review. We also acknowledge the corrective
actions that your staff planned and implemented to address procedural problems which were
associated with this specific radioactive material shipment. _
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's "Rules and Practice," a copy of this letter and its
enclosure, will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).
We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection.
Sincerely,
Original Signed by John A. Grobe
John A. Grobe, Director
Division of Reactor Safety
Docket No.:
50-255
License No.:
Enclosure:
Inspection Report 50-255/98020(DRS)
cc w/encl:
R. Fenech, Senior Vice President, Nuclear
Distribution:
Fossil and Hydro Operations
N. Haskell, Director Licensing
R. Whale, Michigan Public Service Commission
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Attorney General (Ml)
Emergency Management Division, Ml Department
of State Police
CAC (E-Mail) -
J. Lieberman, OE w/encl
Project Mgr., NRR w/encl
J. Goldberg, OGC w/encl
J. Caldwell, Riii w/encl -
B. Boger, NRR w/encl
C. Pederson, RUI w/encl
IEO (E-Mail)
SRI Palisades w/encl
DOCDESK (E-Mail)
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