ML18066A481

Forwards Insp Rept 50-255/99-06 on 990506-12.Three Violations of NRC Requirements Occurred & Being Treated as non-cited Violations,Consistent with App C of Enforcement Policy

ML18066A481
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	06/03/1999
From:	Shear G NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Thomas J. Palmisano CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
Shared Package
ML18066A482	List: IR 05000255/1999006 ML18066A481
References
50-255-99-06, 50-255-99-6, NUDOCS 9906080077
Download: ML18066A481 (3)

See also: IR 05000255/1999006

Text

June 3, 1999

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 50-255/99006(DRS)

I

Dear Mr. Palmisano:

On May 12, 1999, the NRC completed an inspection of your Palisades Nuclear Generating

Plant. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection.

The inspection examined activities conducted under your license related to radiation safety and

to compliance with the Commiss!on's rules and regulations and with the conditions of your

license. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of a selective examination of

.

• representative records and procedures, walkdown$ throughout the facility, observations of work

activities in progress, and interviews With plant personnel. Specifically, the inspection focused

on radioactive waste processing and radioactive material shipping activities. In addition, we

eviewed the radiological planning and oversight of maintenance outage activi~ies and your

taff s actions on a previous inspection issue.

.

'

.

.

..

.

We observed effective radiological planning and oversight of work activities for the reactor

coolant pump seal replacement and the* removal of the pressurize~ man way. Your staff

implemented radiological controls which were eommensurate with the work performed and the

hazards present. The radiation protection staff ensured that personnel were properly informed

of radiological conditions, and the work crews demonstrated proper radiological practices and

awareness.

We also concluded that radioactive material shipments were properly packaged and that

radioactive waste was properly processed and characterized for disposal in accordance with

your process control program. However, a number of problems concerning shipping documents

and radioactive waste manifests were identified. Specifically, we identified errors and omissions

in waste manifests and shipping documentation such as incorrect activity calculations and a lack

of documentation of the basis for classification determinations. Although these errors did not

result in an improperly packaged or classified radioactive shipment, the errors were similar to

previously identified problems in this program, which have been documented by the NRC.

.

Consequently, we are concerned that your staffs actiqnsJQ_gQrr.ecLthe_pr:evious-errors--were not--

__ __:__ ___ effedive-and-tHatthese fece-nferrors were -missed- by your staff during routine assessments and

audits of these areas .

ased on the results of this inspection,,the NRC has determined that three violations of NRC *

quirements occurred. These violations are being treated as Non-Cited Violations (NCVs),

consistent with Appendix C of the Enforcement Policy. The NCVs are described in the subject

9906080077 990603

PDR

ADOCK 05000255

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PDR

/

T. Palmisano

Distribution:

CAC (E-Mail)

RPC (E-Mail)

Project Mgr., NRR w/encl

J. Caldwell, Riii w/encl

B. Clayton, Rll I w/encl

SRI Palisades w/encl

DRP w/encl

.DRSw/encl

Riii PRR w/encl

-t" 01-:Jv::J

PUBLIC~/encl ~

r

Docket F~/encl

GREENS

IEO (E-Mail)

DOCDESK (E-Mail)

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T. Palmisano

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inspection report. If you contest the violations or severity level of these NCVs, you should

provide a response within 30 days of the date of this inspection report, with the basis for your

denial, to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington,

DC 20555-9001, with copies to the Regional Administrator, Region 3, and the Director, Office

of Enforcement, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the Commissions regulations, a copy of this letter, its

enclosure, and your response to this letter, if you should choose to respond, will be placed in the

NRG Public Document Room.

We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection.

Sincerely,

Original Isl G. L. Shear

Docket No. 50-255

License No .. DPR-20

Gary L. Shear, Chief

Plant Support Branch

Enclosure:

. Inspection Report 50-255/99006(DRS)

cc w/encl:

R. Fenech, Senior Vice President, Nuclear

Fossil and Hydro Operations

. N. Haskell, Director, Licensing

R. Whale, Michigan Public Service Commission

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Department of Attorney General*{MI)

Emergency Management Division, Ml Department

of State Police

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DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\DRS\\PAL99006.WPD

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