ML18066A481
| 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: |
| 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
ADOCK 05000255
G
/
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
OFFICE
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