ML19274C671
| ML19274C671 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/01/2019 |
| From: | Leshinskie T Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, State of VT |
| To: | |
| RAKOVAN L/NMSS/MSST | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19274C654 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML19274C671 (13) | |
Text
What to Expect as Reactor Decommissioning Begins A Presentation to the 2019 NRC National State Liaison Officers Conference September 4, 2019 Tony Leshinskie, VT State Nuclear Engineer Anthony.Leshinskie@vermont.gov
PLEASE NOTE This presentation does not reflect the official policy or positions of any Vermont State (or Federal) Agency.
This presentation is intended to convey Transition to Reactor Decommissioning experience based on Vermont Yankees cessation of power generation and onset of decommissioning.
(Mostly these are Tonys personal observations.)
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VT Yankee Decommissioning Timeline (1 of 2)
August 27, 2013 - VT Yankee Closure Announced June 2, 2014 - Current VT State Nuclear Engineer starts work December 29, 2014 - VT Yankee Final Shutdown January 12, 2015 - Cessation of Power Operations /
Permanent Defueling Declaration January 19, 2015 - First Major Staff Reduction February 5, 2015 - Post-Shutdown Emergency Plan in effect April 19, 2016 - Offsite EPZ Eliminated 3
VT Yankee Decommissioning Timeline (2 of 2)
November 8, 2016 - NorthStar Sale Proposal Announced June 12, 2017 - Spent Fuel Dry Cask Transfers Begin August 1, 2018 - Dry Cask Transfers Completed August 24, 2018 - ISFSI Only Protected Area Implemented October 11, 2018 - NRC Approves VT Yankee Reactor License Transfer to NorthStar December 6, 2018 - VT Public Utilities Commission Approves VT Yankee Sale to NorthStar January 11, 2019 - VT Yankee Sale to NorthStar Completed; Active Decommissioning Begins 4
Initial (Pre-Shutdown) Concerns Is the Decommissioning Trust Fund (DTF) Sufficient?
VT Yankee is first merchant fleet BWR to decommission No ratepayer base for additional funding Significant Changes to (eventual elimination of) Offsite Emergency Plan, Emergency Planning Zone & FUNDING Smaller Emergency Response Organization Zirconium Spent Fuel Fire concerns Loss of Electronic Plant Data Communication (ERDS)
Potential Radiological Monitoring Program Loss Non-Radiological Clean-Up & Funding Additional State Agencies involvement likely 5
Concerns at Shutdown A flurry of Reactor License Amendment & Exemption Requests are filed Was something significant in E-Plan / ERO / EPZ Changes missed?
Impact to State Emergency Plans?
Economic Impact in plant vicinity (ripple effect)
Are non-radiological contaminants known?
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Public Concerns Transfer fuel to dry cask storage ASAP (most voiced initial public concern)
Quick but safe decommissioning process Truly return to greenfield?
Potential for site re-use (and when)?
Spent fuel transportation?
Trust concerns with Plant Ownership & Regulators 7
Subsequent (Post-Shutdown) Concerns Departure of experienced staff Plant operations staff move to other sites or retires Working / onsite staff has limited site history (potentially significant for system mods & abandonings)
Reduced NRC presence Further Changes to E-Plan & EPZ
>10-hour Zirconium Fire Ignition Time changes:
E-Plan / EPZ Reduce to site fence line All Hazards offsite E-Plan Empty Spent Fuel Pool leads to Protected Area reduction 8
Keys to Addressing Concerns (1)
Keep lines of communication open with:
Plant owners & site staff NRC Regional Office & HQ Oversight Management NRC Resident & Decommissioning Inspectors Other relevant State Agencies (e.g. for VT: Public Service, Natural Resources, Health & Emergency Management)
Local government (host town, county, etc.)
The Public (Engagement Panels very useful) 9
Keys to Addressing Concerns (2)
Communication & negotiations between VT Yankee stakeholders has led to:
Establishment of an additional VT Yankee Site Restoration Trust Fund A 2014 VT Yankee Site Assessment Study that summarized potential onsite contaminants State E-Plan funding for 3+ years following shutdown (& new PDS electronic data link)
VT Yankee ownership assistance for state-established VT Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel 10
Keys to Addressing Concerns (3)
Negotiations between stakeholders during VT Yankee Proposed Sale PUC Case (Docket 8880) led to a Settlement Agreement that:
Endorsed NorthStars purchase of VT Yankee Provided additional financial assurances for VT Yankees Decommissioning Established Site Restoration Standards 11
Additional Information on VT Yankee Settlement Memorandum of Understanding and related documentation is available online at the VT e-PUC Case website (https://epuc.vermont.gov) under Docket 8880.
Several key Docket 8880 files are also available from the VT Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel website:
https://publicservice.vermont.gov/electric/ndcap 12
Questions?
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