ML19276H023

Responds to 790730 Ltr Requesting Info from Nonpower Reactor Licensees Re Effect of Safeguards Rule.Upgrade Rule Necessitates Protection of Reactor as Category I Facility for Physical Protection Purposes

ML19276H023
Person / Time
Site:	Lynchburg Research Center
Issue date:	08/15/1979
From:	Olsen A BABCOCK & WILCOX CO.
To:	John Miller Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 7908310410
Download: ML19276H023 (3)

Text

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, Y Babcock &Wilcox nesearcn amo omic-em: ouseo P.O. Sex 1260, Lynchburg, Va. 245o5 Telephone: (8o4) 384-5111 August 15, 1979 bpener ro - S t To -l]

Mr. James R. Miller Acting Assistant Director for Site and Safeguards Division of Operating Reactors U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Dear Mr. Miller This is in response to your letter of July 30, 1979 requesting information from non-power reactor licensees regarding the effect of the safeguards upgrade rule.

Given the present SNM possession limits for licenses CX-10 and R-47, the upgrade rule would cause us to protect our reactor facilities as a Category I facility for physical protection purposes. The answers to your question are based on implementing that level of physical protection.

1. What additional features will be constructed walls, vaults, CAS, protected area and the costs associated with these.

Answer: The cost associated with these items is based on modifying an existing room for the CAS, removing selected windows and doors, modifying selected doors, constructing walls to provide an entrance portal and isolation zone through a building adjacent to the reactor facilities and fencing.

$100,000

2. What is the expected total cost to upgrade hardware?

Answer: $125,000

3. What is the expected cost annualy - guards, material, screening, two man rule - for an upgraded physical security plan - manpower and hardware?

Answer: $375,000

4. What is the cost of shutting down the facility?

Answer: The cost of decommissioning both reactor facilities is $200,000*

0oes not include $100,000 R-47 fuel credit. ,q '(j 790831090 6 154 h' I The Babcock & Wilcox Cerrpany / Established 1867

4 Babcock & Wilcox Mr. James R. Miller August 15, 1979 Page 2

5. What is the annual cost of maintaining possession only status.

Answer: $ 10,000

6. Effect of loss of program on U.S. industry - (ie) engineers and operators for U.S. Nuclear Power Plants.

Answer: Approximately 100 utility reactor operator trainees have performed their required 10 startup at the facility.

Additionally, 60 B&W nuclear service personnel have undergone training at this facility. The Babcock and Wilcox Company would experience the loss of approximately

$250,000 a year in B&W and contract research projects.

7. Effect of loss on medical research, medical treatment.

Answer: Not applicable to either reactor.

8. Cost of new plans - security, contingency, quard training.

Answer: The estimate of developing the plans $ 25,000

9. Considering the impact of implementing the Safeguards Upgrade Rule will you continue to operate your facility.

Answer: Not as a Category I facility.

10. Describe the impact of closing the facility on the educational program at your facility (school) - Loss of program and courses.

Answer: Not applicable.

11. What is the size of the facility staff? Will it be cut?

Answer: The staff for the two reactor facilities is four persons.

If the facilities are shut down these four employees would be relocated within B&W.

12. How many students are in the classes? - Will they finish their degrees?

Answer: Not applicable.

13. How many graduate students are in the facility-related programs?

- Will they be able to finish?

Answer: Not applicable.

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Babcock &Wilcox Mr. James R. Miller August 15, 1979*

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14. What is the typical annual operating budget?

Answer: $110,000

15. With 100 R/hr at 3 feet exemption criteria, can you meet and main-tain the SNM at such a level continuously? What would the impact be on current financial and operating resources? How won d it maintain the self-protection critiera affect fuel replacement and costs therefore?

Answer: Irradiating the CX-10 facility fuel to exempt levels would render the facility useless.

16. How many courses utilize the facility - will they be cut?

Answer: Not applicable.

The answer to question number three provides the annual cost as requested.

However, it does not include the expense of the initial guard training estimated to be $115,000.

The figures given are as accurate as time permitted. I hope this data will assist inyour evaluation.

Very truly yours, BABC0CK & WILCOX A. F. Olsen, License Administrator Lynchburg Research Center AF0:jgb

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