ML19331A809

Discusses Receipt of 751114 Ler.Rept Indicates That Release long-lived Halogens Particulates Overaged Over 3-month Period & Extraplated for One Yr,Was Greater than Two Times Design Objective Contained in Tech Specs

ML19331A809
Person / Time
Site:	Prairie Island, Midland
Issue date:	12/01/1975
From:	Gove P ECIMPCA, MINNESOTA, STATE OF
To:	Boyd R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML19331A807	List: ML19331A805 ML19331A809 ML19331A812
References
NUDOCS 8007230838
Download: ML19331A809 (2)

Text

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j M!nnesota Po!!ution Control Agency

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December 1, 1975 P' I

Mr. R.S. Boyd, Acting Director Division of Reactor Licensing

, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission j Washington, D.C. 20555 RE: Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant (Docket Nos.

50-292 and 50-306, License Nos. DPR-42 and DPR-60)

Dear Mr. Boyd:

1

. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, an intervenor

} in the ongoing licensing hearing for the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, has received a copy of an Unusual Event Report -

from the Licensee dated November 14, 1975.

t l The Report indicates that the release rate of long-lived J

halogens and particulates, when averaged over a three-month period and extrapolated at the same release rate for one year, was greater than two times the Design Objective contained in Technical Specificati,on 3.9.2.b. Our review of Technical Speci-fication 3.9.B.l.a indicates that in such circumstances the Licensee is required to identify the cause for such excessive release rates, and to define and initiate a program to reduce the rates. In spite of the rather specific language of that i section, the Licensee has failed to make an adequate identifica-i tion of the causes and to develop a program to reduce the excessive

! releases.

It has long been the position of the Minnesota Pollution

Control Agency, in this proceeding as well as in the Monticello l .

licensing proceeding and the Appendix I rulemaking hearing, that i

routine releases of radioactive plants can and should be signi-

'ficantly reduced. In this instance, the Agency has the following specific concerns:

1. Further explanation of the cause of this excessive rel' ease of halogens and particulates is required. The only explanation given by the company is that " abnormal amounts of I-131 and Co-58 were released from Unit 1 Containment" as a result of " required purging to permit maintenance." It is of concern to the Agency that routine maintenance would cause the release of excessive amounts of radioactive gaseous materials.

If extra purging is necessary due to steam leaks in the containment or other causes, this should be fully investigated.

1935 West County Road 32. Roseville. Minnesoto 55113 D

.80 o n a ggy' al Offices Duluth / Brcinerd ,. s ne /__ _.,_, Falls / Marshcli/ Rochester / Rose Fergus d

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I Mr. R.S.*Boyd, Acting Director ~

page 2

2. Information should be prcvided as to the extent to which esterials released during raintenance purges are treated e in the plant's gaseous emission treatment system. If such releases are not treated, explanation and justification should be provided.

3. Technical Specifications 3.9.B.l.a and 6.7.3.2 require written Unusual Event Reports to be submitted "within 30 days."

} Submission of such a report on November 14 identifying excessive release rates from May 11, 1975, through August 10, 1975, does l

! not seen timely, i

t j 4. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency does not believe

! that, merely because chere is scce delay in the ultimate imple-l-

y mentation of Appendix I, the Licensee should be allowed to violate the provisions of its existing Technical Specifications i, with imounit":.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Acencv rec.uests that the i  ?!uclear Regulator 1 Ccrnission pa2e irrediate and neaningful action to insure that the concerns expressed above are addressed.

l I I Sin,er 'ly e j f -

-Cfd,L t . ter L. Gove l Executive Director cc: Jay Silberg, Esq.

O. Gregory Lewis, Esq.

L.O. Mayer 4

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