ML20198G846
| ML20198G846 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Haddam Neck File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png |
| Issue date: | 08/11/1997 |
| From: | Durr J NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Concannon T, Woollacott E AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9709050139 | |
| Download: ML20198G846 (4) | |
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August
.1, 1997 Representative Terry Concannon Co-Chair for NEAC
'34th Assembly District 76 Timms Hill Road Haddam, CT 06438 Mr. E. 'Noc,Ilacott Co-Chair for NEAC 128 Terrys Plain Road
= Simsbury CT 06070-1830
Dear Representative Concannon and Mr. Woollacott:
a Prior to a meeting Setween the Nuclear Regulatory Commissioa (NRC) and the Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee (NEAC) on July 17,1997, the NRC received ten questions to be answered during the meeting regarding Northeast Utilities' nuclear power plants. Prior to the meeting, we committed to provide written responses to two of the ten questions at a later date. Below are our responses to questions No. 8 and No. 9.
Question No. 8 "What is the NRC position on the CTPUC prefiled testimony on the FERC Connecticut Yankee docket 97 913-000? The testimony details the excessive radiological contamination of the Haddam Neck site as well as the inflated decommissioning cost estinistes, is the NRC currently considerlag issuing violations for the contamination?
What is the status of the NRC Invest gation?"
Commensurate with its responsibilities and authority, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires utilities to provide information and supporting basis on estimated costs expected to be incurred to support facility decommissioning activities.
Such obligation to FERC is separate from NRC regulatory requirements.
We are aware of the testimony provided on behalf of the Connecticut Public Utility Commission, regarding Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company's (CY) statements to 17 p n.s '
FERC concerning estimated decommissioning costs. We also recognize that this is an ongoing process that is not yet completed. CY remains to provide additional information and testimony to FERC on this matter.
Relative to NRC requirements,10 CFR 50.82, " Termination of license," requires CY to provide an estimate of decommissioning costs as part of their submittal of the Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activitias Report (PSDAR). The licensee's PSDAR is expected to be submitted in September 1997. The PSDAR will also be made available for public comment as part of NRC's review process. In addition, a public meeting will be held to permit further public discuss %n and comment on the PSDAR, CY's decommissioning plans
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Fac;1ity contamination events, such as discussed in the FERC testimony, were previously reviewed and subsequently documented in several NRC Inspection Reports. Examples include NRC Inspection Reports 50-213/82-008 which reviewed concerns about the extent and control of soil contarriination on-site; and 50-213/89-002 which describe an unmonitored release pathway which resulted in soil contamination. Our regular inspections of the Haddam Neck facility, including review of liquid and gaseous radiolejical effluent
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controls and processes, and the environmental monitoring program, have not suggested any recent or continuing radiological release to the environment in excess of NRC regulatory limits, as the result of residual on-site contamination. Recent radiological sampling activities, initiated by CY te characterize residual soil contamination levels, have not yet revealed any substantial depositions of contaminated material.
While there were occurrences that resulted in radiological contamination of the site (such as reported in inspection Report 50-213/82-008 and 50-213/89-002), the NRC is not aware of any instance in which the licensee failed to take appropriate remedial action or adhere to NRC reporting requirements. Nor are we aware of situations in which CY made on-site disposals by burying or otherwise covering-up contaminated material contrary to applicable NRC regulatory requirements. Further, recent radiological effluent and environmental reports have not shown any radiological impact on the environment, including soil, sediment, river water, vegetation, and fish. The radioisotope tritium (a product cf previous reactor operations) has been usually measured in on-site monitoring wells to be above background but within EPA drinking water limits.
Notwithstanding, the NRC process for license termination requires the agency to independently verify and validate that all radioactivity, including soil contamination, is reduced to levels that permit release of the facility in accordance with NRC's radiological criteria for license termination. If NRC inspection activities or other information reveal noncompliance with regulatory requirements, NRC will take action in accordance with the established Enforcement Policy.
Question No. 9 In light of the contamination problems at Haddam Neck, what is the NRC doing about investigating the possibility of a similar contamination situation existing at the Millstone o
station?"
'Ne are not aware of any abnormal or previously unrealized condition at Haddam Neck, relativa to the extent of site contamination, notwithstanding news media reports that discuss recent testimony to FERC on this matter. Similarly, our inspection efforts at Millstone have not revealed any site contamination that has not been addressed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirerr.snts.
Only four Radiologically Contro led Areas (RCA) are not enclosed in some manner (i.e.,
covered or maintained within a building) at Millstone. These areas are: (1) the storage area by Warehouse #9 (used to store radwaste awaiting shipment); (2) the storage yard of the, Millstone Radwaste Reduction Facility (MRRF); (3) the radioac:ive material storage area on the east side of Unit 3 (betwaen the Hydrogen Recombiner Building and the Radwaste Facility); and, (4) the radwaste bunker yard. Plant procedures require that only containerized radioactive materials be stored in these areas, and that the areas be surveyed regularly for contamination by the plant health physics staff.
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NRC inspectors have verified that the licensee maintains a record, as required by 10 CFR BO.75(g), to document the location of any significant contamination remaining as the result of spills and unusual occurrences. This record is periodicali/ reviewed during NRC inspection activities. From our inspection efforts at Wlillstone we are not aware of any contaminated areas, beyond the Radiologically Controlled Areas, that are not controlled and maintained in accordance with NRC regulatoq requiitments, if NRC inspection activities or other information reveal noncompliance with regulatory requirements, NRC will take i
action in accordance with the established Enforcement Policy.
Sincerely, Original Signed By:
W. Lanning Jacque P. Durr Chief, inspections 4
Special Projects Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation ec:
W. Lanning, Deputy Director of Inspections, SPO, NRR W. Travers, Director, SPO, NRR
i Distribution w/enci:
Region l Docket Room (with coov of concurrences)
Nuclear Safety information Center (NSIC)
PUBLIC FILE CENTER, NRR (with Oriainal concurrences)
NRC Resident inspector B. Jones, PIMB/ DISP M. Kalamon, SPO, RI W. Lanning, Deputy Director of Inspections, SPO, RI D. Screnci, PAO W. Travers, Director, SPO, NRR a
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NAME DtSRV DATE 08/l)/97 08/
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