ML21110A112
| ML21110A112 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vallecitos Nuclear Center, Vallecitos (DPR-001, DPR-010) |
| Issue date: | 05/04/2021 |
| From: | Bruce Watson Reactor Decommissioning Branch |
| To: | Feyrer M GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, Vallecitos |
| Jack Parrott, 301-415-6634 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML21110A108 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML21110A112 (3) | |
Text
Matt J. Feyrer, Site Manager GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Vallecitos Nuclear Center 6705 Vallecitos Rd Sunol, CA 94586
SUBJECT:
INDEPENDENT SURVEY RESULTS FOR THE SHUTDOWN REACTORS AT THE VALLECITOS NUCLEAR CENTER
Dear Mr. Feyrer:
On February 5-6, 2019, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) contractor, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), conducted independent surveys at two of the shutdown reactors, the Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor (VBWR) and the Empire State Atomic Development Associates Vallecitos Experimental Superheat Reactor, at the GE Hitachi (GEH) Vallecitos Nuclear Center (VNC) in Sunol, California. Soil samples from an exploratory boring near the third VNC shutdown reactor, the GE Test Reactor (GETR), were also analyzed.
The report of that survey is attached for GEH use. Also, during an NRC inspection on March 25-28, 2019, NRC collected 15 smear samples and took custody of 14 others from GEH. The 29 total locations were from throughout the VBWR and GETR. Sixteen samples were collected in the basement and first floor of the VBWR and 13 samples were collected from the GETR basement, first floor, and top floor. These samples were sent to another NRC contractor, the Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (RESL), for analysis. NRC provided the RESL results to ORISE for inclusion in Appendix D of the ORISE report. The ORISE report is provided for information only, no action is required.
The objectives of the NRCs surveys were to independently collect radiological data using survey instruments and smear samples to measure radiation levels, identify radionuclides of concern (ROCs), and determine relative fractions between ROCs that are present on contaminated surfaces in the buildings. These data can provide a technical basis for developing and evaluating weighted efficiencies for hand-held survey instruments used to measure surface activity levels. Therefore, it is recommended that GEH should review the ORISE and RESL smear data and compare it to GEHs survey data. Differences between the NRCs contractors and GEHs onsite or offsite (contractor) laboratory results can be attributed to several factors, including the measurement methods used by the laboratories. Please note that any NRC sampling and analysis done in the future to verify GEHs survey results of the shutdown reactors at the VNC will apply the same or similar laboratory measurement methods used by ORISE and RESL as described in this report.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure, a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component of NRCs Agencywide May 4, 2021
M. Feyrer Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
Please call the NRC Senior Project Manager for the VNC shutdown reactors, Jack Parrott, at 301-415-6634 or e-mail jack.parrott@nrc.gov with any questions.
Sincerely, Bruce A. Watson, Chief Reactor Decommissioning Branch Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery and Waste Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket Nos. 50-18, 50-183, and 50-70
Attachment:
ORISE Independent Survey Report cc: GEH mailing list GEH Listserv Signed by Watson, Bruce on 05/04/21
ML21110A108; Ltr ML21110A112 OFFICE NMSS/DUWP/RDB NMSS/DUWP/RDB NMSS/DUWP/RDB NMSS/DUWP/RDB NAME JParrott AHuffert JParrott BWatson DATE Apr 27, 2021 May 3, 2021 May 4, 2021 May 4, 2021