ML18065B144

Submits Actions to Be Taken to Address ALARA Concerns Noted in Insp Rept 50-255/97-08.Reviews Associated W/Post Maint Testing Continuing & Will Be Discussed W/Nrc at Later Date

ML18065B144
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	01/13/1998
From:	Bordine T CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
50-255-97-08, 50-255-97-8, NUDOCS 9801210275
Download: ML18065B144 (2)

Text

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Consumers Energy:>

January 13, 1998 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 DOCKET 50-255 - LICENSE DPR PALISADES PLANT

,,,_. t:. BonllM Manager Licensing RESPONSE TO ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN COVER LETTER TO INSPECTION REPORT S0-255/97008(DRP)

The NRC letter dated September 5, 1997, transmitted Inspection Report 97008, which covered Resident Inspector activities for the period from May 24 through July 7, 1997.

Two issues referenced in the inspection report cover letter as continuing weaknesses were post maintenance testing, and ALARA planning. We are continuing our reviews associated with post maintenance testing. The results of these reviews will be discussed with NRC at a later date. The actions being taken to address the ALARA concerns are discussed below.

Weak ALARA Planning NRC Inspection Report 97008 noted a weakness with regard to ALARA planning.

Specifically discussed within the report is the maintenance performed on the "B" radwaste evaporator. The* report states that the inspectors determined that the post-maintenance critique did. not fully address other options availabl~ to. re.duce_dose.- - -*- - - - --

. during-evaporator-cleaning activities. Critique meeting participants characterized the evaporator cleaning as a low dose job (less than or equal to 10 mrem) when, in fact, approximately 350 mrem were expended; a total dose perhaps greater than actually required. The inspectors concluded that the evaporator cleaning job did not have proper emphasis placed on ALARA planning.

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• Tel: 616 76J 2913

• Fax: 616 764 2490

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2 Our reviews of the events and circumstances surrounding the cleaning of the evaporator revealed a lack of ALARA planning, information sharing, and ALARA sensitivity and ownership within the organization. The following efforts and plans are in progress to assist in raising the overall ALARA awareness and organizational responsibility at Palisades.

1.

During the Annual All Employee Meeting in mid September, 1997, Palisades leadership team reinforced that Palisades needs to reduce plant exposures to meet a three-year average of 160 person-rem by the year 2000.

2.

Senior Nuclear Management periodically reviews the efforts to reduce Palisades annual exposure by reviewing the status of progress during quarterly Management Safety Review Committee (MSRC) meetings.

3.

For the 1998 Refueling Outage, the ALARA Committee will meet with the Project Managers responsible for major outage projects to help establish the dose goals for their areas of responsibility. The ALARA Committee will review dose reduction plans and provide support for budget and/or resources, as needed, for exposure reduction equipment or programs.

4.

The evaluation and prioritization of work scope at the daily Supervisors Meeting will continue with increased emphasis placed on ALARA during work prioritization.

5.

The ALARA Committee is evaluating a program to increase ALARA awareness, with plans to present the results to Palisades plant staff in 1998.

6.

The ALARA Committee will evaluate the use of personnel dose targets for all site radiation workers.

SUMMARY

OF COMMITMENTS This letter contains no new commitments and no revisions to existing commitments.

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-Thomas-G:-Bordine--*-* ----

Manager, Licensing CC Administrator, Region Ill, USNRC Project Manager, NRR, USNRC NRC Resident Inspector - Palisades