ML061070629
| ML061070629 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Braidwood  |
| Issue date: | 02/10/2006 |
| From: | Steven Orth NRC/RGN-III |
| To: | |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2006-0115 | |
| Download: ML061070629 (1) | |
Text
From:
Steven Orth4 To:
Braidwood Communications Team Date:
2/10/06 10:26AM
Subject:
Braidwood Tritium Contamination - Update Greetings, The following are a synopsis of weekly events concerning the Braidwood Contamination:
Godley Meeting: On Tuesday, February 7, 2006, Region IlIl attended a contentious and heated public meeting at the Village of Godley, Illinois (near Braidwood Station) to discuss tritium contamination in groundwater. The meeting was widely attended (approx 300 attendees),
including members of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), media, local/state/federal officials (or staffers), and anti-nuclear activists. Region IlIl and the Illinois EPA consistently communicated the position that the public is safe. Region IlIl indicated tha: we were concerned that the radioactivity was in an area that was unintended, but that the resulting contamination was below NRC and Federal EPA standards. We also communicated our independent sampling/analysis and inspection focus. Paul Gunter (NIRS), K. Leinweber (AdHocProject Committee) and Dr. and Mrs. Sauer provided statements concerning the significant health hazards resulting from any exposure to radioactivity. Residents reacted very emotionally to the information presented, accused EXELON of covering up the issues, and challenged the independence of the NRC and Illinois EPA. -At times, the crowd became somewiat hostile, and media coverage was mixed, but stressed the public distrust of EXELON and the regulators.
EXELON correspondence: On Tuesday, February 7, 2006, the licensee provided the NRC with a written, docketed correspondence stating its cessation of radioactive liquid discharges.
The letter included a statement that communications with the NRC will be performed prior to resuming any discharges through the blowdown line. The Region is pursuing extending the communications to include radioactive liquid discharges through any line and prior to the licensee's processing or release of the radioactive liquids in temporary storage.
Briefing of Congressional Staff: On Thursday, February 9, 2006, Region III participated in a briefing of Congressional Staff (Cong. Weller and Sen. Obama staffers), with members of NRR, OCA, and OEDO, to provide an update of Braidwood Tritium contamination. The Region IlIl staff provided current information including the licensee's activities, NRC activities, extent of contamination identified, and public and media participation. Region IlIl also indicated its participation at the Village of Godley meeting and the level of public and media interest in the event. Congressional staff appeared to be appreciative of the level of the briefing, but provided feedback indicating that external interest was rising and discussing concern regarding the rise in addit onal contamination found offsite. Sen. Obama's staffer indicated that the NRC should expect to answer questions concerning Braidwood at the March 2006 subcommittee meetings.
Region IlIl Inspection Activities: Region IlIl will resume onsite radiation safety inspection activities on Monday, February 13.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Have a good weekend, Steve
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