ML062510134
| ML062510134 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Braidwood  |
| Issue date: | 09/07/2006 |
| From: | Caldwell J Region 3 Administrator |
| To: | Crane C Exelon Generation Co, Exelon Nuclear |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2010-0209 | |
| Download: ML062510134 (4) | |
Text
September 7, 2006 Mr. Christopher M. Crane President and Chief Nuclear Officer Exelon Nuclear Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555
SUBJECT:
RESUMPTION OF LIQUID RADIOACTIVE DISCHARGES THROUGH THE BRAIDWOOD CIRCULATING WATER BLOWDOWN LINE
Dear Mr. Crane:
The NRC acknowledges the receipt of your letter dated September 1, 2006, in which you discussed your intent to resume routine liquid radioactive discharges through the circulating water blowdown line at the Braidwood Station beginning on or about October 1, 2006. This letter satisfies your commitment to communicate with the NRC prior to the future discharge of any radioactive releases through the Braidwood blowdown line (see letter from K. J. Polson to J. L. Caldwell, dated February 7, 2006).
The Region III staff has reviewed your planned resumption of liquid radioactive discharges at the Braidwood Station. We understand that you have implemented actions to ensure the integrity of the circulating water blowdown line, to minimize the potential for stresses on the vacuum breaker valves, and to provide early detection of any leakage through the vacuum breaker valves. As stated in your letter, the actions include: (1) operating with the blowdown line at positive pressures; (2) removing all but three vacuum breaker valves from operation; (3) installing an impermeable membrane in each of the vacuum breaker valve vaults; (4) installing a continuous moisture detection system; and (5) installing several groundwater monitoring wells along the blowdown line and implementing weekly inspections to enhance your monitoring and inspection program. We also understand, through a telephone conversation with Mr. Kenneth Ainger of your staff on September 6, 2006, that, prior to recommencing releases, your staff plans to complete the routine channel calibration for the radwaste discharge line inline radiation monitor, which had lapsed during the cessation of releases.
The NRC inspected the stated actions as part of our extensive review of your Interim Remediation Plan, which was documented in NRC Inspection Report No. 05000456/2006003; 05000457/2006003. Further, we have observed that the measures have been effective, to date, through our observations of those remediation activities, which included the discharges of tritium contaminated water from a pond through the circulating water blowdown line. We have also reviewed your procedures on the integrated response to radioactive leaks and spills that were implemented in response to the Notice of Violation concerning the historical
C. Crane leaks from the vacuum breaker valves. These procedures provide added assurance that any leakage will be adequately resolved and assessed.
Notwithstanding, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements contained in 10 CFR Part 20 and the Braidwood license when performing liquid radioactive discharges to the environment. Based on the actions described above and inspected by the NRC, adequate measures appear to be in place for detection, response, and assessment of liquid radioactive material released through the blowdown line to assure the health and safety of the public and the environment. We have no further questions regarding your plans. However, we request that you notify us, through the onsite NRC resident inspector, of your specific schedule for resumption of releases, as this schedule is finalized.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS),
accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Mr. Steven Orth, Team Leader, Plant Support Team at (630) 829-9827.
Sincerely,
/RA/
James L. Caldwell Regional Administrator Docket Nos. 50-456; 50-457 License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77 cc:
Site Vice President - Braidwood Station Plant Manager - Braidwood Station Regulatory Assurance Manager - Braidwood Station Chief Operating Officer Senior Vice President - Nuclear Services Vice President - Operations Support Director Licensing Manager Licensing - Braidwood and Byron Senior Counsel, Nuclear, Mid-West Regional Operating Group Document Control Desk - Licensing Assistant Attorney General Illinois Emergency Management Agency State Liaison Officer Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission
C. Crane leaks from the vacuum breaker valves. These procedures provide added assurance that any leakage will be adequately resolved and assessed.
Notwithstanding, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements contained in 10 CFR Part 20 and the Braidwood license when performing liquid radioactive discharges to the environment. Based on the actions described above and inspected by the NRC, adequate measures appear to be in place for detection, response, and assessment of liquid radioactive material released through the blowdown line to assure the health and safety of the public and the environment. We have no further questions regarding your plans. However, we request that you notify us, through the onsite NRC resident inspector, of your specific schedule for resumption of releases, as this schedule is finalized.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS),
accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Mr. Steven Orth, Team Leader, Plant Support Team at (630) 829-9827.
Sincerely, James L. Caldwell Regional Administrator Docket Nos. 50-456; 50-457 License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77 cc:
Site Vice President - Braidwood Station Plant Manager - Braidwood Station Regulatory Assurance Manager - Braidwood Station Chief Operating Officer Senior Vice President - Nuclear Services Vice President - Operations Support Director Licensing Manager Licensing - Braidwood and Byron Senior Counsel, Nuclear, Mid-West Regional Operating Group Document Control Desk - Licensing Assistant Attorney General Illinois Emergency Management Agency State Liaison Officer Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission DOCUMENT NAME:E:\\FileNET\\ML062510134.wpd To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box:"C" = Copy without enclosure "E"= Copy with enclosure"N"= No copy OFFICE RIII RIII RIII RIII NAME SOrth:jb PLouden for RSkokowski Aboland for CPederson JCaldwell DATE 9/7/06 9/7/06 9/7/06 9/7/06 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
C. Crane ADAMS Distribution:
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