Update On Tritium Issues at Nuclear Power Sites. Dale Holden Duke Energy

Transcription

1 Update On Tritium Issues at Nuclear Power Sites Dale Holden Duke Energy

2 Ground Water Monitoring at Nuclear Power Facilities Quick Review: A Little History Ground water has been monitored at all nuclear power sites since pre-operation Ground water monitoring is a routine requirement of the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Programs (REMP) at all nuclear power plant sites

3 Ground Water Monitoring at Nuclear Power Facilities Quick Review: A Little History (con t) No significant long-term issues had been identified with ground water monitoring for many years (Nuclear Regulatory Audits) Generally considered low risk opportunities (from a dose perspective)

4 What Has Changed? In August 2005, Indian Point Unit 2 discovered a small leak in spent fuel pool. Later leakage from Unit 1 spent fuel pool was also identified NRC report stated that estimated radiation dose to public was negligible

5 Indian Point

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7 Loading Bay During Excavation Approximate location of cracks. Enlarged for illustration

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9 What Has Changed? In May 2006, NRC inspection at Braidwood Nuclear Power Station revealed estimated 6.25 million gallons radioactive liquid had leaked from vacuum breakers along the circulating water blowdown line. Station received White Finding from NRC Radiation dose to the public negligible (much less than 1 mrem)

10 Braidwood Station

11 The Bigger Questions What else may be leaking into the ground from nuclear power plants that is unknown? What should be done to ensure public remains safe? Is this a technical issue that needs addressing from a public risk perspective?

12 Answer It is much more than a technical or public risk issue Sociologically Sensitive Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies. Groucho Marx

13 Actions Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) developed Industry Ground Water Protection Initiative Guidance Document NEI Held Ground Water Protection Workshop to identify lessons learned Developed by Ground Water Taskforce comprised of representatives from nuclear power industry

14 Actions The Ground Water Protection Initiative is designed to identify actions and improve utilities management and response to instances where the inadvertent release of radioactive substances may result in low but detectable levels of plant-related materials in subsurface soils and water.

15 New Questions How well do you know the hydrogeology under and in the vicinity of your nuclear power plant? If there is a leak, what actions should be taken? How and when should state agencies or NRC be notified since actions may be under regulatory concern?

16 How Has Duke Energy Faired? Did LOTS of homework Used Duke Energy geologist/hydrogeologist, engineers, health physicists, scientists, public relations specialists, representatives from state agencies (NC and SC).

17 How Has Duke Energy Faired? Drilled additional wells: Catawba Nuclear Station added 38 McGuire Nuclear Station added 67 Oconee Nuclear Station added 27 Total Wells Sampled from start-up to present: Catawba Nuclear Station 60 McGuire Nuclear Station 135 (landfill and landfarm) Oconee Nuclear Station 64

18 Any Surprises? Yes and No CNS on-site well >20,000 pci/l Non-potable well monitoring only no threat to public Did follow NEI criteria and reported to South Carolina state radiological agency Added additional monitoring wells near indicator well

19 Any Surprises? ONS on-site well indicated ~20,000 pci/l Non-potable well monitoring only no threat to public Did follow NEI criteria and reported to South Carolina state radiological agency Added additional monitoring wells near indicator well

20 Any Surprises? MNS found activity in well <20,000 pci/ L H3, but also had release to pond that was elevated Contacted state of NC radiological agency NO H3 ACTIVITY DETECTED POSED A RISK THREAT TO MEMBERS OF PUBLIC

21 The Shift Duke nuclear power plants typically have annual total effluent releases calculated to the highest human receptor of less than 1 mrem/yr. Moved from Not in my back yard to Not in my drinking water. Any atom of nuclear power generated radioactive material is greatly undesired by the public.

22 What Have We Learned? Communicate, Communicate, and Communicate. Educate, Educate, and Educate Maintain trust and confidence with public

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