[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15943]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 30, 1994]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket 70-1257; License SNM-1227]
In the Matter of: Siemens Power Corporation, Richland,
Washington.
Order and Demand for Information
I
Siemens Power Corporation (SPC) is the holder of Special Nuclear
Materials License SNM-1227, issued by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission. The license authorizes possession and use of uranium for
the manufacture of fuel assemblies for commercial nuclear power plants.
The license also authorizes possession and use of plutonium in sealed
sources and as mixed oxide in stored waste. The license was last
renewed on September 10, 1987, and was due to expire September 30,
1992. The licensee submitted an application for renewal of the license
on August 25, 1992. The license has continued in effect since then
under the timely renewal provision of 10 CFR 70.33(b).
II
The Commission's regulations in 10 CFR Part 20 (Standards for
Protection Against Radiation) prohibit the release of insoluble non-
biological licensed materials to sanitary sewers. Specifically, 10 CFR
20.2003(a)(1) provides that a licensee may discharge licensed material
into sanitary sewer systems only if, among other things, the material
is readily soluble in water. The purpose of this prohibition is to
prevent accumulation and possible reconcentration of the materials in
the sanitary sewer system, sewage treatment plants, and sewage sludge.
While revised Part 20 was effective in June 1991, licensees were
permitted to defer implementation of the rule until January 1, 1994. 56
Fed. Reg. 23360, May 21, 1991; 57 Fed. Reg. 38588, August 26, 1992.
On January 28, 1994, the NRC issued Information Notice (IN) 94-07,
which discussed two approaches that could be used for determining a
chemical compound's solubility in water. The IN emphasized that unless
releases qualify as being ``readily soluble,'' 10 CFR 20.2003(a)(1)
would prohibit release to sanitary sewers absent the grant of an
exemption to that regulation.
SPC is authorized by License SNM-1227, Safety Condition S-1, to
operate a laundry facility for the cleaning of protective clothing and
equipment contaminated with uranium compounds and to discharge liquid
effluents to the Richland Municipal Sewerage System. These effluents
are continuously monitored, and composite samples are analyzed for
uranium and regulated chemicals. Results of the liquid effluent
monitoring are reported to the NRC in accordance with 10 CFR 70.59. The
results are also reported to the Washington State Department of
Ecology, Water Quality Division and the Director, Water and Waste
Utilities, of the City of Richland.
On April 14, 1994, SPC submitted an application for an exemption
from 10 CFR 20.2003(a)(1). SPC stated that based on 1993 data an
evaluation of liquid effluents had demonstrated that the sewer
discharge from its retention tanks, which receive the bulk of their
input from the contaminated clothing laundry, contained small amounts
of insoluble uranium. SPC reported that the average uranium
concentration was 0.24 parts per million; the liquid discharge was
approximately 4,000 gallons per day; the total uranium discharged to
the sanitary sewer annually was 1.47 kilograms, or 0.0026 curies of
uranium; and the insoluble uranium fraction measured by filtration is
approximately 59 percent of the total discharged uranium, or 0.0015
curies.
The information contained in SPC's exemption request indicates that
SPC may be in violation of 10 CFR 20.2003(a)(1). SPC was required to
comply with the provisions of 10 CFR 20.2003 by January 1, 1994, and
yet has reported that 59 percent of the uranium discharges to the
sanitary sewer from its retention tanks are insoluble. The filing of an
exemption request did not and does not relieve SPC from the obligation
to comply with NRC regulations. The NRC staff's review of the exemption
request has not been completed.
SPC is hereby notified that it must comply with the provisions of
10 CFR 20.2003 notwithstanding the fact that it has requested an
exemption from that regulation. Only in the event that the exemption
request is granted may SPC discharge any non-biological insoluble
licensed material into sanitary sewerage. While the request is pending,
SPC could be subject to enforcement action for violating NRC
regulations prohibiting such discharges.
III
In light of the information contained in SPC's exemption request,
further information is needed. Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 161c,
161o, 182, and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and
the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.204, in order for the
Commission to determine whether enforcement action should be taken to
ensure compliance with NRC statutory and regulatory requirements, SPC
is required to submit by July 6, 1994, to the Director, Office of
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, with a copy to the Chief, Fuel
Cycle Licensing Branch, the following information, in writing and under
oath or affirmation:
1. a. State what actions SPC has taken to ensure compliance with 10
CFR 20.2003(a)(1) since January 1, 1994.
b. Describe the circumstances, since January 1, 1994, under which
non-biological insoluble licensed materials were discharged into
sanitary sewerage, and the actions, if any, which were taken to prevent
further discharges.
2. State what actions SPC will take to ensure future compliance
with 10 CFR 20.2003(a)(1).
Copies also shall be sent to the Assistant General Counsel for
Hearings and Enforcement at the same address. After receiving your
response, the NRC will determine whether further action is necessary to
ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 24th day of June 1994.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert M. Bernero,
Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 94-15943 Filed 6-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
