1. Atomic and Safety Licensing Board (ASLB) Issues Oyster Creek Decision
2. Oyster Creek Federal Consistency Determination (FCD) by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
3. Oyster Creek
4. Radon Section Outreach

1. Atomic and Safety Licensing Board (ASLB) Issues Oyster Creek Decision

On December 18, 2007 a three judge panel of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) ASLB issued their decision related to contention raised by a coalition of citizens’ groups on the adequacy of ultrasonic thickness measurements (UT) of the Oyster Creek drywell. The ASLB hearing was conducted on September 24 and 25, 2007.

The ASLB decision found in favor of AmerGen Energy Company, LLC (AmerGen). The decision stated “we find that AmerGen has demonstrated that the frequency of its planned UT measurements, in combination with the other elements of its aging management program, provides reasonable assurance that the sand bed region of the drywell shell will maintain the necessary safety margin during the period of extended operation” of Oyster Creek.

Any appeal by the coalition of citizens’ groups would first have to go to the NRC Commissioners and could then be brought before a federal appellate court and finally to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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2. Oyster Creek Federal Consistency Determination (FCD) by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)

On December 28, 2007 the NJDEP, Division of Land Use Regulation, completed their review for FCD pursuant to Section 307 of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 for the proposed 20-year license extension of Oyster Creek. The Division found that the proposed license renewal is consistent with New Jersey’s Coastal Management Program. This determination removes one of the final obstacles for the NRC’s approval of license renewal for Oyster Creek.

As part of the decision, AmerGen, the owner of Oyster Creek, will perform tidal wetland restoration at two locations, totaling 170 acres, over an eight-year period beginning in 2009. The locations are 70 acres at the Finninger Farm site and 100 acres at the Forked River Game Farm site. AmerGen will also perform 50 acres of hard clam bed restoration adjacent to Island Beach State Park and oyster bed restoration within Barnegat Bay. Additionally, AmerGen will provide public access to the waterfront at Finninger Farm by construction of a boat launch facility, parking facilities, walking trails, rest rooms, and the ultimate conveyance of the property to the Township of Lacey.

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3. Oyster Creek

On December 19, 2007 Oyster Creek had an unplanned manual reactor shut down. A reactor power reduction to 54% power was achieved to perform planned maintenance on two reactor recirculation pump Motor Generators and to find and repair condenser tube leaks in the “A” North water box. At 1145 hours, the reactor was manually shut down as a result of a trip of the “A” reactor feed pump on low suction pressure. Prior to the shutdown, in accordance with the environmental plan and schedule, circulating water was reduced to two pump operation to maximize discharge water temperature and thus minimize thermal shock impact to aquatic life in the discharge canal during winter conditions.

The two circulating pump operations, combined with draining of the “A” North water box, resulted in degraded condenser vacuum, reduced performance of the “A” condensate pump, trip of the “A” reactor feed water pump on low suction pressure and the unplanned manual reactor shut down. Although technical challenges did take place prior to the evolution, the available pump margin was not quantified/sufficient to compensate for any condenser performance changes, and resulted in an unplanned manual reactor shut down.

As a result of this reactor shutdown, 5304 fish were killed.

Oyster Creek had been at 152 days event free prior to the shutdown.

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4. Radon Section Outreach

The winners of the State Radon Poster Contest were officially announced. Letters were sent out to the homes of those students who won first, second, and third place, as well as to the associated schools and mayors. Due to the outstanding quality of the posters submitted, nine honorable mentions were also selected. In addition, recognition was given to the school with the most entries. A certificate of participation, as well as a keychain backpack clip, was sent to all 195 students who entered posters. Winners were as follows:

• First Place – Sharon Kim – Lewis F. Cole Middle School, Fort Lee
• Second Place – Michael Boldt – Howell Middle School South, Howell
• Third Place – Helaina Anderson – Dr. J.P. Cleary Middle School, Minotola
• School with Most Entries – Howell Middle School South

It was suggested that schools honor the winners during a school assembly or a town meeting. Currently, arrangements are being made for several award presentations which will be conducted in January during National Radon Action Month. A Radon Poster Contest Press Release announcing the winners was also sent to the Department of Environmental Protection press office for future distribution. In addition, winners were entered into the National Contest to compete for an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., and national distribution of their posters.

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