Radiation Protection and Release Prevention

Radiation Protection & Release Prevention Program
Monthly Highlights
February 2008

If you would like a hard copy of the full monthly report, including appendices, please E-mail Betty Sigafoos.

1. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Commissioners Defer Decision on New License For Oyster Creek

On February 21, 2008 the NRC Commissioners returned “SECY 08-0018 to the staff at this time without action”.

SECY 08-0018, “Renewal of Full-Power Operating License for Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station”, was submitted to the Commission on February 14, 2008 by Luis A. Reyes, NRC Executive Director for Operations. The purpose of the SECY paper was to inform the Commission of the results of the NRC staff’s license renewal review for Oyster Creek and request authorization to issue a renewed license. The Commission, currently consisting of three members plus two vacancies, could have authorized the issuance of an extended license but instead returned the SECY paper without action. The Commission’s approval is necessary since the Oyster Creek license renewal application was contested. The NRC Director of NRR is only authorized to renew operating licenses for uncontested license renewal reviews. Since Oyster Creek was the first successfully contested license renewal review, the Commission’s return of the SECY paper to the NRC staff is unprecedented. It is our understanding that the staff will now await further direction from the Commission before again requesting a renewed license for Oyster Creek.

On February 14 and 27, 2008 the Office of Information Resource Management installed new computers in the Emergency Operation Facilities, Forward Command Posts and Emergency News Centers in Salem and Ocean counties. The upgraded computers will greatly enhance the reliability and effectiveness of the DEP’s nuclear emergency response. The aging computer system was starting to show signs of unreliability and was incapable of managing new hardware and software. The DEP is mandated to be prepared for a full scale response to a nuclear emergency and implement the Radiological Emergency Response Plan in a timely and efficient manner. This new technology will ensure that our capabilities match the expectations of the public to protect their health and safety.

On February 20, 2008 a launch meeting was held with members of the Radiologic Technology-Subchapter 19 rule team to review the comments received from the public comment period and to discuss its plan forward regarding adoption of this rule. No major issues were identified from comments received on the rule proposal. The Bureau plans to adopt the rule as proposed with minor amendments. It is anticipated that the adoption document will be ready for legal review by April 2008 and appear in the New Jersey Register in late June 2008.

On February 20, 2008 members of the Veterinary X-ray-Subchapter 23 rule team met to review and discuss draft rule proposal number two. Significant comments and edits were made to this draft rule. Bureau staff is working on draft three which will incorporate these comments and hopes to re-convene the rule team in July.

A total of approximately 114 New Jersey National Radon Action Month (NRAM) activities were entered into the Environmental Protection Agency NRAM Website. New Jersey joined in the national effort to raise awareness of the health effects of radon exposure, promote radon testing, and mitigation, and advance the use of radon resistant new construction. Activities were conducted in over 80 municipalities throughout New Jersey and included press releases, newspaper articles, public service announcements, mayor proclamations, displays, special events, and the distribution of free test kits. More than 700 activities were conducted nation-wide, with New Jersey ranking second for the number of activities conducted.

The Radon Program, in partnership with the Eastern Regional Radon Testing Center at Rutgers University, is currently in the planning phase for a pilot project which will allow for free or reduced cost mitigation of low-income housing as part of hands-on radon mitigation training for use as continuing education credits.