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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC-2025-002643 299 South Main Street, Suite 1700 ▪ Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 (801) 649-2000 ▪ Fax: (801) 880-2879 ▪ www.energysolutions.com August 17, 2025 CD-2025-165 Mr. Doug Hansen Director Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control 195 North 1950 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4880 Subject: Radioactive Material License UT 2300249; Relocation of the Owner Controlled Fences Dear Mr. Hansen, EnergySolutions respectfully submits this response to your electronic inquiry dated August 13, 2025, regarding the plans for the establishment of a new owner-controlled fence-line at the Clive Facility.1 This response outlines the relevant operational and regulatory frameworks, addresses the specific questions posed, and reaffirms our commitment to safety and compliance. Regulatory and Operational Framework: Radioactive Material License UT2300249 requires the Clive Facility to operate under the Clive Facility Radiation Protection Program (CL-RS-PG-002, Revision 21), which establishes protocols for the receipt, possession, processing, use, transfer, and disposal of licensed radioactive material. Central to Clive’s operations is the commitment to the "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) philosophy, as detailed in the Clive Facility ALARA Program (CL-RS-PG-001, Revision 18). These programs prioritize minimizing radiation doses to both the public and facility personnel through engineering and administrative controls, as outlined in Sections 2.2.4.1, 3.1.2.1, and 5.4.1.1 of CL-RS-PG-002. Section 3.2.4 further specifies requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), while Section 3.2.4.1 emphasizes that protective clothing is not a substitute for engineering and administrative controls. To achieve ALARA objectives, the Clive Facility implements three fundamental principles: minimizing exposure time, maximizing distance from radiation sources, and utilizing effective shielding. Minimizing exposure time reduces the duration of contact with radioactive materials, thereby lowering the cumulative radiation dose. Maximizing distance leverages the inverse square law, where radiation intensity decreases with increased distance from the source. Effective shielding employs dense materials, such as lead or concrete, to absorb or block 1 Woolf, B. Email communication from the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control to Vern Rogers of EnergySolutions, dated August 13, 2025. Mr. Doug Hansen CD-2025-165 August 17, 2025 Page 2 of 4 ▪▪▪ radiation. These strategies collectively ensure the safe handling and management of radioactive materials. Section 1.3.3 of CL-RS-PG-002 authorizes Clive Facility management to designate owner- controlled areas outside the Restricted Area but within the site boundary, where access may be restricted for any reason. Additionally, Condition 22 of Radioactive Material License UT2300249 mandates weekly gamma radiation surveys along the perimeter of the Restricted Area. Since the third week of July 2025, elevated external dose rates have been observed near Environmental Monitoring Station A-35 and the bypass track adjacent to the West Rotary Facility. Although these dose rates remain well below the limits specified in Utah Administrative Code R313-15-302(2)(b)(ii), projections indicate potential increases due to the staging of decontamination and decommissioning project railcars with elevated radioactivity through the end of 2025. In response, the Clive Facility Radiation Safety Officer has implemented additional owner-controlled fencing, as depicted in Figure 1, to increase the distance between the public and the bypass track, aligning with ALARA principles. Figure 1 - Additional Owner-Controlled Fencing Constructed Adjacent to the West Rotary Facility Mr. Doug Hansen CD-2025-165 August 17, 2025 Page 3 of 4 ▪▪▪ Responses to Specific Inquiries: In the August 13, 2025 electronic message, the Division requested brief narratives addressing the following: 1. What will this newly created area be categorized as? Is this an extension of the Restricted Area into section 29 or is this considered a buffer zone? The EMP states that designated air monitoring stations are to be located along the restricted area perimeter. The additional fencing, as illustrated in Figure 1, constitutes an access control measure within EnergySolutions’ owner-controlled property. This fencing does not alter the existing Restricted Area boundary or necessitate the relocation of Environmental Monitoring Station A-35. Station A-35 remains positioned at the Restricted Area perimeter, consistent with the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) requirements. 2. Is the TLD badge currently stationed at A-35 going to remain in place until the end of the current EMR reporting period or will it be moved with the fence-line? If the TLD badge is not relocated, will a new TLD be installed along the Northern portion of the newly created fence line? In accordance with the Clive Facility Radiation Protection Program (CL-RS-PG-002), a Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) badge has been installed along the northern portion of the newly constructed owner-controlled fence, representing the closest permissible proximity for members of the public to that section of the Restricted Area. External exposure rates measured by both TLDs will be combined in the next Environmental Monitoring Report (based on the fraction of the reporting period each TLD represented dose rates at locations accessible to a hypothetical member of the public). Mr. Doug Hansen CD-2025-165 August 17, 2025 Page 4 of 4 ▪▪▪ 3. Will there be an establishment of a new “bird cage” as an air monitoring station if the restricted area is expanded? The additional owner-controlled fencing does not impact the position of Environmental Monitoring Station A-35 or the size of the Restricted Area. Therefore, no new air monitoring station, such as a “bird cage,” is required or planned. 4. Will/How does the expansion of this fence-line adjust surety costs for that area. The installation and potential removal of structures and fencing outside the licensed Restricted Area are addressed within the bond pledged to Tooele County, as stipulated in EnergySolutions’ Conditional Use Permit No. 2700-87. The additional fencing does not necessitate adjustments to existing surety arrangements. Conclusion: EnergySolutions remains committed to ensuring the safety of the public and our personnel while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations. Should you have further questions or require additional information, please contact me at 801-649-2000. Sincerely, Vern C. Rogers Director, Regulatory Affairs Vern C. Rogers Digitally signed by Vern C. Rogers DN: cn=Vern C. Rogers, o=EnergySolutions, ou=Waste Management Division, email=vcrogers@energysolutions.com, c=US Date: 2025.08.17 20:42:11 -06'00'