DOE-Idaho Operations Summary
Issued March 9, 2006
DOE-Idaho Operations Summary
For the Period Febuary 21-March 6, 2006
Environmental Management
Summary of Occurrence Reports
(Note: Date below indicates when notification was made of the incident.)
Febuary 23: Based on a report from a similar activity at another DOE site, safety staff chose to evaluate the potential hazard of hydrogen generation at a former INL spent fuel storage basin. It was determined that grouting activities at the former CPP-603 spent fuel basin could also lead to the generation of hydrogen gas, and that concern needs to be addressed in the safety documentation for the grouting activity. Grouting activities at the basin were placed on hold until the issue is thoroughly evaluated and resolved. (EM-ID-CWI- FUELRCSTER-2006-0005)
Febuary 28: A BBWI employee reported feeling nauseous and dizzy after working in an area where empty, new waste drum inspections occurred at an off-site facility not owned or operated by BBWI. The employee was evaluated by an on-site nurse and released back to work. An industrial hygienist inspected the work area and found no elevated readings of dangerous materials. Additional monitoring of the facility will continue. (EM-ID-BBWI-AMWTF-2006-0007)
Operational Status
Waste Shipments: Shipping of transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico continues, with 21 shipments made the week ending Febuary 25, with a total of over 6,100 cubic meters shipped as of that week. Preparing Waste for Disposal: Activities continue at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center to allow characterization of remote-handled transuranic waste for shipment to WIPP for disposal. The goal is to have 10 drums of remote-handled
transuranic waste characterized by March 10. Visual examination of videotapes of the first 70 drums of remote-handled waste occurred at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex, and the first drums were sent to INTEC for characterization.
Nuclear Energy
Summary of Occurrence Reports
Febuary 23: It was discovered that maintenance had been performed at the Reactor Technology Complex without the required zero energy verification to ensure personnel safety. Management notifications were made and a critique was held to understand why required procedures were not followed. The mechanic involved was counseled on following proper procedures.
(NE-ID-BEA-ATR-2006-0003)
Operational Status
Center for Advanced Energy Studies: The Center has met two major milestones: 1) A memorandum of agreement among CAES and the three Idaho universities was agreed to and signed; and 2) CAES initiated the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State University, complete with an interim director, a new graduate course entitled “Energy Politics in the West,” and a plan to host an Energy Policy conference in conjunction with INL in Fiscal Year 2007.