MEETING MINUTES

Yankee Rowe Community Advisory Board May 28, 1998

The second meeting of the Yankee Rowe Community Advisory Board (CAB) was called to order by Chairman Brad Councilman at 8:15 p.m. on May 28, 1998. The meeting was held at the Yankee Rowe administrative offices in Rowe, Mass., and began late because several members of the CAB had participated in a scheduled tour of the plant prior to the meeting. Brad announced that due to the late meeting start, Yankee's regulatory overview presentation would be removed from this meeting's agenda and rescheduled for the next CAB meeting.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

Brad noted that the 4/29/98 meeting minutes mailed to members were a draft for their approval and asked if handling minutes by sending out a draft prior to next meeting was acceptable. No one objected. One correction was made to the April 29 meeting minutes. On page 4, Greg Babineau's title was changed from Health Physics Manager to Radiation Protection Manager. With this correction the minutes of the May 28 meeting were accepted and seconded.

PRESENTATIONS

Greg Babineau, Radiation Protection Manager at Yankee Rowe, gave CAB members an overview of the basics of radiation safety. Copies of his overheads were distributed. Greg noted that his presentation was geared to those who are unfamiliar with the subject and that future meetings could be used to delve into more detail regarding areas that he would touch on briefly at this meeting.

The presentation included an explanation of elements, atomic structure, radioactive material, half life, ionizing radiation and its effects, measuring radiation, the difference between RAD and REM, the difference between radiation and contamination, sources of radiation, chronic and acute radiation exposure, and biological effects of exposure. Greg explained that an understanding of this information will be helpful to members as they learn about Final Status Survey activities in preparation for releasing the site.

Questions were raised during Greg's presentation about research on the effects of low dose radiation and how much we know about cell damage. Greg said that although the effects of cell damage are well known because of extensive, documented research, the issue of cell damage at low doses is still being debated. He noted that we are exposed to low doses of radiation daily from the environment. Robert Hallisey, representing the Mass. Department of Public Health on the CAB, said not all cells are necessarily affected by radiation. He offered to help bring in an expert to give a presentation on the biological effects of radiation. Other issues raised included whether groundwater became contaminated if it contacts contaminated soil. Greg said most contamination is bound in the soil and would not contaminate the groundwater. Tritium would be the isotope found in the groundwater. There are approximately 20 wells drilled onsite as part of the Site Survey Program. Where tritium has been identified, measurements have shown tritium levels to be below EPA drinking water standards.

A question was asked if Yankee's model for calculating residual radiological dose assumed a maximum of 15 millirem dose above background to someone living on the site based on 24 hour-a-day exposure. Greg said the model is based on a realistic scenario with someone living on the site, eating food grown on the site, and drinking water from the site. The 15 millirem comes from all these sources, not from standing on one spot for any length of time, which is unrealistic. He indicated this topic would need more than a few minutes to explain and suggested it for a future meeting.

Following Greg's presentation it was requested that more information be provided on various background levels, as well as information about chronic and acute radiation doses.

NEW BUSINESS

Jane Grant, Decommissioning Manager, distributed copies of draft NUREG- 1628, Staff Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Decommissioning of nuclear Power Reactors. The NRC document is a draft report for comment and touches upon numerous aspects of decommissioning regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Additional information is available on the NRC website.

Members agreed to forego the scheduled break because the meeting started late.

Alternates: Members discussed making a recommendation to Yankee to amend the CAB's charter to allow alternates. It was agreed the "Three strikes, you're out" provision makes sense in order to maintain continuity. It also opens up positions on the board to people who can participate. For example, it was noted that Charlemont's representative had missed the first two meetings, and there was someone else from Charlemont who would like to be on the board. Members discussed that the "three strikes, you're out" provision applies to the individual - not the town or organization they represent. If alternates are allowed they would be appointed by their representing town or organization and should be notified of the amendment by the Chairman, not their representative.

A motion to recommend to Yankee that alternates be allowed was made by Nina Newington, seconded by Anita Barker, and approved unanimously by the Board.

Subcommittees: A motion to establish subcommittees was made and unanimously approved. A decision as to what subcommittees should be formed and who would serve was tabled until the next meeting after it was decided that the CAB needed more information and basic presentations on Fuel Storage issues and Final Status Survey activities - the two subcommittees being considered.

Bringing in presenters with alternative views on these issues was discussed, as well as whether it should be in a debate format or on separate evenings. A comment was also made that all presenters should provide handouts of their presentations.

In addition, Don Davis, Yankee Atomic CEO, mentioned that the Connecticut Yankee Community Advisory Committee (CDAC) was looking at bringing in an expert on dry cask storage and perhaps it could be arranged to have the speaker meet with the CAB during the same time frame. Nina Newington said CAN has access to an expert regarding an alternate view of dry cask storage and also could arrange to have that person speak to the CAB.

Meeting Announcements:

It was agreed that future meeting announcements would be sent to The Advocate, The Recorder, The West County News, and The Reformer.

Meeting Date/Time/Location: The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, June 25, at 7:00p.m. at the Charlemont Inn in Charlemont, Mass. If the Charlemont Inn was unavailable, the Charlemont School would serve as a backup.

Public Comment: There was no public comment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Doris Lewis Secretary