NRC: News Release - Region II - 2004-020 - NRC Approves Restart of First Stage in Uranium Hexafluoride Process at Honeywell Plant in Illinois

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NRC NEWS
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs, Region II
61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
www.nrc.gov

No. II-04-020		March 27, 2004
CONTACT:	Ken Clark (404) 562-4416 Roger D. Hannah (404) 562-4417	E-mail: opa2@nrc.gov
NRC APPROVES RESTART OF FIRST STAGE IN URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PROCESS AT HONEYWELL PLANT IN ILLINOIS Printable Version
After several inspections and meetings, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has informed officials of the Honeywell International, Inc., uranium hexafluoride processing plant in Metropolis, Illinois, that the agency has no objection to the restart of ore preparation at the facility. Ore preparation is the first stage in a process that has been shut down since a December 22 release of uranium hexafluoride to the environment outside the plant. The NRC sent the company a Confirmatory Action Letter following the release which stated that Honeywell would discuss with the NRC both the results of its own investigation and proposed corrective actions prior to restarting the processes involved in the incident. Based on NRC inspectors’ reviews of corrective actions and observation of work activities, the agency is satisfied that the company’s actions have been adequate to allow the safe restart of ore preparation. NRC inspectors will observe the restart of ore preparation and continue to review the company’s activities related to the remaining stages of the process. The NRC approval for ore preparation does not include any approval for the following stages in the uranium hexafluoride production process. Upon further inspection and review, NRC officials will make decisions on restarting those stages of the process.