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Release Date: June 17, 2002 WASHINGTON, DC The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued the contractor that operates the Idaho National Engineering Environmental Laboratory in Idaho Falls, ID, a Preliminary Notice of Violation for violations of rules and procedures during drum venting activities at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex and a breakdown in work procedures during a cooling pump change-over at the Advanced Test Reactor. While the drum venting event did not harm workers or the public, DOE believes that enforcement action was required at this time because of the potential risk of worker radiological intake. The drum venting event carries with it a proposed civil penalty of $41,250. The amount of this penalty was reduced by DOE in recognition of corrective actions already taken by Bechtel BWXT Idaho LLC. None of the November 2001 violations by the contractor resulted in injuries or releases of radioactive or hazardous materials. The Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 1988 requires DOE to undertake regulatory enforcement actions against contractors for violations of DOE's nuclear safety requirements. The enforcement program is designed to have contractors correct procedural violations to prevent more serious events from occurring. Additional details on this and other enforcement actions are available on the Internet at http://www.eh.doe.gov/enforce. Media Contact(s): Release No. PR-02-111 |