Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program
The Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP) media consists of air and potable (drinking) water samples collected by BNE staff and the Bureau’s contractor. Other media (aquatic sediment, milk, fish/shellfish, surface water and vegetation) are collected by each nuclear power plant operator and split with the BNE for analysis. Background (control) samples are collected to measure ambient levels of radioactivity.
Each year the BNE collects and independently analyzes approximately 1000 routine REMP samples, using a private Radioanalytical Contract Laboratory to analyze all environmental samples. Results obtained through the REMP are compared to background readings, historical results, and to US Nuclear Regulatory (NRC) regulatory limits. Any readings above background are recorded and investigated by the BNE through historical data comparisons, comparison with licensee results, and discussion of the results with the BNE’s contract laboratory. Analysis results from all REMP samples are documented in annual reports and/or tables available on the BNE website.
In addition to routine REMP samples, the BNE independently analyzes around 200 surface and groundwater samples annually in response to tritium leaks into the groundwater at Oyster Creek and Salem Unit 1 nuclear generating stations to assure that tritium is not impacting public health and safety.