Washington (Platts)--26Jul2007

NRC and Exelon Nuclear are trying to locate two fuel pellets and 99 small
pieces of uranium used as in-core power detectors, last documented in 1977 as
being in the spent fuel pool at Dresden-3 but not seen since, the company and
agency said in interviews July 26. 
     Exelon discovered the discrepancy during an inspection of historical
records in May and reported it to NRC, Exelon Nuclear spokeswoman Krista
Lopykinski said July 26. The company has been unable to locate the items or
further information about them after inspecting the spent fuel pool and
interviewing persons who worked at the site three decades ago, she said. 
     There is no evidence the items were stolen or diverted, and radiation
monitors would detect an attempt to remove them from the site, Lopykinski
said. NRC Region III spokesman Jan Strasma said July 26 that NRC is conducting
an inspection on the issue. The missing items do not represent "a safety or
security hazard," Strasma said.