ML100760445
| ML100760445 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 11/22/2009 |
| From: | Barber S NRC Region 1 |
| To: | Mcnamara N NRC Region 1 |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2010-0118 | |
| Download: ML100760445 (3) | |
Text
McNamara, Nancy From:
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Barber, Scott Sunday, November 22, 2009 1:49 PM McNamara, Nancy Please review 'TMI Contamination Event master comm plan' TMI Contamination Event master comm plan.doc Review Flagged Please review the attached document. I had a few minor edits.
1
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN Three Mile Island - Low Level Airborne Radioactivity in Reactor Building
Purpose:
The purpose of this Communication Plan is to provide an effective strategy for communicating with internal and external stakeholders regarding an airborne contamination event within the containment building that occurred while replacing the steam generators during the current refueling outage.
External Key Messages On November 21, 2009, an airborne contamination event occurred inside the containment building (also known as the reactor building) at Three Mile Island (TMI).
The event had no affect on public health and safety.
No contamination was found outside the containment building.
Approximately 150 workers were evacuated from the containment building and processed through the licensee's portal radiation monitors.
Workers that were not able to clear the portal monitors were decontaminated and proceeded to be whole body counted.
Some workers received unplanned occupational dose exposures.
However, based on information provided by the licensee, the level of dose received was within a small fraction of the NRC's regulatory limit.
The NRC has dispatched technical experts to independently review and confirm the licensee's technical assessment.
The licensee continues to investigate the cause of the event.
The NRC's resident inspector is onsite and is monitoring the licensee's ongoing activities.
The NRC has been responding to media questions and plans a press briefing today at the TMI training center.
Background:
Three Mile Island (TMI) is currently shutdown and in an extended refueling outage to replace their steam generators. On Saturday, November 21, 2009, at about 1600 hours0.0185 days <br />0.444 hours <br />0.00265 weeks <br />6.088e-4 months <br />, TMI experienced alarms inside the containment due to an increase in airborne radiation levels.
Approximately 150 workers were evacuated from the containment building and processed through the portal radiation monitors. Workers that were not able to clear the portal monitors proceeded to be whole body counted. A small number of workers received unplanned
occupational dose exposures within a very small fraction of the NRC's regulatory limit of 5,000 mrem/year. Air samples taken at the construction opening throughout the contamination event indicated a small release had occurred that was calculated to be 0.46% of the quarterly ODCM limit of 7.5 mrem. Exelon concluded this was not reportable. Air samples at the equipment hatch opening indicated no activity at 1932 hours0.0224 days <br />0.537 hours <br />0.00319 weeks <br />7.35126e-4 months <br />. Contamination surveys were conducted outside the reactor building and no contamination was found at either the construction opening or the equipment hatch and there was no threat to the public health and safety.
The licensee promptly covered the construction opening and the reactor building personnel airlock. The reactor building purge and auxiliary building ventilation were verified to be in service.
Licensee Ongoing Actions:
The licensee continues to take comprehensive contamination and airborne samples and they continue to show no airborne contamination or any contamination outside of the containment.
Additional whole body counts will be performed on a few of the individuals to confirm initial results.
The licensee continues to investigate the cause of the airborne release. Onsite personnel are being routinely briefed and one-on-one counseling is being offered to the workers.
NRC Ongoing Actions:
The NRC resident inspector responded to the site and is monitoring ongoing activities. Two radiation technical experts have responded to the site on Sunday morning, November 22, 2009 and is reviewing the licensee's investigation into the contamination event. The NRC has scheduled a press briefing outside of the TMI plant for 2:00 p.m.
State and Congressional Ongoing Actions:
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was informed of the event both by the licensee and the NRC. The State Liaison Officer is keeping the Governor's office informed. The State lead engineer is onsite and interfacing with the licensee. The State also plans to be a participant at the NRC press briefing. The NRC's Office of Congressional Affairs has reached out to the Pennsylvania Congressional staffers. No additional questions have been raised.
Communication Team:
The primary responsibility of the communication team is to convey a consistent, accurate, and timely message to our stakeholders.
David Lew (610) 937-7621 cell RI DRP Scott Barber (610) 337-5232 RI DRP John White (610) 337-5114 RI DRS Amy Powell (301) 460-8958 Congressional Affairs Nancy McNamara (484) 919-8346 cell NRC Region I State Liaison Officer Doug Tifft (610) 337-6918 NRC Region I State Liaison Officer Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330 RI Public Affairs Neil Sheehan (610) 337-5331 RI Public Affairs