ML101230353
| ML101230353 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 11/24/2009 |
| From: | Frederick Brown Division of Inspection and Regional Support |
| To: | Frederick Brown, David Lew NRC Region 1 |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2010-0118 | |
| Download: ML101230353 (7) | |
Text
Clifford, James From:
Roberts, Darrell P-I Sent:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:14 PM To:.
Brown, Frederick; Lew, David Cc:
Clifford, James; White, John; Wilson, Peter
Subject:
RE: ACTION: Update on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider an INES rating Thantks, Fred.
Is this INES rating final') Whose determination is itP DJ R Original Message -----
From: Brown, Frederick Sent: Tuesday, November 2,:1,, 2o0)9 I:51 AM To: Lew, David; Roberts, Darrell
Subject:
Fw: ACTION: Update on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider an INES rating FYI
Original Message-*----
From: Sigmon, Rebecca To: Brow n, Fredericl.; Jlones, Cv n thia Cc: Thorp, John; Cheok, Michael Sent: Tue Nov 21 09:38:09 20()09
Subject:
RE: ACTION: Update on the TNI event intl interest-so consider an INES ratinig Bel ow is a paragraph sumrmrnary infcludirig updated infbrmation regarding the apparent caiuse as determined by the licensee.
During refteling outage activities, which included operations to replace both of'the un it's steam generators, low levels of'radiation activity were measured on radiation mon 1itors installed in the reactor building. Personnel were directed to immediately leave the reactor
).u ilding until the source of' the activity could be identified. Monitoring devices at the reactor building steam goenerator replacement construction opening indicated a slight increase in aictivity. Levels have since returned to normal. No contamination was identified oIutside of the reactor bu ilding. Of" 1,5 workler's monitored for exposure to the riadi ation activity, a1o))lut 1.9 were initially found to have exposures greater than 0. 1 roSv (10 moremo), with the highest exposure estinmated to be O..S8 oSv (,
mrem). No worker approached or exceeded any exl.)OSure limits. The licensee has concluded that the apparent cause of the event wv as a change in the con taiinmen t yen tilation lineup in conj u nction with some Open reactor coolant system piping penetrations. The NRC Resident Inspectors and Regional H-[ealth Physicists are 51
monitorin Io the corrective actions put in place by the licensee to plreet recurren.'l (i" The reactor w\\as defueled at the time of the event. This event has been rated Level 0 on the IN ES scale.
Rebecca Sigmron Reactor Systems Engineer NRR/DIRS/IOEB Operating Experience Branch Rebecca.Sigrnon @nrc.gov
-.... Original Message.....
From: Brownii, Frederick Sent: Tuesday, November 2-1, 2009 8:-55F AM TO: Jones, Cynthia Cc: Leeds, Eric; Boger, Bruce; Wiggins, Jim; Dean, Bill; Sigmon, Rebecca; Thorp, John Sub~ject: RE: ACTION: Update on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider an INES rating Thanks Cyndi, we'll get you the new paragraph.
Original M essage -----
From: Jones, C!ynth i a Sent: Monday, November 2.3, 2009.5: 1,3 PM VI'o: Brown., Frederick Cc: Leeds, Eric; Boger, Bruce; Wiggins, Jim; Dean, Bill S ublject: Re: ACTION: Update on the TN'MI event int'l interest-So consider an INES rating Fred-Thanks fbi' the clarification and agreement to transmit infb to inquiiries as a Level 0- pls send me the paragraph as soon as you can tomorrow.
I think it would be a good idea fbr our staffs to meet on this to discuss lessons learned on this as this is exactly the type of event INES Commulnicationi was intended fbi; those events which are not Level 2 but have major public interest. WVe could have simply and quickly (lvuelled any specuIlation today by just issui. g a Level 0 ERF to IAEA.
I look fbrward to our discussions, as always-Cyndi Cynthia G. Jones, Ph.D.
52
Si. T"'echnical Adviso(r for" Nucleiar Securi tv, NRC/NSIR Sent firom blackberi'y
Oroiginal Message -----
F)iorn: Brown, Frede rick To: Jones, Cynthia Cc: Leeds, Eric; Boger, Bruce Sent: Mori Nov 23 1 (:J50:54 2009
Subject:
RE: ACTION: Update on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider an INES rating
- Cyndi,
- 1) I expect that OPA will reconsider their position based on all the traffic. In the mean time, I stand by my staff's assessment of'a "0", an(d we can share an up-dated paragraph (better cause eval ua ttiOn) with you to)morrow for discussion with on r international peers.
W)
We do riot intend to make an official submittal unless OPA does reconsider, since they have the Agency lead on responding to the press at this point.
Fired Original Message.----
From: Jones, Cynthia Sent: Monday, November 2'3., 200)* ':29 1.M To: B1rown, Frederick; Leeds, Eric Cc: Cullingtbrd, Michael; Zimmerman, Jacob; Cheok, Michael; Orders, William; Johnson, Michael; Burnell, Scott; Brenner, Eliot; Leach, Melvyn; McDermott, Brian; Lew, David; Rober'ts, Darrell; Sigmon, Rebecca; [lihomas, Eric; Tihorp, John; Boger, Bruce
Subject:
RE: ACTION: Update on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider-an INES rating Fred-Earlier" today I have asked Rebecca tor a statement fr-om NRC/NRR that I can pr'ovide to the countries National Officers that have i nq uireld about this.
Are you providing the authorization from NRR that we tell PAl O and other the other 7 Member States of the IAEA that this is a Level 0 under INESi Some other basic infb abo}ut the event should also be provided to try and stop an end to the number" of" inquiries as we have received.
I appreciate the help on this-thanks Cy-ndi Fr(om: Brown, Frederick 53
Sent: Monday, Noveviber 2,-, 2009 4:27 PM To: Leeds, Eric Cc: Cullingf0Mod, Michael; Zimmer.man, Jacob; Cheok, Michael; Orders, William; Johnson, Michael; Jones, Cyvnthia; Burnel], Scott; Brenner, Eliot; Leach, Melvyn; McDerrnott, Brian; Lew, David; Roberts, Darrell; Sigmon, Rebecca; Thomas, Eric; Thorp, John; Boger, Bruce
Subject:
RE: ACTION: Update on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider an INES rating In an eflort to ensure that we would not be doing more harm than good, we coordinated with OPA and Region I prior to submitting the INES notification to the IAEA.
OPA felt strongly that rnaking a notification at this time would lbe co Unterproductive. Based on that input, and unless something changes, we do not intend to make the notification.
The NRR Operating Experience Branch rates every EN against the INES criteria as a part (.)f our assessmennt process. This event was rated at the "0" level if anyone asks.
Fred
-O---
Original Message.----
From: Leeds, Eric Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:5,3 PM To: Boger, Bruce CC: Cullingfird, Michael; Zimmerman, Jacob; Brown, Frederick; Cheok, Michael; Orders, William; Johnson, Michael
Subject:
ACTION: Update on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider an INES rating I mportance: High Bruce -
I think Cindy makes a good suggeestion below. \\Who on the staflwould take this for actioni?
Eric J. L.eeds, Director Office of' Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regul.atory Commission
'301 -4 15-1270 Original M essage -----
Fronm: Jones, Cynthia Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 9:'39 AM To: Sigmon, Rebecca Cc: Dean, Bill; Wiggins, Jim; Leeds, Eric; Ross-Lee, MaryJane; Thorp, John Suii bject: Re: Upda'te on the TMI event int'l interest-so consider an INES rating Importance: I iigh 54
Thx Rebecca Bas d on what You have given me it p.ased onl
.xposuos its a level () (NRC does not have dose constraints). if you gather more in fb firorn the licensee I agree with you it could rise to a Level
- 1. I think it would be a good idea fbr NRR mgmt to decide to issue an ERF tb~r this as a Level i or o just to help alleviate the concerns of the int'l community (I have had inquiries from Bulgaria. IAEA, Germany and the UK on this so far-).
Look forward to hearing what NRIR decides to do. And remind the rgngt that this would be a good example ofexpaining the safety signifiance of'the event via INES-esp tbor your international counterparts who aie wondeiring what the INES i-ating would be. But try to issue a provisional ERF within a day to make NRC's point.
CVyldi Cynthia G. Jones, Ph.D.
Si-. Technical Advisor for Nuclear Security, NRC/NSIR Sent from blackber ry
-.... Original Message -----
F'rom: Siglmon, Rebecca To: Jones, Cynthia Cc: Ross-Lee, Maryiane; Rini, Blrett; Thorp, John; Thomas, Eric; Brown, Michael Sent: Mon Nov 23 O8: 14:05 2009
Subject:
Update on the TMI event Below is the latest update I have from Region 1. 1 lighest dose appears to be 3is8 mrem with about 20 people showing excess exposure - I'd call it a nominal Level 0 that could possibly be considered fi..or upgrade to Level I based on the number of people involved. I don't see any indication that the criteriia tbr consideration ofa Level 2 under radiological barriers and controls wver-e tii pped. The ireactor is currently defueled so there were still a substantial humber ofsafety layeris in place to pr-event the maximum possible r-elease (though pending determination of the cause a Level i under Defeinse in Depth might be warranted).
As faras submission to NEWS based on significant public interiest, I can float the ide(a on the NRR end; more infbrnmation as to the cause will hopefully be available in the next couple of houiFs.
Rebecca Sigmon Reactor Systems Engineer-NRR/DIRS/IOEB Operating Experi-ence Branch (30 ]) 114 1,5740 1 S 55
RebeccaSi gnl n (V rc.gov-
-.... Original Message -----
From: Barn fbrd, Peter Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 5:49 AM 1o: NRRDIRS_IOEB Distribution
Subject:
FW: Update on the TMI event This is information available as of Sunday evening(l 1/22). I'll send an update Mon AM sometime al'round 0800.
Peter Bamford NRR/DORL/JLPIJ 1-2' Limerick & TMI-1 Project Manager 3,* 1--I I 833 Original Message.----
From: Bamfbrd, Peter Sent: Sunday, November 22, 200(9 7:09 PM To: Chernof[I Harold Cc: Nelson, Robert; Glitter, Joseph
Subject:
FW: Update on the TMI event I
1-larold, I participated in a conference call today (Sunday 11 /22) at /t1_'430 PM sponsored by the Region at which they provided an update to this weekendc's activities at TM I-.
I lere is a sum ma ry:
Approximately at 4 PM Saturday 1] /21 TMI had an event involving loss of contamination control inside containment. At the time the reactor was defueled with a hole cut in the containment wall to support the ongoing SG replacement outage. The licensee is not sure at this time what activity inside containment led to the problem. Their investigation is tfocusing on two activities (I) "A" piping loop decontamination activities or (2) some wor1w on a dIrain line on the B" SG.
At the time of the event 17,5 workers were inside containment. Of these workers 1,51 people were selected for detailed monitoring basecl on nasal smears and portal imonitor readings. Of' the 1,5 1, al)out 20 peop)le have potentially received dcoses greater than 10 niR.
Tlwo workers initially haven calculated doses of'.] 83 and 202 mR. H~owever the region ftels that these estimates may be in error and are being re-evaluated. The next highest dlose to a worker was 38 mR. The region appeared confident the the 38 mR person \\ oLuld end up being the highest exposure fbi' this event. No site \\vol'ker left the site with external contamination. Airborne contamination levels inside containment have been restored to pre-event levels and cleanup Of contaitnment surfatces is in pr'ogress. The tarp that was cov.en('!ng the containment opening was contaminated on its inside surfhce and is in the process of'being replaced.
56
t,i I
With the open equipment hatch and the SC opening there was the potential foio a relcase ou.itside ofcontainriernt. At the time of the event a slight positive
- 'Vessire existed in containment.
h*is has now been c(orwrected to what it should be, ie a silig'htly negative presscire. Based on readings from radiation monitors present at the SG opening and the duration of'the positive pressure, the estimates of release levels are still less than one percent of the quarterly OI)CM limit.
This event has generated a significant amount of meidia interest. Regional OPA and state liason officers have taken inquiries froom multiple radio, print media and TV stations. They have perfbr-med a media briefing at TMI at 2 PM today and have conducted an interview with CNN. Good Morning America is also interested and re(qLIested an interview with the Chariman tomorrow (Monday) morning. The region oflered them Sam Collins or possibly the ElD() representing the NRC. (The Chairiman's office and the acting DEDO were represented on the 4:3() pn call today.) GMA said they may decide to interview' just an Exelon manager (possibly Bill Noll the Site VP) if they cannot get the Charimnan. The GMA interview was left to be decided after the phone call. If it occurs, it sounded to me that it would likely take place in a Philadelphia studio with Sam representing the NRC. The region fueels the local reporting has been balanced and factual] with no ft.ar-mongering.
The PA governor s office has been notified and they understand this is a low level event. They apparently have sorme concerns ab.out notification timeliness. The PA state was notified about
,9:.
13 PM last night (event time was 14 PM). Based on the PA state notification, an event report vas filed with the HLOO (event nuimber 455 14). This event was far below levels that woUld warrant an unusual event declaration.
Activities ftr the remainder of the evening were to sort out the GMA interview and respond to further media r'equests (regional OPA lead). The rest of the r'egional activities are going to stand down at this timre.
I'll update you in the morrning after the 07.3(0 call.
Pete 57