ML12005A013
| ML12005A013 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | North Anna  |
| Issue date: | 08/23/2011 |
| From: | Mccree V NRC Region 1 |
| To: | NRC/RGN-II |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2011-0357 | |
| Download: ML12005A013 (1) | |
Text
From:
McCree. Victor To:
R2MAIL; R2 RESIDENT SITES
Subject:
Earthquake Response Date:
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 7:31:55 PM
- All, As you may have heard, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck northern Virginia at about 1:51 p.m., today. Several reactor sites in Region II and Ill, and a number of reactor sites in Region I were affected by the tremors and declared emergencies. The agency entered the monitoring mode at around 2:20 p.m., to monitor the licensees' response to the event.
The epicenter of the quake was located about 15 miles from Mineral, VA, which is only about two miles from the North Anna Station. The earthquake caused the North Anna site to lose offsite power, and led to the turbine/reactor trip of both units. The emergency diesel generators started and powered the emergency buses, and after one EDG was secured due to a coolant leak, the Station Blackout Diesel was started to power the associated vital bus. The auxiliary feedwater system and steam generator atmospheric relief systems operated as designed to remove decay heat from the reactor. The licensee sustained damage to several onsite non-vital but transformers, but has been able to restore partial offsite power to some emergency busses. The licensee plans to continue to restore offsite power sources, and then take both units to cold shutdown for further inspections and repairs. Region II will remain in the monitoring mode until cold shutdown is achieved (estimated early tomorrow morning, 8/24).
The earthquake was also felt at Surry and Harris and the licensees declared a NOUE; however, both sites remained at power and no significant damage was reported.
I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to everyone who stepped up and responded for this emergency, including folks at each site and in the Region II IRC. You did (and are doing) a great job-and I appreciate it. In particular, I want to recognize Greg Kolcum and Mark Speck the resident inspectors at North Anna, for a job well done in their response to the (ongoing) event at North Anna. Greg's and Mark's actions have been commendable, and remind me of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by the residents at Surry and Browns Ferry earlier this Spring following the damaging tornados that hit those sites. Your actions reflect the best of Region II and demonstrate our commitment to the agency's important safety mission.
Again, thanks and well done!
Vic