PNO-I-05-022, Alert Declaration at Oyster Creek
| ML052200445 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 08/08/2005 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs Region I |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-05-022 | |
| Download: ML052200445 (2) | |
DCS No.: 05000219050806 Date: 08/08/05 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-I-05-022 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region I staff on this date.
Facility Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station AmerGen Energy Company Forked River, New Jersey Licensee Emergency Classification Notification of Unusual Event X Alert Site Area Emergency General Emergency Not Applicable Docket No.: 05000219 License No.: DPR-16
SUBJECT:
ALERT DECLARATION AT OYSTER CREEK At approximately 04:03 a.m. EST on August 6, 2005, the licensee declared an ALERT as the result of low intake level in the north side of the intake. Within three minutes, water level recovered when the two circulating water pumps on the north side were secured. Based on recovery of the intake water level, the licensee de-escalated to an UNUSUAL EVENT at 04:06 a.m. EST on August 6, 2005.
The cause of the low intake level in the north side of the intake was determined to be excessive grass loading at the intake. The excessive debris caused a partial collapse of the grating on all three trash racks in the north intake. The resultant debris caused the traveling screens for the north side to clog, resulting in the low intake level. During the event, the licensee reduced power level to 44%. The primary plant remained in a stable condition throughout the event and safety systems were maintained.
Once the traveling screens were restored and intake level recovered, the licensee terminated the UNUSUAL EVENT at 07:55 a.m. on August 6, 2005.
The licensee replaced the grating on the north intake trash racks and returned to 100 % power at approximately 7:30 p.m. on August 7, 2005.
The NRC resident inspectors responded to the site and monitored the licensees response to the event and recovery efforts.
State and local officials were notified of the event. The utility issued a news release. Region I responded to press inquiries.
A one-hour notification report was made to the NRC Headquarters Operations Officer on August 6, 2005 at 4:42 a.m. EST. This information has been discussed with AmerGen management and is current as of 10:30 a.m. August 8, 2005.
The State of New Jersey has been notified by the NRC.
Contact:
Ronald Bellamy Silas Kennedy (610) 337-5200 (609) 693-0702
DISTRIBUTIONS:
BY E-MAIL:
OWFN TWFN LST Chairman Diaz IRO PDR Comm. McGaffigan Jr.
NMSS Comm. Merrifield OIG Comm. Jaczko RES Comm. Lyons OIP OCA OGC EDO OE NRR SECY Regional Offices BY FAX:
DOT:Trans INPO NSAC RI Resident Office Licensee: AmerGen Energy Company (Reactor Licensees)
SISP Review Complete: RRB (Reviewers Initials)
DOCUMENT NAME: E:\\Filenet\\ML052200445.wpd OFFICE RI/DRP RI/DRP RI/DRP RI/ORA RI/PAO NAME SKennedy/rrb for R. Bellamy D. Lew R. Bores D. Screnci DATE 08/08/05 08/08/05 08/08/05 08/08/05 08/08/05 Region I Form 83 (Rev. July 2, 2003)