PNO-II-13-005, Notification of Unusual Event Due to Security Incident
| ML13113A407 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Watts Bar  |
| Issue date: | 04/21/2013 |
| From: | Binoy Desai, Wert L NRC/RGN-II |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-II-13-005 | |
| Download: ML13113A407 (1) | |
April 21, 2013 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE - PNO-II-13-005 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 Region II staff (Atlanta, Georgia) on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Tennessee Valley Authority
_X_ Notification of Unusual Event Watts Bar
___ Alert 1260 Nuclear Plant Road
___ Site Area Emergency Spring City, TN 37381
___ General Emergency Docket/License No.: 50-390/NPF-90
___ Not Applicable
SUBJECT:
NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO SECURITY INCIDENT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is monitoring conditions at the Watts Bar nuclear power plant as a result of a security incident. The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. EDT on April 21. The NRC staffed its incident response center in the Region II office in Atlanta and is monitoring the events along with the resident inspector and several security inspectors who have responded to the site.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which operates the Watts Bar plant, notified the NRC that a plant security officer patrolling TVA property near the Tennessee River exchanged gunfire with an individual. The incident occurred more than a quarter mile from the plants protected area and the plant remains secure. The officer was not injured and reportedly returned fire.
The licensee has elevated its security posture. Local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are assisting in the response and the investigation.
As a result of the incident, TVA declared an Unusual Event, the lowest of the NRCs four emergency classifications. Unit 1 continues to operate at full power.
Subsequently, the licensee exited the Unusual Event at 12:30 p.m. EDT after determining that currently there is no security condition or threat that indicates any degradation of safety of the plant. The licensee performed inspections of the protected area, conducted a helicopter survey of the plant and the river, and inspected the intake pumping station. The licensee will continue to maintain security above normal levels.
The state of Tennessee has been notified and news releases have been issued by the NRC and the licensee. There has been some local media interest in the event.
Region II received initial notification of this occurrence by telephone call from the licensee at 2:30 a.m. EDT. The information presented herein has been discussed with the licensee, and is current as of 2:00 p.m. EDT, April 21, 2013.
CONTACTS: Leonard Wert Binoy Desai 404-997-4410 404-997-4519 Leonard.Wert@nrc.gov Binoy.Desai@nrc.gov