Press Release-II-13-022, NRC Exits Monitoring and Begins Additional Inspection for Security Incident at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant

Press Release-II-13-022: NRC Exits Monitoring and Begins Additional Inspection for Security Incident at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant

ML13112A382
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	04/22/2013
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-II-13-022
Download: ML13112A382 (1)

Text

NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs, Region II 245 Peachtree Center Ave. NE, Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30303-1257 Web Site: www.nrc.gov No. II-13-022 April 21, 2013 CONTACT: Roger Hannah (404) 997-4417 E-mail: OPA2@nrc.gov Joey Ledford (404) 997-4416 NRC EXITS MONITORING AND BEGINS ADDITIONAL INSPECTION FOR SECURITY INCIDENT AT WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II staff has returned to its normal mode after entering the monitoring mode of incident response following the security incident that occurred early this morning at the Watts Bar nuclear plant. The NRC had staffed its incident response center in the Region II office in Atlanta but deactivated continuous monitoring after the Tennessee Valley Authority, which operates the plant, determined that there was no further security condition or threat that would degrade the safety of the plant. The NRC continues to follow TVAs action in its normal mode.

TVA declared an unusual event, the lowest of the NRCs four emergency classifications, shortly after 2 a.m. and notified the NRC that a plant security officer patrolling the TVA property near the Tennessee River was involved in an incident with gunfire. This location is outside the plants protected area. The officer was not injured and local law enforcement as well as the FBI are assisting in the investigation.

TVA exited the unusual event at 12:30 p.m. after performing inspections of the protected area, conducting a helicopter survey of the plant and adjacent river area and inspecting the intake pumping station. The plant staff has notified the NRC that it will continue to maintain security at higher than normal levels.

The NRC has dispatched two security inspectors from the Atlanta office to review the incident and the TVA response.

The Watts Bar plant is located near Spring City, Tenn., about 60 miles southwest of Knoxville. Watts Bar Unit 1 is at 100 percent power and Unit 2 is under construction.

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