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 Entered dateEvent description
ENS 4859514 December 2012 15:00:00

At 1350 on 12/14/2012, both Control Structure Chillers at Susquehanna were rendered inoperable. This event required entry into Tech Spec 3.0.3 for both Units. Per Susquehanna procedures, after 1 hour, a power reduction must be commenced. Tech Spec 3.0.3 requires that action be taken within one hour to place the Unit in Mode 3 within 13 hours and Mode 4 within 37 hours. Physical power reduction commenced at 1453 for Unit 1 and 1459 for Unit 2. The 'A' Control Structure Chiller was previously inoperable for routine maintenance. The system was in service for post maintenance testing and activities were underway to swap to the opposite train to allow removal of test instrumentation and fan belt tensioning for equipment associated with the 'A' Control Structure HVAC system. At 1350, the 'B' Control Structure loop circulating pump tripped, rendering the 'B' Control Structure Chiller inoperable. This condition requires immediate entry into Tech Spec 3.0.3. Both Control Structure Chillers are inoperable and this report is being made per 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(i) as a shutdown required by Tech Specs, and 10CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of a Safety Function required to mitigate the consequences of an accident. Efforts are underway to restore at least one system to operable status in parallel with Unit shutdown activities. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, and will be notifying the State of Pennsylvania.

  • * * UPDATE FROM ALEX MCLELLAN TO JOHN KNOKE AT 2228 EST ON 12/14/12 * * *

On 12/14/12 at 1500 EST Susquehanna Steam Electric Station reported a shutdown had been commenced at 1453 EST for Unit 1 and 1459 EST for Unit 2 due to inoperability of both Control Structure Chillers. At 1750 EST the 'A' Control Structure Chiller was declared operable and LCO 3.0.3 was exited. Power reduction for both Units was halted at 1750 and preparations for power restoration initiated. On 12/14/12 Unit 1 power was restored to 98% at 1819 EST and Unit 2 power was restored to 98% at 1943 EST, the maximum power output possible based on grid conditions for Unit 1 and thermal limits for Unit 2. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. R1DO (Holody) notified.

ENS 4859614 December 2012 17:43:00At approximately 1306 hours Eastern Standard Time (EST), Brunswick Nuclear Plant lost the operability of both trains of Control Building Emergency Ventilation (CREV) for approximately two minutes. This is reportable per 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) as a condition that at the time of discovery could have prevented the fulfillment of the safety function of a system that is needed to mitigate the consequences of an accident. At the time of the event, Brunswick was implementing a modification to upgrade its control building fire detection. In support of short duration circuitry work on the detectors, CREV train A was placed in service manually in compliance with the Technical Requirements Manual (TRM). This action prevents an auto-start of the opposite CREV train B, and thus Technical Specification (TS) 3.7.3 Condition A was entered to restore CREV train B to service within 7 days. During work to electrically isolate ('jumper') one of the fire detectors associated with CREV train A fire protection, electrical continuity was lost. This caused the detector to fail safe, sending an internal charcoal fire signal to the CREV train A circuitry and shutting it down. With CREV train A shut down due to the signal, TS 3.7.3 Required Action C.1 applied for both CREV trains inoperable, requiring both Units to be in Mode 3 in 12 hours. Actions were taken to immediately re-establish the circuitry, which re-started CREV train A, and TS 3.7.3 Required Action C.1 was exited. This condition did not result in any adverse impact to the health and safety of the public. The safety significance of this event is considered minimal. The CREV function was only inoperable for approximately two minutes. Though considered inoperable, CREV train B remained available and could have been placed in service at any time by alternating the train A and train B control switches. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 4859013 December 2012 18:36:00

An increased usage of Nitrogen to maintain Primary Containment pressure within specification was noticed during steady state operation. Investigation into the extra Nitrogen usage revealed that Primary Containment Leakage was in excess of that allowed per Technical Specification 3.3.3.a. No action statement is provided for leakage in excess of Technical Specification 3.3.3.a; therefore in accordance with Technical Specification 3.0.1, the reactor shall be placed in an operational condition in which the specification is not applicable. This requires the plant to be shutdown and cooled down to less than 216 degrees F. Additionally, this is reportable as an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function of a system needed to control the release of radioactive material. The primary containment was declared inoperable at 1630 EST and a normal orderly plant shutdown was commenced at 1645 EST and will be less than 215 degrees F within 10 hours. Investigation of containment leakage is in progress. An update will be provided when the plant is in an operational condition in which Technical Specification 3.3.3.a is not applicable. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Licensee has notified the State of New York.

  • * * UPDATE AT 0011 EST ON 12/14/12 FROM CHRISTOPHER GRAPES TO BILL HUFFMAN * * *

As of 2333 EST on 12/13/2012, the reactor is below 215 degrees F, and containment is no longer required to be operable by Technical Specification 3.3.3. As part of the shutdown, a manual reactor scram was initiated as part of the pre-planned shutdown sequence and the High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) System automatically initiated as expected. At Nine Mile Point Unit 1, a HPCI System actuation signal on low Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) level is normally received following a reactor scram, due to level shrink. HPCI is a flow control mode of the normal feedwater systems and is not an Emergency Core Cooling System. At 1913 EST, RPV level was restored above the HPCI system low level actuation set point and the HPCI system initiation signal was reset. Pressure control was established on the turbine bypass valves, the preferred system. No Electromatic Relief Valves actuated due to the scram. Nine Mile Point Unit 1 is currently in Cold Shutdown, with reactor water level and pressure maintained within normal bands. Decay heat is being removed via shutdown cooling (SDC). The offsite grid is stable with no grid restrictions or warnings in effect." The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector and State authorities. Notified R1DO (Holody) and NRR EO (Lund).

ENS 4858813 December 2012 13:10:00This is a non-emergency notification. At approximately 11:00 EST on December 13, 2012, the Seismic Monitoring System was declared inoperable for pre-planned preventative maintenance, MPT-10240 Triaxial Time History Accelerograph. The preventive maintenance is expected to last approximately 5 to 6 hours. The Seismic Monitoring System is necessary for accident assessment and is credited for Emergency Action Level (EAL) classification in the Harris Nuclear Plant Emergency Plan. Inability to classify an EAL due to an out of service monitor is considered a loss of accident assessment capability and is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) as described in NUREG-1022, Rev. 2. This condition does not affect the health of safety of the public or the operation of the facility. Licensee has available redundant seismic indication and the on-site Emergency Response Organization has been notified. The NRC Resident Inspectors have been notified.
ENS 4858412 December 2012 23:25:00At 1914 EST on 12/12/12, TVA determined that Sequoyah Unit 1 and 2 were at risk of flooding into the ERCW (Emergency Raw Cooling Water) Station Building during a design basis flood due to conduit penetrations not being filled with material required to make the building water tight. The lack of a barrier would allow flood waters to enter the ERCW building at a rate greater than the sump pumps can remove creating a condition that could result in the ERCW pumps being unavailable to perform their design function during a flood event above plant grade. This condition places both units in an unanalyzed condition that significantly degrades plant safety (10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(ii)(B)), and could prevent the fulfillment of the safety related function of ERCW needed to shutdown the reactor and maintain it in a safe shutdown condition (10CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(v)(A)). Compensatory actions are being established to be capable of removing or limiting water that could leak into the building during the event. The required safety related equipment is currently operable. There are no indications of conditions that might result in a flood in the near term. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this condition.
ENS 4858312 December 2012 19:57:00While attempting to swap Technical Support Center (TSC) power supplies the TSC air handling unit circuit breaker tripped rendering the TSC unavailable for emergency assessment. An emergent work order has been planned to restore the TSC air handling unit to operational status. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Licensee also notified state, local and other government agencies.
ENS 485492 December 2012 03:05:00The Anticipated Transient Without Scram Mitigation System Actuation Circuitry (AMSAC) caused a Unit 2 turbine trip with reactor power at 31%. The 2A and 2B Auxiliary Feedwater pumps automatically started. The 2B Nuclear Service Water pump started as a result of 2B Auxiliary Feedwater pump automatically starting. The Main Feedwater Regulating valves and the Main Feedwater Bypass valves were in the correct position for corresponding power level and turbine inlet pressure, but AMSAC actuated earlier than design (290 psig vs. 360 psig). The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 4854730 November 2012 04:54:00This is a 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) notification to the NRC of an event related to the protection of the environment for which notification to other government agencies has been made. On 11/30/12 at 0310 EST, (licensee was) notified by the site Hazardous Materials Coordinator that a diesel fuel spill occurred in the owner controlled area (OCA) that exceeded the reporting quantity (RQ) to the state and local agencies. The quantity spilled was 40 gallons, with a minor portion entering the cooling canal system. On 11/30/12 at 0325 EST, (licensee) initiated contact with the following government agencies: 1) National Response Center (Report # 1031907), 2) Florida State Watch Office (Report # 2012-7936), and 3) South Florida Regional Planning Council (voice mail message left with contact number). The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 4850413 November 2012 07:49:00

Cook Nuclear Power Plant will begin a cyber security modification of Unit 1 and Unit 2 Plant Process Computers (PPCs) and associated network infrastructure on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 0900 EST. This includes the Emergency Response Data System (ERDS) communication with the NRC Operations Center. The entire PPC for each unit will be out of service and unavailable for approximately 6 hours. During that time, the PPC satellite display systems in the Control Rooms, TSC and EOF will be unavailable. After approximately 9 hours, the ERDS will be restored to service along with the satellite display systems in the Control Rooms, TSC and EOF. Compensatory measures exist within the DC Cook Emergency Response procedures to provide plant data in the event of an actual Emergency to the NRC Operations Center until the ERDS can be returned to service. Unavailability of the ERDS and Control Room, TSC and EOF data is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) as a major loss of emergency assessment capability. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. A follow-up ENS communication will be made when both units ERDS are fully restored to service. Unit 1 and Unit 2 PPC availability is expected to be restored on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 1500 EST. ERDS communication with the NRC Operations Center is expected to be restored on November 13, 2012 at 1800 EST.

  • * * UPDATE FROM BRADDOCK LEWIS TO HOWIE CROUCH @ 1559 EST ON 11/13/12 * * *

The licensee notified the Operations Center that the PPC work was delayed and, as a consequence, ERDS restoration will be delayed. Work on the PPC continues. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R3DO (Giessner) and ERDS Group (via email).

  • * * UPDATE AT 1908 EST ON 11/13/12 FROM GREG KANDA TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *

ERDS was declared operable at 1815 EST. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R3DO (Giessner) and ERDS Group (via email).

ENS 484784 November 2012 14:52:00At 1115 EST on November 4, 2012, primary coolant loop #2 was declared inoperable due to a small un-isolable steam leak on a drain valve of an atmospheric steam dump valve on the secondary side of the 'B' Steam Generator. The valve is ASME Class II high energy piping and the non-conforming condition could not be evaluated with the steam generator pressurized. Based on the condition of the valve and the inability to evaluate, Technical Specification 3.4.4, PCS loops - Modes 1 and 2, Required Action A.1 was entered which requires the plant to be placed in Mode 3 in 6 hours. Repair of the valve may require cooldown to Mode 5. At 1230 EST on November, 2012, Palisades initiated a shutdown in accordance with Technical Specification 3.4.4. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 484773 November 2012 11:50:00On November 3, 2012 at 0823 EDT, Nine Mile Point Unit 1 experienced an automatic reactor scram on low reactor water level. All control rods fully inserted and all plant systems responded per design following the scram. Prior to the automatic scram, an unexpected high Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) water level was experienced, followed by a turbine trip and subsequent lowering of RPV water level to the RPV low level scram set point. The cause of the water level transient is unknown. Following the automatic scram, the High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) System automatically initiated as expected. HPCI is a flow control mode of the normal feedwater systems, and is not an Emergency Core Cooling System. At 0824 EDT, RPV level was restored above the HPCI System low level actuation set point and the HPCI System initiation signal was reset. Pressure control was established on the Turbine Bypass Valves, the preferred system. No Electromatic Relief Valves actuated due to this scram. Nine Mile Point Unit 1 is currently in Hot Shutdown, with reactor water level and pressure maintained within normal bands. Since the scram, there have been no anomalies observed with feedwater system operation. Decay heat is being removed via steam to the main condenser using the bypass valves. The offsite grid is stable with no grid restrictions or warnings in effect. The unit is currently implementing post scram recovery procedures. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Unit 2 was not affected during this event.
ENS 484711 November 2012 15:35:00At approximately, 1215 EDT, November 1, 2012, Fermi 2 experienced an oil spill to navigable waters, requiring notification of National Response Center, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS), and Primary Public Safety Answering Point (911). The spill has not left site. A fuel oil and water mixture overflowed from a tank onto the ground during the performance of station fire header flushing. It is estimated that the volume of the overflow was less than ten gallons. A portion of the overflow entered the site storm drains. The source of the spill has been terminated. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
ENS 484741 November 2012 17:46:00

The following information was provided by the State of Texas via email: On November 1, 2012, the licensee notified the Agency that one of its Campbell-Pacific Model MC-3 moisture/density gauges had been run over by a pickup truck at a temporary work site in Houston, Texas. The gauge contained one 10 millicurie cesium-137 source and one 50 millicurie americium-241/beryllium source. The sources were in the safe position when it was run over. The source rod was broken off at the top of the housing. The gauge was taken to a gauge service company where it was checked. There was no leakage of radiation. A determination will be made by the licensee as to whether they will have the gauge repaired or replaced. There was no exposure to any individual as a result of this incident.

"Gauge Information:
Mfg:  Campbell-Pacific
Model:  MC-3
SN:  M38118595

"Source Information:
cesium-137 -- 10 millicuries -- SN: C8595
americium-241/beryllium -- 50 millicuries -- A8595

Texas Incident Number: I-9005

ENS 4846731 October 2012 21:09:00During BFNP (Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant) NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 805 transition review, it was determined in the event of an Appendix R fire, the ability to provide power to equipment needed to achieve and maintain safe shutdown may be adversely impacted. In certain fire zones/areas, feeder breakers for the 480V Shutdown Boards are credited for backup control operation using the 43 emergency switches, which isolate the breaker controls from circuits going to the control bay, and allow for local operation of the breaker. Fire damage to Main Control Room 480V Shutdown Board transfer switch cables could cause the control circuit fuses for the credited breaker to clear prior to the use of the 43 emergency switch. In addition, cable fire damage in the same fire areas could also cause the normal and/or alternate feeder breakers to spuriously trip. These breakers do not have separate emergency fuses like other BFNP breakers equipped with backup controls. Therefore, Safe Shutdown Instruction (SSI) procedure steps to use 43 switches to perform local breaker operation to supply power to safe shutdown equipment may not work as written where this cable fire damage can occur. Compensatory actions in the form of fire watches to mitigate this condition are in place in accordance with the BFNP Fire Protection Report. This condition is being reported pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) and 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(A),(B),(C).&(D). The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
ENS 484721 November 2012 16:55:00The following information was received from the State of Colorado via email: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment received notification on 10-23-12 from Town of Lyons, Town Hall, 432 Fifth Avenue, Lyons, CO 80540, that a tritium exit sign was found on the floor when an employee entered the building on 10-22-2012. This exit sign was installed on 10-19-12. It is presumed the installation was incorrectly completed causing the sign to fall. An employee who entered the building picked the sign up and reported the damaged sign to the Public Works Director who contacted the Radioactive Materials Unit on 10-23-12 at 1330 PDT to report the damaged exit sign. The tube containing the Tritium is reported as damaged. The sign was reported installed on 10-19-12. The sign fell from the ceiling during the weekend, and was found on Monday, 10-22-12 just inside the front entrance to the building. The licensee was provided documentation regarding how to package and ship the sign back to the manufacturer. The documentation emailed to him included the NRC NUREG -1556, Vol. 16 Appendix L. Maker of the sign is Best Lighting Products. The model number is SLXTU1RB10 and serial number is 232970. The date it was reported shipped to the licensee was 12/28/10. The activity of H-3 is 7.03 Curies.
ENS 4840212 October 2012 11:29:00

On 10/12/12 at 0420 CDT the Unit 2 Steam Generator B Atmospheric Steam Dump Valve (ADV) spuriously opened while in automatic control. This resulted in indicated reactor power exceeding the FSAR analyzed value of 1810.8 MWt. Prompt operator action was taken and reactor power was restored to within limits in approximately four minutes. The operators placed the Atmospheric Steam Dump Controller to manual and closed the ADV successfully. This event is being reported under the criteria in 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(ii)(B). All other plant systems responded as expected. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

  • * * RETRACTION FROM MARY SIPIORSKI TO VINCE KLCO ON 12/04/12 AT 1544 EST * * *

This notification is being made to retract Event Notification EN #48402 which reported power exceeding the FSAR analyzed value of 1810.8 MWt due to a spurious opening of an Atmospheric Steam Dump Valve. While 1810.8 MWt is the normal PBNP (Point Beach Nuclear Plant) full power value without consideration to uncertainties, subsequent reviews show that the peak power level reached during the event was bounded by FSAR analyzed events. Additionally, the opening of the valve is an Anticipated Operational Occurrence, described and analyzed in the FSAR. The power excursion during the event was below excursions evaluated in the FSAR. The event was analyzed and plant safety was not significantly degraded. Therefore, the event does not meet the criteria of 10CFR50.72(b)(3) and NextEra Energy Point Beach retracts Event Notification EN #48402. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified the R3DO (Pelke).

ENS 4840112 October 2012 00:55:00On 10/11/12 the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant (PINGP) Security Force was conducting scheduled force on force security drills from 2000 to 2330 CDT. At 2107 CDT the Licensee was notified by the Wisconsin State Radiological Coordinator (SRC) that an intern had contacted the Wisconsin State Patrol Duty Officer to say they had taken cover at the plant and that there were sirens going off in the background. The intern did state that he did not know whether this was a real event or a drill. The Wisconsin State Patrol contacted the office of Wisconsin Emergency Management and the SRC. The SRC then contacted the PINGP Control Room and was informed by control room personnel that this was a security force-on-force drill. Xcel Energy Communications has notified other government agencies of this event via an email. No press release is planned at this time. This event is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi). The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 483723 October 2012 20:22:00During logic and cable routing reviews for Multiple Spurious Operations (MSO), an existing unprotected cable issue was identified that impacts the D22 emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) output breaker. This unprotected cable could fail due to fire damage in fire area 067W when the associated 4kV safeguard bus is credited for Post-Fire Safe Shutdown. The single spurious fire induced cable failure identified can cause the D22 EDG output breaker to spuriously close when the 4kV safeguard bus is credited using the offsite power source. The existing fire safe shutdown analysis failed to identify this cable required protection in order to credit the 4kV safeguard bus in area 067W postulated fire. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 483693 October 2012 12:15:00On October 3, 2012, with Unit 2 in a defueled condition, a failure occurred on the 2B Startup Transformer, causing an undervoltage condition on an essential bus and resulted in the automatic start and loading of the 2B Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG). Prior to the event, the 2B EDG was available and not required by Technical Specifications; however, the 2B EDG was inoperable. Additionally, the 2A EDG is available. All equipment responded as expected. Currently maintaining the plant in a defueled condition. Decay heat removal is being supplied by the 2A Fuel Pool Cooling train and was never interrupted. There was no impact on the Shutdown Safety Assessment. This event is reportable pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A). Due to common high side feed, the loss of the 2B Startup Transformer resulted in the loss of the 1B Startup Transformer. Prior to the event, the 1A EDG was out of service for maintenance. As a result, Unit 1 entered Technical Specification 3.8.1.1 Action C. due to the loss of one offsite AC circuit and one diesel generator inoperable. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 484731 November 2012 16:55:00The following information was provided by the State of Colorado via email: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment received notification on 10-2-12 from Westin Hotel - Westminster, 10600 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030. Phillip McDonald, Engineering Manager, reported a contractor removed and disposed of one exit sign during a remodel project when a new front entrance was completed, (no date given on project). Maker of Sign: Isolite Model Number: SLX60 Serial Number: 12-02897 Activity (Curies of H-3): 6.2 Curies Date Manufacture Shipped: 1/31/2012 Date of Loss: No Date Reported for project. Location of Sign When Lost: Front entrance Other Details: Per the letter submitted by Phillip McDonald, he states 'I do remember this device being installed, but I was unaware it had radioactive material inside or the responsibility of tracking this device. Our restaurant was remodeled this year and the contractor removed the device and disposed of it'. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source
ENS 483631 October 2012 12:06:00

Seabrook personnel determined that the Emergency Response Data System (ERDS) is unavailable due to a malfunction of its process computer. The condition occurred around 0430 EDT today after a plant electrical bus was de-energized and subsequently reenergized during a maintenance activity. The plant is presently in a refueling outage with the reactor vessel defueled. Following repair of the process computer, Seabrook expects to return ERDS to service later today. This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii), loss of emergency preparedness capabilities, for loss of the ERDS function. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this event.

  • * * UPDATE FROM MIKE TAYLOR TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1333 EDT ON 10/1/12 * * *

The ERDS system has been returned to service. The licensee will be notifying the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R1DO (Schmidt).

ENS 4834425 September 2012 22:50:00The control room was notified by the Environmental Protection Group that 43 lbs of Freon was released (from an air conditioning unit) at the Administration Warehouse Supply/Shop, not in the Protected Area, and that it was reported to the California Emergency Management Agency at 17:19 PDT and San Diego County at 17:12 PDT, per lAW procedure SO123-XV-17.3, 'Spill Contingency Plan'. There is no longer a Freon release in progress. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 4833521 September 2012 22:51:00A density gauge with a 4 milliCurie Cs-137 source was identified to have a stuck shutter. The gauge is an Ohmart Vega Model SHF1A-0, S/N 0964CO, and is permanently installed on a process line in an isolated tower area. This event did not result in exposure to any personnel. The licensee barricaded the area, which read less than 1mR/hr. The licensee plans on having the gauge repaired by the manufacturer.
ENS 4833221 September 2012 18:48:00At 1449 CDT on September 21, 2012, the 2B Drywell Radiation Monitor was found downscale during control room panel monitoring. This monitor provides the input into one division of the primary containment isolation logic for a Group II isolation. As a result, the channel was placed in a tripped condition at 1515 hours in accordance with Technical Specification 3.3.6.1, Condition B. Initial troubleshooting indicates that one of the two divisions of the isolation logic was inoperable. Given both divisions are required to complete the Group II isolation logic, this condition is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) as an event or condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function. The station is currently taking action to restore the 2B Drywell Radiation Monitor to an operable condition. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified.
ENS 4832921 September 2012 16:09:00

The following information was provided by the State of Arkansas via email: While conducting an investigation of a citizen's allegation on September 20, 2012, the Department (Arkansas Department of Health) recovered a generally licensed device in a scrap yard in Dermott, Arkansas. The device is: Ohmart Beta Gauge: Model BAL Gauge Serial Number: 3780BC Isotope: SR-90 Activity: 25 millicuries This device was retrieved and transported to the Department's (Arkansas Department of Health) storage location in Little Rock at approximately 1800 CDT on September 20, 2012. Ohmart provided information concerning the shipment date (12/1994) and the location. The device was shipped to Burlington House Mill in Monticello, Arkansas. Ohmart also informed the Department (Arkansas Department of Health) that a second device had also been shipped with this source. The source holder serial number for this device is 3779BC. Health Physicists visited the old Burlington site after finding the device in the scrap yard in Dermott, Arkansas. Health Physicists returned on September 21, 2012 to the Monticello and Dermott areas to search in locations where the second device may have been disposed. At the time of this notification, the Department (Arkansas Department of Health) considers the second device to be missing. The Department (Arkansas Department of Health) has notified the Mississippi Department of Health. The Department (Arkansas Department of Health) is still investigating and searching for the missing device. An investigation is on-going to identify the possible owner of the devices. The Department (Arkansas Department of Health) considers this event open at this time pending the completion of the investigation. Arkansas Incident Number AR-2012-009.

  • * * UPDATE AT 1014 EDT ON 10/02/12 FROM ROBERT PEMBERTON TO S. SANDIN * * *

The following update was received from the State of Arkansas via email: On October 1, 2012, while conducting a follow-up investigation of allegation ARK-2012-009, the Department recovered the second generally licensed device originally shipped to the Burlington House Mill in Monticello, Arkansas. The device is described as follows: Manufacturer: Ohmart S.O. : AR940603068A Source Holder: BAL Source Serial Number: 3779BC Isotope: Sr-90 Activity: 25 mCi Date 12/94 The device was retrieved from property on East Calhoun Street, Monticello, Arkansas and transported to the Department's storage vault in Little Rock. The device housing was not damaged and preliminary wipes of the device showed no removable contamination. An investigation is on-going to identify the possible owner of the devices. The Department considers this event open at this time pending the completion of the investigation. Notified R4DO (Powers), FSME RESOURCE and ILTAB via email.

  • * * UPDATE FROM THE ARKANSAS DEPT. OF HEALTH VIA FAX ON 11/9/12 AT 1530 EST * * *

On November 9, 2012, both recovered sources were picked up for disposal from the Department's storage vault in Little Rock Arkansas. Neither source has been found to be leaking. The Department has completed its investigation and considers this event closed. Notified R4DO (Farnholtz) and FSME Resources email. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf

ENS 4832520 September 2012 16:15:00On September 20th at 1416 EDT, Three Mile Island automatically tripped due to a flux to flow imbalance as a result of a trip of the 'C' reactor coolant pump. The cause of the trip of the 'C' reactor coolant pump is still under investigation. The electrical grid is stable and unit 1 is being supplied by offsite power. All control rods have fully inserted. Decay heat is being removed by main feedwater flow to both steam generators that are exhausting via the normal main condenser cooling loop under manual control. Preliminary evaluation indicates that all plant systems functioned normally following the reactor trip, except for automatic operation of turbine bypass valve control due to failure of the automatic control function to control precisely at setpoint. Three Mile Island remains stable in hot shutdown mode while conducting the post trip review. No radioactive releases were experienced as a result of this event. This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), Reactor Protection System (RPS) actuation, and under 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(2)(xi) due to an information release to local officials. Both are four hour reports. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector." The licensee has notified the state and local governments, and will be making a media release.
ENS 4832320 September 2012 11:55:00On September 20, 2012 at 0923 EDT, Nine Mile Point Unit 1 experienced an automatic reactor scram due to a turbine trip at power. The cause of the turbine trip is currently under investigation. All control rods fully inserted and all plant systems responded per design following the scram. Following the automatic scram, the High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) System automatically initiated as expected. At Nine Mile Point Unit 1, a HPCI System actuation signal on low Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) level is normally received following a reactor scram, due to level shrink. HPCI is a flow control mode of the normal feedwater systems, and is not an Emergency Core Cooling System. At 0924 EDT, RPV level was restored above the HPCI System low level actuation set point and the HPCI System initiation signal was reset. Pressure control was established on the Turbine Bypass Valves, the preferred system. No Electromatic Relief Valves actuated due to this scram. Nine Mile Point Unit 1 is currently in Hot Shutdown, with reactor water level and pressure maintained within normal bands. Decay heat is being removed via steam to the main condenser using the bypass valves. The offsite grid is stable with no grid restrictions or warnings in effect. One 115kv off site power source (Line 4) is unavailable for planned maintenance at the James A Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant. Both Reserve Station Transformers are in service and being supplied by the other 115kv offsite power source (Line 1). Both Emergency Diesel Generators are operable and in standby. The unit is currently implementing post scram recovery procedures. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Licensee has notified the state.
ENS 4833021 September 2012 16:46:00

The following information was provided by the State of Arkansas via email: During an on-site inspection on September 19, 2012, the licensee stated that a Berthold Model 7440, density gauge was in storage and that the shutter was not operating (stuck open). The gauge is serial number 2718 and contains 50 millicuries of Cesium-137. On or about March 30, 2009 the licensee was preparing to replace this gauge. While preparing to remove the gauge from service, it was determined that the shutter would not close. The gauge was removed from service, under the direction of the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), and placed in a secure storage location by the RSO. The gauge is contained in a metal storage locker, facing down toward a concrete slab. In accordance with RH-1502.f.2 (10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) the stuck shutter should have been reported to the State of Arkansas within 24 hours. With the manufacturer no longer being in business, the RSO contacted another gauge service company for assistance. The service company indicated they could supply a shielded container to ship the gauge to their facility. At this time, the gauge is still in storage at the licensee's facility. The State of Arkansas is awaiting a written report from the licensee and final disposition information for the gauge. The State's event number is AR-2012-010.

  • * * UPDATE FROM STEVE MACK TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1216 EDT ON 5/6/13 VIA EMAIL ***

The following updates and closes Event 48330. The licensee provided a letter dated May 6, 2013 stating that the cause of the shutter malfunction was determined to be the harsh environmental conditions the gauge had been subjected to. This letter also documented the receipt/disposal of the gauge (by Thermo MeasureTech). The Department (Arkansas Department of Health) considers this event to be closed. Notified R4DO (Vasquez) and FSME Events Resource.

ENS 4832420 September 2012 13:21:00The following information was provided by the State of Pennsylvania via facsimile: On September 19, 2012, the licensee sent notification via email to the Department's Central Office regarding an event that took place on September 18, 2012. The event is reportable within 24 hours per 10CFR 30.50(b)(2). The licensee discovered during a routine maintenance inspection that the pin which allows the shutter handle to move was stuck in the closed position, rendering the shutter inoperable. No radiation exposure to personnel is believed to have occurred. The cause of the event was normal wear of gauge. The handle is in the closed position and the gauge has been taken out of service. A reactive inspection is planned by the Department's Western Regional Office. The device is identified as: Manufacturer: Berthold Technologies USA, LLC Model: LB8010 Serial #: 10055 Isotope: Cs-137 Activity: 20 mCi Source Serial Number: 0800/08 Event Report ID No: PA120031
ENS 4832620 September 2012 16:38:00The following information was provided by the State of Tennessee via facsimile: On September 11, 2012, the Division of Radiological Health received a report from the University of Tennessee Medical Center regarding a misadministration that occurred September 11, 2012. A patient was prescribed a dose of 20.0 mCi of Y-90 SirSphere microspheres, and only 15.32 mCi was administered. The administered dosage was 23% less than prescribed and will result in an absorbed dose of 40.1 Gy less than the calculated 171.3 Gy. The reason why this event occurred is not known. The residual activity was detectable in the SirSpheres waste container which contained the V-vial; tubing, catheters, and protective radioactive waste cloths. The administered dosage is still considered to be within therapeutic range, but less than that prescribed by the physician. The patient and the referring physician were both notified on September 11, 2012. Inspectors from the Knoxville Field Office will follow-up on this incident. A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.
ENS 482888 September 2012 08:16:00

This is a non-emergency eight hour notification for a loss of Emergency Assessment Capability. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) because the work activity affects the functionality of an emergency response facility. Planned maintenance activities are being performed today to the Emergency Offsite Facility (EOF)/Technical Support Center (TSC) HVAC. The work entails replacement of a pressure switch. The filtration portion of the system will not be affected by this work. This work activity is planned to be performed and completed expeditiously within about 3.5 hours including establishing and removing the clearances and performing post maintenance testing; however, restoration time required during the maintenance could exceed the time required to activate the TSC.

If an emergency condition occurs that requires activation of the EOF and TSC, plans are to utilize the EOF and TSC during the time this work activity is being performed as long as habitability conditions allow. The Emergency Response Organization team members will be relocated to alternate locations if required by habitability conditions in accordance with emergency implementing procedures. Alternate emergency response facilities will remain available in the event that relocation is necessary." The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Licensee has also notified state and local agencies.

  • * * UPDATE FROM GEORGE CURTIS TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1025 EDT ON 9/8/2012 * * *

The maintenance work was completed. The TSC and EOF were declared operable as of 1025 EDT. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Lesser).

ENS 483651 October 2012 16:15:00The following information was provided from the State of Louisiana via facsimile: IRISNDT dispatched a radiography crew to Marathon Petroleum on September 5, 2012. The crew set up and began work around 6:30 am. The crew worked with a camera, associated equipment, and a collimator for hours before there was a problem. (At 1045 CDT) the source setup was about 15 feet up above the ground in the pipe rack when the source would not return into the shielded position. After several attempts to retrieve the source, the RSO was notified. The crew was instructed to secure the barricade at the 2 mR distance and maintain observing the area until the RSO could arrive. The RSO arrived and secured the source into the exposure device's shielded position. The equipment, QSA Global Delta 880, s/n# D6460, the source is s/n# 86363B ...Ir-192, last leak tested on 08/07/2012. The investigation concluded a gear in the crank assembly was damaged and it caused the drive cable to jam. The assembly was red tagged and removed from service. Event exposures were 29 mR (Radiographer Trainer), 6 mR (Radiographer Trainee) and 2.4 mR (RSO). Louisiana Event Report ID No. LA1200004.
ENS 4825230 August 2012 00:31:00Calvert Cliffs Unit 2 Primary Plant Computer (PPC) is out of service. The PPC provides monitoring capability for the Emergency Response Data System and Safety Parameter Display System. The loss of the PPC requires alternate monitoring methods, as described in plant procedures, to be used. Therefore, appropriate assessment of plant conditions, notifications and communications can still be made, if required, during the time that the PPC is unavailable. This report is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) which is any event that results in major loss of emergency assessment capability, offsite response capability, or offsite communications capability. As previously stated, alternate means remain available to assess plant conditions, make notifications and accomplish required communications, as necessary. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 4824729 August 2012 10:00:00

On August 29, 2012, power was removed from SCADA B of the Radiation Monitoring System (RMS) to perform a planned system modification. During this period, data for most Unit 2 radiation monitors will not be electronically available in the emergency response facilities and will not be supplied to the Emergency Response Data System (ERDS), if activated. System alarms and data displays will still be available to the plant operators in the Control Room. The expected duration of RMS remote data partial inoperability is approximately 72 hours. The loss of Unit 2 remote readout capability requires compensatory measures to be used for the acquisition of radiological data in the emergency response facilities. These compensatory measures have been communicated to the emergency response organization. Therefore, it is expected that appropriate assessment of plant conditions, notifications, and communications could still be made, if required, during the time that the portions of the RMS are inoperable. This report is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), which is any event that results in a major loss of emergency assessment capability, offsite response capability, or offsite communications capability. An update message will be provided when the RMS is restored. The NRC Resident and Region IV EP Inspectors have been notified.

  • * * UPDATE FROM ALAN MARZLOFF TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1921 EDT ON 8/31/2012 * * *

This is a follow-up to ENS report number 48247. The Radiation Monitoring System (RMS) alarms and data displays have been restored to the Comanche Peak emergency response facilities (ERFs) following completion of planned system modifications. The emergency assessment capability of the Comanche Peak emergency response facilities have been re-established (as of 1821 CDT). The NRC Resident has been notified. Notified R4DO (Azua).

ENS 4824629 August 2012 00:16:00

On August 28, 2012, 17:00 PDT, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) identified additional release pathways that could affect the control room (CR) operator dose following a Large-Break Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LBLOCA). Consequently, PG&E declared the control room envelope (CRE) inoperable and is establishing mitigative actions in accordance with TS 3.7.10, Action B.1, 'Initiate action to implement mitigating actions' immediately, and Action B.2, 'Verify mitigating actions ensure CRE occupant exposures to radiological hazards will not exceed limits, and CRE occupants are protected from smoke and chemical hazards' within 24 hours. PG&E is establishing mitigative actions in accordance with TS 3.7.10 and RG 1.196. These mitigative actions are for operations control room personnel to administer potassium iodide and don self-contained breathing apparatus equipment in a timely fashion should a LBLOCA occur. They will be communicated and controlled by a standing order to the control room staff. PG&E previously established controls on other release pathways that offset the potential increases to the maximum predicted offsite dose due to the new release pathways. No increase in maximum predicted offsite dose is expected from the new release pathways. Diablo Canyon (DCPP) is making this 8-hour, non-emergency notification under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D). Plant personnel notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE AT 1600 EDT ON 9/8/12 FROM GLEN GOELZER TO PETE SNYDER * * * 

PG&E is retracting EN 48246, based on the results from a new dose analysis coupled with compensatory measures implemented to ensure that the analysis input parameters and assumption will not be inadvertently exceeded. The analysis concluded that the CRE was operable and that CR doses remained below regulatory limits. Plant personnel notified the NRC resident inspector. Notified R4DO (Gaddy).

ENS 4821320 August 2012 19:54:00The control room received a 4911 notification (emergency on-site 911 call) regarding an employee illness where the employee was unresponsive. Site Medical Emergency Response Team responded, and requested offsite assistance via ambulance. The employee was transported to Piedmont Medical Center via ambulance where he was pronounced deceased. A notification to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) was made at 1645 EDT on 8/20/12 due to the on-site fatality. The employee had gone to a meeting and feeling ill went to the break room on-site. When the on-site medical team arrived at the break room they were unsuccessful in resuscitating the employee. The licensee will be notifying the state and local agencies. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 4821220 August 2012 19:11:00

On 8-20-2012 during scheduled surveillance testing, the Reactor Water Cleanup (RWCU) System Isolation Differential Flow - High function was discovered to be inoperable at 1520 CDT. The high differential flow signal is provided to detect a break in the RWCU system when area or differential temperature would not provide detection (i.e. cold leg break). This instrumentation provides isolation signals to both inboard and outboard isolation valves and its loss is being reported pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(C). The NRC Resident Inspector was notified.

  • * * RETRACTION AT 1513 EDT ON 9/27/2012 FROM BOB MURRELL TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *

Subsequent to the initial report, NextEra Energy Duane Arnold (NextEra) has determined that the RWCU Differential Flow High instrument loop was, at all times, capable of performing its TS function. Specifically an engineering analysis of the impact of the instrument as-found and as-left values on the overall instrument loop setting was performed. The analysis determined that the instrument in question was set at a value which would have isolated the RWCU Primary Containment Isolation Valves prior to reaching the Technical Specification (TS) allowable value and therefore the instrument loop remained capable at all times of performing its TS function. This event is not considered a Safety System Functional Failure or a Condition Prohibited by TS and is not reportable to the NRC as a Licensee Event Report (LER) per 10CFR50.73. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified the R3DO (Lipa).

ENS 4821020 August 2012 17:30:00At 1432 EDT on 08-20-2012, the Beaver Valley Unit 2 Shift Manager was notified by the Beaver County 911 call center that some sirens in the Beaver County area were activated at 1417 EDT. Investigation revealed that approximately 94 of the 120 sirens in the Beaver County area had been inadvertently activated for approximately 20 seconds in a Fire Alert mode during siren maintenance activities. All States and Counties within the Beaver Valley Emergency Planning Zone have been notified. This event is reportable as a 4-hour Non-Emergency Notification 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi) as 'Any event resulting in notification to other government agencies that has been or will be made.' The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
ENS 4820920 August 2012 16:26:00While working In the vicinity of valve SI-3, the isolation valve between the Boric Acid Storage Tanks and the common Safety Injection (SI) pump suction piping header, plant staff discovered a thru-wall leak at the weld between the SI-3 valve body and the piping upstream of SI-3. Minor leakage (less than 1 drop per minute) was observed at the flaw location. Upon being informed of this condition, plant operators closed SI-3 at 1109 (CDT) to isolate the affected portion of the piping from the SI suction piping. The time period from when the leak was discovered until it was isolated from the SI piping was less than 10 minutes. As part of the immediate operability determination, plant staff attempted to characterize the flaw to determine the degradation mechanism. Because the flaw could not be readily characterized, the common SI suction piping exposed to the leakage was considered to have been inoperable from the time of discovery until valve SI-3 was closed. This condition resulted in both Safety Injection Train A and Safety Injection Train B being inoperable per LCO 3.5.2, ECCS - Operating, Condition A, due to an inoperable common suction line. Since the flaw could not be readily characterized, required ECCS flow was conservatively deemed to not be available and LCO 3.0.3 was conservatively entered per Condition C of LCO 3.5.2 during this brief period (less than 10 minutes) until valve SI-3 was closed. This event is reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) as an unanalyzed condition that significantly degrades plant safety. Closing SI-3 restored both Safety Injection Train A and Safety Injection Train B to Operable status and LCO 3.0.3 was exited at 1109 CDT on 8/20/2012. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
ENS 4821120 August 2012 18:21:00At 1106 EDT, on August 20, 2012 Computer Engineering personnel discovered a computer component failure which would have prevented the transmission of Emergency Response Data (ERDS) to the NRC if the system were to be activated. The actual component failure was determined to have occurred at approximately 2000 EDT on 8/19/12. This resulted in an out of service duration of greater than 8 hours, which was not discovered until after the fact. The system was repaired and returned to service at 1720 EDT on 8/20/12. Since Unit 1 and Unit 2 ERDS was unavailable for greater than 8 hours, this is considered a Loss of Emergency Assessment Capability and reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii). The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 4818814 August 2012 13:03:00An employee was complaining of chest and jaw pain this morning at approximately 0745 CDT. The employee was admitted to the plant dispensary in his plant clothing. The employee's plant boots were contaminated, with a maximum activity of 17,552 dpm/100cm2. The plant nurse evaluated the employee and decided to transport the employee to a regional hospital. Before going into the ambulance the employee removed his plant clothing. A whole body survey was performed of the employee; no contamination was detected. Additionally, the gurney and ambulance personnel shoes were surveyed upon loading the ambulance; no contamination was detected. The ambulance tires were also surveyed prior to release from the Restricted Area; no contamination was detected. R2(Gibson) was also notified by licensee. Contamination was from Uranium Ore Concentrates
ENS 4818513 August 2012 19:10:00Duke Energy notified the NC Wildlife Resource Commission of dead catfish in the vicinity of the McGuire low level intake. Notification was made on 8/13/12 at 1630 EDT. In addition, the NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources will be notified. The dead fish are suspected to have been caused by increasing lake temperature and decreased oxygen levels, which is common during the late summer. The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified.
ENS 4818312 August 2012 14:37:00Calvert Cliff Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1 Control Element Assembly (CEA) #9 fully inserted (CEA dropped) into the core. Technical Specification 3.1.5, Action B was entered and requires the CEA to be realigned within 2 hours. With this action not met Technical Specification 3.1.5, Action C requires the Unit be placed in Mode 3 within 6 hours. A plant shutdown has been initiated in accordance with this Technical Specification. Therefore, this is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72. (b) (2) (i) Plant Shutdown Required by Technical Specifications. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee will also notify local government agencies.
ENS 4818413 August 2012 12:29:00

The following information was provided by the State of Tennessee via facsimile: On August 11, 2012, the shipper contacted the Division of Radiological Health to report that a package containing 31.7 mCi of Indium-111 was run over in the 'courtyard' area. Caps were off all six internal shielding pigs. Vials in four pigs were intact. The fifth vial was found and returned to the pig. The sixth vial was crushed and the contents (5.3 mCi) released. The shipper's fire personnel responded and washed the area (20 to 30 feet in diameter) and released the water to the storm water runoff drain. One area about 4 inches by 4 inches could not be decontaminated. A steel plate was bolted onto the asphalt in that area and dose rates of 0.5 mR/hr at a meter was observed. This area is not an occupied area. The half-life for Indium-111 is 2.8 days. The plate will be removed in 30 days and the area will be reassessed. No injuries, (and) no personnel contamination. Event Report ID No.: TN-12-207

  • * * UPDATE ON 8/14/12 AT 1456 EDT FROM BETH SHELTON TO DONG PARK * * *

The following update was provided by the State of Tennessee via email: The sixth vial was crushed and the contents (4.4 mCi) released. One area about 4 cm in diameter could not be decontaminated. A steel plate was bolted onto the asphalt in that area and dose rates of 0.05 mR/hr at a meter were observed. Notified R1DO (Powell) and FSME Events Resource via email.

ENS 4817910 August 2012 19:44:00On August 10, 2012 during an inspection in the Air Intake Tunnel, six 4-inch conduits that carry cabling from yard vaults through the Air Intake Tunnel (AIT) to the Auxiliary Building (AB) were inspected for flood seals. This was done by opening the conduit seals bottom drain openings to inspect the condition by boroscope. These seal components are just inside the AIT from the electrical vaults. During the inspections no sealant could be readily identified. Each conduit from the yard vaults that is not sealed could potentially provide a leak path during flood conditions from the yard vaults to the Auxiliary Building via the electrical conduit. Flood water entering the Auxiliary Building could impact the decay heat removal function. This is reportable as an 8 hour ENS notification under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(B) and 10CFR50.72(a)(1)(ii) as a condition that at the time of discovery could have prevented the fulfillment of the safety function of structures or systems that are needed to remove residual heat. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
ENS 481739 August 2012 19:46:00This is a non-emergency 4 hour informational notification to the NRC in accordance with the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi). On August 9, 2012 at approximately 1510 hours (EDT), a contract employee suffered a non-work related personal medical event while in an office environment that was located outside of the protected area. The individual was transported offsite and was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. OSHA is being notified pursuant to the requirements of 29 CFR 1904.39. There was no radioactive contamination involved in this event. Duke Energy has not observed any heightened media interest as a result of the fatality. No other notifications to government agencies are expected and no press releases are intended to be made at this time. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
ENS 481729 August 2012 13:34:00A non-licensed employee supervisor had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a follow-up fitness for duty test. The employee's unescorted access to the plant has been denied. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
ENS 4817710 August 2012 13:41:00The following information was provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via facsimile: On Thursday, August 9, 2012, the licensee informed the Department's (Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)) Southwest Regional Office about the discovery of a shutter failure. It is reportable within 24- hours under 10CFR 30.50(b)(2). During a semi-annual leak test being performed by a consultant, the shutter was found inoperable and stuck in the open position. No dose is believed to have been received by any personnel. The device is identified as: Manufacturer: LFE, Model #: SS-3A, Device Serial #: 300-483L, Sealed Source Model #: SS-3A, Sealed Source SN: 02311, Isotope: Am-241, Activity: (1 Ci). The cause of the event was equipment malfunction. Licensee continued running the mill with permission granted by DEP until the consultant arrived later that same day. Repairs were made to the shutter mechanism, followed by a radiation survey, wipe test, and function check of the gauge. The gauge is now operating properly. DEP scheduled a reactive inspection for August 10, 2012. PA Event Report No. PA120024
ENS 4817810 August 2012 17:13:00On Aug 7, 2012 at 1734 EDT, PPL Susquehanna personnel were in the process of releasing the Dry Fuel Storage Transfer Trailer from the Unit 1 Reactor Building 101 rail bay and detected removable contamination on the trailer. PPL Susquehanna Health Physics personnel identified removable surface contamination up to 30,000 dpm/100 sq cm on the transfer trailer. Gamma spectroscopy performed on smears identified the presence of Cs-137. No other radionuclides were identified on any of the analyzed smears. Cs-137, by itself, is not a nuclide characteristic to Susquehanna due to Susquehanna's high fuel integrity performance. In addition, no loose surface alpha contamination was identified. The area around the trailer, located in the 101 bay, has been posted and controlled as a contaminated area. Decontamination of the transfer trailer is in progress. Onsite surveys of areas that were occupied by the transfer trailer, indicate no removable surface contamination. In addition, no Susquehanna personnel contamination events have been attributed to the contamination found on the transfer trailer. Although the receipt of this transfer trailer was not identified as an incoming radioactive shipment to Susquehanna from its' supplier, this event is immediately reportable to the NRC Operations Center in accordance with 10 CFR 20.1906(d), since the Department of Transportation acceptance limits identified in 49 CFR 173.433 for this type of container are 22,000 DPM/100 sq. cm and PPL Health Physics personnel identified removable radioactive surface contamination in excess of the limits of 10 CFR 71.87(i) which refer to the DOT limits of 49 CFR 173.433. The final delivery carrier and NRC Senior Resident Inspector have been notified." The licensee will be notifying the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ENS 483703 October 2012 12:26:00On August 5, 2012, at 21:25 EDT, Unit 1 received a Reactor Auto SCRAM System 'A' Trip signal in the main control room. The annunciator was initially reset by operators, but the operating crew noted that some white SCRAM lights and some Group 2 PCIV indication lights were flickering in the control room. This anomaly coupled with the ability to reset the annunciated condition immediately indicated an issue with fluctuating voltage on the power supply for RPS (Reactor Protection System) 'A'. Approximately 30 seconds after the annunciator was reset, the 'A' RPS bus tripped, causing a half SCRAM in conjunction with the automatic actuation of the Standby Gas Treatment system (SGT) and isolation of PCIVs in multiple systems, both of which are normal responses to this loss of the 'A' RPS bus. The crew entered the appropriate abnormal operating procedures and confirmed the actuations automatically occurred as required given the loss of the RPS bus. They investigated the 'A' RPS Motor/Generator (M/G) set, placed the 'A' RPS bus on its alternate supply, reset the SGT and PCIV actuation logic, and returned the PCIVs to their normal position. Upon investigation, the 'A' RPS M/G set was found running, but the Over Voltage Relay in the power monitoring cabinet was chattering. The field investigation team determined that the RPS trip was caused by the failure of its voltage regulator which was then replaced. The 'A' RPS M/G set was consequently returned to service as the primary RPS power source on August 6, 2012. Maintenance personnel subsequently determined that a voltage regulator subcomponent was defective. Because the malfunctioning subcomponent caused the loss of RPS 'A' as the initiating event rather than a valid SGT or PCIV actuation signal, the resulting actuation of SGT and the isolation of multiple PCIVs are considered invalid actuations. Based on that information, 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(iv) allows this event to be reported via a telephone notification within 60 days instead of submitting a written LER. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.