| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
10/15/2003 - 10/16/2003 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 40238 | Rep Org: WISCONSON DEPT HEALTH & FAM SERVICE
Licensee: WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERV CORP
Region: 3
City: GREENBAY State: WI
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHERYL ROGERS
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 10/10/2003
Notification Time: 10:35 [ET]
Event Date: 10/09/2003
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
KENNETH O'BRIEN (R3)
PATRICIA HOLAHAN (NMSS)
| Event Text GENERAL LICENSED DEVICE PLACED IN PUBLIC DOMAIN
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services reported that on 10/9/03 it was discovered that a general licensed gauge used on the coal conveyor at the Wisconsin Public Services Corporation Pulliam coal-fired power plant in Green Bay, WI was removed without properly closing the shutter and left in a public area on 9/25/03. The gauge contains a 50 milliCuries Cs-137 source. The device was subsequently recovered and properly shuttered on 10/09/03.
Wisconsin Public Services Corporation issued on 10/09/03.
Fixed Gauge Manufacturer: Texas Nuclear
Source S/N: B2920
The RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] took readings in the direction of the open shutter; at 8 feet (4 to 5 Mr/hr) and at 3 feet (10 Mr/hr).
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Radiation Protection Section staff will perform an investigation the week of 10/13/03.
* * * UPDATE 1706 EDT ON 10/13/03 FROM JASON HUNT (WISCONSIN ) TO S. SANDIN VIA EMAIL * * *
The Wisconsin licensee notified the State of Wisconsin that there was an error in the original report related to gauge make, model, serial number and source strength.
The new detailed information is as follows:
ThermoMeasureTech Model # 5200, Ser. # B2011, Source Activity 20 mCi [milliCuries].
Notified R3DO (Madera) and NMSS (Holonich). |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40239 | Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: GASTONIA State: NC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GEORGE L. ACCATTATO
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 10/10/2003
Notification Time: 12:30 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/10/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RONALD BELLAMY (R1)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING DISCOVERY OF NUCLEAR GAUGE IN SCRAPYARD
"This is to inform you that North Carolina Radiation Protection Section has discovered a fixed nuclear gauge that was scrapped and is now being held by a North Carolina scrap dealer from Gastonia, NC.
"Radioactive Materials Branch Incident 03-13 has been open pending further investigation of a device, originally described as an X-Ray head, having been found in a returned scrap load sent to a South Carolina scrap steel processor and returned under a CRCPD exemption.
"A Section representative performed a field inspection on October 9, 2003 on the undetermined item being held in secure isolation at the scrap-yard since its discovery in March 2003.
"At present our investigation has determined that:
"- Device is a Fixed Nuclear Gauge. K-Ray model 7107-6. This device is inactive per the SS&D registry sheet and is considered for both GL [General Licensing] and Specific Licensing.
"- Contains isotope Cs-137 in the amount of 50 millicuries. Reference year from gauge label is March 1983.
"- Highest general area (about 1[meter]) dose rate is approx 0.1 [millirem per] hr with 200 [millirem per] hr on contact. It is unknown whether the shutter is open or closed but dose rates when compared to SS&D [Sealed Source & Device] information for the general model indicate it may be open.
"- Labeling has been painted over and also appears as if a deliberate attempt had been made to destroy the device identification labeling & serial number(s).
"Corrective Actions So Far:
"Surveys and leak tests have been performed. Analysis on wipes is pending but source does not appear to be leaking.
"Device has been re-secured. Verbal direction has been given to the State Line Manager on its necessary security and continued isolation from the scrap yard workers and other members of the public.
"Additional steps are being taken to determine if any significant exposures could have been received by anyone at State Line who spent time nearby or who may have handled the device since its return to them.
"If/when significant additional information becomes available it will be passed along to you." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40240 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: GREATER KELLY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: NO LICENSE
Agreement: Y
Docket: I-8061
NRC Notified By: JIM OGDEN
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 10/13/2003
Notification Time: 10:16 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 08:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
WILLIAM JOHNSON (R4)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - CONTAMINATION AT FORMER KELLY AIR FORCE BASE
"A hangar formerly used by the U.S. Air Force was under re-construction for transformation to a corrosion control facility. The unlicensed facility had been contaminated by radium during use as a paint shop during 1922-1929, and as a paint removal facility during later years. Supposedly this facility has been deed recorded as a site of contamination with Ra-226 [Radium-226]. The facility is not Licensed by the State of Texas. At this time it is unclear if this facility was released for unrestricted use when turned over to the Greater Kelly Development Authority. This Agency can find no record of the site contamination. Contractors from the Boeing Corporation were working on the facility to be remodeled to a corrosion control facility. Digging around the foundation (slab) they hit a 2-inch galvanized pipe that was contaminated with radium-226. Background levels at the facility were measured at 10,000 counts per minute and after the incident at 10 times that level. An Agency inspector will be on site for soil sampling. It is estimated that 10-20 Boeing employees may have come in contact with the material. Urine analysis has been ordered by the contractor for personnel suspect of working in the contamination. Initial reports from both Greater Kelly Development Authority and the Boeing Corporation have been received - but are inconclusive."
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the EPA, and the U.S. Air Force have been notified. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40241 | Rep Org: SC DIV OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL
Licensee: COASTAL ENGINEERING AND TESTING CO
Region: 1
City: CHARLESTON State: SC
County:
License #: 368
Agreement: Y
Docket: SC030007
NRC Notified By: ANDREW ROXBURGH
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 10/13/2003
Notification Time: 10:48 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 15:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
RONALD BELLAMY (R1)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST/STOLEN GAUGE
"The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified on October 10, 2003, at 7:45 pm [EDT] by Coastal Engineering and Testing, Co. that a Troxler Model 3430 gauge, s/n 33695 was stolen from the back of a company pickup truck while at a temporary jobsite in Charleston, SC. The gauge contained an Am: Be [Americium: Beryllium] source with an activity of 44 mCi [millicuries] and a Cs-137 [Cesium-137] source with an activity of 9 mCi [millicuries]. The licensee has called the local police department to file a report. The licensee in its official report will provide further information to the Department." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40247 | Facility: BEAVER VALLEY
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: C. McFEATERS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 10/15/2003
Notification Time: 01:56 [ET]
Event Date: 10/14/2003
Event Time: 23:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/15/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | A/R | Y | 39 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby | Event Text AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP DUE TO LOW "B" STEAM GENERATOR WATER LEVEL.
"Automatic Trip due to low (21%) B Steam Generator Level (all rods fully inserted into the core).
"While decreasing power for heater drain pump repairs, the B main feedwater regulating valve did not respond properly. Manual attempts to restore level were not effective. Steam generator level decreased to the low level trip setpoint.
"Auxiliary feedwater systems automatically started due to low post trip steam generator levels. This includes the Steam Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump. The steam discharge of this pump is considered to a gaseous release due to trace amounts of tritium in the secondary system. These trace amounts are well below limits. The pump was shutdown after 16 minutes of operation, terminating the discharge. The Rad Waste & Effluents Section will assess the impact during the event response review.
"Plant is currently stable in Mode 3 with steam generator levels restored to post shutdown values. The steam dumps and main unit condenser are available for heat removal. All normal and emergency busses are energized from offsite power."
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of the event by the licensee. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40248 | Facility: GINNA
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: ROBERT MCCOY
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD | Notification Date: 10/15/2003
Notification Time: 13:25 [ET]
Event Date: 10/15/2003
Event Time: 10:24 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/15/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | M/R | Y | 1 | Startup | 0 | Hot Standby | Event Text A MANUAL REACTOR TRIP FROM 1% POWER AS PER ABNORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES OCCURRED
The plant was in mode 2 (1% power) making preparations to place the unit on-line per procedures. At 0921, the plant had entered ER-SC.1, Adverse Weather Plan, due to sustained winds greater than 55 mph. At 1024, offsite power circuit "751" was lost due to offsite storm damage(tree down on powerline). The loss of circuit "751" led to the loss of the "B" reactor coolant pump on undervotltage. Procedure AP-RCS.2, loss of Reactor Coolant flow was entered. At 1026 a manual Reactor Trip was initiated as directed by procedures. All rods fully inserted, no ECCS injection or safety valves lifted and all ESF systems functioned as designed. Due to the partial loss of offsite power, the "B" emergency diesel auto started and loaded to supply safeguards equipment. The "A" and "B" aux feedwater pumps also auto started. Offsite power was restored to safeguards equipment being supplied power by the "B" emergency diesel within 15 minutes from the second offsite power line.
The NRC Resident inspector was notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40249 | Facility: SUMMER
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: JEFFERY PEASE
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD | Notification Date: 10/15/2003
Notification Time: 14:07 [ET]
Event Date: 10/15/2003
Event Time: 13:12 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/15/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
73.71(b)(1) - SAFEGUARDS REPORTS
| Person (Organization):
CHARLES R. OGLE (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text UNSECORTED ACCESS GRANTED INAPPROPRIATELY
Compensatory measures taken upon discovery.
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified.
Refer to the HOO for additional details |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40250 | Facility: SALEM
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JOE SULLIVAN
HQ OPS Officer: RICH LAURA | Notification Date: 10/15/2003
Notification Time: 19:30 [ET]
Event Date: 10/15/2003
Event Time: 16:03 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/15/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (R1)
MICHAEL JOHNSON (NRR)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 40 | Power Operation | Event Text FEEDWATER REGULATING VALVE ISSUE FORCES INITIATION OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SHUTDOWN
"At 1603 Salem Unit 1 commenced a down power to comply with Technical Specifications. Tech. Spec. 3.0.3. was entered at 1505 when it was determined that the feed regulation valve for the 14 Steam generator (14BF19) was bound at approximately 71% open. This valve is required to close on a feedwater isolation signal. Currently the reactor is at 40% power and lowering with plans to stabilize at 25% prior to taking the unit off line (mode 3) by 2205 tonight.
"Unit 1 has no other tech spec equipment out of service. Unit 1 is in two additional shutdown Technical Specifications, both are related to the control room ventilation system which is shared with Unit 2. Unit 2 is in a scheduled refueling outage and one of the Unit 2 emergency intake dampers is disabled (T.S. 3.7.6.1.a). This is a 7 day LCO that expires on 10/22/03. Additionally Unit 2's emergency filtration system is out of service for planned maintenance (T.S 3.7.6.1.a). This is a 30 day LCO that expires on 11/13/03. All other systems on Unit 1 are operating as expected for current plant conditions."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40251 | Facility: NINE MILE POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: BRIAN CRAIG
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 10/16/2003
Notification Time: 00:16 [ET]
Event Date: 10/15/2003
Event Time: 23:02 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/16/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text PROMPT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (PNS) SIRENS EXCEEDED ALLOWABLE OUT OF SERVICE TIME.
More than 4 Prompt Notification System sirens were simultaneously out of service for greater than 12 hours. In accordance with site procedures, this is a major loss of notification capability. These sirens are out of service due to a loss of power caused by elevated wind conditions in the region. Oswego County is currently working to restore power to the sirens. State and Local counties were notified.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified of this event by the licensee. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40252 | Facility: FITZPATRICK
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: D. POULIN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 10/16/2003
Notification Time: 00:28 [ET]
Event Date: 10/15/2003
Event Time: 23:02 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/16/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text PROMPT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (PNS) SIRENS EXCEEDED ALLOWABLE OUT OF SERVICE TIME.
More than 4 Prompt Notification System sirens were simultaneously out of service for greater than 12 hours. In accordance with site procedures, this is a major loss of notification capability. These sirens are out of service due to a loss of power caused by elevated wind conditions in the region. Oswego County is currently working to restore power to the sirens. State and Local counties were notified.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified of this event by the licensee. | |