| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
12/22/2003 - 12/23/2003 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 40395 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: GE COMPANY VALLECITOS NUCLEAR CENTER
Region: 4
City: SUNOL State: CA
County:
License #: 0017-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT GREGER (EMAIL)
HQ OPS Officer: GERRY WAIG | Notification Date: 12/16/2003
Notification Time: 19:28 [ET]
Event Date: 12/15/2003
Event Time: [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
PHIL HARRELL (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
THOMAS DECKER (R2)
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1)
| Event Text Xe-133 SOURCE LOST DURING SHIPMENT
"On December 16, 2003, GE Vallecitos contacted RHB-Sacramento office to report that a shipment of 2.1 Ci [Curies] of Xe-133 to the University of Alabama has not arrived at its destination. On the same day, RHB-Berkeley office contacted the GE Vallecitos RSO, C.W. Bassett and the EHS leader, D.W. Turner and learned the following:
On December 12, 2003, GE Vallecitos sent a shipment of 2.1 Ci of Xe-133 to the University of Alabama via Fedex. On December 15, 2003,one of the Vallecitos technicians noticed that the shipment had not arrived at its destination in Alabama. They contacted Fedex immediately [name deleted] and the tracking database indicated that the shipment supposedly left Oakland Friday. As of December 16, 2003, Fedex was unable to locate the final destination of the shipment. GE Vallecitos had contacted the University of Alabama and confirmed that they have not received the Xe-133 shipment. Per RSO, the current estimated activity (as of 12/16/03) of the Xe-133 shipment is 1.2 Ci [Curies].
* * * UPDATE 1115 ET 12/22/03 FROM R. GREGOR TO J. ROTTON * * *
The following information was received via email:
"This lost shipment was found Friday 12/19/03 at the Fed Ex warehouse facility in Memphis, TN. It has been shipped to it's original destination, the University of Alabama."
Notified R1DO (R. Lorson), R2DO (T. Decker), R4DO (L. Smith), NMSS EO (F. Brown) |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40398 | Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: NINYO & MOORE
Region: 4
City: PHOENIX State: AZ
County:
License #: 07-460
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: WILLIAM WRIGHT
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS | Notification Date: 12/17/2003
Notification Time: 15:17 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2003
Event Time: 12:30 [MST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
PHIL HARRELL (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
VICTOR GONZALEZ (MEX)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE
On 12/16/03 at approximately 1230 MST, a soil moisture density gauge was stolen from the rear of a technician's pickup truck while he was stopped for lunch at 23rd Street and Indian School. The gauge was contained in a yellow transport case and is a Troxler Model 3430, Serial Number 33308. The gauge contains approximately 10 millicuries of Cesium-137, and 40 millicuries of Americium-241. The theft of the gauge was reported to the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency at approximately 1325 MST.
The licensee issued a press release offering a $500.00 reward for the recovery of the gauge.
The Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency and the licensee will continue to investigate this occurrence and report further.
The FBI, States of CA, NV, NM, CO, and the country of Mexico are being notified of this event. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40399 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: GUIDANT CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: PERLAND State: TX
County:
License #: L05178
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: HELEN WATKINS (email)
HQ OPS Officer: GERRY WAIG | Notification Date: 12/17/2003
Notification Time: 19:03 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2003
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
PHIL HARRELL (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE - POTENTIAL LEAK ON P-32 SOURCE WIRE
The following is taken from an email received from the State of Texas, Department of Health:
"This is a Texas agreement state incident being forwarded based on a 5 day report requirement for a leaking source. (Incident 8083) The Licensee reporting the incident is Guidant located in Pearland, TX, L05178. More information is anticipated. This is a preliminary report.
"Today a returned P-32 [Phosphorus-32] source wire was received at our Pearland facility. This facility is authorized for radioactive material use under license number L05178. The source wires we manufacture are registered with the TX-BRC as TX-1070-S-101-S. These source wires are sent to our user sites [hospitals] and returned to Pearland for decay and disposal.
"The active portion of the source wire was wiped during the receipt survey. Approximately, 8.0 nCi [nanocuries] of activity was removed at that time. The source wire was stored for investigation at that time.
"A later wipe showed removable activity of approximately 0.5 nCi [nanocuries]. We will continue to investigate the source wire to determine if the wire is leaking or if the contamination was from another source." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40400 | Rep Org: NE DIV OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Licensee: SHOP GO STORES
Region: 4
City: BELLEVUE State: NE
County:
License #: GL0040
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TRUDY HILL
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 12/18/2003
Notification Time: 10:52 [ET]
Event Date: 12/18/2003
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/18/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
PHIL HARRELL (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT REGARDING LOST TRITIUM SIGNS
The State of Nebraska reported that one of their licensees could not account for 17 missing tritium exit signs. The signs were manufactured in 07/84 and each sign contained 21 curies of tritium at the time of manufacture. Three major renovations have taken place in the store since that time and the licensee believes that is when the signs were lost. Store records indicate that 11 new signs were purchased in 1994. A search of the store did not find any of the missing signs. The State of Nebraska considers this issue closed. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40404 | Facility: PERRY
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: JEFF TUFTS
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 12/22/2003
Notification Time: 00:31 [ET]
Event Date: 12/21/2003
Event Time: 20:21 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
50.72(b)(3)(v)(A) - POT UNABLE TO SAFE SD
50.72(b)(3)(v)(B) - POT RHR INOP
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
PATRICK LOUDEN (R3)
|
| 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 POTENTIAL IMPACT TO SAFE SHUTDOWN DUE TO CONTROL COMPLEX VENTILATION INOPERABILITY
"On 12/21/03 at 2021, it was discovered that the temperature control valve for the Division 1 Emergency Closed Cooling system had two blown fuses. This results in the Division 1 Control Complex chiller becoming inoperable. Concurrent with this the Division 2 Control Complex chiller was inoperable for planned maintenance. With this configuration both trains of safety related ventilation have been declared inoperable. This results in a loss of safety function for AC and DC distribution systems. Additionally this results in all Emergency Core Cooling systems being inoperable.
"This is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72 (b) (3) (ii) (b) and (b) (3) (v) (a, b & d) for unanalyzed condition and loss of a single train safety system."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 40405 | Facility: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
RX Type: URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PRODUCTION
Comments: UF6 CONVERSION (DRY PROCESS)
Region: 2
City: METROPOLIS State: IL
County: MASSAC
License #: SUB-526
Agreement: Y
Docket: 04003392
NRC Notified By: DARREN MAYS
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 12/22/2003
Notification Time: 05:00 [ET]
Event Date: 12/22/2003
Event Time: 03:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2003 | Emergency Class: SITE AREA EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
40.35(f) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
THOMAS DECKER (R2)
RICHARD WESSMAN (IRO)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
LUIS REYES (RA)
MARTY VIRGILLIO (ET)
BILL SIMES (EPA)
| Event Text SITE AREA EMERGENCY DECLARED DUE TO UF6 RELEASE
At 0245 CST, a small release of UF6 occurred lasting approximately 45 minutes. At 0300 CST the licensee declared a Site Area Emergency. The release has been terminated at the time of the notification. All personnel were evacuated within a 1 mile radius. At the time of notification, the evacuated personnel were allowed to return to their homes. The local sheriff has responded to the scene. NRC HQ and Region 2 NRC personnel are responding and a NRC Inspector is in transit to the site. The NRC entered Monitoring phase of Normal Mode at 0515 EST. The Acting NRC Chairman (Commissioner Merrifield) has been informed. There is no indication at this time of any malevolent activity.
Initial reports indicated that there were no injuries at the plant, but three individuals offsite were taken to the hospital. Two have been released, and the third is being evaluated further prior to release. About 25 people offsite were temporarily evacuated and some 75 persons remained sheltered for a time in their homes. The licensee is evaluating the amount of material released.
Licensee notified State of Illinois. NRC Headquarters also notified DHS-DOE (Mike Wyatt)
The licensee terminated the Site Area Emergency at 0650 CST on 12/22/03. The release is over, the plant is stable and the licensee is in the recovery mode. The NRC exited the Monitoring Phase of the Normal Mode for this event at 1230 ET.
Notified DIRO (S. Frant), NMSS EO (F. Brown), R2DO (T. Decker), USDA (L. Jensen), HHS (J. Little), EPA (Rawls), DHS (Frost), FEMA (D. Barden) regarding exiting Monitoring Phase of the Normal Mode. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40406 | Facility: COMANCHE PEAK
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RICHARD BRABEC
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 12/22/2003
Notification Time: 11:39 [ET]
Event Date: 12/22/2003
Event Time: 08:27 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2003 | 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):
LINDA SMITH (R4)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 99 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby | Event Text REACTOR TRIP DUE TO MAIN TURBINE TRIP
"At 0827 on 12/22/2003, Comanche Peak Unit Two (2) tripped due to a turbine trip > 50%. The turbine trip was caused by ingestion of a small metallic cover plate into the main generator exciter housing, as witnessed by maintenance personnel. A small fire ensued, which self-extinguished in five (5) minutes. An Aux Feedwater auto start (ESF actuation) occurred due to normal post-trip steam generator shrink. The turbine-driven and both motor-driven aux feedwater pumps started as designed.
"All control rods inserted into the core upon trip. The local electrical grid is stable. The number one (1) steam generator atmospheric relief valve cycled as designed upon the secondary pressure transient.
"The number three (3) Reactor Coolant Pump tripped during the transfer of power sources post-trip.
"Unit 1 was not affected by the trip. Unit 2 is stable in Mode 3. Damage assessment is in progress which will determine future (near-term) plant mode of operation."
RCPs are in operation transferring decay heat to the steam generators. Decay heat removal is through the MSIVs to the main condenser using the turbine steam dump valves. Both motor-driven AFW pumps are running to maintain Steam Generator levels. The trip of the number (3) Reactor Coolant Pump is being investigated.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 40407 | Rep Org: US AIR FORCE
Licensee: US AIR FORCE
Region: 4
City: Clovis State: NM
County:
License #: 42-23539-01AF
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID PUGH
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 12/22/2003
Notification Time: 11:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/18/2003
Event Time: 16:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
| Person (Organization):
LINDA SMITH (R4)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
| Event Text MISSING TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS
On 12/18/03 it was determined that two (2) tritium exit signs were missing at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. Contractors were in the process of replacing a number of the signs and two of the signs appearing on the inventory list could not be found. The signs are made by SRB Technology (Sealed Source & Device Registration NC585S103G). The signs were purchased in 1998 with a maximum tritium activity of 25 curies and the current maximum tritium activity is 18 curies. Efforts to locate the signs continue. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40408 | Facility: DIABLO CANYON
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JIM WELSH
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 12/22/2003
Notification Time: 14:39 [ET]
Event Date: 12/22/2003
Event Time: 11:22 [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2003 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
LINDA SMITH (R4)
DAVID SKEEN (NRR)
RICHARD WESSMAN (IRO)
DAN SULLIVAN (FEMA)
JOHN FROST (DHS)
JOHN CRAIG (NRR)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT - EARTHQUAKE
At 1116 PST on 12/22/03, an earthquake was felt on-site measuring 0.04g on plant seismic instrumentation. The licensee declared an Unusual Event at 1122 PST per EAL 18 (greater than 0.01g) . Both Units 1 and 2 continue to operate at 100% power. The local electrical grid is stable and all Emergency Diesel Generators are fully operable. A number of plant tank level were momentarily alarmed. The Unit 2 Main Turbine Electro-Hydraulic Control (EHC) pump tripped and was successfully restarted.
Plant walk-down inspections are in progress. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
The National Earthquake Information center reports that the earthquake measured 6.5 R and was centered approximately 5 miles Northeast of San Simeon, CA or approximately 35 miles Northwest of the Diablo Canyon site. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40410 | Facility: SEABROOK
Region: 1 State: NH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DAMON RITTER
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 12/22/2003
Notification Time: 16:43 [ET]
Event Date: 12/22/2003
Event Time: 15:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
RAYMOND LORSON (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 OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
"FPL Energy Seabrook notified the EPA and NHDES [New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services] this afternoon [12/22/03] at 3:30 pm of unusually high impingement of small fish during the last two weeks caused by a series of strong storms. This notification was made under FPL Energy's Seabrook NPDES permit Part 1.A.24.e.
"Most of the fish were small and included silversides, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, cod, smelt, and several other species.
"The biomass of the fish was relatively small."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |