| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
12/19/2007 - 12/20/2007 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Power Reactor | Event Number: 43764 | Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: BRIAN FERGUSON
HQ OPS Officer: KARL DIEDERICH | Notification Date: 11/02/2007
Notification Time: 10:55 [ET]
Event Date: 11/02/2007
Event Time: 07:44 [MST]
Last Update Date: 12/19/2007 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
DALE POWERS (R4)
ELMO COLLINS (R4)
JIM DYER (NRR)
BRIAN McDERMOTT (IRD)
JOHN FROST (DHS)
RONNIE FOOT (DOE)
ANDREW WATTS (USDA)
CHRIS HARPER (HHS)
RAWLS (EPA)
GENE CANUPP (FEMA)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 2 | Startup | 2 | Startup | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 3 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text SUSPICIOUS EXPLOSIVE DEVICE DISCOVERED IN VEHICLE AT OCA ACCESS CHECKPOINT
"On November 2, 2007 at 0744 [MST], Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Units 1, 2 and 3 declared a Notification of an Unusual Event as specified in the Emergency Plan. The basis for the Emergency Class declaration was detection of a credible threat: an explosive device was detected during a vehicle search at the site access check point. The site has entered its Deliberate Acts procedure. The device was discovered in a contract employee's vehicle at 0525 MST. It was confirmed to be an explosive device at 0730 MST by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). The explosive device was removed from the site by MCSO and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at 0852. The individual driving the vehicle has been detained by MCSO. No other individuals were in the vehicle at the time.
"Palo Verde Unit 1 is in Mode 2 at approximately 2% power. Unit 2 is in Mode 1 at 100% power. Unit 3 is defueled undergoing steam generator replacement. No reactor protection system or engineered safety feature system actuations have occurred and none are required. No major structures, systems, or components are inoperable impacting the continued safe operation of the units. Plans are to continue Mode 2 operations in Unit 1 and Mode 1 full power operation in Unit 2.
"Further investigation is ongoing in cooperation with MCSO and the FBI. Security is conducting searches of the site. No additional concerns have been identified at this time. The security event has not resulted in any challenges to the fission product barrier or result in any releases of radioactive materials. There were no adverse safety consequences or implications as a result of the security event declaration. A news release was made at 11:10 a.m."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM DON VOGT TO J. KNOKE AT 1809 EDT ON 11/02/07 * * *
At 1447 MST site security posture has changed from Code Red to Code Yellow Heightened Awareness, and at 1504 MST licensee exited the Unusual Event,. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, state and local agencies, and will be issuing a press release this evening.
Notifications were given to the following: R4 (Art Howell), R4DO(Powers), NRR EO (Bateman), IRD Manager (Blount), ILTAB (Sandler), DHS (York), FEMA (Dunker), DOE (Wyatt), FBI-SIOC (Curry), HHS (White), USDA (Phillip).
* * * UPDATE FROM WAREN HENDRIX TO J. KNOKE AT 1416 EDT ON 11/03/07 * * *
The licensee downgraded the security posture at the site from Code Yellow Heightened Awareness to Code Yellow. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Powers) and ILTAB (Sandler).
* * * UPDATE FROM DAN HAUTALA TO W. HUFFMAN AT 1600 EST ON 12/19/07 * * *
"Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is retracting security-related Event Notification #43764 and notification of unusual event (NUE) reported on November 2, 2007. Based upon investigations performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and Palo Verde Security department, APS has determined that there was no explicit nor credible threatened action as described in 10 CFR 73.71, Appendix G, Paragraph I. These investigations revealed that the previously reported explosive device was placed in the owner's truck bed without his knowledge. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that a person has committed or caused, or attempted to commit or cause, or has made a credible threat to commit or cause: theft or unlawful diversion of special nuclear material; or significant physical damage to a power reactor; or interruption of normal operation of a licensed nuclear power reactor."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. R4DO (Farnholtz) has been notified and an e-mail sent to ILTAB and the 73.71 group. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 43833 | Rep Org: NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
Region: 4
City: GRAND FORKS State: ND
County:
License #: 33-12827-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHRIS SCHMALTZ
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 12/11/2007
Notification Time: 09:17 [ET]
Event Date: 12/10/2007
Event Time: 15:45 [MST]
Last Update Date: 12/19/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RUSSELL BYWATER (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT FROM NORTH DAKOTA OF A POSSIBLE OVEREXPOSURE
A physician researcher at the University of North Dakota received a report from Landauer of a radiation exposure reading on his badge of 74 Rem deep dose and 69 Rem shallow dose. The monitoring period for the badge (monthly or quarterly) was not known to the State. Investigation has determined that the researcher is believed to have worked only with P-32 and has done nothing out of the ordinary. The lab area where the researcher worked has been surveyed and there is no indication of contamination. The researcher is currently having blood work done to determine if there is any indication of radiation damage. The licensee is also working with Landauer focusing on the discrepancy between the deep dose and shallow dose readings on the badge. For an overexposure of this magnitude, it would be expected that the shallow dose would be much greater than the deep dose.
The University Radiation Committee is leading the investigation for the licensee. The State plans to evaluate the results of the licensee's investigation findings before considering what actions it will take .
* * * UPDATE FROM CHRIS SCHMALTZ TO RYAN ALEXANDER AT 0931 EST ON 12/19/2007 * * *
The North Dakota Department of Health was informed from Landauer that the physician researcher's ring badge from the time period had been processed and showed no remarkable dose above normal doses seen for those conducting activities similar to that of the researcher. Additionally, Landauer identified residual contamination (not quantified) on the researcher's primary dosimetry badge that showed the excessive deep dose and shallow dose. It appears at this time that the majority of the dose delivered to the primary badge may have been due to the contamination on the badge. Results of the blood work have not been completed the time of the update.
The researcher is currently restricted from working in radiation areas and using radioactive materials, pending the completion of the investigation.
Notified R4DO (Farnholtz) and FSME EO (Morell). |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 43841 | Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: CARDINAL HEALTH
Region: 4
City: BATON ROUGE State: LA
County:
License #: LA-5394-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RICHARD PENROD
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 12/14/2007
Notification Time: 08:36 [ET]
Event Date: 11/19/2007
Event Time: 09:13 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/14/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RUSSELL BYWATER (R4)
GREG MORELL (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DOSE TO WRONG ORGANS
The Agreement State of Louisiana submitted the following information:
"On Monday November 19, 2007, Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy delivered an isotope dose labeled incorrectly. The dose delivered, was labeled Tc-99m Mertiatide (Mag-3) assayed at 5.1 milliCuries at 9:13 AM. The dose ordered was for a Renal Scan scheduled for 9:30 AM. After injection of the ordered dose, subsequent imaging revealed accumulation of radiopharmaceutical in the liver and spleen. The target organ for Mag-3 is the kidneys. The images would suggest Tc-99m Sulfur Colloid as the agent delivered. This information was reported by the facility that received the dose. The facility also notified Cardinal Health.
"This matter is under investigation by Louisiana DEQ."
This report refers to Louisiana event identification number: LA070030.
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. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 43842 | Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: EUSTIS ENGINEERING
Region: 4
City: State: LA
County: ST. JAMES PARISH
License #: LA-2922-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RICHARD PENROD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 12/14/2007
Notification Time: 10:49 [ET]
Event Date: 11/15/2007
Event Time: 08:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/14/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RUSSELL BYWATER (R4)
GREG MORELL (FSME)
| Event Text LOUISIANA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE HIT BY A BULLDOZER
This information was received via email
"Eustis Engineering reported an incident that occurred on November 15, 2007. At 8:00AM on this date a Troxler gauge model number 3440 with serial number 25934 was hit by a bulldozer. This gauge has a 8.0 mCi source Cs-137 and a 20 mCi source of Am241:Be. The bulldozer that hit the gauge was operated by James Construction at the Marathon GME Refinery construction site. The technician called the Eustis Engineering office immediately after it occurred. Mr. (deleted), the Eustis RSO, was dispatched to the site. The RSO arrived at 9:30AM and conducted a survey using a Trox Alert survey meter. At 30 feet away the meter reading was 0.1 Mr. At 2 feet away the meter reading was 0.2 Mr. A leak test was conducted by Gamma Tron on November 15, 2007 after the incident with the results being less than 0.005 uCi (microCuries) of removable contamination."
Event Report ID No.: LA070031. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 43848 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: BRISTOL MEYERS SQUIBB
Region: 1
City: NORTH BILLERICA State: MA
County:
License #: 50-0090
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 12/17/2007
Notification Time: 14:25 [ET]
Event Date: 12/07/2007
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JAMES TRAPP (R1)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text MISSING THALLIUM-201 SHIPMENT
The State of Massachusetts was notified of a missing shipment of approximately 185 millicuries of Thallium-201. The shipment originated at the licensee, Bristol Meyers Squibb, on December 8, 2007. The shipment had not arrived at its destination, Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Services, Inc., as of December 17, 2007. Shipment tracking has determined that the package was scanned by FedEx in Boston on December 9, 2007, and no other scans had been recorded. The licensee is working with the shipper to locate the package. The State will provide more information to NRC as it becomes available. As of December 17, 2007 the package activity is approximately 24 millicuries.
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.
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 |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 43853 | Rep Org: INVENSYS PROCESS SYSTEMS
Licensee: INVENSYS PROCESS SYSTEMS
Region: 1
City: FOXBORO State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID GOLDEN
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 12/19/2007
Notification Time: 14:41 [ET]
Event Date: 11/02/2007
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/19/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21 - UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH
| Person (Organization):
JAMES TRAPP (R1)
ERIC DUNCAN (R3)
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4)
PART 21 GROUP ()
SCOTT SHAEFFER (R2)
VERN HODGE E-MAIL (NRR)
| Event Text PART 21 NOTIFICATION - FAILURE TO FULLY COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEDICATION OF COMMERCIAL GRADE ITEMS
"In accordance with 10CFR21, this letter is to inform you that Invensys Systems, Inc. (d/b/a Invensys Process Systems (IPS)) has identified a failure to fully comply with the requirements for Dedication of Commercial Grade Items (e.g. fuses, resistors, capacitors, etc.) provided to some of our nuclear customers. These parts, certified as safety-related basic components, were not subject to verification of functional performance characteristics as part of the Dedication process and therefore if not installed and tested in their intended application could represent a potential safety hazard.
"This condition was identified during the NUPIC (Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee) joint audit of our Foxboro, Massachusetts facility and immediate notification was provided to the member utilities through their web-based system. This Failure to Comply was confirmed on 11/2/07 and, based on our records, has been determined to be limited to the customers, orders and parts identified in [the report].
"Invensys has taken immediate corrective action to rectify the situation in that these parts are no longer provided as safety- related and we will be providing separate notification to each of the nuclear customers listed in [the report]. It should be noted that the subject materials were all controlled and provided in accordance with the approved IPS procedures which include requirements for inspections verifying the appropriate manufacturer, part number, markings and other physical characteristics. If these items have been properly installed in the intended Foxboro equipment, functional performance is typically verified through subsequent component or system-level testing."
The following customers are effected by this issue: American Electric Power, Arizona Public Service, Dominion Nuclear, Entergy, Exelon, First Energy, Indiana Michigan Power Co., NPPD, OPPD, Constellation, Union Electric, and Wolf Creek. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 43854 | Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: DAVE GREINER
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 12/19/2007
Notification Time: 14:57 [ET]
Event Date: 12/19/2007
Event Time: 11:45 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/19/2007 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
JAMES TRAPP (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | M/R | Y | 55 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text MANUAL REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO LOWERING REACTOR LEVEL
At 1145 hrs. EST, operators inserted a manual reactor scram due to lowering reactor water level after the 'A' main feedwater pump tripped. Prior to the scram, the plant was operating at reduced power due to removing the 'B' main feedwater pump from service for planned maintenance. Reactor water level was at 155" when the scram was initiated and lowered to 100" during the transient. Currently, reactor water level is at the normal operating band and is being maintained by the feedwater system.
After the scram, all safety systems functioned as expected. There were no system isolations due to the transient. Electrical power is being provided by normal offsite sources via the startup transformer. Decay heat is being removed via the normal path through bypasses to the main condensers.
Additionally, the licensee made an offsite notification to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection due to approximately 300 dead or distressed fish in the discharge canal.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |