Event Notification Report for August 18, 2008

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
08/15/2008 - 08/18/2008

** EVENT NUMBERS **


44406 44407 44408 44415 44418 44419 44420

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44406
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: ARIAS AND ASSOCIATES
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: L04964
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY JISHA
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 08/12/2008
Notification Time: 09:08 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 14:16 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)

Event Text

TEXAS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - BADGE INDICATES OVEREXPOSURE

"On August 11, 2008, the agency received written notification from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that a worker's quarterly film badge showed a reading of 40,080 mrem. Additional processing by the provider left the assessment as indeterminate however actual personnel exposure is beyond reality since the licensee is an operator [of] moisture density gauges only. A preliminary investigation has shown that the operator did not maliciously expose or tamper with the dosimeter and there was nothing unusual about the conditions of storage.

"The RSO stated that a full investigation will be performed to ascertain how the dosimeter received such extensive radiation exposure."

The State of Texas will be conducting an on-site investigation.

Texas Report Number: I-8533

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44407
Rep Org: UTAH DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: HOLLY REFINING AND MARKETING COMPANY
Region: 4
City: WOODSCROSS State: UT
County:
License #: UT 0600109
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GWYN GALLOWAY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 08/12/2008
Notification Time: 09:11 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 07:00 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)

Event Text

UTAH AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIXED GAUGE BROKEN SHUTTER

"The Utah Division of Radiation Control was notified by service personnel on 08/11/2008 at approximately 10:00 a.m. MDST and spoke with the licensee regarding the incident at 5:00 p.m. MDST. The RSO was attempting to close the shutter of a fixed gauge on the 'Syn Tower' so that maintenance personnel could work inside the vessel. [Ohmart, model SH-F1, serial number LS-620]. The device shutter resisted turning when the RSO attempted to close the gauge. The RSO then 'tapped lightly' on the shutter handle with a bolt to get it to turn. It turned slightly and the RSO put the bolt down to turn the shutter handle by hand. Both of the shutter handle screws sheared off and the shutter could not be closed. An authorized service licensee was able to close the shutter while the gauge was in place. The gauge was then removed and taken offsite for repair by an individual licensed to perform these services. The RSO has completed the manufacturer's 40 hour training course."

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44408
Rep Org: NE DIV OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Licensee: VILLAGE OF CRESTON
Region: 4
City: CRESTON State: NE
County:
License #: GL0355
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TRUDY HILL
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 08/12/2008
Notification Time: 12:41 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2006
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

The following information was received from the state via e-mail:

"The Creston Public School purchased two self-luminous signs in 1990. The signs were SRB model Betalux E 10 with 9.75 curies of tritium in each sign. The school did an inventory in 2005. The School did not return its annual inventory in 2006. The school was dissolved in May of 2006 and the property was transferred to Leigh Public School. Leigh Public Schools informed the Agency [Nebraska Division of Radioactive materials] that the property was transferred to the Village of Creston. Representatives of the Village of Creston, speculate that the school was possibly left unlocked and unattended for a period time and during that time period the signs were removed. The disposition of the signs is unknown. The Agency made numerous attempts to determine the status of the signs and ultimately the Agency determined that the signs are lost."

The licensee discovered that the signs were missing on 01/01/2008.

Manufacturer: SRB Technologies Inc
Serial Number: 13152 and 13153

Nebraska event NE080006

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

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Other Nuclear Material Event Number: 44415
Rep Org: WEST VIRGINIA PAVING
Licensee: WEST VIRGINIA PAVING
Region: 1
City: DUNBAR State: WV
County:
License #: 47-17070-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DALLAS BOGGESS
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 08/15/2008
Notification Time: 10:07 [ET]
Event Date: 08/15/2008
Event Time: 06:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/15/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
Person (Organization):
DANIEL HOLODY (R1)
PATRICE BUBAR (FSME)
ILTAB via email ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE STOLEN FROM THE BED OF A TRUCK

An authorized gauge user while working at a jobsite site in McDowell County, WV stayed overnight at a motel in Grundy, VA which is just across the state line. Sometime between 2200 hours on 8/14/08 and 0600 hours on 8/15/08, a Troxler Model 3440 (S/N 27535) containing two sources, i.e., 8 millicuries Cs-137 and 40 millicuries Am-241/Be, was stolen from the bed of the employee's pickup truck. The Troxler gauge was locked inside its case and contained inside a locked transport box chained and bolted to the bed of the truck. The chain had been cut and the lock on the transport box broken to remove both the Troxler gauge and its case.

The licensee notified the NRC Region I Office (Marie Miller) and filed a police report with the Grundy City Police department who are investigating the theft. The licensee has made no determination whether a reward will be offered.

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.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44418
Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [ ] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: DAVID FUNK
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 08/15/2008
Notification Time: 17:41 [ET]
Event Date: 08/15/2008
Event Time: 16:04 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/15/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
Person (Organization):
RANDY MUSSER (R2)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
4 N Y 100 Power Operation 0 Hot Standby

Event Text

SHUT DOWN REQUIRED BY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

"Administratively entered technical specification 3.0.3 and complying with the action statement."

A 0.19 gpm leak developed from a structural weld crack on the charging system (4B reactor coolant pump seal injection line). This leak is isolable. The cause of the crack is being evaluated.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44419
Facility: DIABLO CANYON
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JAMES DILLIS
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Notification Date: 08/17/2008
Notification Time: 03:37 [ET]
Event Date: 08/17/2008
Event Time: 00:12 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/17/2008
Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
JARED WERMIEL (NRR)
ELMO COLLINS (R4)
BRUCE BOGER (NRR)
ANTHONY McMURTRAY (IRD)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 A/R Y 100 Power Operation 0 Hot Standby

Event Text

UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO FIRE IN MAIN BANK TRANFORMER

At 0012 the licensee declared a Notice of Unusual Event due to a fire in Main Bank Transformer. The licensee is fighting the fire along with offsite assistance from CAL FIRE. The unit is shutdown and stable in mode 3. All control rods fully inserted on the trip. Decay heat is being removed via auxiliary feedwater to the steam generators steaming to the main condenser via the main condenser steam dumps. Emergency buses remain powered via offsite power with emergency diesel generators available if required.

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified DHS (Barnes), FEMA (Blankenship).

* * * UPDATE FROM J. DILLIS TO J. KOZAL AT 0501 EDT ON 8/17/08 * * *

The fire is out. Plant personnel are assessing the damage in the main transformer area. The plant is stable in mode 3.

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE FROM J. DILLIS TO P. SNYDER AT 0542 EDT ON 8/17/08 * * *

The licensee has terminated the Notice of Unusual Event at 0231 PDT due to the fact that the fire was out and no reflash occurred. The plant remains stable in mode 3.

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R4DO (Lantz), IRD (McMurtray), NRR EO (Wermiel), R4 (Collins), NRR (Grobe), DHS (Wallace), FEMA (Biscoe).

* * * UPDATE FROM M. KENNEDY TO J. KOZAL AT 1038 EDT ON 8/17/08 * * *

"This is an update of the Notification of Unusual Event due to Fire in the 'C' phase of the main bank transformer, and Automatic Reactor Trip. This update is to report automatic actuation of the auxiliary feedwater system (AFW) and is being reported as an 8-hour non-emergency event in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) 'System Actuation.'

"The unit is stable in mode 3 (Hot Standby) with offsite power being supplied to all buses via the 230 Kv startup circuit. All rods fully inserted on the reactor trip. All systems performed as designed. Operators are preparing to place the unit in Mode 5, while preparing to assess the damage to the 500 Kv transformer. All emergency diesel generators remain operable in standby.

"Unit 1 was unaffected by this event and remains at 100% power.

"This notification also constitutes a late 4 hour notification for the RPS actuation.

"To summarize, on August 16, 2008, at 2356 PDT, the 'C' phase 500 Kv transformer failed resulting in a fire and an automatic reactor trip, and automatic actuation of AFW. An unusual event was declared on August 17, 2008, at 0012 PDT due to the fire. Cal Fire was called to assist and support the on-site fire brigade. The fire was extinguished and the NUE was downgraded at 0231 PDT."

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified as well as State and local government agencies. The licensee intends to issue a press release.

R4DO (Lantz) notified.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44420
Facility: DRESDEN
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [ ] [ ] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-1,[2] GE-3,[3] GE-3
NRC Notified By: LINDA DYAS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 08/17/2008
Notification Time: 13:11 [ET]
Event Date: 08/17/2008
Event Time: 09:02 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/17/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 30 Power Operation

Event Text

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SHUTDOWN DUE TO INABILILTY TO PERFORM A REQUIRED RCS LEAK RATE VERIFICATION

"During the 2000 CDT pumping of the Drywell Floor Drain Sump on 08/16/2008, the pumps failed to pump as indicated by the integrator reading zero with the pump running. The sump pump was running for approximately 2-3 minutes with the integrator showing no flow. The pump typically auto stops after approximately 30 seconds; since this did not happen, it appears to be a flow restriction and not an integrator problem. 3A DWFDS pump was started first and then 3B DWFDS pump was attempted with no flow noted for either pump.

"Both the 3-2001-105 and -106 valves indicated OPEN. Both sump pump breakers were verified ON and a local visual inspection of the 3-2001-105 and -106 valves was performed to verify proper operation. Troubleshooting has determined that the 3-2001-105 valve is failing to OPEN.

"The 3-2001-105 is a primary containment isolation valve and is currently CLOSED.

"TS SR 3.4.4.1 requires RCS leakage verification 1 [time per] 12 hours and was last completed at 1600 CDT on 08/16/2008.

"Unit 3 Shutdown was initiated at 0902 hours."

The shutdown of Unit 3 was halted at 30% power while the licensee pursued an NOED (Notice of Enforcement Discretion) with NRC.

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. The licensee will also notified the State.

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