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Event Notification Report for December 31, 2009

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
12/30/2009 - 12/31/2009

** EVENT NUMBERS **


45597 45598 45600 45601

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Power Reactor Event Number: 45597
Facility: GINNA
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: DANIEL DEAN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE 		Notification Date: 12/30/2009
Notification Time: 08:24 [ET]
Event Date: 12/30/2009
Event Time: 04:37 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/30/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
 Person (Organization):
LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN (R1DO)

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

Event Text

AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP DUE TO TURBINE STOP VALVES CLOSING

"At 0437 hours [the] Turbine Stop Valves closed causing an automatic Reactor Trip. Auxiliary Feedwater Pumps automatically started as expected during the transient and operated normally. All control rods inserted on the reactor trip. Reactor Coolant System temperature and pressure are stable at 547 degrees and 2235 psig. The cause of the Turbine Stop Valve closure is under investigation."

The pressurizer relief and safety valves did not lift. Decay heat is being removed via the Auxiliary Feedwater Pumps and the Atmospheric Relief Valves. There is no primary to secondary leakage in the steam generators. Electrical lineup is normal, and the EDG's are available if required.

The licensee has notified the State and the NRC Resident Inspector

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Power Reactor Event Number: 45598
Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: BRAD EKLUND
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL 		Notification Date: 12/30/2009
Notification Time: 14:55 [ET]
Event Date: 12/30/2009
Event Time: 12:03 [MST]
Last Update Date: 12/30/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
 Person (Organization):
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4DO)
JEFF GRANT (IRD)
ERIC LEEDS (NRR)
AUSTIN (FEMA)
MICHAEL ENSER (DHS)
ELMO COLLINS (RA)

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
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO EARTHQUAKE

"The following event description is based on information currently available. If through subsequent reviews of this event, additional information is identified that is pertinent to this event or alters the information being provided at this time, a follow-up notification will be made via the ENS or under the reporting requirements of 10CFR50.73.

"An Event Classification of Unusual Event (HU1.1) was declared at 12:03 MST for the PVNGS (Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station) site because of an earthquake that originated in Baja Mexico location 32.467 N, 115.195 W at 10:48:57 local time. Per the USGS (United States Geologic Survey) website, the magnitude of the earthquake 5.8 on the Richter scale. Initial walk downs of plant equipment and review of plant parameters have found no unusual conditions or damage to plant equipment. There was no automatic initiation of the Reactor Protection System or Emergency Safety Function System and none were required. The units are all at 100 percent power and all offsite power supplies are available.

"The earthquake didn't register on plant seismic monitoring equipment, but was felt by plant personnel."

* * * UPDATE FROM BRIESE TO TEAL AT 1722 ON 12/30/2009 * * *

"The Notification of Unusual event classification was terminated at 15:15 MST on 12/30/2009 after completion of walk downs of the protected area, ISFSI, cooling towers, switchyard, Station Blackout Generators and water reclamation with no equipment issues being found. "

Notified R4DO (Farnholtz), NRR EO (Evans), IRD (McDermott), FEMA, DHS

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Power Reactor Event Number: 45600
Facility: CATAWBA
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JOHN GATES
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL 		Notification Date: 12/30/2009
Notification Time: 22:45 [ET]
Event Date: 12/30/2009
Event Time: 22:10 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/30/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
 Person (Organization):
CHARLIE PAYNE (R2DO)

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

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION - OSHA CONTACTED DUE TO ON-SITE FATALITY

"A non-contaminated individual was transported by ambulance from the Catawba Nuclear Station parking lot to a local hospital due to a personal illness. The individual was pronounced dead at the hospital. Catawba Nuclear Station is notifying [Occupation Safety Health Administration] OSHA of an on-site fatality."

Licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Fuel Cycle Facility Event Number: 45601
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC.
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY
                   NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE
                   LEU SCRAP RECOVERY
Region: 2
City: ERWIN State: TN
County: UNICOI
License #: SNM-124
Agreement: Y
Docket: 07000143
NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE 		Notification Date: 12/31/2009
Notification Time: 05:17 [ET]
Event Date: 12/31/2009
Event Time: 05:17 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/31/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL
 Person (Organization):
CHARLIE PAYNE (R2DO)
EUGENE PETERS (NMSS)
JEROME KETTLES (DHS-)
FUELS GROUP email ()
ELIOTT BRENNER (OPA)

Event Text

PRESS RELEASE - TEMPORARILY SUSPEND CERTAIN PROCESS AREAS

A press release is being issued by NFS [Nuclear Fuels Services]. NFS is implementing organizational, facility and management changes that will ensure an even more stringent level of safety controls and processes at the facility. During the implementation, NFS will temporarily stand down certain process areas. NFS developed these changes following consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), to ensure that the highest levels of safety commitment, culture and compliance are in place for licensed operational processes. NFS is making these specific changes following a recent NRC review. Suspended operations include production operations, the Commercial Development Line and the down blending facility. These facilities will be brought back on line pending a third-party review and NRC review of the safety improvement implementations. Other areas of the plant will continue to operate.

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