Event Notification Report for April 03, 2003

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION

During a safety walkdown at the old Emergency Operating Facility, a small amount (approximately 1 quart) of oil was discovered in the soil around an energized transformer. The leakage probably occurred over a long period of time, as there was no current leakage noted. The soil that contained the oil was remediated, and a sample was sent off for PCB testing. The licensee stuck a container under the transformer to gather any more leakage that might occur. The licensee was unsure whether the transformer belonged to them or to the local utility. This event was reported to the NRC because the licensee notified the state of Connecticut.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

PARTIAL LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS

"On 4/3/03 at 1456, due to adverse weather conditions, power was lost to the Site Boundary Control Center. This resulted in a loss of ENS FTS 2000 Communication System in the TSC and Control Room. This event is reportable per Duty and Call Superintendent Handbook DOS 2.1.1 Section 4.7, Clarification of NUREG-1022 Section 3.2.13, Loss of EP Capabilities. Commercial phone lines are fully functional."

The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector, as well as state and local authorities.


* * * UPDATE ON 4/4/03 @ 0145 BY RAASCH TO GOULD * * *

At 2309 on 4/3/03, the EP Manager reported from the EOF that all phones are lost in the EOF. This event is reportable per Duty and Call Superintendent Handbook DCS 2.1.1 section 4.7, clarification of NUREG - 1022, section 3.2.13 loss of EP capabilities.

At 2315 on 4/3/03, power was restored to the EOF. Communication capabilities from the EOF, TSC and Control Room ENS phones are restored.

The Resident Inspector will be notified. Region 3 RDO(Clayton) was notified.

* * * UPDATE FROM RYAN RODE TO ERIC THOMAS AT 1930 ON 4/4/03 * * *

"Upon review of event notification 39726 at 1805 EST on 4/3/03, and the update to that notification at 0148 EST on 4/4/03, two corrections should be noted:

1) The original notification states that commercial phone lines were fully functional. This was correct for the control room and TSC. The commercial phones were not functional in the EOF located in the Site Boundary Control Center (SBCC),

2) The update at 0148 EST, which reported that all phones were lost in the EOF, occurred when the power was lost to the SBCC, which occurred at about 1456 CST on 3 April 2003."

The NRC Resident Inspector was notified. R3DO (B. Clayton) was notified.

UNPLANNED SIREN OUTAGE DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER AND OFFSITE NOTIFICATION AT KEWAUNEE

"At 1605 on April 3, 2003 it was reported to the Control Room that greater than 50% siren population coverage was lost. The percent siren coverage population lost is 50.03%. The lost siren coverage is due to weather related power outages. Crews have been dispatched and are working to restore power to the affected sirens.

"Additionally, substation Line Y-51 is out-of-service due to the weather conditions. Three of the four off-site power lines remain available.

"The plant is currently in the process of reducing power for a refueling outage.

"This is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) as any event that results in a major loss of emergency assessment capability, offsite response capability, or offsite communications capability (loss of greater than 50% of emergency sirens). It is also being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) as any event or situation, related to the health and safety of the public or onsite personnel, or protection of the environment, for which a news release is planned or notification to other government agencies has been or will be made."

The NRC Inspector was notified.

*** UPDATE FROM JAMES BAPTIST TO ERIC THOMAS AT 1701 EST ON 4/4/03 ***

Power has been reduced to 42 percent due to coastdown to refueling outage.

Substation line Y-51 is back in service, rendering four or four off-site power lines available.

There are now 9 sirens out of service, which equals 61.97% of all available sirens.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, along with the local sheriff's department and state officials.

FALSE ACTIVATION OF PUBLIC ALERT SYSTEM

The plant had a false activation of the Public Alert Notification System (PANS) by the Sherbune County Sheriff's Department. Sherbune County personnel stated that they had accidentally triggered the system that resulted in the sirens in both Sherbune and Wright counties to sound. Both counties performed a signal cancellation and the sirens were silenced within 5 - 10 minutes.

The NRC Resident Inspector was notified along with the state and local agencies.

REPORT OF EXPOSURE OF LICENSEE EMPLOYEES WAS MADE TO THE STATE

The licensee reported the exposure of licensee employees to radiation from a TN Technologies model 5174 (serial # B103) fixed gauge containing a 2 curie Cs-137 sealed source. The gauge fell approximately 6 feet from its location on a coke hopper on approximately 04/03/03. The welds which attached the gauge anchoring bolts appear to have failed. The gauge had been in place since 1992. The gauge fell with the shutter open onto the first landing of the skip pit area. The gauge went un-noticed for a week until April 11 @ 1300 when maintenance workers were called to move what was thought to be a motor (all labels and markings on the gauge were unreadable). The workers spent approximately 1.5 hours rigging and moving the gauge before an individual recognized the gauge and secured the area. A contractor, Radiometrics, was then called in to secure the gauge. The Ohio department of Health was called concerning the incident on April 17 @1400. An on-site investigation was done and a dose assessment of affected personnel is in progress.