Event Notification Report for July 13, 2015
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
07/12/2015 - 07/13/2015
EVENT NUMBERS
512245122551227512285122351315
Power Reactor
Event Number: 51224
Facility: PALISADES
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: DEREK DEBUSSCHER
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: DEREK DEBUSSCHER
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA
Notification Date: 07/13/2015
Notification Time: 13:33 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 08:38 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2015
Notification Time: 13:33 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 08:38 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
STEVE ORTH (R3DO)
STEVE ORTH (R3DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO SPILL OF PORTABLE CHEMICAL TOILET TO THE ENVIRONMENT
"On 7/13/15 at 1000 EDT, a spill to the environment was determined to be reportable to the state environmental and local health agencies.
"The spill occurred when a portable chemical toilet tipped over and was identified at approximately 0838 EDT. The contents and exact quantity of the spill are unknown, but the toilet has a capacity of 60 gallons. The discharge flowed to a storm drain which ultimately discharges to the beach of Lake Michigan. Rainfall was present when the spill was identified. Cleanup efforts are in progress.
"The State of Michigan, via the Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS), was notified as required by the Site Spill Plan by the Site Environmental Coordinator at 1024 [EDT]. The Local government (Van Buren County) was notified at 1045 [EDT] via 911.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."
"On 7/13/15 at 1000 EDT, a spill to the environment was determined to be reportable to the state environmental and local health agencies.
"The spill occurred when a portable chemical toilet tipped over and was identified at approximately 0838 EDT. The contents and exact quantity of the spill are unknown, but the toilet has a capacity of 60 gallons. The discharge flowed to a storm drain which ultimately discharges to the beach of Lake Michigan. Rainfall was present when the spill was identified. Cleanup efforts are in progress.
"The State of Michigan, via the Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS), was notified as required by the Site Spill Plan by the Site Environmental Coordinator at 1024 [EDT]. The Local government (Van Buren County) was notified at 1045 [EDT] via 911.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."
Power Reactor
Event Number: 51225
Facility: GINNA
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL SLABY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL SLABY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA
Notification Date: 07/13/2015
Notification Time: 15:45 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 12:10 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2015
Notification Time: 15:45 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 12:10 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
FRANK ARNER (R1DO)
FRANK ARNER (R1DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY SIREN BY VENDOR
"At approximately 1210 [EDT] on July 13, 2015 during conduct of vendor maintenance, a contract maintenance worker inadvertently activated siren 71.
"The licensee was notified of the siren activation by the vendor at 1211 [EDT].
"Wayne County was notified of the siren activation by the vendor at 1212 [EDT].
"One of the 96 sirens in the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) were activated for less than one minute.
"No press release is planned by Exelon.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
"At approximately 1210 [EDT] on July 13, 2015 during conduct of vendor maintenance, a contract maintenance worker inadvertently activated siren 71.
"The licensee was notified of the siren activation by the vendor at 1211 [EDT].
"Wayne County was notified of the siren activation by the vendor at 1212 [EDT].
"One of the 96 sirens in the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) were activated for less than one minute.
"No press release is planned by Exelon.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
Agreement State
Event Number: 51227
Rep Org: FLORIDA BUREAU OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: MC SQUARED, INC.
Region: 1
City: TAMPA State: FL
County:
License #: 3424-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CLARK CONNELLY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA
Licensee: MC SQUARED, INC.
Region: 1
City: TAMPA State: FL
County:
License #: 3424-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CLARK CONNELLY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA
Notification Date: 07/13/2015
Notification Time: 19:17 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2015
Notification Time: 19:17 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
FRANK ARNER (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
ROBERT BUNCH (ILTA)
FRANK ARNER (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
ROBERT BUNCH (ILTA)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST/STOLEN TROXLER DENSITY GAUGE
At approximately 1745 EDT the State of Florida was contacted by the Radiation Safety Officer for MC Squared, Inc. The RSO reported a probable stolen Troxler gauge. Model number 3411B Serial Number: 13563. The company vehicle was parked at a contractor's site at the intersection of Anderson and West Waters Avenue in Tampa, FL. The gauge and packaging were chained and locked to the bed of the truck and was also strapped down. When the technician came out around 1600 EDT he noticed it was missing. They were only parked in that area between 30 minutes to an hour and the lock is also missing. The Hillsboro County Sherriff's office was notified. A report was filed by the Hillsboro County Deputy, Report Number: 15-441038. When the report is completed it will be available to the State of Florida.
The Troxler gauge sources are 40 mCi of Am/Be, and 8 mCi of Cs-137.
State of Florida Incident Number: FL15-068.
The State of Florida is continuing to investigate this event.
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
At approximately 1745 EDT the State of Florida was contacted by the Radiation Safety Officer for MC Squared, Inc. The RSO reported a probable stolen Troxler gauge. Model number 3411B Serial Number: 13563. The company vehicle was parked at a contractor's site at the intersection of Anderson and West Waters Avenue in Tampa, FL. The gauge and packaging were chained and locked to the bed of the truck and was also strapped down. When the technician came out around 1600 EDT he noticed it was missing. They were only parked in that area between 30 minutes to an hour and the lock is also missing. The Hillsboro County Sherriff's office was notified. A report was filed by the Hillsboro County Deputy, Report Number: 15-441038. When the report is completed it will be available to the State of Florida.
The Troxler gauge sources are 40 mCi of Am/Be, and 8 mCi of Cs-137.
State of Florida Incident Number: FL15-068.
The State of Florida is continuing to investigate this event.
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor
Event Number: 51228
Facility: COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION
Region: 4 State: WA
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: ZACKARY DUNHAM
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Region: 4 State: WA
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: ZACKARY DUNHAM
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 07/14/2015
Notification Time: 05:37 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 23:39 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/25/2015
Notification Time: 05:37 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 23:39 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/25/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 64 | Power Operation | 64 | Power Operation |
SECONDARY CONTAINMENT PRESSURE INCREASE ABOVE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION LIMIT
"Reactor Building (Secondary Containment) pressure increased to above the Technical Specification Surveillance requirement of 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge for approximately 2 minutes during a planned surveillance test due to a subsequent failure of REA-FN-1A [Exhaust Fan] to manually start during restoration from the surveillance test. This event is reportable as an event that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radiation and mitigate the consequences of an accident.
"Prior to taking test data the surveillance test directs declaring Secondary Containment inoperable in anticipation of potentially exceeding 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge reactor building pressure during the conduct of the surveillance. Consequently Technical Specification LCO 3.6.4.1.A was entered with a 4 hour completion time to restore Secondary Containment to an operable state.
"Upon failure of REA-FN-1A to start immediate actions were taken to close reactor building ventilation dampers and secure ROA-FN-1A [Supply Fan]. Following closure of ventilation dampers and stopping ROA-FN-1A reactor building pressure was quickly restored to less than 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge with Standby Gas Treatment that was already in operation as part of the surveillance test.
"There were no radiological releases associated with the event.
"No safety system actuations or isolations occurred.
"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
Maximum Secondary Containment pressure noted was 0.1 inches positive water gage.
* * * RETRACTION AT 1351 EDT ON 8/25/2015 FROM MATT HUMMER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"Subsequent to the initial report, Columbia has since determined that per NUREG-1022 3.2.7 the event was not reportable as Secondary Containment was 'declared inoperable as a part of a planned evolution ... in accordance with an approved procedure and [Columbia's] TS [Technical Specifications].' No condition has been discovered that would have resulted in the system being declared inoperable prior to the surveillance.
"Therefore, this event is not considered to be a condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function or a condition prohibited by TS and is not reportable to the NRC as a Licensee Event Report (LEA) per 10 CFR 50.73.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector will be notified."
Notified the R4DO (Campbell).
"Reactor Building (Secondary Containment) pressure increased to above the Technical Specification Surveillance requirement of 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge for approximately 2 minutes during a planned surveillance test due to a subsequent failure of REA-FN-1A [Exhaust Fan] to manually start during restoration from the surveillance test. This event is reportable as an event that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radiation and mitigate the consequences of an accident.
"Prior to taking test data the surveillance test directs declaring Secondary Containment inoperable in anticipation of potentially exceeding 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge reactor building pressure during the conduct of the surveillance. Consequently Technical Specification LCO 3.6.4.1.A was entered with a 4 hour completion time to restore Secondary Containment to an operable state.
"Upon failure of REA-FN-1A to start immediate actions were taken to close reactor building ventilation dampers and secure ROA-FN-1A [Supply Fan]. Following closure of ventilation dampers and stopping ROA-FN-1A reactor building pressure was quickly restored to less than 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge with Standby Gas Treatment that was already in operation as part of the surveillance test.
"There were no radiological releases associated with the event.
"No safety system actuations or isolations occurred.
"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
Maximum Secondary Containment pressure noted was 0.1 inches positive water gage.
* * * RETRACTION AT 1351 EDT ON 8/25/2015 FROM MATT HUMMER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"Subsequent to the initial report, Columbia has since determined that per NUREG-1022 3.2.7 the event was not reportable as Secondary Containment was 'declared inoperable as a part of a planned evolution ... in accordance with an approved procedure and [Columbia's] TS [Technical Specifications].' No condition has been discovered that would have resulted in the system being declared inoperable prior to the surveillance.
"Therefore, this event is not considered to be a condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function or a condition prohibited by TS and is not reportable to the NRC as a Licensee Event Report (LEA) per 10 CFR 50.73.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector will be notified."
Notified the R4DO (Campbell).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 51223
Facility: VOGTLE
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL GRIFFIN
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL GRIFFIN
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 07/13/2015
Notification Time: 07:50 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 08:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/18/2015
Notification Time: 07:50 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 08:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/18/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
GERALD MCCOY (R2DO)
GERALD MCCOY (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 |
PRIMARY AND BACKUP METEOROLOGICAL TOWERS TO BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE FOR UPGRADE
"On July 13, 2015, planned activities will be performed to upgrade the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Meteorological Towers and its communication equipment. The emergency response data system will be affected. The work will be completed within approximately 5 days. This activity requires the meteorological tower to be out of service greater than 72 hours rendering equipment used for emergency assessment non-functional.
"The TSC and EOF remain functional during the outage. Compensatory measures exist within emergency plan implementing procedures to obtain meteorological tower data via Savannah River Site and with the National Weather Service. Meteorological information will be relayed via the emergency notification system to the NRC Operations Center.
"This event is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) for 'any event that results in a major loss of emergency assessment capability.' The Emergency Response Organization has been notified of the upgrade and necessary compensatory actions.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE FROM DANIEL MONAHON TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 2013 EDT ON 7/18/2015 * * *
Vogtle primary and backup Meteorological Towers have been returned to service and functionality of equipment has been restored.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified.
Notified R2DO (King).
"On July 13, 2015, planned activities will be performed to upgrade the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Meteorological Towers and its communication equipment. The emergency response data system will be affected. The work will be completed within approximately 5 days. This activity requires the meteorological tower to be out of service greater than 72 hours rendering equipment used for emergency assessment non-functional.
"The TSC and EOF remain functional during the outage. Compensatory measures exist within emergency plan implementing procedures to obtain meteorological tower data via Savannah River Site and with the National Weather Service. Meteorological information will be relayed via the emergency notification system to the NRC Operations Center.
"This event is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) for 'any event that results in a major loss of emergency assessment capability.' The Emergency Response Organization has been notified of the upgrade and necessary compensatory actions.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE FROM DANIEL MONAHON TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 2013 EDT ON 7/18/2015 * * *
Vogtle primary and backup Meteorological Towers have been returned to service and functionality of equipment has been restored.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified.
Notified R2DO (King).
Agreement State
Event Number: 51315
Rep Org: TENNESSEE DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: MURFREESBORO State: TN
County:
License #: NON LICENSE
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANDREW HOLCOMB
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: MURFREESBORO State: TN
County:
License #: NON LICENSE
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANDREW HOLCOMB
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 08/12/2015
Notification Time: 17:14 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 09:45 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2015
Notification Time: 17:14 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 09:45 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NDC GAUGE RECOVERED FROM LANDFILL
"On July 13, 2015, a load of residential waste set off the radiation alarm at Middlepoint Landfill, in Murfreesboro, TN. The load, originally thought to be personnel medical waste, was set aside to decay. [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff returned on July 16, 2015, with a Canberra Inspector 1000 [detector], for identification and to obtain a spectrum for analysis. After review, the material was determined to be Am-241. [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff returned to landfill on July 17, to search for item. Separated from residential waste, the item was found to be a NDC Model 100 series backscatter gauge, SN #11755. The activity on the label was 0.93 GBq (25 mCi). The gauge was transported to the [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division field office in a probe down position surrounded by lead bricks; this resulted in dose rate readings to nearest occupant at approximately background levels. The [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff monitored the gauge in route to the field office. Upon arrival, the gauge was surrounded by lead bricks and stored in an isolated area with a pre-arrival background level of 6 microR/hr dose rate. The post-arrival dose rate readings were 8 microR/hr.
"Under reciprocity, NDC Technologies personnel are scheduled to pack and remove the gauge on 8/13/2015, for return to the manufacturer."
Tennessee State Event Report ID NO: TN-15-102
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
"On July 13, 2015, a load of residential waste set off the radiation alarm at Middlepoint Landfill, in Murfreesboro, TN. The load, originally thought to be personnel medical waste, was set aside to decay. [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff returned on July 16, 2015, with a Canberra Inspector 1000 [detector], for identification and to obtain a spectrum for analysis. After review, the material was determined to be Am-241. [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff returned to landfill on July 17, to search for item. Separated from residential waste, the item was found to be a NDC Model 100 series backscatter gauge, SN #11755. The activity on the label was 0.93 GBq (25 mCi). The gauge was transported to the [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division field office in a probe down position surrounded by lead bricks; this resulted in dose rate readings to nearest occupant at approximately background levels. The [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff monitored the gauge in route to the field office. Upon arrival, the gauge was surrounded by lead bricks and stored in an isolated area with a pre-arrival background level of 6 microR/hr dose rate. The post-arrival dose rate readings were 8 microR/hr.
"Under reciprocity, NDC Technologies personnel are scheduled to pack and remove the gauge on 8/13/2015, for return to the manufacturer."
Tennessee State Event Report ID NO: TN-15-102
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf