Event Notification Report for August 26, 1999

                    U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
                              Operations Center

                              Event Reports For
                           08/25/1999 - 08/26/1999

                              ** EVENT NUMBERS **

35970  35984  36068  36069  36070  36072  36073  

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Other Nuclear Material                           |Event Number:   35970       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  JL SHEPHERD & ASSOCIATES             |NOTIFICATION DATE: 07/28/1999|
|LICENSEE:  JL SHEPHERD & ASSOCIATES             |NOTIFICATION TIME: 19:17[EDT]|
|    CITY:  SAN FERNANDO             REGION:  4  |EVENT DATE:        07/26/1999|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  CA |EVENT TIME:        00:00[PDT]|
|LICENSE#:                        AGREEMENT:  Y  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/25/1999|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |BILL JONES           R4      |
|                                                |VERN HODGES, FAX     NRR     |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  J.L. SHEPHARD                |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  JOHN MacKINNON               |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|CDEG 21.21(c)(3)(i)      DEFECTS/NONCOMPLIANCE  |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| PACKAGE APPEARED NOT TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DESIGN             |
| CERTIFICATE.                                                                 |
|                                                                              |
| J.L. SHEPHERD AND ASSOCIATES HAS A USNRC APPROVED QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM  |
| FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PACKAGES, NUMBER 0122, REVISION 5, EXPIRATION DATE  |
| 01/31/2001.   J. L. SHEPHERD & ASSOCIATES  RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF          |
| NONCOMPLIANCE OF ONE OF THEIR PACKAGES FROM THE ATOMIC ENERGY CONTROL BOARD  |
| (AECB), OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA BY LETTER ON JULY 26, 1999.                  |
|                                                                              |
| J. L. SHEPHERD & ASSOCIATES IMMEDIATELY REMOVED ALL THESE TYPES OF PACKAGES  |
| FROM SERVICE ON JULY 27, 1999 AND WILL NOT USE THEM FOR TRANSPORTATION OF    |
| RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL UNTIL THE QUESTION OF NONCOMPLIANCE HAS BEEN RESOLVED.  |
|                                                                              |
| A WRITTEN REPORT ON THE NONCOMPLIANCE WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE USNRC WITHIN  |
| 30 DAYS OF THIS NOTIFICATION.                                                |
|                                                                              |
| * * * UPDATE AT 2300 EDT ON 8/25/99 BY MARY SHEPHERD TO FANGIE JONES * * *   |
|                                                                              |
| A faxed update with additional information was received by the Operations    |
| Center which includes copies of certificates for the packages described.     |
| These  packages are still removed from service, until the non-compliance     |
| issues are resolved.                                                         |
|                                                                              |
| The HOO notified the R4DO (Phil Harrell) and NMSS (Kevin Ramsey).            |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

!!!!!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED  !!!!!!!
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   35984       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: COMANCHE PEAK            REGION:  4  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/02/1999|
|    UNIT:  [1] [2] []                STATE:  TX |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:21[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP                |EVENT DATE:        08/02/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        15:53[CDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  SEWEEL                       |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/25/1999|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  CHAUNCEY GOULD               +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |TOM STETKA           R4      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|AOUT 50.72(b)(1)(ii)(B)  OUTSIDE DESIGN BASIS   |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE   |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|2     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| PLATFORM GRATING CLAMPS(FASTENERS) APPEAR NOT TO BE SEISMICALLY QUALIFIED.   |
|                                                                              |
| THE LICENSEE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PLATFORM GRATING CLAMPS DO NOT APPEAR   |
| TO HAVE BEEN QUALIFIED FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF A SEISMIC CATEGORY 1          |
| COMPONENT WHEN LOADED.  WITH THE GRATINGS UNLOADED, HOWEVER, THIS CONDITION  |
| DOES NOT AFFECT THE ABILITY OF SAFETY RELATED SYSTEMS TO PERFORM THERE       |
| INTENDED FUNCTIONS DURING A DESIGN BASIS EARTHQUAKE.   ENGINEERING IS        |
| CONTINUING TO EVALUATE THIS CONDITION.                                       |
|                                                                              |
| THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR WILL BE NOTIFIED                                      |
|                                                                              |
| * * * RETRACTED AT 2221 EDT ON 8/25/99 BY TIM CLOUSER TO FANGIE JONES * * *  |
|                                                                              |
| "After further review of the condition (event # 35984) reported on August    |
| 2,1999, TXU did not identify any deviation from the design basis             |
| requirements of the plant as defined in 10CFR50.2.  Although the basic       |
| premise of the conservative reporting of this issue was that a "test         |
| failed", it was later noted that the newly tested configuration was not the  |
| as built configuration.  Specifically, the new test configuration used an    |
| EPI clamp versus                                                             |
| the friction clamps actually installed in the field.  In addition, plant     |
| drawings and procedures already prohibited live loads in the areas that were |
| deemed susceptible to the conditions identified in the initial corrective    |
| action document.  Therefore, the platforms still maintained their ability to |
| perform their specified safety functions, are not a condition outside of the |
| design basis, and not reportable under 10CFR50.72/73.  Accordingly, this     |
| report is hereby retracted."                                                 |
|                                                                              |
| The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and the R4DO (Phil Harrell) |
| was informed by the HOO.                                                     |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   36068       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: VERMONT YANKEE           REGION:  1  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/25/1999|
|    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  VT |NOTIFICATION TIME: 04:29[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] GE-4                             |EVENT DATE:        08/25/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        01:48[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  DENNIS MAY                   |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/25/1999|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  LEIGH TROCINE                +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |KATHLEEN MODES       R1      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|AESF 50.72(b)(2)(ii)     ESF ACTUATION          |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE   |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|                                                   |                          |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| UNEXPECTED HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION SYSTEM SUCTION SWAPOVER DURING    |
| ROUTINE EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR TESTING                                   |
|                                                                              |
| While using the "Diesel Generator Undervoltage Test Auto Start Switch" to    |
| start the 'B' emergency diesel generator as part of a routine surveillance   |
| test, an unexpected high pressure coolant injection system suction swapover  |
| occurred, and three valves actuated to swap the suction from the condensate  |
| storage tank (normal) to the torus.  Apparently, a low spike was received on |
| both the DC1 system and condensate storage tank level when the "Diesel       |
| Generator Undervoltage Test Auto Start Switch" was operated.  After the      |
| condensate storage tank and torus levels were verified to be normal, the     |
| licensee swapped the high pressure coolant injection suction back to its     |
| normal lineup.  The licensee is currently investigating the cause of this    |
| transient.                                                                   |
|                                                                              |
| The 'B' emergency diesel generator started as expected.                      |
|                                                                              |
| The licensee plans to notify the NRC resident inspector and the State of     |
| Vermont.                                                                     |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Other Nuclear Material                           |Event Number:   36069       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  AUGUSTANA COLLEGE                    |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/25/1999|
|LICENSEE:  AUGUSTANA COLLEGE                    |NOTIFICATION TIME: 10:27[EDT]|
|    CITY:  Sioux Falls              REGION:  4  |EVENT DATE:        08/24/1999|
|  COUNTY:  Minnehaha                 STATE:  SD |EVENT TIME:        17:00[MDT]|
|LICENSE#:  40-06921-03           AGREEMENT:  N  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/25/1999|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |PHIL HARRELL         R4      |
|                                                |FRANK CONGEL         IRO     |
+------------------------------------------------+JOHN HICKEY          NMSS    |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  MIKE WANOUS                  |AARON DANIS, NMSS    IAT     |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  LEIGH TROCINE                |D. CHAMBERLAN, REG4  IAT     |
+------------------------------------------------+R. WARREN, NMSS      IAT     |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|PAAB 74.11(a)            LOST/STOLEN SNM        |                             |
|BAB2 20.2201(a)(1)(ii)   LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X    |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| LOSS OF A SMALL DISC CONTAINING 0.023 �Ci OF PLUTONIUM - 238 AND 239         |
|                                                                              |
| After completing an inventory at 1700 MDT on 08/24/99, the licensee          |
| discovered the loss of a disc containing 0.023 �Ci of plutonium-238 and 239  |
| in a one-to-one ratio (electroplated on hastelloy-B planchet).  The missing  |
| disc was one of twelve that was used for physics classroom demonstrations.   |
| It was about the size of a quarter, and it was stored inside a plastic case  |
| about the size of a �-inch thick credit card.                                |
|                                                                              |
| The loss of the disc was discovered during the first inventory conducted by  |
| a new radiation safety officer, and it is not known when the last accurate   |
| inventory was conducted.  The licensee searched for the missing disc and     |
| talked with appropriate individuals.  At this time, the licensee believes    |
| that the disc was lost and not stolen.                                       |
|                                                                              |
| The licensee plans to generate a written 30-day report.                      |
|                                                                              |
| (Call the NRC operations officer for a site contact telephone number.)       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   36070       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: HOPE CREEK               REGION:  1  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/25/1999|
|    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  NJ |NOTIFICATION TIME: 13:20[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] GE-4                             |EVENT DATE:        08/25/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        07:30[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  MARK SCHAFFER                |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/25/1999|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  FANGIE JONES                 +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |KATHLEEN MODES       R1      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|HFIT 26.73               FITNESS FOR DUTY       |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE   |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|                                                   |                          |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FITNESS-FOR-DUTY REPORT                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| A  LICENSEE SUPERVISOR WAS DETERMINED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE DURING A     |
| FOR-CAUSE FITNESS-FOR-DUTY TEST.  THE INDIVIDUAL'S PLANT ACCESS              |
| AUTHORIZATION WAS TERMINATED.  THE INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN REFERRED TO THE       |
| LICENSEE FITNESS-FOR-DUTY PROGRAM.  CONTACT THE NRC OPERATIONS OFFICER FOR   |
| ADDITIONAL DETAILS.                                                          |
|                                                                              |
| THE LICENSEE WILL INFORM THE NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR.                         |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Other Nuclear Material                           |Event Number:   36072       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  US ARMY (ACALA)                      |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/25/1999|
|LICENSEE:  US ARMY (ACALA)                      |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:22[EDT]|
|    CITY:  ROCK ISLAND              REGION:  3  |EVENT DATE:        08/20/1999|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  IL |EVENT TIME:             [CDT]|
|LICENSE#:  12-00722-06           AGREEMENT:  Y  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/25/1999|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |MELVYN LEACH         R3      |
|                                                |PHIL HARRELL         R4      |
+------------------------------------------------+JOSEPHINE PICCONE    NMSS    |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  JEFF HAVENNER                |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  STEVE SANDIN                 |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|BAB1 20.2201(a)(1)(i)    LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X  |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| CHEMICAL AGENT DETECTOR CELL MODULE DISCOVERED MISSING DURING INVENTORY      |
|                                                                              |
| AN M43A1 CHEMICAL AGENT DETECTOR CELL MODULE CONTAINING 250 MICROCURIES OF   |
| AMERICIUM-241 WAS DISCOVERED MISSING DURING AN INVENTORY CHECK COMPLETED IN  |
| AUGUST 1999 BY THE 63RD REGIONAL SUPPORT COMMAND LOCATED AT LOS ALAMITOS,    |
| CALIFORNIA.  THE LAST ACTIVITY RECORDED FOR THIS PARTICULAR UNIT WAS AT FT.  |
| McCOY, WISCONSIN IN 1989.   NO SEARCH FOR THE MISSING SOURCE IS PLANNED AT   |
| THIS TIME SINCE THIS PARTICULAR UNIT MAY HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED AND USED IN   |
| DESERT STORM.                                                                |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|General Information or Other                     |Event Number:   36073       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  CD TECHNOLOGIES                      |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/25/1999|
|LICENSEE:  CD TECHNOLOGIES                      |NOTIFICATION TIME: 18:00[EDT]|
|    CITY:  CONSHOHOCKEN             REGION:  1  |EVENT DATE:        08/25/1999|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  PA |EVENT TIME:             [EDT]|
|LICENSE#:                        AGREEMENT:  N  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/25/1999|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |KATHLEEN MODES       R1      |
|                                                |PHIL HARRELL         R4      |
+------------------------------------------------+RICHARD WESSMAN      NRR     |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  TERRY KINDEN                 |VERN HODGE (FAX)     NRR     |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  FANGIE JONES                 |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|CCCC 21.21               UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH  |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 10CFR PART 21 REPORT DUE TO SAFETY RELATED LEAD ACID BATTERY CELL            |
| NONCONFORMANCE                                                               |
|                                                                              |
| A nonconformance within LCR-25 safety related lead acid battery cells        |
| manufactured by C&D for Nebraska Public Power District's (NPPD's) Cooper     |
| Nuclear facility has been discovered.  The cells were purchased by NPPD and  |
| they reported to C&D that they have seen growth in the positive plates       |
| within some cells and at least one cell was removed when a short developed.  |
| Analysis of the cells has been completed by C&D, in conjunction with NPPD    |
| personnel, showing nonconforming levels of calcium within the positive grid  |
| alloy.                                                                       |
|                                                                              |
| To the best of C&D's knowledge, no other utility has been effected by this   |
| nonconformance besides NPPD.                                                 |
|                                                                              |
| A final evaluation will be delivered to the NRC and to effected utilities    |
| within 30 days.                                                              |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+


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