Alert

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the NRC has ceased normal operations. However, excepted and exempted activities necessary to maintain critical health and safety functions—as well as essential progress on designated critical activities, including those specified in Executive Order 14300—will continue, consistent with the OMB-Approved NRC Lapse Plan.

Event Notification Report for February 26, 2004

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
02/25/2004 - 02/26/2004

** EVENT NUMBERS **

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor	Event Number: 40475
Facility: SEQUOYAH Region: 2 State: TN Unit: [ ] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: HERBERT EADES HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA	Notification Date: 01/25/2004 Notification Time: 10:10 [ET] Event Date: 01/25/2004 Event Time: 03:16 [EST] Last Update Date: 02/25/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION	Person (Organization): CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
2	N	Y	0	Startup	0	Startup

Event Text

UNPLANNED AUTO START OF TURBINE DRIVEN AUXILIARY FEEDWATER PUMP

"At 0316, EST, on 25 January 2004, the Unit 2 turbine driven auxiliary feedwater pump (TDAFWP) was automatically started upon receipt of a valid start signal. The start of the pump was unplanned. At the time, the Unit 2 reactor was critical at [approximately] 0.001 % power as indicated on the Intermediate Range Nuclear Instruments (Unit 2 is emerging from a forced outage following main generator repairs). The steam generators were being supplied water by the motor-driven auxiliary feedwater pumps.

"Shift operators were in the process of aligning the Unit 2 condensate system for cleanup and closed both (out of service) main feedwater pumps' suction isolation valves, as required by the procedure. Closure of a main feedwater pump's suction valve generates a main feedwater pump trip signal. Trip of both main feedwater pumps generates an automatic auxiliary feedwater system start signal.

"The start of the TDAFWP had no adverse effect on the unit. Operators reset one of the main feedwater pumps and secured the TDAFWP."

The Licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

*****RETRACTION ON 2/25/04 AT 1215 EST FROM JONES TO LAURA*****

"Background: On January 25, 2004, Unit 2 was being returned to operation following a maintenance outage. Unit 2 was critical (Mode 2) with auxiliary feedwater pumps 2A and 2B in service and both MFW pumps trip buses energized. Operations continued to align the condensate system, on long cycle for clean-up. This alignment requires the closure of the main feedwater pumps suction valves. The main feedwater pumps had already been aligned for service with the trip buses energized. The plant design results in an automatic start of the auxiliary feedwater pumps when both MFW pumps trip buses trip. On January 25, 2004 at approximately 0316 hours, the Unit-2 TDAFW pump automatically started when an operator inappropriately closed the suction valves to both MFW pumps. The closure of the pumps suction valves initiated an invalid AFW pump start signal, resulting in the start of the TDAFW pump and the steam generator level control valves went to automatic. The two motor driven AFW pumps received a start signal though they were already in service for plant startup. This actuation was not the result of actual plant conditions or parameters (there was no feedwater flow through the MFW pumps); rather it was the result of an inappropriate action in closure of the MFW pumps suction valves with both MFW pumps trip buses energized.

"This event was originally reported on January 25, 2004 as a valid auxiliary feedwater system start signal. Further review has determined the signal to be invalid as described above.

"REPORT:

"This event was originally reported on January 25, 2004 as a valid auxiliary feedwater system start signal. Further review has determined the signal to be invalid as described above. The following information is provided in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A):

"1. Both the Unit 2 Train A and B motor-driven auxiliary feedwater pumps were running, the turbine driven auxiliary feedwater pump started and the steam generator level control valves went to automatic.

"2. Complete train actuation occurred.

"3. The turbine-driven auxiliary feedwater pump start and the steam generator level control valves going to automatic were successful."

Notified the R2DO (OGLE). The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

General Information or Other	Event Number: 40532
Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH Licensee: SOIL TESTING AND ENGINEERING, INC Region: 4 City: COLORADO SPRINGS State: CO County: License #: 61201 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: TOM PENTECOST HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 02/20/2004 Notification Time: 10:41 [ET] Event Date: 02/19/2004 Event Time: 15:50 [MST] Last Update Date: 02/20/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): JACK WHITTEN (R4) JOHN HICKEY (NMSS) TOM ANDREWS (R4)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT CONCERNING STOLEN GAUGE

"At 3:50 PM [MST] on 19 Feb 04 - The Department received telephone notification of a stolen gauge by Larry W. Chisman, the RSO for Soil Testing and Engineering Inc.

"The theft occurred between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM [MST] on 19 Feb 04 in a parking lot at 314 W. Bijou, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The gauge was locked within its orange transport case which was locked within a Suburban. The windows were reported to be intact and it is unknown how entry to the vehicle was gained.

"The stolen gauge is a CPN Model MC-2, serial number M21084026. The gauge contains 10 milliCi of Cs-137 and 50 milliCi of Am-241:Be. The incident was reported to local police on the day of the theft."

General Information or Other	Event Number: 40542
Rep Org: WISCONSIN RADIATION PROTECTION Licensee: JOSEPH M. KEYZERS Region: 3 City: WISCONSIN RAPIDS State: WI County: License #: 97-1136-01 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JASON HUNT HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS	Notification Date: 02/23/2004 Notification Time: 17:23 [ET] Event Date: 02/19/2004 Event Time: 23:45 [CST] Last Update Date: 02/23/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): MONTE PHILLIPS (R3) TOM ESSIG (NMSS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT

"The Wisconsin Radiation Protection Section was notified of a fire involving radioactive materials on February 19, 2004 at 23:45. The item was a NDC Model 104P Portable Mass Gauge containing 25 millicuries of Am-241.

"Members from the Wisconsin Radiation Protection Section responded to the location of the fire in Wisconsin Rapids on Friday, February 20, 2004. Wisconsin Rapids Police Department controlled access to the scene and allowed no one to enter until personnel arrived from the Radiation Protection Section.

"A survey was performed at the location using sodium iodide detectors. The gauge was located under 3 to 4 inches of fire debris. The gauge was emitting 30 millirem/hour on contact with the source opening. Wipe test of the gauge and surveys of the surrounding area confirmed the source was intact. The gauge was damaged severely by the fire.

"Initial investigation into the fire by the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department indicated that the fire was set by two to three individuals to cover up an apparent robbery at the residence. These individuals have been apprehended.

"The licensee used the gauge at temporary job sites in Wisconsin to measure drainage profiles on paper lines at paper mills."

Power Reactor	Event Number: 40545
Facility: SALEM Region: 1 State: NJ Unit: [1] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: Steve Sauer HQ OPS Officer: RICH LAURA	Notification Date: 02/25/2004 Notification Time: 14:05 [ET] Event Date: 02/25/2004 Event Time: 11:15 [EST] Last Update Date: 02/25/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION	Person (Organization): MOHAMED SHANBAKY (R1)

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	99	Power Operation	99	Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION TO NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

"Made 2 hour notification to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection of a New Jersey pollutant discharge elimination system permit violation. The limit for petroleum hydrocarbons is a daily average of 10 ppm over a month period. Current projected amount is 40 ppm."

The sample is taken at the oil water separator outfall for liquid going to the storm drains.

The NRC Inspector was notified.

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