U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 06/18/2004 - 06/21/2004 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** | Power Reactor | Event Number: 40827 | Facility: VERMONT YANKEE Region: 1 State: VT Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-4 NRC Notified By: BRIAN PICHETTE HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 06/18/2004 Notification Time: 07:48 [ET] Event Date: 06/18/2004 Event Time: 06:50 [EDT] Last Update Date: 06/18/2004 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT 10 CFR Section: 50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED | Person (Organization): ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1) TERRY REIS (NRR) CALDWELL (FEMA) JANNIE EVERETTE (DHS) DICK WESSMAN (DIRO) SUE GAGNER (PAO) | Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | 1 | A/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO A MAIN TRANSFORMER FIRE LASTING FIRE LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES. Main transformer fire caused a load rejection/automatic reactor scram. All rods fully inserted into the core. Offsite power is being supplied through their startup transformers. Offsite fire department, Vernon, responded with three fire trucks and one ambulance. Main transformer fire was extinguished at 0751 EDT. Their were no personnel injuries. All emergency core cooling systems and their emergency diesel generators are fully operable if needed. Reactor vessel water level is being maintained at its proper level via the condensate and feedwater system. Both recirculation pumps tripped. Licensee is looking into the reason why the recirculation pumps tripped. Their was no release of radioactivity from the plant. Licensee notified the states of New Hampshire, Vermont , Massachusetts and local surrounding counties of the declaration of an unusual event. The NRC Resident Inspector was on scene when the event occurred. * * * UPDATE FROM LAURIE TKACZYK TO JEFF ROTTON AT 1301 HRS. EDT ON 06/18/04 * * * At 1245 hrs. EDT, the Licensee terminated the Unusual Event. The basis for the termination was that the fire is out, a reflash watch is established and the plant is stable. The hydrogen in the generator is depressurized and the plant is currently purging the generator with carbon dioxide. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The Headquarters Operations Officer has notified R1DO (Dimitriadis), NRR EO (Reis), FEMA, DHS, DIRO (Wessman), HQPAO (Gagner), DIRO (Andrews), R1 (Blough and Wiggins). | Power Reactor | Event Number: 40828 | Facility: BROWNS FERRY Region: 2 State: AL Unit: [ ] [ ] [3] RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4 NRC Notified By: JOE BENNETT HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HIXON | Notification Date: 06/18/2004 Notification Time: 16:31 [ET] Event Date: 06/18/2004 Event Time: 12:04 [CDT] Last Update Date: 06/18/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION | Person (Organization): PAUL FREDRICKSON (R2) HERB BERKOW (NRR) TOM ANDREWS (IRO) RICHARD WESSMAN (IRO) MICHAEL WEBER (NSIR) KENNETH CLARK (R2) | Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION - EMPLOYEE FATALITY The following information was obtained by the Licensee via facsimile: "A TVA employee at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant was transported by ambulance to Athens-Limestone hospital, where he was later pronounced dead after becoming ill at work on Friday, June 18, 2004. The employee was part of a team of engineers inspecting a motor control unit inside the Unit 3 Reactor Building when he complained of shortness of breath. Emergency medical personnel in Browns Ferry's Fire Operations organization were called to respond and transferred the employee to the Athens-Limestone hospital ambulance service, which took him to the hospital in Athens. The engineering team was taking photographs and thermal images of the motor control unit while it was in operation. The medical emergency was not related to the operation of Unit 3 reactor. "This event is being reported pursuant to 10CFR 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. Such an event may include an onsite fatality or inadvertent release of radioactively contaminated materials'." The employee was not contaminated. The Licensee has notified OSHA. The Licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |