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 July 28, 2008

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
07/27/2008 - 07/28/2008

** EVENT NUMBERS **

44361

44367

44370

General Information or Other	Event Number: 44361
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM Licensee: HARRINGTON GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING INC Region: 4 City: ORANGE State: CA County: License #: 5657-30 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: BARBARA HAMRICK HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 07/23/2008 Notification Time: 16:32 [ET] Event Date: 07/23/2008 Event Time: 10:35 [PDT] Last Update Date: 07/23/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): RICHARD DEESE (R4) DENNIS RATHBUN (FSME) ILTAB VIA E-MAIL () MEXICO VIA FAX ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN DENSITY GAUGE

The following information was provided by the State via e-mail:

"On July 23, 2008, at approximately 10:35 a.m., [the] RSO for Harrington Geotechnical Engineering, Inc., notified RHB about a nuclear gauge (CPN model MC-3 S/N M35116478, 10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241) that had been stolen at a residence (in Westminster, CA 92683, located near the intersection of Magnolia St. and McFadden Ave.) sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Due to an urgent personal need, the operator left the truck outside the residence, with the gauge locked to the bed of the truck by a cable. The cable was cut by the perpetrator to remove the transport case containing the gauge. The Westminster Police Department was notified and a police report was generated (report number 08-06699). The RSO stated that the residence of the operator was in an area that had some gang activity. The RSO was informed of the requirement for a written report within 30-days. The RSO stated that he would place an ad in the newspaper and to offer a reward for the gauge. RHB will investigate this incident.

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.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44367
Facility: BROWNS FERRY Region: 2 State: AL Unit: [1] [2] [3] RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4 NRC Notified By: RICKY GIVENS HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 07/27/2008 Notification Time: 08:30 [ET] Event Date: 07/27/2008 Event Time: 03:40 [CDT] Last Update Date: 07/27/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION	Person (Organization): MARK LESSER (R2)

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
3	N	Y	100	Power Operation	100	Power Operation

Event Text

CABLE TRAY FIRE NEAR COOLING TOWER "C" SWITCHGEAR

"Security notified Limestone County Sheriffs dispatch at 0340 CDT that Browns Ferry had experienced a fire and arc-over event at the area of cooling tower switchgear 'C'.

"At about 0225 CDT a fault occurred in the cable tray between the 161 kV supply transformer and the 4 kV cooling tower 'C' switchgear resulting in clearing of the 161 kV line and a subsequent fire. The fire was extinguished at 0236 CDT by on-site responders. At 0340 CDT, Limestone County Sheriff department was contacted by site security and informed of the event and asked to increase patrols in the area of the county road adjacent to Browns Ferry. It was known that the event was likely due to operational issues and not sabotage but the final determination had not been made at that time. Limestone County Sheriff was contacted again at 0520 CDT and informed that the problem was operational and that their assistance is not required.

"There are no safety related plant equipment reportability issues resulting from this event. The reportability is solely due to notification of an outside agency.

"This condition is reportable within 4 hours according to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi). 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 radioactive contaminated materials."

Licensee has notified NRC Resident Inspector.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44370
Facility: PRAIRIE ISLAND Region: 3 State: MN Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-2-LP,[2] W-2-LP NRC Notified By: JERRY GOSMAN HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN	Notification Date: 07/28/2008 Notification Time: 13:32 [ET] Event Date: 07/28/2008 Event Time: 08:50 [CDT] Last Update Date: 07/28/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION	Person (Organization): PATTY PELKE (R3)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	N	Y	100	Power Operation	100	Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO A SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE SPILL

"At approximately 0850 [CDT] on July 28, 2008 Xcel Energy notified the State of Minnesota's Duty Officer of a 53 gallon 12% Sodium Hypochlorite spill at the Prairie Island plant. The spill was due to a leak in the chemical piping. The release was stopped but only partially contained within the berms of the building. Some of the Sodium Hypochlorite seeped through the berms concrete walls and into the environment. The amount escaping the containment berm was less than the reportable quantity but was being reported since a portion did reach the soil."

The licensee informed both the State and the NRC Resident Inspector.

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