Event Notification Report for August 1, 2011

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
07/29/2011 - 08/01/2011

** EVENT NUMBERS **

 
46934 47093 47095 47101 47107 47109 47110

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!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor Event Number: 46934
Facility: PRAIRIE ISLAND
Region: 3 State: MN
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP,[2] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: DOUG SMITH
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 06/07/2011
Notification Time: 17:43 [ET]
Event Date: 06/07/2011
Event Time: 13:49 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/29/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
Person (Organization):
JULIO LARA (R3DO)
 
Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N N 0 Hot Standby 0 Hot Standby

Event Text

BOTH EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATORS DECLARED INOPERABLE DUE TO EXCESS OUTSIDE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE

"Outside ambient air temperature exceeded the maximum analytical value for operability for Unit 1 D1 and D2 Diesel Generators at 1349 CDT. The calculated limiting outside air temperature needed for equipment in the D1 and D2 rooms to meet their temperature limits is 100.5?F. Outside ambient temperature exceeded this limiting value and both Unit 1 safeguards diesel generators were declared inoperable at 1349 CDT on 6/7/2011. If outside ambient air temperature is above the maximum analytical value, components within the D1 and D2 diesel rooms may not be able to perform their required functions thus preventing them from fulfilling their safety function needed to mitigate the consequences of an accident (10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(v)(D)).

"Unit 1 is currently in Mode 3, Hot Standby. Ambient outside air temperatures are at or near peak values for the day and expected to decrease approximately 1 to 2 degrees per hour which will restore ambient conditions to less than the maximum analytical value.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

The outside air temperature has peaked at 101.4?F which is unusually high for this location and is expected to drop below the 100.5?F limit shortly. The licensee does not anticipate that this condition will be repeated again any time soon.

* * * RETRACTION FROM STEVE INGALLS TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1108 EDT ON 7/29/11 * * *

"An eight hour report (EN #46934) per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) was made on June 7, 2011 for outside ambient air temperature exceeding the maximum analytical value for operability for Unit 1 D1 and D2 Diesel Generators.

"Subsequent engineering analysis determined that D1 & D2 diesel generators would have performed their safety function with outside air temperatures of up to 102.5 degrees F. The outside air temperature did not reach 102.5 degrees F and the diesel generators were not inoperable.

"The 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) report, EN #46934, is retracted.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Notified R3DO (Giessner).

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Agreement State Event Number: 47093
Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL
Region: 1
City: PHILADELPHIA State: PA
County:
License #: PA-0131
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID ALLARD
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 07/25/2011
Notification Time: 14:05 [ET]
Event Date: 07/21/2011
Event Time: 12:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/25/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
PAMELA HENDERSON (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MEDICAL EVENT INVOLVING EXPOSURE LESS THAN PRESCRIBED


The following information was received from the State of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Radiation Protection via e-mail:

"Event Type: A medical event (ME) where the patient was being treated via [Yttrium - 90] TheraSphere for disease of the liver and received 64% of the intended dose, which is reportable under 10CFR35.3045.

"Notifications: On July 22, 2011, at 1541 [EDT] the department's [PA Bureau of Radiation Protection] Southeast Regional Office received notification via email about a ME that was identified during a routine internal audit.

"Event Description: As noted, the event was identified on July 21, 2011, during a routine internal audit by U Penn. The patient was being treated for disease of the liver and received 64% of the intended dose. No harm to the patient is expected. The treating physician notified the patient. No more information is available at this time.

"Cause of the Event: The cause of the event is currently under investigation by the licensee.

"Actions: The licensee will be submitting a written report within 15 days. The department [PA Bureau of Radiation Protection] plans to do a reactive inspection."

The actual event date is unknown based on the state's report.

PA Event Report: PA110019

A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.

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Agreement State Event Number: 47095
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: COASTAL TESTING LABORATORIES, INC
Region: 4
City: PASADENA State: TX
County:
License #: 01945
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 07/26/2011
Notification Time: 16:44 [ET]
Event Date: 07/26/2011
Event Time: 12:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/26/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
DUNCAN WHITE (FSME)
MEXICO via fax/email ()
 
This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING A STOLEN HUMBOLDT NUCLEAR GAUGE

The following report was received from the State of Texas via email:

"On July 26, 2011, the Agency was notified by the licensee that a Humboldt model 5001 EZ moisture/density gauge serial number 3567 was stolen out of one of their trucks in Houston, Texas. The gauge contains a 40 milliCurie Americium-241 source and a 10 milliCurie Cesium-137 source. The gauge was locked in the back of a pickup parked at a training center where the user was attending safety training. When the user returned to the truck, he found the lock and chain securing the gauge had been cut and the transport case with the gauge was missing. The user contacted his employer who then contacted local law enforcement who responded to the scene. The licensee's Radiation Safety Officer also responded to the scene. The licensee believes that the gauge operating trigger was locked, but could not state that with all certainty. Additional information will be provided as it is received."

Texas Incident No.: I-8875

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

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Agreement State Event Number: 47101
Rep Org: ALABAMA RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: BUILDING AND EARTH SCIENCES
Region: 1
City: AUBURN State: AL
County:
License #: 1266
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID TURBERVILLE
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 07/27/2011
Notification Time: 12:27 [ET]
Event Date: 07/19/2011
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/27/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
PAMELA HENDERSON (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
ILTAB VIA E-MAIL ()
 
This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE

The following report was received from the Alabama Department of Public Health via facsimile:

"On July 19, 2011, [the] Radiation Safety Officer for Building and Earth Sciences of Birmingham, Alabama notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control that their 2004 Toyota Tacoma truck with a Troxler model 3430 moisture density gauge was stolen at the Kroger's Grocery Store parking lot at 300 North Dean Road in Auburn, Alabama. Building and Earth Sciences is authorized to possess and use radioactive material under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 1266. The Auburn Police Department was advised of the incident. The stolen gauge was identified as a Troxler model 3430, serial number 22300, with 0.3 gigabecquerels of Cs-137 and 1.48 gigabecquerels of Am-241:Be. [The RSO] indicated that the gauge transport case was properly secured within the bed of the pickup.

"As of July, 27, 2011, 11:00 AM CDT, the truck and the device containing radioactive material remain missing. This is all the information that this Agency [Alabama DPH] has at this time."

Alabama Event 11-28

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

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Power Reactor Event Number: 47107
Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: JOHN CLARK
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA
Notification Date: 07/29/2011
Notification Time: 01:02 [ET]
Event Date: 07/28/2011
Event Time: 21:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/29/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
PAMELA HENDERSON (R1DO)
 
Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 53 Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO FISH KILL EVENT

"At 2115 on 7/28/2011, Oyster Creek experienced a fish kill of greater than 100 fish caused by a loss of the thermal dilution plant power. The loss of thermal dilution plant power was based on a faulted breaker in the Oyster Creek/JCP&L substation.

"The reported failure was a relay failure inside a 34.5KV substation breaker. Oyster Creek is holding at 53% power until thermal dilution is restored for environmental limitations."

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has been notified. The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 47109
Facility: MCGUIRE
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DARRYL BLACKWELDER
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Notification Date: 07/29/2011
Notification Time: 17:35 [ET]
Event Date: 07/29/2011
Event Time: 16:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/29/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
ALAN BLAMEY (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

Event Text

NOTIFICATION OF NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES DUE TO STRIPED BASS MORTALITY

"Duke Energy Scientific Services group notified the NC [North Carolina] Wildlife Resources Commission that we (Duke Energy) had identified some striper fish mortalities in and around Cowan's Ford Dam on Lake Norman. We also notified North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources in Mooresville, N.C. about the Striper mortalities.

"[Duke Energy personnel] collected 49 stripers in various stages of decay today (Friday, 7-29-2011). The fish collected were around the Cowan's Ford Dam and up to 1 mile North of Darn on Lake Norman.

"The Duke Energy Scientific Services group representative also notified the NC Wildlife Resources Commission that the McGuire Nuclear Station had been operating their Low Level Intake [LLI] Pumps to support compliance with our NPDES Permit average monthly temperature limit of 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

"July has been unusually hot and plant management has felt the need to run the LLI approximately 5 days to achieve compliance with our temperature limit. The LLI Pumps were secured July 25th at 2015. During the operation of the LLI pumps, Duke Energy's Scientific Services group was monitoring water quality and fish in the lake via the following activities.

"1) Around-the-clock monitoring of fish behavior in the immediate vicinity of the LLI via a Didson Camera. The Didson Camera sits atop the LLI (25 meters deep) and records hourly video of areas both above the LLI and in front of the LLI. These videos are monitored remotely by [personnel] throughout the day and night.

"2) Periodic water quality monitoring including dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles at every meter to the bottom of the lake. These profiles occur in the fore bay and at multiple locations up the lake channel.

"3) Surveys for dead striped bass by boat up the major tributaries of the lake. Lengths, weights and condition of both dead and dying stripers are recorded before disposing of them.

"4) Hourly MNS discharge temperature monitoring.

"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."

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Power Reactor Event Number: 47110
Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: KENNY HUNTER
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA
Notification Date: 07/30/2011
Notification Time: 11:05 [ET]
Event Date: 07/30/2011
Event Time: 10:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/30/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
ALAN BLAMEY (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 99 Power Operation 99 Power Operation

Event Text

TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER HVAC OUT OF SERVICE

"Due to unsatisfactory performance of TSC HVAC operation, the system is removed from service for corrective maintenance under Operating Permit 1ÀOP-11-1X75-00211.

"The TSC HVAC is considered non-functional during the performance of this corrective work activity. If an emergency condition occurs during the time these work activities are being performed, which requires activation of the TSC, the contingency plan calls for utilization of the TSC, as long as radiological conditions allow for habitability of the facility. Procedure 73EP-EIP-063-0, Technical Support Center Activation, provides instructions to direct TSC management to the Control Room and TSC support personnel to the Simulator Building to continue TSC activities if it is necessary to relocate from the primary TSC so that TSC functions can be continued.

"This event is reportable per 10CFR50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) as described in NUREG-1022, Rev. 1 since this activity affects the functionality of the TSC emergency response facility for the duration of the evolution."

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.

* * * UPDATE FROM FRANK GORLEY TO PETE SNYDER AT 2041 EDT ON 7/31/11 * * *

The TSC HVAC system is back in service as of 1700 EDT on 7/31/11 following compressor replacement.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R2DO (Blamey).

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