| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
12/19/2011 - 12/20/2011 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Power Reactor | Event Number: 47499 | Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: ROBERT STRUSINSKI
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 12/06/2011
Notification Time: 09:51 [ET]
Event Date: 12/06/2011
Event Time: 09:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/20/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
BINOY DESAI (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 4 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER NON-FUNCTIONAL DUE TO PLANNED MAINTENANCE
"Between December 6, 2011 and January 13, 2012, a sequence of activities are planned that will render the Technical Support Center (TSC) non-functional at times by removing the emergency ventilation system from service. These activities are being performed in support of planned preventive maintenance and extended power uprate facility upgrades. In preparation for these emergency ventilation system outages, the TSC emergency responders were notified that if an emergency occurred during these outages the Emergency Coordinator and the TSC staff involved with classification, notification and PARS should report to the control room. All other TSC personnel should report to the Operational Support Center. The duration for each of these TSC outages is expected to be less than 24 hours. The NRC Operations Center will be provided an update to this notification when the TSC emergency ventilation has been removed from service and following restoration for each time period. This 8 hour notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii)."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector, and State and local governments.
* * * UPDATE FROM CHRISTOPHER TRENT TO JOE O'HARA AT 1900 EST ON 12/7/11 * * *
The TSC is functional at this time.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified.
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL BURROWS TO CHARLES TEAL AT 0313 EST ON 12/14/11 * * *
The TSC has been removed from operation to continue planned maintenance.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified R2DO (Bartley).
* * * UPDATE FROM ROBERT STRUSINSKI TO JOHN KNOKE AT 0330 EST ON 12/15/11 * * *
The TSC is functional at this time.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified. Notified R2DO (Scott Freeman) via email.
* * * UPDATE FROM SEAN BLOOM TO BILL HUFFMAN AT 0306 EST ON 12/20/11 * * *
The TSC will be removed from operation to continue planned maintenance at 0330 EST today.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified. Notified R2DO (Freeman). |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47526 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: SHERWIN ALUMINA LP
Region: 4
City: CORPUS CRISTI State: TX
County:
License #: 00200
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 12/15/2011
Notification Time: 11:39 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/15/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER ON FIXED PROCESS GAUGE
The following was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On December 14, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] received a report from a licensee that a shutter had failed on one of its Kay-Ray Model KR7062P fixed density gauges, which contains a 100 millicurie Cesium (Cs)-137 source. The shutter failed in the open position, which is its normal operating position. There is no increased exposure risk. The licensee is placing an information tag advising of the malfunction on the gauge until it can be replaced by a service company. Additional information will be provided as it is obtained."
Texas Case #: I-8910 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47527 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: MASACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Region: 1
City: CAMBRIDGE State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANTHONY CARPENTINO
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 12/15/2011
Notification Time: 11:43 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/15/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POSSIBLE EXTREMITY DOSE EXCEEDING ANNUAL LIMIT
"On 12/14/11, the licensee reported to Agency [Ma. Radiation Control Program] a potential dose exceeding the adult occupational shallow dose equivalent limit of 50 Rem to the extremities. Situation involved a researcher handling microcurie quantities of phosphorus-32. Licensee's initial estimate of worker extremity exposure is in the range of 47-59 rem during the previous six months. Worker monitored with a whole body dosimeter but not with an extremity dosimeter. Licensee investigation of researcher's experimental procedures and handling techniques, after researcher observed left index finger skin discoloration, led to the conclusion of potential dose exceeding annual regulatory limit. Individual restricted from further radioactive material handling. Experimental procedure changes implemented by licensee.
"An investigation is ongoing."
MA Event: 12-9924 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47534 | Facility: SEQUOYAH
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: TIM RIEGER
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 12/19/2011
Notification Time: 17:25 [ET]
Event Date: 12/19/2011
Event Time: 16:44 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/19/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
SCOTT FREEMAN (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 OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO TRITIUM LEVELS EXCEEDING THRESHOLD FOR DRINKING WATER
"At 1644 EST, on 12/19/11, TVA's Sequoyah Nuclear Plant made voluntary offsite notifications to the Tennessee Radiological Health Department Director and the Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation - Senior Director Water Programs, to inform them of the following:
"On October 31, 2011, Sequoyah proactively installed two new groundwater monitoring wells in an area known to have contained previously reported releases of tritium in an effort to further characterize and validate the scope of the plume. These releases were reported in 2006 as part of NEI's [Nuclear Energy Institute] groundwater initiative. On December 16, 2011, elevated levels of tritium were identified in water samples taken from one new onsite monitoring well. The tritium levels were confirmed to be greater than 20,000 pCi/L which is the threshold for drinking water. No groundwater monitoring wells are used for drinking or irrigation purposes onsite. The highest level sampled was 22,760 pCi/L.
"Samples taken in the discharge channel located 30 yards from this groundwater monitoring well confirmed no detectable tritium. Refueling Water Storage Tank levels are being monitored and no active leak is in progress. Samples of adjacent wells have been taken and confirmed no unexpected changes in tritium levels of these wells. Additionally, Sequoyah has sampled at the station discharge to the Tennessee River and confirmed no detectable levels in any sample.
"In a conservative decision making process and in accordance with the groundwater protection initiative established by the nuclear industry, Sequoyah is voluntarily communicating sample results likely attributed to a previously reported tritium spill. The plant is continuing to review the sample results to confirm this is related to the historical tritium plume. The plant will take appropriate actions as outlined in the Groundwater Tritium Action Plan, which has been initiated to address this issue. Sequoyah Nuclear Plant has had an extensive groundwater monitoring program in place since 2008. The environmental sampling program consists of sixteen groundwater wells which are periodically sampled in accordance with industry standards.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. The following agencies have been, or will be updated: Hamilton County, State of Tennessee, Nuclear Energy Institute and American Nuclear Insurers. Tennessee Valley Authority plans a media notification for this issue." | |