Event Notification Report for June 28, 2012

LOSS OF ONE OF TWO OFFSITE POWER SOURCES

"At 1353 EDT on 06/28/2012, Susquehanna Steam Electric Station experienced a loss of power from one of two offsite power sources when transformer 20 shutdown automatically. All ESS [Engineered Safeguards System] electrical busses fed by this transformer automatically transferred to the other offsite power source (transformer 10). Additionally, startup bus 20, which is normally fed from transformer 20, automatically transferred to transformer 10.

"On each unit, multiple system containment isolation valves closed as a result of the electrical transient. Operators were able to reset and restore each system. On unit one, residual heat removal (RHR) shutdown cooling ceased operation during the transient. Shutdown cooling was restored within one hour by control room operators in accordance with off-normal procedures. Unit two remained at 100% power throughout the event.

"This incident is being reported as an unplanned actuation of systems that mitigate the consequences of significant events per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A)."

The licensee is in a 72 hour LCO on Unit 2 as a result of the loss of offsite power. All emergency diesels generators are available. The licensee is investigating the cause of the transformer 20 shutdown.

The NRC Resident Inspector and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) have been notified.

DISCARDED COMPASS CONTAINING RADIUM FOUND

The following was received via email from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

"A military compass containing approximately 10 microcurie of Ra-226 was improperly discarded via trash by an unknown person and was detected at the Maine Energy Recovery Company in Biddeford, ME on June 28, 2012. The State of Maine Radiation Control Program notified our Agency [Commonwealth of Massachusetts] and transfer back to the place of origin was arranged. This was Thomson Brothers Industries.

"The truck was off loaded at that site and the source was discovered by a contracted health physics consultant. We received notification of the discovery of the source from the consultant at 10:49 am on June 29, 2012.

"Our Agency is currently assisting Thomson Brothers Industries in making arrangements for the proper disposal/transfer of the compass."

* * * UPDATE AT 0837 ON 7/10/12 FROM TRAEGDE TO SNYDER * *

"The compass was confiscated by the [Massachusetts] Radiation Control Program on 7/6/12 and given to a Massachusetts licensee for disposal. This action closes this event."

Notified R1DO (Burritt) and FSME Events Resource (e-mail).

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

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

STOLEN NUCLEAR DENSITY GAUGE

The following was received from the Commonwealth of MA. via fax.

"An automobile with a Nuclear Density Gauge stored in its trunk was stolen from a work site in Roslindale, MA. The nuclear density gauge was manufactured by Campbell-Pacific, Model No. MC3, Serial No. M390204846, containing sealed sources of Cs-137 and Am-241, of less than 10 millicuries and 50 millicuries, respectively. The gauge is licensed with the MA Radiation control Program, with Miller Engineering & Testing of Northboro, MA under license No. 23-4571.

"A police report for the stolen property is being filed with the Boston Police.

"Agency [state] continues with the investigation into this matter, and has asked the licensee for a copy of the police report and subsequent findings. Thus, the investigation remains open."

* * * UPDATE FROM DOUG CULLEN TO JOE O'HARA AT 1607 EDT ON 6/28/12 * * *

The Boston Police Department has recovered the stolen vehicle with the gauge intact in the trunk of the vehicle. The radiation profile is normal for the gauge and the police have notified the company to come and recover the gauge.

Notified R1DO (DeFrancisco) and FSME/ILTAB via e-mail


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

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAK FROM NUCLEAR LAUNDRY FACILITY DISCHARGE LINE

The following information is provided by the State of Alabama via facsimile:

"On Thursday, June 28, 2012, representatives of Eastern Technologics, Inc. (ETI) notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control of the discovery of a leak in the sewer drain that handles the waste water discharge from ETI's nuclear laundry facility in Ashford, Alabama. At that time, ETI was determining the extent of contamination caused by the leak. ETI is authorized to possess and use the radioactive material as part of their operations under Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 947. Under the conditions of this license, ETI is required to restrict effluent releases to sewers to ten percent of the maximum permissible concentrations specified in Appendix B, Table III of Agency [Alabama Office of Radiation Control] Rule 420-3-26-.03 for all radioisotopes (except Co-60). For Co-60, the licensee is required to restrict releases to 20 milliCuries each calendar year.

"ETI excavated the area and determined that the source of the leak was an elbow in the drain pipe. Access to the area identified as contaminated was restricted and controlled. Samples were taken by Alabama Office of Radiation Control personnel on July 1, 2012. The results of the analysis of those samples were made available on July 9, 2012 and identified contamination in the soil at levels greater than five times the lowest annual limit of intake (ALI) as specified in the Agency [Alabama Office of Radiation Control] rules.

"ETI is currently decontaminating the site by excavating the contaminated soil. Personnel from the Alabama Office of Radiation Control are monitoring activities and taking confirmatory samples to verify clean up standards. The cause of the incident and the corrective measures by the licensee are pending at this time. The information is accurate as of 0900 CDT, July 10, 2012."

Alabama Incident # 12-51