The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

Event Notification Report for July 13, 2012

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
07/12/2012 - 07/13/2012

** EVENT NUMBERS **


47117 48070 48096 48097 48099 48100 48101

To top of page
Agreement State Event Number: 47117
Rep Org: ALABAMA RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: QUANTEGY, INC.
Region: 1
City: OPELIKA State: AL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID A. TURBERVILLE
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 08/02/2011
Notification Time: 16:43 [ET]
Event Date: 07/20/2011
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/12/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RONALD BELLAMY (R1DO)
CHRISTEPHER MCKENNEY (FSME)
ILTAB VIA E-MAIL ()

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

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT OF LOST GENERAL LICENSED DEVICES

The following report was received from the State of Alabama via fax:

"On the afternoon of July 20, 2011, a representative of the Alabama Office of Radiation Control [the Agency] discovered that five general license devices containing radioactive material were unaccounted for at the closed Quantegy, Inc. facility located in Opelika, AL. The Agency representative was there to perform a routine inspection of general licensed activities and discovered that the facility was being demolished and the metal was being sold for scrap. Records indicate that the company did possess at one time fifteen general license devices. The Agency representative was able to account for ten of the fifteen devices. Five devices are unaccounted for at this time. The demolition crew, the scrap company and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have been made aware of the missing devices. Also, the Agency is working with the manufacturer to determine if these devices were returned to the manufacturer in the past. The devices missing include four NDC Model 105 devices containing 250 millicuries (original assay) each of Cm-244. The serial numbers on record for these devices are 6075, 6025, 6102 and 6024. The fifth device missing is an NDC Model 103 device containing 150 millicuries (original assay) of Am-241. The serial number on record for this device is 2063.

"This is all the information that this Agency has at this time and is current as of 1530 CDT, August 2, 2011."

Alabama Incident No.: 11-30


* * * UPDATE FROM THE ALABAMA OFFICE OF RADIATION CONTROL TO HUFFMAN VIA FAX ON 7/12/12 AT 1605 EDT * * *

"On August 2, 2011, the NRC Operations Center was informed of an incident when five general devices containing radioactive material were determined to be unaccounted for at the closed Quantegy, Inc. facility located in Opelika, AL. At that time, an Agency representative was able to account for ten general license devices. These ten devices were secured in a building on site. On July 12, 2012, the Agency was advised that five of the ten in storage were now missing and are considered stolen. All five devices are NDC model 105 gauges each containing Curium-244. The serial number and activity of each are noted below:

NDC 105 SN 6025 Cm-244 250 mCi on 11/84
NDC 105 SN 6062 Cm-244 250 mCi on 8/87
NDC 105 SN 6064 Cm-244 250 mCi on 10/87
NDC 105 SN 6027 Cm-244 100 mCi on 5/98
NDC 105 SN 6001 Cm-244 250 mCi on 10/83

"The owner of the property indicated that the devices were stolen with other property in the recent past and the local law enforcement was notified. The time and date of the theft has not yet been made available to the Agency. A copy of the police report has been requested. The five remaining devices were impounded by Agency personnel for security on the morning of July 12, 2012."

R1DO (Burritt) has been notified. FSME Resources ILTAB notified 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.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 48070
Facility: CATAWBA
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: STEVEN ANDREWS
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 07/05/2012
Notification Time: 14:06 [ET]
Event Date: 06/21/2012
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/05/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)
MARK KING (NRR)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (FSME)
ILTAB VIA EMAIL ()
This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

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

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

Event Text

TWO INCORE DETECTORS CONTAINING U-235 UNACCOUNTED FOR DURING INVENTORY

"This is a non-emergency notification regarding an extremely small amount of Special Nuclear Material (SNM) which is unaccounted for. On 6/21/2012, it was determined that two nuclear instrumentation incore detectors could not be accounted for at Catawba. Detectors of this type are used to measure incore neutron flux (intensity of neutron radiation) inside the reactor vessel. This determination was made following the completion of a scheduled inventory of nuclear instrumentation incore detectors in storage. This is being reported under 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) (reports of theft or loss of licensed material).

"According to Catawba documentation, there should be 54 such detectors in storage. Only 52 detectors could be physically located on site. There is no evidence of theft or diversion of these detectors. According to site documentation, one or both of the detectors may have been shipped to Barnwell in 1986. Detectors of this type contain very small amounts of Uranium-235 (0.0041 grams/detector), which qualifies them as SNM. The most likely location for the detectors is either in one bunker located on site and within the radiological controlled area or at Barnwell via a low level radioactive waste shipment. The search for these detectors was suspended based on a determination that the additional dose to plant workers involved in the search was not justified by an equivalent offsetting safety benefit. It is unlikely that these detectors could have left the site other than in a radioactive waste shipment as the radiation monitoring equipment in place would likely have identified the presence of the detectors.

"This event had no effect on plant operations and no impact on public health and safety has been identified. A written report will be made in accordance with 10 CFR 20.2201(b)(1)(i-vi). The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector."

Usually, spent incore detectors are stored in a locked high radiation area at the facility. This was the first physical inventory of sources performed by the licensee.


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

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 48096
Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: KEITH MAESTAS
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 07/12/2012
Notification Time: 02:30 [ET]
Event Date: 07/12/2012
Event Time: 05:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/12/2012
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
3 N N 0 Cold Shutdown 0 Cold Shutdown
4 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

UNAVAILABILITY OF TSC VENTILATION SYSTEM DUE TO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

"The Turkey Point Nuclear Plant will be performing the semi-annual HVAC inspection of the TSC Building on 7/12/2012. The work is scheduled to start at 0500 EDT and complete at 1500 EDT. The projected non-functional time is 10 hours. The Emergency Response Organization duty team members will be informed to respond to alternate locations if activation is required during that period.

"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) due to loss of an emergency response facility."

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE FROM MICHAEL COEN TO CHARLES TEAL AT 1538 EDT ON 7/12/12 * * *

The maintenance on the TSC has been completed and the TSC was declared operable at 1535 EDT on 7/12/12.

Notified R2DO (Calle).

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 48097
Facility: NINE MILE POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: JOHN APRIL
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 07/12/2012
Notification Time: 04:49 [ET]
Event Date: 07/12/2012
Event Time: 02:20 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/12/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
Person (Organization):
ART BURRITT (R1DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 M/R Y 95 Power Operation 0 Hot Shutdown

Event Text

MANUAL REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO LOWERING CONDENSER VACUUM

"On July 12, 2012, at 0200 EDT, clean steam reboiler 'B' failed, causing a loss of sealing steam. This resulted in degrading condenser vacuum and rising off gas system pressure. The main steam backup supply for sealing steam also failed, and condenser vacuum and off gas system pressure continued to degrade.

"In response to rising off gas system pressure and lowering condenser vacuum, reactor power was lowered to 85% in accordance with Special Operating Procedures. With off gas system pressure approaching the procedural limit and condenser vacuum degrading rapidly, a manual reactor scram was inserted at 0220 EDT.

"All control rods fully inserted and all systems functioned as expected on the scram.

"Plant is currently shutdown and parameters are stable.

"The unit is currently implementing post scram recovery procedures and plant cooldown is in progress.

"The cause of the loss of both the primary and backup sources of sealing steam is under investigation."

The shutdown electrical lineup is normal and decay heat is being removed via steam bypass valves to the main condenser. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector and the Public Service Commission.

To top of page
Fuel Cycle Facility Event Number: 48099
Facility: WESTINGHOUSE HEMATITE
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 to UO2)
                   COMMERCIAL LWR FUEL
Region: 3
City: HEMATITE State: MO
County: JEFFERSON
License #: SNM-33
Agreement: N
Docket: 07000036
NRC Notified By: DENNIS RICHARDSON
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 07/12/2012
Notification Time: 15:07 [ET]
Event Date: 07/12/2012
Event Time: 12:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/12/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
RESPONSE-BULLETIN
Person (Organization):
ERIC DUNCAN (R3DO)
PATTI SILVA (NMSS)

Event Text

24 HOUR REPORT RELATED TO CRITICALITY CONTROL BULLETIN 91-01

"Around noon on July 12, 2012, workers noticed that a Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS)-controlled 5-gallon container, formally identified as a 'Field Container' being used as part of burial pit remediation at the Westinghouse Hematite Decommissioning Project, looked unusual. Field Containers are white standard-size 5-gallon buckets with a locking lid and are supposed to be unique to other containers being used at the facility. Upon investigation, it was determined that the container was actually a 6-1/2-gallon container - white with a locking lid, almost identical to a Field Container except for height. The container was in the midst of being used to consolidate exhumed radiologically elevated soil, formally identified as a Hot Spot. One shovel's worth of dirt had been transferred into the 6-1/2-gallon container when the condition was noticed. The workers called their supervisor upon discovery. The supervisor issued a verbal stop work order, and went to investigate the condition in the field. The use of a 6-1/2-gallon container is a violation of an NCS Control (specifically, Safety Feature 01 of NSA-TR-09-15, Rev. 3).

"NCS was called to assess the condition and direction was given to transfer the shovel's worth of soil from the 6-1/2-gallon container into an empty 5-gallon Field Container. The 6-1/2-gallon container, now empty, was destroyed. Other 6-1/2-gallon containers (the remaining 18 out of 20 containers that were identified as being purchased for different purposes) were removed and are under control pending their destruction. (It was confirmed that the one missing container of the purchase lot had been used for other non-NCS purposes.)

"The work crew on the other end of the burial pit remediation area was informed of the problem and cautioned to confirm the labeled volume capacity on the bottom of Field Containers to be used. The other areas where Field Containers are staged in the field and at the work site were inspected to confirm that no other 6-1/2-gallon containers were present. The consolidation points where these containers are staged when filled were also inspected to confirm that no 6-1/2-gallon containers were present.

"An investigation is under way to determine:

1) how the 6-1/2-gallon containers were inadvertently brought out to the burial pit,
2) how and why 6-1/2-gallon containers looking very similar to 5-gallon Field Containers were purchased and became available for misidentification as Field Containers, and
3) what actions need to be put in place to assure that future purchases of containers that may be mistaken for Field Containers do not occur."

Westinghouse Hematite is undergoing decommissioning. The location of this event was at the burial pit remediation area.

The licensee plans to also notify NRC Region 3 (Lafranzo) and NRC HQ (Hayes).

To top of page
Fuel Cycle Facility Event Number: 48100
Facility: GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2)
                   LEU FABRICATION
                   LWR COMMERICAL FUEL
Region: 2
City: WILMINGTON State: NC
County: NEW HANOVER
License #: SNM-1097
Agreement: Y
Docket: 07001113
NRC Notified By: PHILLIP OLLIS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 07/12/2012
Notification Time: 16:29 [ET]
Event Date: 07/11/2012
Event Time: 17:40 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/12/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
JOSELITO CALLE (R2DO)
PATTI SILVA (NMSS)

Event Text

CRITICALITY HORNS RENDERED INOPERABLE DUE TO LIGHTNING STRIKE

"At approximately 1740 EDT on 7/11/12, lightning strikes near the Wilmington Field Service Center (WFSC) rendered several alarm annunciators (horns) of the Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) inoperable. There are no active fissile material operations in WFSC, thus no unsafe condition existed.

"Until the system is repaired, personnel have either been removed from the affected area or other compensatory measures have been established. Longer term preventative actions are being evaluated.

"This event is being reported pursuant to the requirements of 10CFR70.50(b)(2)."

The licensee will notify NRC R2 (Thomas), and the State and Hanover County Emergency Management Agencies.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 48101
Facility: COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION
Region: 4 State: WA
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: BILL HART
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 07/12/2012
Notification Time: 23:29 [ET]
Event Date: 07/12/2012
Event Time: 13:15 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 07/12/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)

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

Event Text

POWER SUPPLY PROBLEMS TO VARIOUS AREA RAD MONITORS

"At 13:15 PDT on 7-12-2012, during the performance of an annual surveillance, power supply ARM-E/S-603A was discovered to have out of tolerance voltage readings. ARM-E/S-603A was declared non-functional. This resulted in a loss of the ability to monitor and quantify radiological conditions in multiple areas of the reactor building, due to the loss of ARM-RIS-1 thru 10 (area radiation monitor radiation indicating switches 1 thru 10).

"The loss of ability to monitor and quantify radiological conditions in multiple areas of the reactor building represents a major loss of emergency assessment capability per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). As directed by station procedures, compensatory measures have been enacted to have Health Physics personnel tour the affected areas once per shift to document and trend the radiological conditions. ARM-RIS-1 and 4 thru 10 are used for EAL determinations.

"Work to return the ARM-E/S-603A to service is underway and is a high priority."

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021