| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
07/08/2013 - 07/09/2013 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 49164 | Rep Org: NE DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE
Licensee: MIDWEST RENEWABLE ENERGY
Region: 4
City: SUTHERLAND State: NE
County:
License #: RS0550
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TRUDY HILL
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 07/01/2013
Notification Time: 17:35 [ET]
Event Date: 05/06/2013
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/01/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS
The following report was received via email:
"Exit signs - model 2040-50-R-10 WH, serial numbers A99977 and A99997 [each] with 11.5 Curies of H3 [tritium] were in a laboratory. The laboratory was inundated with water from a frozen pipe. The [laboratory] cleanup went down to the studs or iron beams. The facility has made a search [after the cleanup] but have not been able to locate the signs. The facility presumes that the signs were sent to a landfill. The facility will include exit signs in their next safety training, include information concerning exit signs in the Emergency Action Plan, and will make the leadership team aware of the mistake.
"Cause: Inattention to detail.
"Corrective Action: Personnel received additional training."
Nebraska State Item Number: NE130003.
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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 49166 | Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: WHITTAKER CORP - DECOMMISSIONING PROJECT
Region: 1
City: TRANSFER State: PA
County:
License #: PA-1051S
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVE ALLARD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 07/01/2013
Notification Time: 18:07 [ET]
Event Date: 06/27/2013
Event Time: 11:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/01/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JAMES NOGGLE (R1DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNPLANNED FIRE AND EXPLOSION AT A REMEDIATION PROJECT SITE
The following report was received via facsimile:
"Notifications: On June 28, 2013 the licensee informed the PA Department of Environmental Protection's [DEP] Central Office of an explosion that occurred the previous night. The event is reportable within 24 hours per 10 CFR40.60(b)(4). [Note: a voice message was left for a DEP staff person who was off from work on the 28th, thus, the delay in notification to NRC.]
"Event Description: The licensee received a call from the Pymatuning Township Fire department's emergency response team at approximately 11:15 [EDT] on June 27, 2013 reporting an explosion inside the operating area of the Whittaker Corp. remediation project site. This is a decommissioning / clean-up site where rare earth metals had been recovered, and the resultant low-level radioactive waste is being removed for license termination. The initial theory is [perhaps] a chemical and exothermic reaction resulted in a contained fire with material being ejected from the waste pile and outside the remediation area boundary. Since the site was shut down and unoccupied at the time of the event, no injuries were reported. The responding fire department did not enter the area; and there are conflicting reports on the use water or other fire-fighting agents. Due to the very low radioactivity concentrations of uranium / thorium series within the waste pile materials - release of licensed material offsite is unlikely. All work at the site has been suspended pending an investigation into the event. Radioactivity surveys and air samples were being made and collected on the 28th to confirm no off site release took place. The material that was ejected from the waste pile during the explosion was surveyed, with no significant activity identified. A sample of this material was sent to an off-site lab to determine a chemical and radiological content. Lastly, the licensee has established a 24 hour fire watch until a cause can be identified. More details will be provided when available.
"Cause of the Event: Currently unknown
"Actions: The licensee has suspended all work, and has restricted access to the area. The PA DEP NW and SW Regional Offices are performing reactive ES&H [Environment, Safety, and Health] and Radiation Protection Program inspections on July 1st and 2nd respectively.
"Media Attention: None at this time."
PA Event Report ID No: PA130016 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 49176 | Facility: NINE MILE POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: CHRIS AULT
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 07/07/2013
Notification Time: 06:49 [ET]
Event Date: 07/07/2013
Event Time: 04:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
JAMES NOGGLE (R1DO)
|
| 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 LOSS OF RADWASTE/REACTOR BUILDING VENT GASEOUS EFFLUENT RADIATION MONITORING CAPABILITY
"At 0400 EDT on July 7, 2013, Nine Mile Point Unit 2 isolated the Reactor Building to comply with Tech Spec 3.3.6.2.A.1 Secondary Containment Isolation Instrumentation. Isolating the Reactor Building was the result of Refuel Floor Radiation Monitor 2HVR*CAB14A becoming inoperable on 7/6/13 at 0430 hours. As a result of the Reactor Building being isolated, the Radwaste/Reactor Building Vent Gaseous Effluent Radiation Monitor has been declared non-functional based on sample flow rates.
"The Radwaste/Reactor Building Vent Gaseous Effluent Radiation Monitor is necessary for accident assessment and is credited for Emergency Action Level (EAL) classification. The inability to classify an EAL due to the out-of-service Radwaste/Reactor Building Vent Gaseous Effluent Monitor is considered a loss of emergency assessment capability and is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"Repairs and testing are currently in progress to correct the cause and restore functionality of Radiation Monitor 2HVR*CAB14A. The expected return to service time is within the next 12 hours.
"Compensatory actions for the non-functional Radwaste/Reactor Building Vent Gaseous Effluent Radiation Monitor are in place to take and analyze periodic grab samples and flow estimates in accordance with the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." The licensee will also be notifying state authorities.
* * * UPDATE ON 7/8/13 AT 1145 EDT FROM DAN CIFONELLI TO DANIEL MILLS * * *
"Radiation Monitor 2HVR*CAB14A has been repaired and was declared operable at 1920 on July 7, 2013. Normal Reactor Building ventilation was subsequently re-established, and the Radwaste/Reactor Building Vent Gaseous Effluent Radiation Monitor was retumed to service at 2100 on July 7, 2013, thereby restoring emergency assessment capability.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 49178 | Facility: SAINT LUCIE
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE
NRC Notified By: CARLOS SANTOS
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 07/08/2013
Notification Time: 10:57 [ET]
Event Date: 07/08/2013
Event Time: 08:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2013 | 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 SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE LEAK:
"On July 8, 2013, at 0830 EDT, the National Response Center and the State Watch office were notified of a leak greater than the limit of 109 gal of 11% Sodium Hypochlorite onto the ground. Total amount spilled is approximately 200 gallons. While the leak is currently active, the leak has being routed to an approved injection point.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10CFR 50.72 (b)(2)(xi) due to notification of off-site agencies."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 49179 | Facility: FITZPATRICK
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: CHRIS ADNER
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 07/08/2013
Notification Time: 14:11 [ET]
Event Date: 05/10/2013
Event Time: 01:41 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1DO)
|
| 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 60 DAY OPTIONAL TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATION OF INVALID ACTUATION OF AN EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR
"This 60-day telephone notification is provided in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) to report an invalid actuation of the Emergency Diesel Generators (EDGs) reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A).
"On the morning of May 10th, 2013, at approximately 0141 EDT the B Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) subsystem was inoperable for a planned maintenance work window on the B EDG only (there are two EDGs per subsystem). The work was completed to the point that protective tagging removal and testing of the B EDG were the only activities left.
"During the process of removing protective tagging, an operator incorrectly opened a switch-gear cubicle door that contained the potential transformer fuses for the B division emergency electrical bus (10600 bus); the system is designed such that opening the cubicle door disconnects the fuses from the circuit. The potential transformers reduce the associated bus voltage (in this case the 10600 bus), nominally 4160V, to 120V for the monitoring and control circuits. These circuits monitor the 10600 bus voltage and initiate a start signal for the EDGs should voltage be degraded or lost. After a time delay of less than or equal to 2.5 seconds, if voltage is not restored, the normal supply breaker for the 10600 bus will open and the EDG output breakers will close re-powering the bus from its emergency source.
"The response of the 10600 bus control and monitoring circuits functioned as designed. An initiation signal was sent to the D EDG control system when the monitoring circuit sensed no bus voltage (potential transformer fuses removed; door open). With the immediate closure of the cubicle door, the monitoring circuit was restored and 10600 bus voltage was sensed. This resulted in the under voltage logic returning to normal hence, the 10600 bus did not disconnect from its normal station power source and the D EDG output breaker did not close to power the 10600 bus.
"Subsequently the D EDG was secured (0146 EDT on May 10th) and protective tagging removal and testing of B EDG continued. The B EDG subsystem was declared operable on May 12, 2013 at 0315 EDT.
"This event did not result in any adverse impact to the health and safety of the public."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 49181 | Facility: MONTICELLO
Region: 3 State: MN
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3
NRC Notified By: SCOTT WEEKLEY
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 07/08/2013
Notification Time: 21:14 [ET]
Event Date: 07/08/2013
Event Time: 17:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
JULIO LARA (R3DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE SPILL
"On July 8th, 2013, at approximately 1730 CDT, the Minnesota State Duty Officer was notified of an approximately 50 gallon sodium hypochlorite spill onsite. The spill has been contained and clean-up is in progress. There was no actual or potential impact on the environment and no impact on the health and safety of the public or onsite personnel."
The licensee will also be notifying Wright County.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed. | |