Event Notification Report for August 01, 2023
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
07/31/2023 - 08/01/2023
Power Reactor
Event Number: 56650
Facility: Fermi
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: Whitney Hemingway
HQ OPS Officer: Kerby Scales
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: Whitney Hemingway
HQ OPS Officer: Kerby Scales
Notification Date: 08/01/2023
Notification Time: 15:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 09:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/01/2023
Notification Time: 15:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 09:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/01/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
Person (Organization):
Nguyen, April (R3DO)
Nguyen, April (R3DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 59 | Power Operation | 59 | Power Operation |
ACTIVE SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM INOPERABLE
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"On 08/01/2023 at 0955 EDT, the Fermi 2 active seismic monitoring system provided indication of a potential seismic activity event. Plant abnormal procedures were entered, and compensatory measure were met and remain in place. Neither the [United States Geological Survey] (USGS) nor the next closest nuclear power plant could confirm or validate the readings obtained at Fermi. The seismic monitoring system was declared nonfunctional to validate the calibration of the system. Femi 2 has two active seismic monitors: one on the reactor pressure vessel pedestal and one in the high-pressure core injection (HPCI) room. Only the HPCI room accelerometer was declared inoperable. The HPCI accelerometer is the sole 'trigger' for the seismic recording system, which outputs peak accelerations experienced during a seismic event. This is used in assessment of the magnitude of an earthquake for EAL HU 2.1.
"The loss of the active seismic monitoring system is reportable to the NRC within 8 hours of discovery in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"No seismic activity has been felt onsite and the USGS recorded no seismic activity in the area.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"On 08/01/2023 at 0955 EDT, the Fermi 2 active seismic monitoring system provided indication of a potential seismic activity event. Plant abnormal procedures were entered, and compensatory measure were met and remain in place. Neither the [United States Geological Survey] (USGS) nor the next closest nuclear power plant could confirm or validate the readings obtained at Fermi. The seismic monitoring system was declared nonfunctional to validate the calibration of the system. Femi 2 has two active seismic monitors: one on the reactor pressure vessel pedestal and one in the high-pressure core injection (HPCI) room. Only the HPCI room accelerometer was declared inoperable. The HPCI accelerometer is the sole 'trigger' for the seismic recording system, which outputs peak accelerations experienced during a seismic event. This is used in assessment of the magnitude of an earthquake for EAL HU 2.1.
"The loss of the active seismic monitoring system is reportable to the NRC within 8 hours of discovery in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"No seismic activity has been felt onsite and the USGS recorded no seismic activity in the area.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
Agreement State
Event Number: 56649
Rep Org: OR Dept of Health Rad Protection
Licensee: Georgia-Pacific Toledo LLC
Region: 4
City: Toledo State: OR
County:
License #: ORE-90708
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Todd Carpenter
HQ OPS Officer: Bill Gott
Licensee: Georgia-Pacific Toledo LLC
Region: 4
City: Toledo State: OR
County:
License #: ORE-90708
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Todd Carpenter
HQ OPS Officer: Bill Gott
Notification Date: 08/01/2023
Notification Time: 14:30 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 08:30 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/01/2023
Notification Time: 14:30 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 08:30 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/01/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Azua, Ray (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Azua, Ray (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - GAUGE SHUTTER STUCK SHUT
The following is a summary of the information provided by the Oregon Health Authority via email:
At 0830 PDT on August 1, 2023, during the 6-month shutter check and 3-year wipe test on the number 1 digestor level source, the licensee discovered a corroded shear pin that allowed the lever to detach from the source, leaving the source in the closed position. The current state of the source was verified closed with a survey meter. The licensee repaired the sheer pin and tested the mechanism. The source was working correctly and returned to service by 0922 PDT.
The following is a summary of the information provided by the Oregon Health Authority via email:
At 0830 PDT on August 1, 2023, during the 6-month shutter check and 3-year wipe test on the number 1 digestor level source, the licensee discovered a corroded shear pin that allowed the lever to detach from the source, leaving the source in the closed position. The current state of the source was verified closed with a survey meter. The licensee repaired the sheer pin and tested the mechanism. The source was working correctly and returned to service by 0922 PDT.
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 56647
Facility: American Centrifuge Plant
Region: 2 State: OH
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: Uranium Enrichment Facility
Comments:
NRC Notified By: Mike Blair
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Region: 2 State: OH
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: Uranium Enrichment Facility
Comments:
NRC Notified By: Mike Blair
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Notification Date: 08/01/2023
Notification Time: 10:50 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 09:06 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/01/2023
Notification Time: 10:50 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 09:06 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/01/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - Safety Equipment Failure
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - Safety Equipment Failure
Person (Organization):
Miller, Mark (R2DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Miller, Mark (R2DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
PREPLANNED OUTAGE OF A REQUIRED SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"The American Centrifuge Plant (ACP) criticality accident and alarm system (CAAS) is designed to detect a nuclear criticality accident and provide audible and visual alarms that alert personnel to evacuate the immediate area, as required by 10 CFR 70.24, criticality accident requirements.
"The CAAS will be temporarily disabled (declared inoperable in accordance with approved plant procedures) to perform periodic CAAS testing activities. The planned CAAS outage is expected to last for approximately 48 hours, commencing at approximately 0800 EDT, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The planned maintenance activities will affect the CAAS in X-3001 North.
"Essential personnel will be present inside the controlled access area during the maintenance activities. Compensatory measures will be implemented in accordance with section 5.4.4 of the license application for the ACP. These measures include the following: evacuation of non-essential personnel from the area of concern and the immediate evacuation zone (IEZ) before removing CAAS equipment from service; limiting access into the area; restricting fissile material movement; and the use of personal alarming dosimeters for personnel that must access the area during the CAAS outage. These measures will be implemented until CAAS coverage is verified to be operational, and the CAAS is declared operable in accordance with approved plant procedures.
"American Centrifuge Operating, LLC will notify the NRC when CAAS coverage is returned to normal operation.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Project Manager."
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"The American Centrifuge Plant (ACP) criticality accident and alarm system (CAAS) is designed to detect a nuclear criticality accident and provide audible and visual alarms that alert personnel to evacuate the immediate area, as required by 10 CFR 70.24, criticality accident requirements.
"The CAAS will be temporarily disabled (declared inoperable in accordance with approved plant procedures) to perform periodic CAAS testing activities. The planned CAAS outage is expected to last for approximately 48 hours, commencing at approximately 0800 EDT, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The planned maintenance activities will affect the CAAS in X-3001 North.
"Essential personnel will be present inside the controlled access area during the maintenance activities. Compensatory measures will be implemented in accordance with section 5.4.4 of the license application for the ACP. These measures include the following: evacuation of non-essential personnel from the area of concern and the immediate evacuation zone (IEZ) before removing CAAS equipment from service; limiting access into the area; restricting fissile material movement; and the use of personal alarming dosimeters for personnel that must access the area during the CAAS outage. These measures will be implemented until CAAS coverage is verified to be operational, and the CAAS is declared operable in accordance with approved plant procedures.
"American Centrifuge Operating, LLC will notify the NRC when CAAS coverage is returned to normal operation.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Project Manager."
Agreement State
Event Number: 56655
Rep Org: California Radiation Control Prgm
Licensee: B. Hillebrandt Soils Testing, Inc.
Region: 4
City: Alamo State: CA
County:
License #: 6680-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Robert Greger
HQ OPS Officer: Bill Gott
Licensee: B. Hillebrandt Soils Testing, Inc.
Region: 4
City: Alamo State: CA
County:
License #: 6680-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Robert Greger
HQ OPS Officer: Bill Gott
Notification Date: 08/03/2023
Notification Time: 20:09 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/03/2023
Notification Time: 20:09 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2023
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/03/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Azua, Ray (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Azua, Ray (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following report was received by the California Department of Public Health , Radiation Health Branch (RHB) via email:
"On 08/01/23, a portable moisture density gauge containing radioactive materials (Humboldt Model 5001C082, Serial number HIS 1767, containing 10 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241/Be) was run over by a piece of heavy equipment, on a construction site. The licensee cordoned off the area where the gauge was damaged and contacted Pacific Nuclear Technology (PNT) for assistance. The top shell of the gauge was crushed and found in several pieces, the source rod was bent, and there was no damage to the area where the Cs-137 source was contained. PNT was able to place the rod containing Cs-137 into its original shielding position. The Am-241/Be source was found undamaged in its original position attached to the base. PNT had surveyed the area using a Ludlum model 3, 44-9 detector, and no radiation levels above background were detected. The gauge was placed in the undamaged transit case (transportation index measured 0.2 mR/hr) and transported to the PNT facility where the gauge was leak tested. The leak test performed on the damaged gauge did not indicate any contamination. Currently, the gauge is in storage awaiting approval for disposal.
"RHB will be following up on this investigation."
California incident number: 080123
The following report was received by the California Department of Public Health , Radiation Health Branch (RHB) via email:
"On 08/01/23, a portable moisture density gauge containing radioactive materials (Humboldt Model 5001C082, Serial number HIS 1767, containing 10 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241/Be) was run over by a piece of heavy equipment, on a construction site. The licensee cordoned off the area where the gauge was damaged and contacted Pacific Nuclear Technology (PNT) for assistance. The top shell of the gauge was crushed and found in several pieces, the source rod was bent, and there was no damage to the area where the Cs-137 source was contained. PNT was able to place the rod containing Cs-137 into its original shielding position. The Am-241/Be source was found undamaged in its original position attached to the base. PNT had surveyed the area using a Ludlum model 3, 44-9 detector, and no radiation levels above background were detected. The gauge was placed in the undamaged transit case (transportation index measured 0.2 mR/hr) and transported to the PNT facility where the gauge was leak tested. The leak test performed on the damaged gauge did not indicate any contamination. Currently, the gauge is in storage awaiting approval for disposal.
"RHB will be following up on this investigation."
California incident number: 080123