Event Notification Report for July 22, 2024

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED GAUGE

The following is a summary of information provided by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) via email:

A portable gauge (PG) was ran over by a roller around 0930 PDT. The main body was crushed and the gauge source rod broke off but appeared to be intact.

The PG user used a shovel to pick up the source and placed it in the transport box. The PG user stayed with the PG until the radiation safety officer (RSO) arrived. The RSO confirmed [an] intact source rod and gathered the remaining damaged PG parts into the transport box. It was then transported to the licensee storage location.

The RSO and local fire department did not have a survey meter for radiation and contamination surveys.

Three DOH representatives were sent for radiation and contamination survey data collection. The highest on-contact radiation level on the PG container was 1.7 mR/hr. No indication of contamination outside of the PG container was detected. A direct frisk of the RSO and PG user's hands found no indication of contamination.

DOH will take survey data including wipes and verify they are negative. Once verified, the RSO will contact the manufacturer or a waste broker for PG disposal. A leak test will be performed prior to transport. The damaged PG will remain secured in the transport box until disposal.

Washington state event number: WA-24-016

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SUSPECTED RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL FOUND

The following information was provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) via email:

"On July 15, 2024, at about 0859 [EDT], the MDE/RHP was contacted by the Maryland Emergency Response Division (ERD) that a bolted container [marked with] Russian [text] and red paint [located on] the middle part of the container with a trefoil symbol that was suspected of containing [radioactive material] was found dropped off at [a salvage] site in Joppatowne, MD. The scrap yard does not know the source(s) of these items and who [deposited] them. [Personnel at the scrap yard] did not detect radiation with available instruments.

"MDE/RHP will follow up and investigate the case today."



The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:

Two MDE/RHP inspectors were enroute to the scrap yard to investigate at the time the notification of this event to the NRC was made.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST EXIT SIGNS

The following is a summary of information received from the Colorado Department of Public Health via email:

The state of Colorado reported the loss of two exit signs.

Manufacturer: SRB Technologies
Model Number: BX-20-WH
Isotope and Activity: H-3, 17.51 Ci each

Colorado Event Report ID Number: CO240017

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 - STOLEN GUAGE

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) by email:

"On July 15, 2024, the Department was notified by the licensee that a moisture density gauge had been stolen from the back of one of its trucks. The radiation safety officer (RSO) reported that the technician had taken the gauge to their apartment after completing work on Friday, July 12, 2024. On July 14, 2024, the technician found the chains that secured the gauge in the back of the pickup truck had been cut and the gauge was missing. The gauge is an InstroTek Xplorer 3500, containing a 40 millicurie americium-241 source and a 11 millicurie cesium-137 source. The RSO stated local law enforcement has been notified of the theft. The RSO stated they have been in contact with local pawn shops in the area. The licensee is watching online marketplaces for the gauge. The RSO stated the gauge does not present an exposure hazard to an individual.

"Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas incident number: I-10112

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

* * * UPDATE ON JULY 17, 2024, AT 0840 EDT FROM ART TUCKER TO BRIAN P. SMITH * * *

The following summary was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) by phone and email:

On July 16, 2024, the licensee reported to the State that they confirmed that the cesium-137 source rod was locked in the fully shielded condition. This updated information is pertinent in that the dose risk to the public is minimal. The condition does not present an exposure hazard to the public.

Notified R4DO (Taylor), NMSS Events (email), ILTAB (email), CNSNS (Mexico) (email)

AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP

The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email:

"At 1524 [EDT] on 07/18/2024, with Unit 2 in Mode 1 at 100 percent power, the reactor automatically tripped due to a turbine trip. The trip was not complex, with all systems responding normally post-trip.

"Operations responded and stabilized the plant. Decay heat is being removed by discharging steam to the main condenser using the turbine bypass valves.

"Unit 1 implemented AOP-7K (abnormal operating procedure), overcooling event, due to a grid transient. Operations responded and stabilized Unit 1 in Mode 1 at 100 percent power.

"Due to the reactor protection system actuation while critical, this event is being reported as a four-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B).

"There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel.

"The NRC resident inspector has been notified."


The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:

All rods fully inserted. There were no other specified system actuations.