Event Notification Report for September 17, 2024
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/16/2024 - 09/17/2024
Agreement State
Event Number: 57185
Rep Org: New York State Dept. of Health
Licensee: NRD, LLC
Region: 1
City: Grand Island State: NY
County:
License #: C1391
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Nathaniel Kishbaugh
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 06/20/2024
Notification Time: 15:22 [ET]
Event Date: 06/10/2024
Event Time: 16:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Elkhiamy, Sarah (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
The following is a summary of information provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) via email:
"NYSDOH received an email from the radiation safety officer of NRD on 6/11/2024 to indicate that a non-routine bioassay was started for an employee due to hand contamination. The employee's hand was decontaminated with soap and water and a whole-body frisk and nasal swabs were conducted. The whole-body count and nasal swabs were less than background.
"[After NYSDOH inquiry, the licensee subsequently reported that] the incident occurred on 6/10/2024 at 1630 EDT and was identified when the employee was leaving the facility. As a standard procedure implemented by license condition, the employee was frisking hands and feet for potential removable contamination. It was discovered upon frisking that the employee had 758 disintegrations per minute of suspected Am-241 on the palm of their left hand when leaving the facility. This amount of alpha skin contamination is 63 times the incident levels established on the license.
"[The employee] was transferring contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) bags into a B25 [shielded waste] container. [The employee is believed to have] incorrectly doffed gloves. No other individuals had contamination present. A survey was performed of the area showing no contamination in excess of background levels on the surfaces, including the external surface of the B25 container.
"NRD is still performing an investigation, reporting their findings, and providing NYSDOH with bioassay data for this employee.
"It is unclear if this event truly meets the reportability criteria by 10 CFR 20.2203(a)(3)(i) or (ii), however, NYSDOH wishes to voluntarily report this event in the event [it is reportable,] regardless of applicability. NYSDOH will provide updates as appropriate regarding this incident."
NYSDOH Incident Number 1489
* * * UPDATE ON 9/16/2024 AT 1624 EDT FROM NATE KISHBAUGH TO ROBERT THOMPSON * * *
The following information was provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) via email:
"Following the original notification, the worker in question's bioassay result indicated that no Am-241 or Po-210 in excess of this individual's baseline concentrations were present (all 'undetected'). Additionally, this worker's dosimeter did not record any dose received (dose received was below detection limits). This event did not meet the reportability criteria by 10 CFR 20.2203(a)(3)(i) or (ii), however, NYSDOH voluntarily reported this event regardless of applicability.
"As a corrective action, this worker was retrained by the licensee in proper use of PPE, including procedures to properly don and doff PPE. As this was the second event within the past month involving a hand contamination, the licensee also provided additional educational signage for reminding staff on proper PPE usage, training videos and hands-on demonstrations during annual refresher training. Furthermore, additional contamination equipment was purchased to improve monitoring capabilities of staff involved with handling radionuclides.
"NYSDOH has accepted these corrective actions and will evaluate the implementation of these actions on the next inspection. NYSDOH has closed this event."
Notified R1DO (Werkheiser), NMSS (email).
Agreement State
Event Number: 57234
Rep Org: New York State Dept. of Health
Licensee: State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook
Region: 1
City: Stony Brook State: NY
County:
License #: 0455
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Nathaniel A. Kishbaugh
HQ OPS Officer: Josue Ramirez
Notification Date: 07/22/2024
Notification Time: 13:02 [ET]
Event Date: 07/18/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Lilliendahl, Jon (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL) (EMAIL)
CNSC (Canada) (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST SOURCE
The following information was provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) via email:
"The NYSDOH received an email from the radiation safety officer (RSO) on July 22, 2024, to report a lost Fe-55 source. The make and model of the missing source was not disclosed; however, NYSDOH is requesting additional information and will provide this information once available. The source serial no. is 55-1.1-8 and was last assayed 10/1/2015. At the time of manufacture and distribution, this source was 10 mCi.
"The source in question was last seen during routine inventory on January 5, 2023. Following this inventory, this source was not accounted for on March 23, 2023. It was believed that this source may have been utilized by an authorized user between January 5, 2023, and March 23, 2023. However, after many discussions between the authorized user and Stony Brook University's radiation safety office, it was confirmed that the source in question was officially lost on 7/18/2024. Decay calculations suggest that the missing Fe-55 source is approximately 1.07 mCi to date. As this source was last inventoried on January 5, 2023, it is estimated that the Fe-55 source was approximately 1.58 mCi at the time it was last confirmed as present in the storage area. This activity is approximately 15.8 times the quantity for Fe-55 requiring labeling as stated in Appendix C to 10 CFR 20. The loss of this source meets the reportability criteria in 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii).
"It is not believed that this source may cause any incidental doses which may exceed the limits in Subparts C or D of 10 CFR 20. Furthermore, the loss of this source would not be expected to have any negative implications on public health. NYSDOH is monitoring this incident and has assigned incident number 1493 to track this event. Additional information will be provided to NMED once available."
Event Report ID No. NY-24-06
NYSDOH Incident Number: 1493
* * * UPDATE ON 9/16/2024 AT 1155 EDT FROM NATE KISHBAUGH TO ROBERT THOMPSON * * *
The following information was provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) via email:
"On July 31, 2024, NYSDOH performed a full inspection and performed an on-site evaluation of this event. The above information provided indicated that the authorized user in question had their permits administratively terminated and their membership on the university's Radiation Safety Committee revoked because of this event and other compliance issues with the university's Radiation Safety Office.
"To date, the Fe-55 source in question is still missing. The radiation safety office (RSO) for the licensee is maintaining vigilance when performing audits and permit reviews for other permit holders to see if this Fe-55 source may be located. Additionally, the RSO has implemented a new inventory management system at their facility to further improve accountability of similar sources to prevent recurrence. NYSDOH was monitoring this incident and assigned incident number 1493 to track this event. At this time, NYSDOH has closed incident number 1493 given the corrective actions from this event but will reopen this incident in the event additional information is obtained or the source is located. The licensee is aware of the reporting requirement in the event additional information on this source is discovered following closeout."
Notified R1DO (Werkheiser), NMSS (email), ILTAB (email), CNSC (Canada) (email).
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: 57260
Rep Org: NC Dept of Health and Human Serv
Licensee: Volkert
Region: 1
City: Charlotte State: NC
County:
License #: 065-1551-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Travis Cartoski
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 08/02/2024
Notification Time: 13:17 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2024
Event Time: 08:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Young, Matt (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL) (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Radioactive Materials Branch (RMB) via email:
"The licensee reported that around 0800 EDT on August 1, 2024, it was discovered that a break-in had occurred at a construction site. Their portable nuclear gauge (PNG) containing 8 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241/Be was stolen. The construction site is a locked and secured fenced area with the licensee's Conex box inside that secured area. The PNG was located inside the Conex box, locked inside its own secured steel storage box, secured via chains and locks to the inside of the Conex box. The steel box containing the PNG was also locked with chains and locks.
"The fenced area was broken into and the doors to the Conex box were forced open with a large sheepsfoot roller, allowing the thieves' access to the steel box containing the PNG.
"RMB's investigation is ongoing. A follow-up report will be made to close and complete the record."
NC event number: NC240004
NMED Number 240271
* * * UPDATE ON 9/16/2024 AT 0951 EDT FROM TRAVIS CARTOSKI to SAMUEL COLVARD * * *
The following information was provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Radioactive Materials Branch (RMB) via email:
"RMB have completed the investigation and consider the case closed given the following information."
"No additional party was involved. Corrective action is not needed as the licensee was not found in violation and adhered to all security requirements as required by the rule. Device info: Portable nuclear gauge, Troxler model 3440, serial number 14357."
Notified R1DO (Werkheiser), NMSS Events (email), ILTAB (email).
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.pdfThe following information was provided by the licensee via fax or email:
Agreement State
Event Number: 57266
Rep Org: New York State Dept. of Health
Licensee: Kleinfelder, Inc.
Region: 1
City: Syracuse State: NY
County:
License #: MD-05-248-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Nate Kishbaugh
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 08/08/2024
Notification Time: 13:29 [ET]
Event Date: 08/07/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Bickett, Brice (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) via email:
"NYSDOH received a phone call from the radiation safety officer (RSO) on August 7, 2024, to report a damaged moisture density gauge. The gauge was struck by a passing skid steer.
"Device Make: Instrotek
"Device Model: 3500
"Isotopes: Am-241/Be (44mCi), Cs-137 (11mCi)
"The area was cordoned off. The gauge base plate appeared damaged. The source rod was not exposed. Measurements taken with a survey meter were 0.2 mR/hr at 3ft, which appears consistent with the radiation dose profile for this instrument per the sealed source and device registry.
"The RSO reports that the device was removed from the site at the request of the client and transported to the Kleinfelder Scranton, PA, location for leak testing. A leak test was performed and sent out for analysis, however, at this time is not believed that the source would be leaking. It is not believed that this event led to any degradation of the source, source housing, or shielding. NYSDOH is monitoring this incident and has assigned incident number 1496 to track this event.
"As this company was performing work under reciprocity, the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have also been notified of this event for their awareness. Additional information will be provided to NMED once available."
New York event report ID: NY-24-07
* * * UPDATE ON 8/09/2024 AT 1643 EDT FROM ATNATIWOS MESHESHA TO JOSUE RAMIREZ * * *
This event was also reported by the State of Maryland under EN 57267.
Notified R1DO (Bickett), NMSS Events Notifications (Email).
* * * UPDATE ON 9/16/2024 AT 1643 EDT FROM NATE KISHBAUGH TO ROBERT THOMPSON * * *
The following information was provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) via email:
"Following the original notification of this event, it was confirmed via leak testing of both the Cs-137 source and Am-241/Be source that neither source was breached, damaged, or leaking from this event. Furthermore, an additional radiation protection survey indicated that there were no breaches to the shielding or integrity of this device and no essential safety functions were damaged. The extent of damage to the baseplate was cosmetic.
"As a corrective action, the licensee retrained the responsible authorized user of the device, including manufacturer's operation training, licensee specific policies and procedure, and a demonstration of proper use of the device with the radiation safety officer (RSO). On August 8, 2024, all authorized users were retrained in constant surveillance and immediate control of the gauges when not secured in permanent storage. Additionally, the licensee placed highly visible stickers affixed to their gauges to remind authorized users to maintain constant surveillance and immediate control over gauges.
"NYSDOH has accepted the findings from this investigation and have accepted the licensee's proposed corrective actions. As a result, NYSDOH has closed this incident."
Notified R1DO (Werkheiser), NMSS Events Notifications (Email).
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor
Event Number: 57291
Facility: Farley
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: David Hershman
HQ OPS Officer: Karen Cotton-Gross
Notification Date: 08/26/2024
Notification Time: 16:54 [ET]
Event Date: 08/26/2024
Event Time: 12:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - Fitness For Duty
Person (Organization):
Masters, Anthony (R2DO)
FFD Group, (EMAIL)
Power Reactor Unit Info
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
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: FALSE NEGATIVE INDICATED ON A FITNESS FOR DUTY BLIND QUALITY ASSURANCE TEST
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"On 8/26/2024 at 1200 CDT, Farley Nuclear Plant Medical Services identified a false negative quality assurance test. [The contracted laboratory] was provided an adulterated sample of hydrocodone and hydromorphone that was part of a blind performance test. The results from the [contracted laboratory] returned a false negative. This false negative test result will be investigated, and the results reported as required.
"This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 26.719(c)(3).
"The NRC resident inspector has been notified."
The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officer Report Guidance:
The contracted laboratory was a U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) certified laboratory.
* * * RETRACTION ON 09/16/24 AT 1014 EDT FROM RONNIE SUBER TO KERBY SCALES * * *
The following update was provided by the licensee via email:
"Following further review of the event, it has been determined that this issue is not reportable under 10CFR26.719(c)(3) as the unsatisfactory test was not for a validity screening test. This event is reportable for testing errors in accordance with 10CFR26.719(c)(1) and a 30 day report will be submitted."
Notified R2DO (Suber) and FFD Group (email).
Agreement State
Event Number: 57312
Rep Org: Kentucky Dept of Radiation Control
Licensee: Coal mining facility
Region: 1
City: Helton State: KY
County:
License #: TBD
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Matthew McKinley
HQ OPS Officer: Josue Ramirez
Notification Date: 09/06/2024
Notification Time: 18:49 [ET]
Event Date: 09/06/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Ferdas, Marc (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL) (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING GAUGES
The following is a summary of information provided by the Kentucky Department for Public Health and Safety, Radiation Health Branch (RHB) via phone:
In the conduct of their regulatory duties, RHB established a program to collect and store nuclear gauges from closed or abandoned mining sites. This initiative is aimed at preventing improper disposal of nuclear gauges during reclamation operations.
On September 6, 2024, RHB inspected one such coal mining facility located in Helton, KY, in an attempt to recover six fixed Cs-137 level gauges with an aggregate activity of approximately 700 mCi. The storage facility for the gauges was found open and the gauges were missing. The last recorded inventory of the gauges occurred in 2021. Local law enforcement and state emergency operations were notified. It is believed that the gauges were improperly discarded either by the previous owner or by the reclamation company.
RHB will continue to investigate this event and provide updates in accordance with SA-300. No risk to the public is anticipated from this event.
* * * UPDATE ON 9/16/2024 AT 0959 EDT FROM RUSSELL HESTAND TO SAMUEL COLVARD * * *
The following information was provided by Kentucky Department for Public Health and Safety, Radiation Health Branch (RHB) via email:
"RHB is in the process of repossessing nuclear gauges from abandoned coal mines. In the process of assessing the number and state of each gauge, it was discovered that the building at the [Big Laurel #1 prep plant] was demolished. The storage cabinet located in that building was missing. On September 6, 2024, an onsite investigation of the facility was performed. The storage cabinet was located on the property. The storage cabinet was damaged and the contents of the cabinet (6 gauges with 700 mCi of Cs-137) were missing.
"The last known pictures and inventory from a routine inspection on June 23, 2021, showed the gauges stored in the locked metal cabinet at the warehouse where Big Laurel #1 prep plant, operated by Bledsoe Coal, then Revelation Energy and later under reclamation by Black Mountain Resources, are now gone.
"On September 10, 2024, at 1153 EDT, RHB was notified of a smelter in West Virginia that had their portal monitors alarmed. The load was returned to its origin site located in Hazard, Kentucky. RHB representatives were dispatched to the facility. Upon arrival at the scrapyard facility, two gauges were present. The gauges were compared to the last known inventory at Big Laurel. Both gauges were positively identified as property of said plant. Both gauges were surveyed for removable contamination. All levels for removable contamination were at or below background. The two gauges were then packaged and secured for transport to RHB in Frankfort, Kentucky. RHB has possession of the two gauges.
"On September 13, 2024, RHB was notified that that an additional gauge was found at the recycling yard where the other two gauges were found. RHB personnel will be dispatched on September 17, 2024, to secure the additional gauge. The gauge will be stored at RHB in a secure location."
Notified R1DO (Werkheiser), NMSS Events (email), ILTAB (email)
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
Power Reactor
Event Number: 57322
Facility: Brunswick
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: Joseph Atkinson
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 09/16/2024
Notification Time: 13:02 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2024
Event Time: 12:40 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Unusual Event
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - Emergency Declared
Person (Organization):
Suber, Gregory (R2DO)
Laura Dudes (RA)
Andrea Veil (NRR)
Craig Erlanger (NSIR)
Crouch, Howard (IR)
Power Reactor Unit Info
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
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO SITE ACCESS IMPEDED
The following information was provided by the licensee via fax and phone:
"On September 16, 2024, at 1240 EDT, with Unit 1 in mode 1 at 100 percent power and Unit 2 in mode 1 at 100 percent power, an Unusual Event was declared due to roads in the area leading to the plant being flooded and having the potential to prohibit plant staff from accessing the site via personal vehicles (Emergency Action Level HU3.4). Current onsite plant staff is sufficient for plant operation.
"This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i) due to the declaration of an emergency classification as specified in the approved Emergency Plan.
"There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
The NRC decided to remain in the Normal mode of operation at 1320 EDT.
Notified DHS SWO, FEMA Ops Center, CISA Central Watch Officer, FEMA NWC (email), DHS Nuclear SSA (email), CWMD Watch Desk (email).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 57324
Facility: Watts Bar
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: Chris Mitschelen
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 09/16/2024
Notification Time: 16:30 [ET]
Event Date: 07/22/2024
Event Time: 12:48 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - Invalid Specif System Actuation
Person (Organization):
Suber, Gregory (R2DO)
Power Reactor Unit Info
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
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/17/2024
EN Revision Text: 60-DAY NOTIFICATION OF INVALID SPECIFIED SYSTEM ACTUATION
The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email:
"At 1248 EDT on July 22, 2024, with Unit 1 in mode 1 at 100% power, a complete actuation of the 'A' train containment ventilation isolation (CVI) occurred. The 'A' train CVI resulted from the failure of a radiation monitor providing input to the isolation circuitry. This radiation monitor was subsequently repaired and a restoration from the CVI was made. The CVI removes containment purge from operation should it be in service and secures other radiation monitors which measure reactor coolant system leakage.
"This report is being made under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) as an event that resulted in an invalid actuation of the 'A' train CVI.
"There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel.
"The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of the event."
Power Reactor
Event Number: 57325
Facility: Fermi
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: Richard Beck
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 09/16/2024
Notification Time: 20:24 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2024
Event Time: 13:29 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
Person (Organization):
Ziolkowski, Michael (R3DO)
Power Reactor Unit Info
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
ACTIVE SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM INOPERABLE
The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email:
"On September 16, 2024, at 1329 EDT, the Fermi 2 active seismic monitoring system provided indication of a potential seismic activity event. Plant abnormal procedures were entered and compensatory measures 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 inoperable to validate the calibration of the system. Fermi 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 seismic monitor was declared inoperable. The HPCI room accelerometer is the sole 'trigger' for the seismic recording system (which outputs peak accelerations experienced during a seismic event) and the associated control room alarm. This is used in assessment of the magnitude of an earthquake for emergency action level 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 additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:
The licensee confirmed alternative means of recognizing a seismic event for emergency plan entry are available.