Event Notification Report for June 29, 2025

RADIOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT FAILURE

The following information was provided by the licensee via phone:

On June 30, 2025, the licensee was performing radiography at a temporary jobsite at the HF Sinclair Refinery with a SPEC-150 camera using a 1.474 Tbq Ir-192 source. With the source extended, a crankout came into contact with a hot pipe, melting the crankout and damaging the source cable. At 1136 MDT, the radiographers determined the source could not be retracted. The radiographers extended the boundary and established a watch to prevent unauthorized entry.

A technician certified for source retrieval used a source retrieval kit and successfully retracted the source at 1203. The crank cable had to be pulled directly due to the cable damage.

The maximum dose to any of the radiographers was 9 mrem. No members of the public received any exposure due to the event.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - EQUIPMENT FAILURE

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

"On July 1, 2025, the Department received a notification from the licensee regarding a mechanical failure involving a level/density measurement gauge. The licensee reported that the failure was discovered on June 30, 2025. The affected gauge is a Berthold model LB 300 IRL Type I, containing a 500 millicurie cesium-137 sealed source. According to the licensee, the failure occurred when the cable connected to the source carrier broke, causing the source to become lodged within the thermowell inside the process vessel. The licensee stated that the vessel contains product, which is effectively shielding the source and limiting radiation levels outside the vessel. The licensee added that radiation surveys conducted on the vessel exterior indicated exposure levels of less than 2 milliroentgens per hour (mR/hr). There is no indication of elevated radiation risk to workers or members of the public. The licensee further stated that Berthold is scheduled to retrieve the source and repair the cable on July 2, 2025. Additional information will be provided in accordance with SA 300 Reporting requirements."

Texas Incident Number: 10207
NMED Number: TX250032

EN Revision Imported Date: 7/10/2025

EN Revision Text: LOSS OF THE PUBLIC PRIMARY ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

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

"On 6/29/2025, at 1641 CDT, the National Weather Service reported to Cooper Nuclear Station that the National Warning System (NAWAS) radio tower near Shubert, Nebraska was non-functional. The Shubert Tower transmitter activates the Emergency Alert System (EAS)/tone alert radios used for public prompt notification which is part of Cooper's primary alert and notification system (ANS). On 6/30/2025, at 1641 CDT, the Shubert Tower transmitter remained non-functional for 24 hours.

"This primary ANS equipment was not restored to service within 24 hours, and therefore this condition is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), since the backup alerting methods do not meet the primary system design objective. The backup notification system is available to use for notifications if needed.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

* * * UPDATE ON 07/09/2025 AT 1453 EDT FROM BAILEY GILES TO ERIC SIMPSON * * *

"At 1045 CDT, on 7/09/2025, Cooper Nuclear Station was informed that the NAWAS radio tower near Shubert, Nebraska has been restored to service.

"The NRC Resident Inspector was notified."

Notified R4DO (Dodson).

LOST MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following is a summary of information provided by the licensee via phone and email:

The licensee reported the loss of a Troxler model 3440+ moisture density gauge (8 mCi Cs-137, 40 mCi Am-241/Be). The gauge was last positively accounted for at Fort Carson, CO, on June 29, 2023, prior to shipment to Fort Hood, TX. Despite extensive investigation at both locations, its current location remains unknown. Both Troxler and the common carrier have been contacted in attempts to locate the gauge. Efforts to locate the gauge are ongoing, including planned on-site surveys at Fort Hood and Fort Carson.

The loss stemmed from a series of procedural failures, including inadequate communication regarding shipment details, insufficient tracking documentation (due to expired shipment tracking data), and a lack of positive control over the asset during redistribution. The potential for radiation exposure to the public is considered minimal due to the sealed source design.

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