Headquarters Daily Report
SEPTEMBER 17, 1999
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REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT
ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED
HEADQUARTERS X
REGION I X
REGION II X
REGION III X
REGION IV X
PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION I SEP. 17, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Baltimore Gas & Elec Co. MR Number: 1-99-0033
Calvert Cliffs 1 2 Date: 09/17/99
Lusby,Maryland SRI PC
Dockets: 50-317,50-318
PWR/CE,PWR/CE
Subject: HURRICANE FLOYD
Discussion:
During the daylight hours of September 16, 1999, Calvert Cliffs Units 1
and 2 experienced tropical storm weather associated with Hurricane Floyd,
as the storm passed up the eastern coast of the United States. Heavy
rain and high tropical storm winds occurred. Storm debris, which
included small fish and grasses, affected the cooling water intake for
the main turbines on both units, necessitating a power reduction to
85 percent power on Unit 1 and a preemptive reduction to 90 percent power
on Unit 2. Safety systems remained operable during the storm. During
the morning of September 17, 1999, with debris removed from the main
condenser waterboxes, reactor power was restored to full power.
Regional Action:
The resident inspectors are monitoring licensee activities.
Contact: Michele Evans (610)337-5224
Scott Stewart (410)586-2626
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REGION I MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 17, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Northeast Utilities MR Number: 1-99-0034
Millstone 3 Date: 09/17/99
Waterford,Connecticut RI/telecon
Dockets: 50-423
PWR/W-4-LP
Subject: MILLSTONE UNIT 3 POWER REDUCTION
Discussion:
On September 17, 1999, at approximately 12:00 a.m., Unit 3 control room
operators decreased power from 100 percent to about 80 percent power. The
power reduction was in response to a lowering main condenser vacuum. The
causes of the lowering main condenser vacuum were two fold. Hurricane
Floyd caused an increased ingress of debris into each of the six Unit 3
main condenser water boxes, decreasing main condenser heat transfer
efficiency. In addition, a combination of storm and tide effects caused
circulating water temperature to rise, decreasing the heat transfer
capability of the main condenser. Power is currently being maintained
between 80 percent and 90 percent, until routine water box cleaning and
associated system alignment activities are completed.
The resident inspectors observed portions of the down power and
stabilization activities. No impact was noted on the safety related
service water system or its attendant heat exchangers. Because the
licensee routinely responds to the impacts of circulating water
temperature and debris on plant operations, backwashing of condenser bays
is routinely performed. Further licensee recovery activities will be
monitored through the implementation of the routine resident inspection
program.
Contact: A. Cerne (860)447-3170
K. Jenison (610)337-5244
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REGION I MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 17, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Peco Energy Company MR Number: 1-99-0035
Peach Bottom 2 3 Date: 09/17/99
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania RI/PC
Dockets: 50-277,50-278
BWR/GE-4,BWR/GE-4
Subject: POST STORM STATUS AT PEACH BOTTOM - EVENT NOs. 36173, 36179
Reportable Event Number: 36173
Discussion:
On September 16, 1999, as a result of severe weather caused by Hurricane
Floyd, Peach Bottom experienced three off normal conditions.
First, Peach Bottom lost power to the technical support center due to a
fault on the local power distribution line. A one hour non-emergency
event notification was made to the NRC for a loss of emergency assessment
capability. Power has been restored.
Secondly, power outages caused 22 of the 96 emergency sirens to become
inoperable. (Refer to Event No. 36179) The number of inoperable emergency
sirens increased during the storm and currently the transmitter for siren
activation is not in service.
Lastly, bearing lube oil temperatures increased in the Unit 2
recirculation motor-generators due to service water flow restrictions
from silt buildup in the lube oil cooler following the storm. Power was
reduced to remove the 2B recirculation pump and motor-generator from
service and to clean the lube oil cooler. As of 11:00 on
September 17, 1999, Unit 2 is operating in single recirculation loop
operation using the 2A recirculation pump and motor-generator. When the
2B lube oil cooler is cleaned, PECO plans to restart the 2B recirculation
motor-generator set and recirculation pump and remove the 2A
recirculation pump and motor-generator from service to clean the 2A lube
oil cooler. PECO expects to have both lube oil coolers cleaned and both
recirculation pumps and motor-generators in operation later today. Safety
related equipment was not adversely affected.
Contact: D. Florek (610)337-5185
A. McMurtray (717)456-7614
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REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 17, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Combustion Engineering MR Number: 3-99-0079
Hematite Fuel Manufact. Facility Date: 09/15/99
Hematite,Missouri Phone call - onsite NRC inspector
Dockets: 07000036
Subject: Declaration of an Unusual Event
Discussion:
On the morning of September 15, 1999, the plant management declared an
Unusual Event following the plant staff's observation of small uranium
hexafluoride releases from vaporizer piping system valves in the Oxides
Building. At the time of the releases to the building, the plant staff
were troubleshooting problems with some of the system valves and were
attempting to sublime uranium hexafluoride believed to be trapped within
the isolated piping system. Upon noticing the releases, the plant staff
evacuated the immediate area of the releases and measures were taken to
stop the releases. Once the releases were secured, the plant management
downgraded the event from an Unusual Event Classification. The systems
are currently secured pending the plant staff's investigation of the
circumstances which led to the releases.
No injuries were known to have occurred as a result of the isolated
releases within the vaporizer area. No releases were known to have
occurred to the environs.
Regional Action:
At the time of the events, the Region III Deputy Regional Administrator,
the Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Director, and a Region III
inspector were onsite. Region III management has initiated a special
inspection in order to understand the causes for the releases and to
review the emergency response measures undertaken by the licensee as a
part of the Unusual Event.
Contact: K. G. O'Brien (630)829-9603
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