Headquarters Daily Report
OCTOBER 13, 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 OCTOBER 13, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Northeast Utilities MR Number: 1-99-0039
Millstone 1 Date: 10/12/99
Waterford,Connecticut
Dockets: 50-245
BWR/GE-3
Subject: FUEL POOL CRANE FAILURE
Discussion:
Millstone Unit 1 is permanently shut down and has initiated the
decommissioning process. On Monday, October 11, the licensee was moving
a new fuel assembly out of the spent fuel pool, where it was stored, and
into the new fuel storage vault. During this move, however, the reactor
building crane auxiliary hook continued to drift downward past the stop
point and the fuel assembly came in contact with the refuel floor for a
short period of time. All fuel movements with the crane were halted
until the licensee investigated the cause of the crane failure and
completed appropriate corrective measures. Prior to the crane problem
and subsequent placement of the affected assembly into the storage vault,
the licensee had succesfully transferred 16 assemblies from the spent
fuel pool to the new fuel vault. There was no visible damage to the new
assembly and no radiological consequence from this event.
Licensee and vendor inspections performed October 12 found all equipment
working properly, and crane testing could not reproduce the problem. No
cause of the event could be identified. Based on the investigation, the
on-site crane vendor representative made some operational suggestions
which the licensee planned to implement. Additionally, the licensee
reinforced operating procedures and expectations with operating personnel
to better assure staff attention to detail during crane movements. The
licensee resumed movement of new fuel during the afternoon of Tuesday,
October 12, 1999, and successfully completed 13 additional movements that
day. Movements of new fuel are expected to continue this week, with 154
more moves required.
NRC has informed the State of Connecticut.
Regional Action:
The resident inspector is following licensee actions to investigate the
crane problem.
Contact: Todd Jackson (610)337-5308
Paul Cataldo (860)447-3170
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REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 OCTOBER 13, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Consumers Power Co. MR Number: 3-99-0082
Palisades 1 Date: 10/11/99
Covert,Michigan Resident Inspector at Site
Dockets: 50-255
PWR/CE
Subject: Management Changes and Training Reorganization
Discussion:
On October 11, 1999, the Site Vice President announced the establishment
of a Director of Training position. The Director of Training will report
to the Site Vice President, replacing the former Manager of Training
position within the Plant Operations Department.
David Rogers, the current General Manager of Plant Operations, was
selected as the new Director of Training. The Site Vice President also
announced that Douglas Cooper, former Plant Manager at the D.C. Cook
Nuclear Plant, was selected as the new General Manager of Plant
Operations at Palisades.
The management changes and training reorganization are scheduled to be
completed in the next several weeks.
Regional Action:
None
Contact: Robert G. Krsek (616)764-8971
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REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 OCTOBER 13, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Abb Combustion Engineering Nuclear MR Number: 3-99-0083
Power, Inc. Date: 10/12/99
Festus, Mo Facility via incoming call - NRC inspectors
Festus,Missouri
Dockets: 07000036 License No: SNM-33
Subject: UPDATE ON START-UP OPERATIONS, PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION NO.
PN-399044
Discussion:
On October 11, 1999, the licensee started limited operations with its
salaried staff due to the recent strike of their operators and mechanics
(Teamsters Union). Since the strike began on September 28, 1999, the
licensee's salaried employees were trained on operational, emergency
response and basic health physics procedures. Additional engineering
staff from the licensee's Windsor Connecticut facility are onsite to
assist in the operations and training. One fuel bundle assembly was
produced as part of the licensee's on-the-job training of the staff.
Currently the licensee has not conducted any oxide work and/or
pelletizing operations. This event is documented in Preliminary
Notification No. PNO- III-99-044 issued on September 28, 1999.
Regional Action:
A Region III inspector and acting branch chief are onsite monitoring the
licensee's training program and operational readiness.
Contact: Darrel Wiedeman (630)829-9808
Monte Phillips (630)829-9806
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