NRC MONITORING UNUSUAL EVENT
AT DUANE ARNOLD NUCLEAR PLANT
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region III office in Lisle, Illinois, has activated its Incident Response Center to monitor an Unusual Event declared at the Duane Arnold Nuclear Plan triggered by the loss of three major sources of telecommunications at the station due to rising floodwaters. The plant, operated by FPL Energy, is located in Palo, Iowa.

The plant is in a stable condition at 100 percent power. There have been no unplanned radioactive releases. State and local officials have been informed.

The commercial telephone lines, the federal telephone system and the microwave communication system were lost due to flooding in the area of the plant. Communications with the NRC and other local, state and federal agencies are currently maintained though the use of satellite phones and cellular phones.

NRC resident inspectors are monitoring the situation at the plant. NRC inspectors from the Region III office and other Region III plants will be going to the station to assist with onsite monitoring.

An Unusual Event indicates that events are in process or have occurred which indicate a potential degradation of the level of safety of the plant or indicate a security threat to facility protection. No releases of radioactive material requiring offsite response or monitoring are expected unless further degradation of safety systems occurs.

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Friday, June 13, 2008