U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center

Event Reports For 07/14/1999 - 07/15/1999

THE IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY DECLARED AN ALERT DUE TO LOSS OF OFF SITE POWER AND A DIESEL FAILURE. THE LABORATORY REPORTED THAT THEY HAD A LOSS OF COMMERCIAL POWER DUE TO A FIRE IN THE ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION. THERE WAS ALSO A FAILURE OF THE DIESEL GENERATOR. THIS CLASSIFICATION IS A DOE TYPE ALERT AND NOT A NRC TYPE ALERT. THE LABORATORY DOES HAVE TMI FUEL ON SITE, BUT IT IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ALERT.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 1999

Answers

At this late date the EDGs should be running like Swiss watches. They should be absolutely dependable. Something is seriously wrong here. Are we on this forum the only people who are concerned about the EDGs being up and ready? It would seem that decades of neglect have taken a toll on both the equipment and the attitude of the owners. I find I want to scream at the people who allow this sort of thing to continue. The EDGs are just machines, not all that complex, and only need thorough maintenace and regular running. Apparently that is not happening at every site. This is the ultimate weak link in the nuke system and concerns me very much.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 1999

Yes Gordon.. we are the only ones.

Scream away at the top of your lungs.... no one is listening.

Sigh.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 1999

I'm listening, Gordon.

Does this DOE site have a reactor? I'm glad the TMI fuel wasn't affected; why was it there? A diesel failure SOUNDS serious, what does it really mean, with regard to this site? Do they have just the one EDG? Two? Ten? What should the failed EDG have been powering? Did it get power from somewhere else? I can't find anything else about this event except the NRC notification. Anyone?

-- Anonymous, July 17, 1999

Nucpwr,

I am concerned at the simplest level. Working EDGs, at all required sites, all the time. I have seen this sort of shoddy attention to maintenance in military aircraft. Usually this means that the plane just sits on the ground, waiting for parts, for *months*. Sometimes it means sending it off with "crossed fingers" due to having less than the usually required equipment functioning. I believe this is a problem with military equipment due to poor management and planning, as compared to comparable civilian aircraft. It's not a matter of complexity, it's a matter of attention to details in planning. Now, since you have a vested interest in this industry, I don't expect you to agree with me, but I have long felt that the monopoly in electric generation that has existed for so long has permitted a below average management attitude to become entrenched. I am not talking about the "hands on" level of personnel, only the upper level of officers and the way that they have provided the parts, maintenance, training, etc, at the operator level. No maintenance crew can spend the time and money needed on any EDG if the upper management doesn't totally support such a program. That's where my concern lies. And unfortunately we are not going to change that management style in the next few months.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 1999

I have tried many times to get reliable information from and about the INEEL. I have searched their website and called them and am now more confused about their readiness than I was before. If anyone has any more information about this facility the information will be appreciated.

Teague

-- Anonymous, July 17, 1999

Gordon: if you'll permit an airline analogy. If only three of four engines are working, you don't take off. If one fails while airborne, there really isn't a need to parachute. The plane doesn't have to crash, it does need to land.

As far as management involvement; I honestly feel there is at least one plant site - mine - where safety is twice as important as any other concern. Not money, not hurt feelings, not 'get it done now!'. I believe that every other plant is the same. Nuclear power is under such a microscope (and that is not a bad thing) that we can't afford to even APPEAR to operate unsafely. And I don't. There is a book called Hostages of Each Other, written from a slightly anti- nuclear viewpoint, that you may find interesting. It details the change necessary in the industry, post TMI.

Back to the big picture; working EDG's all the time... I think that is a good idea. Mine are ready.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 1999

Nucpwr,

OK, what you are saying makes sense. Thank you. And I am glad to hear that your own plant is in capable hands. I do know that while almost all airlines attempt to operate with safety as the first issue, there are a few from time to time that do not. Never the big ones. If corners are cut it will be with some "upstart" that has cut the prices so low that there is no room for every maintenance item that should be addressed. It happens. I have been hoping that is not the same case with any nuclear power sites, since with all the buyouts and mergers it seemed that maybe a "bottom line oriented" ownership might also start to cut corners where they shouldn't.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 1999

NUCpwr: It's good to know that your plant is ready; that your diesels are maintained.

What can we as the average concerned citizens do to make sure the rest of the nukes are? Without NRC's or any other 'partisan' viewpoints involved. You sound like the insider around here, what can you do to find out? Do you have the names and phone numbers to call even the ones in your own state to see if they need help, what kind of help... blah blah frickin blah. I hate waiting to see what's gonna happen. I'd rather help make it happen. I have no qualifications to even walk into a plant. Regardless, what can be done on the 'grassroots' level. Besides NIRS. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

I'd be happy to go in and oil up their diesels. For free. Show me where the grease goes, and where the other five in the plant are... -The Rookie

-- Anonymous, July 18, 1999