ML022960334
| ML022960334 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | North Anna  |
| Issue date: | 10/17/2002 |
| From: | Heacock D Dominion Generation |
| To: | Huang D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, State of VA, Dept of Environmental Quality |
| References | |
| Download: ML022960334 (2) | |
Text
David A. Heacock
~o iin Site Vice President Dominion Generation North Anna Power Station P.O. Box 402, Mineral, VA 23117 Phone 540-894-2101, Fax: 540-894-2878 David_Heacock@dom corn October 17, 2002 Ms. Dona Huang Virginia Emergency Response Council (VERC) c/o Virginia DEQ SARA Title III Program P.O. Box 10009 Richmond, VA 23240-0009
Dear Ms. Huang:
Dominion is the majority owner and operator of the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Virginia.
This letter is to inform you of a release of a listed hazardous substance in excess of a reportable quantity under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community-Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) at the North Anna facility. At no time was there any danger to the public from nuclear operations.
On October 5, 2002, there was a small leak of refrigerant (Freon, R-12) from a chilled water mechanical chiller serving the Unit I and Unit 2 nuclear generators at North Anna. Unit I was at 100% power and Unit 2 had been shut down for a scheduled refueling outage. The chiller was isolated and before repair work could begin, there was a complete failure to contain the refrigerant and the entire system charge of R-12 was released. This charge was approximately 5,250 pounds of R-12. The release was ongoing from approximately 0210 to 0454 on the morning of October 5. The CERCLA reportable quantity for R-12 is 5,000 pounds in a 24-hour period. The R-12 is neither toxic nor flammable and did not represent a direct hazard to human health or welfare, other than as a simple asphyxiant. The area where the leak occurred was ventilated, the air was checked for R-12 and oxygen concentrations, and the area was re-entered when it was safe to make repairs.
Once the small leak became a large leak, there was nothing our personnel could have safely done to prevent the entire charge from escaping. Dominion believes that there was no direct harm done to the local environment as a result of this release.
We immediately reported the release to the National Response Center, the Virginia Emergency Response Center, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
We believe this letter meets the intent of the written notification requirement under CERCLA. If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Mr. Andy Gates of Dominion's Electric Environmental Services group at (804) 273-2950.
Very truly yours, D. A. Heacock Site Vice President
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North Anna Power Station cc:49 1
Ms. Dona Huang October 17, 2002 Page 3 Cc:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth St., SW, Suite 23T85 Atlanta, GA 30303 RE: NorthAnna Units I and 2 Docket Nos. 50-338/50-339 License Nos. NPF-4/NPF-7 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 RE: North Anna Units 1 and 2 Docket Nos. 50-338/50-339 License Nos. NPF-4/NPF-5 Mr. M.J. Morgan NRC Senior Resident Inspector North Anna Power Station