ML25036A076
| ML25036A076 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 01/30/2025 |
| From: | Barnes J FEMA LOMC Clearinghouse |
| To: | Dante Johnson Policy and Oversight Branch |
| References | |
| NSIR-25-0002 | |
| Download: ML25036A076 (1) | |
Text
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20472 January 30, 2025 Don Johnson Senior Emergency Preparedness Specialist Policy Oversight Branch Division of Preparedness and Response Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555
Subject:
Comanche Peak Alert and Notification System Outage
Dear Mr. Johnson,
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) received your request on December 19, 2024, for a formal review of the situation identified in your message.
On December 17, 2024, Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant (CPNPP) experienced an unplanned loss of the alert and notification system (ANS), the primary alerting method of outdoor warning sirens, capability for 30 hours3.472222e-4 days <br />0.00833 hours <br />4.960317e-5 weeks <br />1.1415e-5 months <br />. FEMA has reviewed the event and interviewed the Offsite Response Organizations (ORO) responsible for the operation of the sirens. We have verified several facts: A contracted service did replace the primary radio repeater for activation of the sirens as part of a maintenance process. The siren system was still functional since the system also has a back-up radio repeater. However, this could have impacted the primary alerting systems capability to meet the 15-minute design objective, since the ORO would need to determine the fault and correct it in the limited timeframe.
When FEMA interviewed the ORO on the process of testing recently installed equipment, the ORO identified they have a current maintenance process of testing all new equipment post installation to verify functionality. The ORO stated they would have used that process if they had been notified of the maintenance. Also, according to the ORO, they were still unaware of the replacement until after they had performed a regularly scheduled test of the equipment, that led to the discovery of the fault.
The maintenance service is contracted through the licensee.
FEMA has observed and recommended the following:
- 1. FEMA will need to review onsite access to ANS equipment to ensure that security measures are sufficient.
- 2. FEMA and NRC will need to review the communications process between the Licensee and ORO to check for potential shortfalls.
- 3. The contractor appears to be at fault. FEMA will ask the NRC for assistance with the Licensee in collecting contracting information.
A reasonable assurance of public safety was maintained, as the back-up ANS and the primary ANS remained functional.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or Nan Williams, Chief (Acting), Policy &
Doctrine Branch at (202) 649-9393.
Sincerely, Joshua Barnes, Chief (Acting)
Engineering & Technology Section Policy & Doctrine Branch Technological Hazards Division Federal Emergency Management Agency JOSHUA M BARNES Digitally signed by JOSHUA M BARNES Date: 2025.02.03 10:51:38 -05'00'