NEW

ALERT DECLARED DUE TO AN URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE (UF6) RELEASE

At 1755 CDT on 08/01/15, Honeywell declared an ALERT and activated their Emergency Response Team (ERT) based on an on-going UF6 release. The source of the leak is from a tell-tale valve installed during maintenance activities for Condenser #4 in the Feed Materials Building (FMB) 6th floor. The licensee employed a mitigating strategy using CO2 inside the FMB and spray towers external to the FMB.

A Protective Action Recommendation (PAR) order was issued for local residents to shelter in-place although there was no indication of an offsite release.

At 2035 CDT the licensee reported that the leak was isolated by installing a pipe plug into the threaded tell-tale line. The PAR was lifted at 1948 CDT.

There are no worker injuries with all personnel accounted for. The licensee plans to issue a press release.

Notified other FEDS (DHS SWO, DOE Ops Center, FEMA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, NICC Watch Officer, USDA Ops Center, EPA EOC, and FDA EOC, FEMA NWC and NuclearSSA via email)

* * * UPDATE AT 2240 EDT ON 08/01/15 FROM MARK WOLF TO REGION 2 INCIDENT RESPONSE CENTER * * *

At 2032 CDT on 08/01/15, the ALERT was downgraded to a Plant Emergency based on mitigation status and visual observation of the affected area.

* * * UPDATE AT 0032 EDT ON 08/02/15 FROM MARK WOLF TO REGION 2 INCIDENT RESPONSE CENTER * * *

The licensee will be remaining in the plant emergency mode while monitoring the vessel under vacuum conditions. The decision to replace the flange will be made by the licensee in the morning following monitoring of the vacuum conditions.