Nrc Declares An Emergency At An Arkansas Nuclear Power Plant Due To Breaker Explosion

NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO
A BREAKER EXPLOSION IN THE PROTECTED AREA

At 0750 [CDT] on 3/31/2013, during movement of
the Unit 1 Main Turbine Generator Stator (~500 tons), the Unit 1 turbine
temporary lift device failed. This caused a loss of all off site power on
Unit 1. The ANO Unit 1 #1 and #2 EDG [Emergency Diesel Generator] have
started and are supplying A-3 4160V switchgear and A-4 4160V switchgear. P-4A
Service Water pump and P-4C Service Water pump has been verified running.
Unit 1 has entered [procedures] 1202.007 – Degraded Power, 1203.028 – Loss of
Decay Heat, and 1203.050 – Spent Fuel Emergencies. Unit 1 is in MODE 6.

At this time, the full extent of structural
damage on Unit 1 is not known. There was one known fatality and 4
known serious injuries to workers. The local coroner is on site for
the fatality and the injured personnel have been transported offsite to local
hospitals. Investigation into the cause of the failure and extent of damage
is ongoing.

On Unit 2, all rods inserted during the trip.
The core is being cooled via natural circulation. Decay heat is being removed
via steam dumps to atmosphere. There is no known primary to secondary
leakage.

The licensee has notified the State of
Arkansas, local authorities, OSHA and the NRC Resident Inspector.