Emergency Alert at Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant

WNEP-TV ^ | March 1, 2006

[Palladin]

An emergency alert has been raised at the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant in Salem Township in Luzerne County, but officials said the public is not in danger. According to PPL officials at the plant, there was a release of halon in one of the non-nuclear structures at the plant. Halon is a fire suppressant. Officials at the plant said no flames were present, but there was a burnt smell detected.

The Luzerne County Emergency Agency also responded to the incident, and local E.M.A officials are on alert. Officials said there have been no evacuations. For any questions, residents of Luzerne County can call the rumor hotline at 1-800-821-3716. In Columbia County, residents can call the rumor hotline at 570-389-5738.

[Vaquero]

lou Costello: Well I mean, after all, all I don't understand this. I wanna go, to the Susquehanna Hat Company!

Lady: Susquehanna Hat Company??? (cries angrily, takes hat off Lou's head) - Is that a Susquehanna hat? That's the same kind of hat my husband was wearing when he was killed! He wouldn't have lost his life if he had of been wearing a good hat when that safe fell off that 15 storey building - but no! He was wearing a hat like this one. (punches hole through hat) That's the cheapest hat I ever saw ... Oh! My husband's dead! (runs off crying) He's Dead! He's Dead!

[sefarkas]

High overhead shot of Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant.

[mvpel]

'funny', when i was planning to relocate to PA i researched nuke plant locations and prevailing winds; yet, i guess this coulda been hurtin me and loved ones 75 mi away....

How could halon fire suppressant hurt you from 75 miles away?

[freedomson]

Wait a dern minute, in those photos the shadows don't line up properly, it's just a prop and some photoshopping, there is NO REACTOR AY SUSQUEHANNA!!!!!!

[Dog Gone]

A halon release in a non-nuclear part of the plant is about as newsworthy as a toilet overflow at the facility.

[mvpel]

And, did you research coal-fired power plants and prevailing winds? A typical coal plant releases more radioactive material every year, including uranium, thorium, radon, etc, than all the nuclear power plants in the world put together.

It's called "NORM" - Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material - and there's more heat energy in the uranium and thorium in coal ash than was in the coal burned to produce it.

[sefarkas]

The rules for calling the NRC are quite specific. You can see a list of 3-4 calls per day at the Event Notification Page -- Current. This is the report Susquehanna staff filed with the NRC.

ALERT DECLARED DUE TO HALON DISCHARGE IN SECURITY CONTROL CENTER

"At 21:27 on March 1, 2006, a Susquehanna security officer evacuated the security control center and notified the control room of a fire alarm and actuation of the Halon fire suppression system. The actuation of this system resulted in a potential atmosphere immediately dangerous to life and health [IDLH] of personnel in a plant vital area. The fire brigade responded to the event, donning respirators to enter the building, but saw no visible smoke or flames. As a result of an IDLH atmosphere in a plant vital area, Susquehanna entered the emergency plan at the Alert level."

The NRC Resident Inspector was informed and responded to the site. The licensee notified state, local and other government agencies. The licensee plans on issuing a press release.

Notified DHS (Hill), FEMA (Liggett), DOE (Bailey), EPA (National Response Center, Baumgartner), HHS (Riggs), and USDA (D. Timmons).

* * * UPDATE AT 0530 EST ON 3/2/06 FROM RICH KLINEFELTER TO S. SANDIN * * *

The licensee terminated the Alert 0433 EST based on the following:

Habitability was restored to the security control center by

1. Stopping the Halon discharge 2. Ventilating the affected area 3. Restoring access 4. Isolating Halon sources in the adjacent area to prevent a recurrence and, 5. Posting Fire Watches.

The licensee informed State/local agencies and the on-site NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified Region I (Perry), NRR EO (Calvo), IRD (Leach), DHS (Hill), FEMA (Liggett), DOE (Pauley), EPA (National Response Center, McCrossen), HHS (H. Peagler), and USDA (D. Timmons).

[GOPJ]

High overhead shot of Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant.

Thanks for the view...

[SmithL]

Why is it Bush's fault?

Because it's ALWAYS Bush's fault.

And welcome to Free Republic.

[RadioCirca1970]

Three words for you!!!

U A E!

Oh God, see, I knew it, we sold them the ports, and we gave them the plant, Michael Savage and Sean predicted this would happen! Pat Buchannan was right, NAFTA did this, oh God, I am joining the know-nothing party! ARGHGHGHG// End of Panic!

Just thought I would pre-suppos e what all those calls to talk radio will sound like later today. Seriously I hope everyone is safe! Prayers for all involved!

[1234]

"And, did you research coal-fired power plants and prevailing winds? ..."

nope; worried 'bout a TMI only.
tx for more stuff to worry 'bout.

[Willie Green]

I wouldn't mind having the Coast Guard patrolling the Susquehanna River. There would be a lot fewer drunks falling out of speedboats.

The Susquehanna isn't commercially navigable, is it?
I don't doubt that there are stretches suitable for recreational boating,
but I also recall crossing bridges (near Harrisburg) where the river looked waaaaaay too shallow and rocky for commercial river traffic. Certainly not like the rivers in Pittsburgh.

[OB1kNOb]

"Give me Susquehanna 2222." - Shemp

[1234]

"How could halon fire suppressant hurt you from 75 miles away?"

don't u git it?: it's worry mat'l.!
EVOKES TMI MEMORIES
tx for your concern and responses.

[BamaAndy]

Having spent several great years working for PP&L at SSES (Susquehanna) I can tell you the plant staff are the best--the training cycles carried through (no exceptions), the professionalism of everyone there--this as any emergency will be handled perfectly.
It's a great company and a great plant.

[Tribune7]

Pa. ping

[Eagle Eye]

What's that smell associated with?

but there was a burnt smell detected.

My educated guess says there was something burning but not on fire. No flames; no fire. The automatic system activated as it was supposed to and since this is halon, it was probably a room full of electronics.

The biggest hazard to halon exposure in this situation is oxygen displacement.

[Tribune7]

It's near Wilkes Barre

[Tribune7]

Thanks.

[Apple Blossom]

Ping.