TVA Today:
Daily news for employees

Friday, September 5, 2003 - U P D A T E

NRC Provides Preliminary Results on Sequoyah Inspection
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says preliminary results from a special inspection show that Sequoyah Nuclear Plant operators, based on plant indicators at the time, acted correctly and conservatively in manually shutting down Unit 1 and declaring an Alert on Aug. 28.

The NRC sent an Augmented Inspection Team to Sequoyah on Friday, Aug. 29, to assist the NRC inspector at the site in evaluating the Aug. 28 event. By Sunday, Aug. 31, the NRC decided to downgrade the team to a special-inspection team based on the NRC’s independent conclusion that the event had posed no risk to plant personnel or the public.

The inspection team presented its preliminary results at a public meeting at Sequoyah Training Center yesterday. At the meeting, NRC inspection team members said the Sequoyah Unit 1 reactor-protection system had operated as designed and that the reactor did not shut down automatically because the set points that would cause a shutdown had not been reached before operators manually shut down the reactor. The quick actions taken by plant operators to shut down the reactor and the Alert declaration were correct based on plant indicators at that time, according to the NRC.

The NRC also confirmed that there was no release of radioactive materials associated with the event, nor was there any threat to the health and safety of the public.

The NRC will issue a formal written report within a few weeks.

The Aug. 28 shutdown and Alert declaration
Operators declared an Alert, the second-lowest of four emergency-classification levels for commercial nuclear-power plants, on Sequoyah Unit 1 at 4:18 p.m. Aug. 28 when the main generator shut down during quarterly testing of the turbine. The operators promptly identified a condition warranting a reactor shutdown and manually initiated the action 25 seconds later, as appropriate, since they did not get an automatic shutdown. The turbine then shut down as a result of the manual-reactor shutdown. The plant was quickly brought to a stable shutdown condition.

“The fact that the generator shut down and the reactor did not automatically shut down caused the operators to think that the reactor-protection system may have failed,” says Rick Purcell, Sequoyah Vice President. “Therefore, a conservative declaration of an Alert was made in accordance with the Radiological Emergency Plan. The Alert was terminated at 8:30 p.m. after the emergency-response team completed all notifications and satisfied the requirements for event termination as required by procedures.”

Personnel and procedures effective
“The Aug. 28 event at Sequoyah demonstrated that the extensive training plant employees participate in and the procedures the site has in place to manage operational events are effective,” says Purcell.

“The NRC noted in the public meeting that Sequoyah’s root-cause analysis of this event has been sufficiently thorough.

“Now that we have an understanding of the event that occurred last week, we will learn from this experience in order to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to improve our overall operations.”

Surplus Computer Donation Program Reaches Major Milestone
TVA’s Surplus Computer Donation Program continues to help provide computer access to children in needy schools in the Tennessee Valley. The program is managed by TVA’s Procurement organization in partnership with distributors of TVA power.

The program reached a major milestone in August when the number of donated surplus computers exceeded 2,000. Since the program’s inception in 2000, a total of 2,231 computers have been distributed to 125 schools throughout TVA’s service area.

“In fiscal year 2003, we have donated 1,103 surplus computers to 32 schools throughout the Tennessee Valley,” says Procurement Senior Manager Steve Ayers.

“We look forward to another productive year in FY ’04. With the economic challenges facing many of these school systems, these computers can really make a difference.”

A recent program enhancement includes a “TVA KIDS activity book” for students in grades 1-3. The book now accompanies every TVA computer donated to an elementary school.

The activity book, which was a joint effort between Communications & Government Relations, TVA University and Procurement, is designed to help children learn more about TVA through a variety of educational activities – such as coloring exercises, puzzles and mazes.

“The book should prove to be an excellent learning tool for elementary-school teachers,” says Mike Metcalf, Procurement Business Services Manager and a member of the Surplus Computer Donation Program Team. “I know the book works, because my 7-year-old daughter tried and tested it throughout its development.”

For more information about the program, call or e-mail Denice Dunagan (751-2948).

Fun, Prizes and More at Chattanooga CFC Fair Tuesday
Fun, prizes, refreshments – all that and more will be available at the Chattanooga Area Combined Federal Campaign Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Chattanooga-area employees whose work schedules permit are invited to attend the fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Exhibit Hall B of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Convention & Trade Center.

The CFC Fair provides an opportunity for CFC-supported agencies to set up exhibits and booths to showcase their services. The information available can help federal employees determine which charitable, health and human-services organizations they want to support with their CFC contributions. The Chattanooga Area CFC serves agencies in 20 counties, including portions of East Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

The fair also will feature door prizes, such as restaurant gift certificates and flower arrangements, and a soda stand with complimentary soft drinks. While visiting the agency booths, employees can collect a ticket from each one. After they’ve collected 10 tickets, they can register for the door-prize drawings at the prize table.

More information about the Chattanooga CFC, as well as some of the other CFC efforts at TVA, is available on TVA's intranet.

Knoxville United Way Day of Caring Sept. 11; Smoky Mountain CFC Golf Tourney Sept. 22
Employees and contractors are reminded of the United Way Day of Caring in Knoxville scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, and the Smoky Mountain Region CFC’s first annual Golf Outing Sept. 22.

The United Way Day of Caring projects include helping with maintenance at the Tanasi Girl Scout camp, a food drive and a clothing drive. See the Aug. 20 TVA Today in the archives for more information or call Robin Robinson at 632-7119.

The deadline to register for the golf tournament is Monday, Sept. 8. The tournament, sponsored by the Administration organization to benefit the Smoky Mountain CFC, will be held at Three Ridges Golf Course in Knoxville. More information is available in the Aug. 28 TVA Today. Those interested in participating should contact Paula Brown at 632-2974.

FPG Hosting Walkathon Oct. 3 To Benefit PIE School
The Fossil Power Group will host a walkathon at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, to benefit the Herman H. Battle Academy, FPG’s Partner In Education school. At the end of the walkathon, all registered participants can enjoy a hot-dog lunch. Door prizes will be awarded. The event is open to everyone, not just FPG employees.

Registration for the walk is $10. Participants will receive a Battle Walkathon T-shirt, which will serve as their ticket for lunch. Registrants who can’t take part in the walk are reminded to wear their shirt if they plan to attend the lunch.

Registrations must be received by Sept. 15 so shirts can be ordered in time. Shirts can be picked up from Donna Walker (LP 3J) Sept. 29 and 30. Registration will remain open through Oct. 1, but shirts will not be available to late registrants (they will receive lunch tickets).

As an added incentive for FPG employees, the FPG department with the most participants will receive a water bottle for each person who registers.

Walkers should gather near the entrance to the Live Well Center outside Lookout Place at the corner of 12th and Chestnut. TVA Police will provide an escort along a route that will lead past Battle Academy students and end at the Lookout Place courtyard.

Call Donna Walker at 751-4459 for a registration form or more information. Checks made payable to Battle Academy are preferred, but cash also is acceptable.

Battle Academy is a magnet primary school in downtown Chattanooga.

Project Management Institute Meeting Monday in Knoxville
The East Tennessee Chapter of the Project Management Institute will hold its regular meeting at the Mandarin House Restaurant on Downtown West Boulevard in Knoxville on Monday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m.

The meeting will include the election of officers for the upcoming year, the presentation of the second annual scholarship award and a presentation by Adediji Badiru, head of the Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Networking will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 and the program at about 7. Dinner will be the regular buffet at a cost of about $11. For information, call Lois Threlkeld at 632-4655.

IBEW Local 765 Meeting Monday in Sheffield
Local 765 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept.8, at its usual location in Sheffield, Ala. Members are urged to attend.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Monday, Sept. 8

• Downtown Speaker’s Connection meeting (a Toastmasters club), 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., WT 9D-225, Knoxville. Contact: Greg Strach, 632-6953.

Tuesday, Sept. 9

• Chattermasters meeting (a Toastmasters club), 11:45 a.m., Missionary Ridge (MR 1 N403), Chattanooga. Club purpose: To develop skills and confidence in public speaking. Contact: Marie Colson, 751-2098; Chattermasters Web site: http://www.nonprofitpages.com/chattermasters.

Wednesday, Sept. 10

• TVA public auction of construction equipment and materials, 8 a.m. CDT, Investment Recovery Center, Hartsville, Tenn. Items for sale will include various pieces. Click here http://www.tva.gov/surplus/auctions.htm for a list of items, including some photos, and other information.