(AWARENESS/NO ACTION REQUIRED) INITIAL: STEAM PIPE RUPTURE at LENINGRAD NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, RUSSIA

For everyone’s information.

Purpose:

This report provides awareness to Senior Leadership of current news or events that may be of interest to DOE principals, but not necessarily actionable.

Context: On Friday, December 18, 2015, 2:30 PM EDT, the Emergency Operations Center received a notification that a  steam pipe at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant in Sosnovy Bor (43 miles west of St. Petersburg) burst Friday afternoon. The pipe began leaking radioactive material through the steam upon rupture, however the plant's management says the relevant unit has been shut down and the situation is under control. All non-essential staff at that the unit were sent home. The local government in Sosnovy Bor says the situation is under control and that there is no need for an evacuation of local residents. The incident has not yet been picked up by major international or Russian media outlets. The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant is made up of four RMBK-1000 nuclear reactors, the same type used at Chernobyl, that have since been replaced by VVER reactors. The EOC has been in contact with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and State Department with no additional information to provide. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this event, please contact the DOE Watch Office at 202-586-8100.

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