IR 05000016/2025001
| ML25190A440 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Fermi  |
| Issue date: | 07/09/2025 |
| From: | Dave Hills NRC/RGN-III |
| To: | Peter Dietrich DTE Electric Company, Detroit Edison, Co |
| References | |
| IR 2025001 | |
| Download: ML25190A440 (1) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
ENRICO FERMI ATOMIC POWER PLANT, UNIT 1 - NRC INSPECTION REPORT NO. 050-00016/2025-001 (DRSS)
Dear Pete Dietrich:
On June 24, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit 1 (Fermi 1). On June 24, 2025, the NRC inspectors discussed the results of this inspection with Mike Ciko, Director, Operations, and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.
During the inspection period, the NRC inspector reviewed the following aspects of onsite activities: safety reviews, design changes and modifications; problem identification and resolution; fire protection; decommissioning performance; occupational radiation exposure; radiological surveys; radioactive waste treatment, effluent, and environmental monitoring; and waste management and transportation. The inspection consisted of an examination of activities at the site as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations.
No violations of more than minor safety significance were identified during this inspection.
July 9, 2025 This letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available for public inspection and copying at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html and at the NRC Public Document Room in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.
Sincerely, David E. Hills, Chief Decommissioning, Reactor, and ISFSI HP Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security Docket No.50-016 License No. DPR-9
Enclosure:
IR No. 05000016/2025001
Inspection Report
Docket No:
50-016
License No:
Report No:
05000016/2025001(DRSS)
Licensee:
DTE Electric Company
Facility:
Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit 1
Location:
Newport, MI
Dates:
October 8, 2024, to June 24, 2025
Inspector:
Peter J Lee, Reactor Inspector (Decom), Ph.D., CHP
Approved by:
David E. Hills, Chief
Decommissioning, Reactor, ISFSI HP Branch
Division of Radiological Safety and Security
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Enrico Fermi Atomic Power plant, Unit 1
NRC Inspection Report Nos. 05000016/2025001(DRSS)
This U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspection was a routine, announced
inspection of decommissioning activities being conducted at the facility. A brief summary of the
areas reviewed are described below. Based on the results of the inspection no violations of
more than minor safety significance were identified.
Safety Reviews, Design Changes, and Modifications
The inspector determined that licensee had not performed any design changes that
warranted a safety evaluation per Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) 50.59.
Problem Identification and Resolution
Issues were identified by the licensee at appropriate thresholds and entered into the
Corrective Action Program (CAP). Issues were screened and prioritized commensurate
with safety significance. Licensee evaluations determined the significance of issues and
included appropriate remedial corrective actions.
Fire Protection Program at Permanently Shutdown Reactors
The program is inspected by the NRC through the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) for
Unit 2.
Decommissioning Performance and Status Review
The inspectors determined that decommissioning activities were in accordance with the
regulations and license requirements.
Occupational Radiation Exposure
The inspector determined that the licensee had not conducted any radiological work that
resulted in worker exposures this past year.
Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent and Environmental Monitoring
The liquid and gaseous effluent sampling program was effective at quantifying
radioactive effluent releases and the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program
(REMP) and Groundwater Protection Initiative (GPI) were implemented in accordance
with applicable procedures.
Solid Radioactive Waste Management and Transportation of Radioactive Materials
The licensee effectively processed, handled, stored, and transported radioactive
material.
Report Details
Summary of Facility Status
Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit 1 (FERMI 1) is a permanently shut-down and defueled
power reactor maintained in a Safe Storage (SAFSTOR) condition. During this inspection
period, the licensee continued to maintain Fermi 1 in a passive monitoring SAFSTOR status;
therefore, no physical decommissioning activities have been conducted. Since the last NRC
inspection of Fermi 1, the licensee continued to conduct the technical specification monitoring
surveillances, removal of standing water from the facility, and the groundwater monitoring. This
facility is co-located with an operating reactor; thus, inspection activities were focused on
program elements not assessed under the reactor oversight process for the operating unit.
1.0
Safety Reviews, Design Changes, and Modifications at Permanently Shutdown
Reactors (IP 37801)
1.1
Inspection Scope
The purpose of this portion of the inspection was to verify that the licensees safety
review process was in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.59,
Changes, tests, and experiments such that license amendments were obtained when
required.
1.2
Observations and Findings
During the inspection, the inspector confirmed there were no changes to the
decommissioning facility that required a safety evaluation according to the provisions of
No findings of significance were identified.
1.3
Conclusions
The licensee had not performed any design changes that warranted a safety evaluation
per 10 CFR 50.59.
2.0
Problem Identification and Resolution at Permanently Shutdown Reactors
(IP 40801)
2.1
Inspection Scope
The purpose of this portion of the inspection was to evaluate 1) the effectiveness of
licensee controls to identify, resolve, and correct issues, 2) the audit and assessment
program, and 3) management reviews of the safety conscious work environment.
2.2
Observations and Findings
The inspector reviewed all issues the licensee entered into the CAP since the last
inspection. The inspector reviewed the licensees audit of its semi-annual technical
specification monitoring surveillances, Audit 25-0104 conducted from May 19, 2025,
through June 02, 2025. Selected corrective action work orders associated with identified
deficiencies were also reviewed. The technical specification monitoring surveillances
included weekly and monthly facility inspections, and quarterly radiation surveys. The
audits of technical specification monitoring surveillances were appropriately focused in
both scope and level of detail, and the licensee initiated appropriate corrective actions to
resolve the audit findings.
No findings of significance were identified.
2.3
Conclusions
Issues were identified by the licensee at appropriate thresholds and entered into the
CAP. Issues were screened and prioritized commensurate with safety significance.
Licensee evaluations determined the significance of issues and included appropriate
remedial corrective actions.
3.0
Fire Protection Program at Permanently Shutdown Reactors (IP 64704)
3.1
Inspection Scope
The purpose of this portion of the inspection was to evaluate the effectiveness of the fire
protection program to ensure adequate protection from fire-induced release of
radioactive material.
3.2
Observations and Findings
The fire protection program was inspected by the NRCs Reactor Oversight Process
(ROP). The licensees fire protection program is documented in the Fermi Integrated
Inspection Report (ADAMS Accession Number ML23244A212).
No findings of significance were identified.
3.3
Conclusions
This program is inspected by the NRC through the ROP for Unit 2.
4.0
Decommissioning Performance and Status Review (IP 71801)
4.1
Inspection Scope
The purpose of this portion of the inspection was to evaluate the status of
decommissioning and to verify the decommissioning activities are in accordance with
regulatory and license requirements.
4.2
Observations and Findings
The inspector performed walkdowns, reviewed documents, and interviewed plant
personnel to assess the licensees performance in the following areas:
Weekly and monthly facility inspection, and quarterly radiation surveillance;
The postings and boundaries for contamination control; and
Control of the final status survey areas.
The general condition of the facility was found to be well maintained and consistent with
good housekeeping practices. The postings and boundaries for contamination control
were well maintained. Final status survey (FSS) areas were adequately isolated and
posted. There were no unexpected radiation readings detected. The radiation readings
were consistent with the measurements taken to support the licensees return of Fermi 1
in early 2012 from active decommissioning to a passive monitoring SAFSTOR status
(ADAMS Accession Number ML12090A151).
The only standing water left was in the sumps of the Fuel and Repair Building (FARB)
maintenance pit. As described in Section 6.2, the licensee had pumped the water to the
sanitary sewer system due to no detectable licensed materials identified.
No findings of significance were identified.
4.3
Conclusions
The inspectors determined that decommissioning activities were in accordance with the
regulations and license requirements.
5.0
Occupational Radiation Exposure at Permanently Shutdown Reactors (IP 83750)
5.1
Inspection Scope
The purpose of this portion of the inspection was to evaluate the effectiveness of the
licensees occupational radiation safety program to adequately protect worker health and
safety from exposure to radiation or radioactive material.
5.2
Observations and Findings
Based on the discussion with the licensee, there was no radiological work associated
with worker exposures this past year.
No findings of significance were identified.
5.3
Conclusions
The inspector determined that the licensee had not conducted any radiological work that
resulted in worker exposures this past year.
6.0
Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent and Environmental Monitoring
(IP 84750)
6.1
Inspection Scope
The purpose of this portion of the inspection was to evaluate the effectiveness of the
licensees liquid and gaseous effluent sampling program to quantify radioactive effluent
releases and to verify that the radiological environmental monitoring program and
groundwater protection initiative were effectively implemented.
6.2
Observations and Findings
The inspector performed walkdowns, reviewed documents, and interviewed plant
personnel to assess the licensees performance in the following areas:
Analyses of ground water from Fermi1 active sumps;
Analyses of ground water from Fermi1 monitoring wells; and
Analyses of water recirculated through filter from the hot sump and from
maintenance pits.
As noted in Sections 4.2, the licensee had removed the standing water from the FARB
maintenance pit sumps, pumping it into the sanitary sewer system. The inspector
reviewed analytical sampling results associated with those releases, as well as those
from active sumps and determined that no licensed materials were released. Fermi 1
active sumps were sampled semi-annually in accordance with Surveillance Performance
Form, Event FI 98. The inspector also reviewed the groundwater analytical sampling
results from monitoring wells. Based on the review of the analytical sampling results, the
inspector determined that only natural occurring radioactive materials were identified.
The licensee had recirculated the water from the hot sump through filters until no
licensed materials were identified and then discharged water from the hot sump to the
maintenance pit sumps in the FARB. The inspector reviewed the sampling results and
determined that no licensed materials were identified in the water of the hot sump. The
licensee also had recirculated the water from the maintenance pits through filters until no
licensed materials were identified and then discharged it into the sanitary sewer system.
No findings of significance were identified.
6.3
Conclusions
The liquid and gaseous effluent sampling program was effective at quantifying
radioactive effluent releases and the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program
(REMP) and Groundwater Protection Initiative (GPI) were implemented in accordance
with applicable procedures.
7.0
Solid Radioactive Waste Management and Transportation of Radioactive Materials
(IP 86750)
7.1
Inspection Scope
The purpose of this portion of the inspection was to evaluate the effectiveness of the
licensees programs for processing, handling, storage, and transportation of radioactive
material.
7.2
Observations and Findings
During the inspection, the inspector found that radioactive material was controlled in
accordance with requirements. The inspector interviewed plant personnel and
determined that no shipments of radioactive material occurred since the last inspection.
No findings of significance were identified.
7.3
Conclusions
The licensee effectively processed, handled, stored, and transported radioactive
material.
8.0
Exit Meeting
The inspector presented the inspection results to Mike Ciko and the other members of
the Fermi1 staff at the conclusion of the inspection on June 24, 2025. The licensee
acknowledged the results presented and did not identify any of the information
discussed as proprietary.
ATTACHMENT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED
- Mike Ciko - Director, Operations
- Kelly Belenky - Asst. Manager, Operations
- Patrick McMahon - Supervisor, Nuclear Fire Marshal and Operations Support
- Eric Frank - Manager, Nuclear Licensing
- Roxanne Vonhabsburg - Supervisor, Licensing
- Bruce Rumans - General Supervisor, RP
- Greg Anderson - Licensing
- Present at the June 24, 2025, exit meeting.
INSPECTION PROCEDURES (IPs) USED
Safety Reviews, Design Changes, and Modifications at Permanently Shutdown
Reactors
Self-Assessment, Auditing, and Corrective Action at Permanently Shutdown
Reactors
Fire Protection Program at Permanently Shutdown Reactors
Decommissioning Performance and Status Reviews at Permanently Shutdown
Plants
Occupational Radiation Exposure
Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent and Environmental Monitoring
Solid Radioactive Waste Management and Transportation of Radioactive
Materials
ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
Opened
Type
Summary
None
Closed
Type
Summary
None
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Licensee documents reviewed and utilized during the course of this inspection are specifically
identified in the Report Details
LIST OF ACRONYMS USED
Agencywide Document Access and Management System
Corrective Action Program
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
DRSS
Division of Nuclear Radiological Safety and Security
Final Status Survey
FARB
Fuel and Repair Building
Groundwater Protection Initiative
IP
Inspection Procedure
NRC
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program
SAFSTOR
Safe Storage
TS
Technical Specification