IR 05000018/2025001

Northstar Vallecitos, LLC - NRC Inspection Report 05000018/2025001; 05000070/2025001; 05000073/2025001 and 05000183/2025001

ML25209A567
Person / Time
Site:	Vallecitos Nuclear Center, Vallecitos
Issue date:	08/04/2025
From:	Jeffrey Josey NRC/RGN-IV/DRSS/DIOR
To:	Self L NorthStar Vallecitos
References
IR 2025001
Download: ML25209A567 (1)

Text

August 04, 2025

SUBJECT:

NORTHSTAR VALLECITOS LLC - NRC INSPECTION REPORT 05000018/2025001; 05000070/2025001; 05000073/2025001; and 05000183/2025001

Dear Luke M. Self:

On June 26, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at your NorthStar Vallecitos Nuclear Center. On July 24, 2025, the NRC inspectors discussed the results of this inspection with Adam Ball, Site Superintendent, and other members of your staff.

The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.

No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified during this inspection, and no response to this letter is required.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Agency Rules of Practice and Procedures, a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response if you choose to provide one will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room and from the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To the extent possible, your response should not include any personal privacy or proprietary information so that it can be made available to the public without redaction.

Sincerely, Jeffrey E. Josey, Chief Decomm., ISFSI, and Operating Reactor Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security Docket Nos. 050-00018; 050-00070; 050-00073; and 050-00183 License Nos. DPR-1; TR-1; R-33; and DR-10 Signed by Josey, Jeffrey on 08/04/25

Enclosures:

Inspection Report Nos. 05000018/2025001; 05000070/2025001; 05000073/2025001; and 05000183/2025001 with Attachment, NorthStar Document Request

Inspection Report

Docket Nos.

050-00018; 050-00070; 050-00073; and 050-00183

License Nos.

DPR-1; TR-1; R-33; and DR-10

Report Nos.

05000018/2025001; 05000070/2025001; 05000073/2025001;

and 05000183/2025001

Enterprise Identifiers: I-2025-001-0117 - GETR IR 2025-001

I-2025-001-0118 - NTR IR 2025-001

I-2025-001-0119 - GEV BWR IR 2025-001

I-2025-001-0120 - NorthStar EVESR IR 2025-001

Licensee:

NorthStar Vallecitos LLC

Facility:

NorthStar Vallecitos Nuclear Center

Location:

Sunol, California

Inspection Dates:

June 23-26, 2025

Inspectors:

R. Evans, Senior Health Physicist

E. McManus, Health Physicist

W. Allen, Project Manager

Accompanied By:

M. Abbaszadeh, Senior Health Physicist

Approved By:

J. Josey, Chief

Decommissioning, ISFSI, Operating Reactor Branch

Division of Radiological Safety and Security

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted an announced, routine inspection of decommissioning activities in progress at the NorthStar Vallecitos Nuclear Center (NVNC) in Sunol, California.

List of Findings and Violations

No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified.

Additional Tracking Items

None.

SITE STATUS Since the last inspection of the facility in October 2024 (ML24299A239), control of the five NRC licenses for the Vallecitos Nuclear Center were transferred from GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy to NorthStar Vallecitos LLC in mid-March 2025 (ML24053A060). At the time of the inspection, decommissioning activities were ongoing in several locations around the site including building 103, one of several support buildings for previous site operations. The licensee continued to develop programs and procedures for future decommissioning activities at the shutdown reactor structures.

INSPECTION SCOPES

The inspection was conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs).

Currently approved IPs are located on the public website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html. The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel to assess licensee performance and compliance with Commission rules and regulations, license conditions, site procedures, and standards. The inspection was declared complete when the objectives of the IP were met, consistent with Inspection Manual Chapters (IMCs) 2561, Decommissioning Power Reactor Inspection Program dated January 1, 2021 and IMC 2545, Research and Test Reactor Inspection Program dated March 13, 2020.

IP 71801 - Decommissioning Performance and Status Reviews at Permanently Shutdown Reactors Status of Decommissioning (IP Section 02.01)

The inspectors conducted site tours, interviewed site staff, and reviewed selected records to observe the status of decommissioning. The inspectors:

(1) Toured the Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor (VBWR) and Empire State Atomic Development Associates Incorporated Vallecitos Experimental Superheat Reactor (EVESR)

(2) Toured various support buildings and outdoor areas including Hillside Storage Facility

(3) Reviewed the site emergency plan as documented in the Vallecitos Nuclear Center Reactor Facilities Radiological Emergency Plan (REP) dated April 17, 2025

(4) Reviewed administrative procedure NVNC-AD-110, Notifications and Reporting of Events and Conditions, revision 0

(5) Reviewed emergency response procedure NVNC-ER-602, REP Emergency Classification and Notifications, revision 0

(6) Reviewed the Annual Shutdown Reactor Reports for the Year 2024 dated May 1, 2025 (ML25121A328)

Decommissioning Operations (IP Section 02.02)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed work package for abatement and system removal from building 103, Craft Work Package LAB-CWP-024, Building 103 Abatement and System

(2) Removal

(3) Observed the implementation of the work package LAB-CWP-024 for building 103 Decommissioning Planning, Scheduling, and Cost Assessment (IP Section 02.04)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed procedure NVNC-IS-225, Demolition, revision 0, for current and future demolition activities at the site

(2) Reviewed NVNC Work Package Log, June 24, 2025

(3) Reviewed draft decontamination work packages for the VBWR (VBWR-CWP-009, Decontamination of VBWR Reactor Building) and EVESR (EVESR-CWP-019, Decontamination of EVESR Reactor Building)

Problem Identification and Resolution (IP Section 02.05)

The inspectors reviewed the current list of open, closed, and in-process Condition Reports (CRs). No CR of significance was identified in this program area.

IP 83750 - Occupational Radiation Exposure at Permanently Shutdown Reactors Organization, Changes, and Training (IP Section 02.01)

The inspectors:

(1) Interviewed the Radiation Protection Manager (RPM) regarding the overall implementation of the radiation protection program

(2) Reviewed procedure NCNV-RP-301, Radiation Protection Program, revision 0, and discussed the procedure with the RPM Radiological Work Planning and Observation (IP Section 02.02)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed procedure NCNV-RP-306, Radiological Survey Guidelines, revision 0, Sections 6.0 and 7.0, with the RPM

(2) Reviewed Minutes of ALARA/Radiation Safety Committee (ARSC) Meeting conducted on May 7, 2025

(3) Discussed performance of pre-job briefings with the RPM

(4) Performed tours of the radiological control areas to verify appropriate radiological postings

(5) Discussed radiation survey instrument maintenance, calibration, and source checks with the RPM

(6) Observed work activities to validate that radiation protection staff provided oversight of work and use of instruments in accordance with site procedures Dosimetry (IP Section 02.03)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed procedure NCNV-RP-319, Personnel Monitoring, revision 0

(2) Reviewed procedure NCNV-RP-322, Prenatal Monitoring, revision 0

(3) Reviewed procedure NCNV-RP-325, Whole Body Counting/In Vitro Bioassay, revision 0

(4) Reviewed Dose Summary Report for start of calendar year 2025 through June 12, 2025

(5) Discussed the dosimetry program (Internal and external) with the RPM

(6) Discussed the bioassay program (In vivo/In vitro) with the RPM Airborne and Contamination Controls (IP Section 02.04)

The inspectors:

(1) Discussed the respiratory protection program with RPM

(2) Observed personnel frisking conducted by site staff for contamination

(3) Discussed with RPM the appropriate survey techniques (as stated in procedure RP-306, Radiological Survey Guidelines, revision 0) after observation of personnel frisking conducted by site staff

(4) Discussed with RPM the detection of contamination on a visitors fingers during a site tour Problem Identification and Resolution (IP Section 02.07)

The inspectors reviewed the licensees list of recently issued CRs. No CR of concern was identified in this program area.

IP 84750 - Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent and Environmental Monitoring Changes to the Offsite Dose Calculations Manual (ODCM), Process Control Program, and Radwaste System Design and Operation (IP Section 02.01)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed and discussed the licensees ODCM

(2) Reviewed radwaste system design

(3) Observed operation of the basin radwaste processing system

(4) Discussed the Process Control Program and radwaste system design with RPM.

The RPM stated the programs are unchanged from the previous license owner.

Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment (IP Section 02.02)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed radioactive liquid and gaseous effluent programs

(2) Reviewed the following effluent control procedures:

a.

VNC Environmental Monitoring Manual, NVNC-EMM, revision 0 b.

Radioactive Effluent Control, NVNC-RP-323, revision 0

(3) Discussed the radioactive gaseous and liquid effluent treatment programs with RPM. The licensees effluent monitoring and treatment systems were unchanged from previous license holder.

(4) Toured the following areas to observe operations:

a.

Basin liquid effluent monitoring and discharge system b.

wastewater evaporation plant Radiological Environment Monitoring Program (IP Section 02.03)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed radioactive environment monitoring program

(2) Reviewed the Vallecitos Nuclear Center (VNC) Effluent Monitoring and Environmental Surveillance Programs 2024 Annual Report, dated March 5, 2025 (ML25196A351)

(3) Reviewed CR 2025000023 dated June 26, 2025, regarding NTR stack air sampler line found disconnected

(4) Reviewed CR 2025000014 dated May 21, 2025, regarding well water samples

(5) Reviewed the following radiological environment monitoring procedures:

a.

Radiation Protection Instrument Control, NVNC-RP-326, revision 0 b.

REP Radiological Monitoring and Response, NVNC-ER-603, revision 0 c.

VNC Environmental Monitoring Manual, NVNC-EMM, revision 0 d.

Radiation Protection Program, NVNC-RP-301, revision 0

(6) Conducted site tours to observe perimeter monitoring dosimeters locations

(7) Discussed the licensees radioactive environment monitoring program with the RPM

(8) Observed continuous air sampler operation near the basin

(9) Observed operation of the stack exhaust monitoring for the Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR) building Problem Identification and Resolution (IP Section 02.04)

The inspectors reviewed the current list of open, closed, and in-process CRs. No CR of significance was identified in this program area.

IP 86750 - Solid Radioactive Waste and Transportation of Radioactive Materials Radioactive Material Storage and Control (IP Section 02.01)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed the licensee procedures for storage and control of radioactive materials, including:

a.

NVNC-RP-311, Radioactive Material Control, revision 0 b.

NVNC-NTR-933, Radwaste Handling, revision 0 c.

NVNC-RW-410, Tracking Radioactive Byproducts, SNM, and Activated Samples, revision 0 d.

NVNC-RP-303, Access Control for Radiologically Controlled Areas, revision 0 e.

NVNC-RP-308, Radiation Protection Posting, revision 0

(2) Toured the following areas to observe storage and handling of radioactive material and Part 37 implementation:

a.

Demolition of Building 103 b.

Radioactive material storage in Building 104 c.

Radioactive material storage in VBWR, EVESR, and GE Test Reactor (GETR) containments d.

Shutdown NTR test reactor e.

Hillside Storage Facility Radioactive Waste Processing (IP Section 02.02)

The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed radioactive waste procedures:

a.

NVNC-RP-311, Radioactive Material Control, revision 0 b.

NVNC-RW-400, Radioactive Material/Radioactive Waste Packaging, revision 0

(2) Reviewed Craft work package LAB-CWP-024, Building 103 Abatement and System Removal

(3) Discussed the solid radioactive waste processing program with RPM.

(4) Toured the following areas to observe processing of waste:

a.

Building 103 demolition area b.

Area outside the Hillside Storage Facility (shipping container segmentation)

Transportation of Radioactive Materials (IP Section 02.03)

The licensee has not packaged or offered any radioactive material for transport since the license transfer in mid-March 2025. The inspectors reviewed the licensee procedures for packaging and transportation of radioactive materials:

(1) NVNC-RP-311, Radioactive Material Control, revision 0

(2) NVNC-RW-400, Radioactive Material/Radioactive Waste Packaging, revision 0

(3) NVNC-RW-401, Radioactive Shipping Procedure, revision 0

(4) NVNC-RW-404, Waste Packaging and Transportation Plan, revision 0 Problem Identification and Resolution (IP Section 02.04)

The inspectors reviewed the current list of open, closed, and in-process CRs. No CR of significance was identified in this program area.

IP 69002 - Class III Research and Test Reactors Inspection Requirements (IP Section 69002-02)

The inspectors:

(1) Toured the GETR and NTR

(2) Reviewed CR 2025-019 dated June 3, 2025, regarding a high range gamma probe being present in the NTR

(3) Reviewed CR 2025-020 dated June 16, 2025, regarding an NTR core model baseline configuration deviation

(4) Reviewed NTR Engineering Release 24-02 dated January 8, 2024, regarding the installation of a high range gamma probe in the horizontal facility to obtain shutdown gamma level readings of the reactor

(5) Reviewed the change analysis documented in Process Applicability Determination (PAD) Process and Regulatory Review, revision 0

(6) Reviewed Work Package NTR-CWP-046 dated July 10, 2025, regarding removal of the gamma probe in the horizontal facility of the NTR

(7) Confirmed the implementation of technical specifications for the NTR facility (Appendix A to the license), including Section 3, Limiting Conditions for Possession Only License Shutdown Configuration

INSPECTION RESULTS

No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified.

EXIT MEETING/DEBRIEFS The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.

• On June 26, 2025, the inspectors presented the preliminary inspection results to Thomas Silko, Licensing Manager, and other members of the licensees staff.

• On July 24, 2025, the inspectors presented the final exit meeting to Adam Ball, Site Superintendent, and other members of the licensees staff.

ADDITIONAL

DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

None.

ATTACHMENT

NorthStar Document Request

June 9, 2025

The following items are requested for inspection

at NorthStar Vallecitos LLC

June 23-25, 2025

Inspection Report 2025-001

Inspectors:

Eric McManus, Health Physicist, RIV/DRSS/DIORB

Rob Evans, Senior Health Physicist, RIV/DRSS/DIORB

Muhammadali Abbaszadeh, Health Physicist, RIV/DRSS/DIORB

Chris Allen, Project Manager, NMSS/DUWP/RDB

Inspection Procedures:

1.

IP 71801: Decommissioning Performance and Status Review

2.

IP 83750: Occupational Radiation Exposure

3.

IP 84750: Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent & Environmental Monitoring

4.

IP 86750: Solid Radioactive Waste Management and Transportation of Radioactive

Materials

5.

IP 69002: Class III Research and Test Reactor

Please have the requested information available and uploaded into BOX by Monday,

June 16, 2025

If there are any questions, please contact Eric McManus, 817-200-1127, eric.mcmanus@nrc.gov

1.

IP 71801: Decommissioning Performance and Status Reviews at Permanently

Shutdown Reactors

a) Updated organizational charts (as applicable)

b) Updated high level schedule of activities for next 6-12 months (if available)

c)

List of CRs issued since March 2025 with at least ID Number and Title

d) NRC staff would like to tour the four licensed areas, please provide escorts

e) List of high radiation areas in the four licensed areas

2.

IP 83750, Occupational Radiation Exposure (if records contain PII, we can review

onsite)

a) Records for assigned doses including total number of personnel assigned dosimetry

and dose assignments in 2025 (to date)

b) Records of any internal or external contamination incident that resulted in an

assigned dose in 2025

c)

ALARA program records including last committee meeting (if applicable) and dose

predictions for 2025

3.

IP 84750, Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent & Environmental Monitoring

a) Have effluent and environmental monitoring results for 2024 (if available) and 2025

available for review during onsite inspection

b) Be prepared to discuss trends in the data (if any has been observed)

4.

IP 86750: Solid Radioactive Waste Management and Transportation of

Radioactive Materials

a) Records of radioactive material shipments in 2025 (if any)

b) NRC staff would like to discuss the various planned waste streams as part of the

inspection

5.

IP 69002: Class III Research and Test Reactor

a) Training records for any licensed/certified operators (if applicable)

Procedures Requested

Type

Designation

Title or Description

Revision

or Date

Licensing Basis

EMM

Environmental Monitoring Manual

Licensing Basis

REP

Radiological Emergency Plan

Licensing Basis

QAP

Quality Assurance Program

Admin

NVNC-AD-106

NVNC Training and Qualification

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-203

Hazardous Communications and Chemical

Storage

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-208

Control of Combustibles

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-209

Control of Hot Work and Ignition Sources

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-210

General Material Handling

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-222

Welding and Cutting

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-223

Hexavalent Chromium (CR V1) Air

Monitoring & Exposure Control

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-224

High Pressure Water Jetting

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-225

Demolition

Health & Safety

NVNC-IS-227

Water Safety

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-301

Radiological Protection Program

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-303

Access Control for Radiologically

Controlled Areas

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-304

Personnel Contamination Events

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-306

Radiological Survey Guidelines

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-308

Radiation Protection Posting

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-311

Radioactive Material Control

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-315

Job Coverage

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-319

Personnel Monitoring

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-320

Dose Assessment

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-322

Prenatal Monitoring

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-323

Radioactive Effluent Control

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-325

Whole Body Counting/In-vitro Bioassay

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-326

Radiation Protection Instrument Control

and Maintenance

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-327

Operation of Radiation Protection

Instrumentation

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-334

Radiological Oversight of Tenants

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-337

Source Checking of Radiation Protection

Instrumentation

Radiation

Protection

NVNC-RP-342

RP Technician Training Program

Radwaste

NVNC-RW-400

Radioactive Material/Waste Handling and

Packaging

Radwaste

NVNC-RW-401

Radioactive Shipping Procedure

Radwaste

NVNC-RW-404

Waste Packaging and Transportation Plan

Radwaste

NVNC-RW-410

Tracking Radioactive Byproducts, SM, and

Activated Samples

Emergency

Prep & Fire

Protection

NVNC-ER-602

REP Emergency Classification and

Notification

Emergency

Prep & Fire

Protection

NVNC-ER-603

REP Radiation Monitoring and Response

Emergency

Prep & Fire

Protection

NVNC-ER-606

REP Training and Qualification

NTR

NVNC-NTR-933

Radwaste Handling

NTR

NVNC-NTR-934

Reportable Incidents

NTR

NVNC-NTR-952

Area Radiation Monitoring System

NTR

NVNC-NTR-954

Constant Air Monitor

0