IR 05000219/2022002
| ML23040A031 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 02/09/2023 |
| From: | Anthony Dimitriadis NRC Region 1 |
| To: | Trice K Holtec Decommissioning International |
| References | |
| IR 2022002 | |
| Download: ML23040A031 (1) | |
Text
February 9, 2023
SUBJECT:
HOLTEC DECOMMISSIONING INTERNATIONAL, LLC, OYSTER CREEK NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION - NRC INSPECTION REPORT NO.
Dear Kelly Trice:
On December 31, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection under Inspection Manual Chapter 2561, Decommissioning Power Reactor Inspection Program, at the permanently shut down Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Oyster Creek). The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and the conditions of your license. The inspection consisted of observations by the inspectors, interviews with site personnel, a review of procedures and records, and plant walk-downs. The results of this inspection were discussed with Jeffrey Dostal, Site Vice President, and other members of your staff on January 12, 2023, and are described in the enclosed report.
Within the scope of this inspection, no violations of more than minor safety significance were identified.
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRC document 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, proprietary, or safeguards information so that it can be made available to the public without redaction.
Current NRC regulations and guidance are included on the NRCs website at www.nrc.gov; select Radioactive Waste; Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities; then Regulations, Guidance and Communications. The current Enforcement Policy is included on the NRCs website at www.nrc.gov; select About NRC, Organizations & Functions; Office of Enforcement; Enforcement documents; then Enforcement Policy (Under Related Information). You may also obtain these documents by contacting the Government Printing Office (GPO) toll-free at 1-866-512-1800. The GPO is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays). No reply to this letter is required. Please contact Andrew Taverna of my staff at 610-337-5119 if you have any questions regarding this matter.
Sincerely, Anthony Dimitriadis, Chief Decommissioning, ISFSI, and Reactor Health Physics Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security
Docket No:
05000219 License No:
Enclosure:
Inspection Report 05000219/2022002
w/Attachment
REGION I==
INSPECTION REPORT
Docket No:
050-00219
License No:
Report No:
Licensee:
Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC
Facility:
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
Location:
Forked River, New Jersey
Dates:
July 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Inspectors:
B. DeBoer, Senior Health Physicist
A. Taverna, Health Physicist
S. Veunephachan, Health Physicist
Approved by:
Anthony Dimitriadis, Chief
Decommissioning, ISFSI and Reactor Health Physics Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station NRC Inspection Report No. 05000219/2022002
An announced decommissioning inspection was completed at the permanently shutdown Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Oyster Creek) on December 31, 2022.
A combination of on-site and remote inspection activities was performed over the inspection period. On-site inspections were conducted on September 19-22, October 18, November 4, and December 12-15, 2022. The inspection included a review of problem identification and resolution at permanently shutdown reactors; decommissioning performance and status reviews; occupational radiation exposure; radioactive waste treatment, and effluent and environmental monitoring; and solid radioactive waste management and transportation of radioactive materials. The inspection consisted of observations by the inspectors, interviews with site personnel, a review of procedures and records, and plant walk-downs. The U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) program for overseeing the safe decommissioning of a shutdown nuclear power reactor is described in Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2561,
Decommissioning Power Reactor Inspection Program.
Based on the results of this inspection, no violations of more than minor safety significance were identified.
REPORT DETAILS
1.0 Background
On September 25, 2018, Oyster Creek certified the permanent removal of fuel from the reactor vessel [Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)
Accession No. ML18268A258]. This met the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.82(a)(1)(i) and 50.82(a)(1)(ii). On October 1, 2018, the NRC notified Oyster Creek that the Operating Reactor Assessment Program had ceased, and that implementation of the Decommissioning Power Reactor Inspection Program would begin on October 1, 2018 (ADAMS Accession No. ML18274A221). On July 1, 2019, an amended license was issued transferring the license from Exelon Generation Co., LLC to Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (ADAMS Accession No. ML19164A157). Oyster Creek is currently in the Actively Decommissioning, No Fuel in the Spent Fuel Pool phase of decommissioning as described in IMC 2561.
2.0 Active Decommissioning Performance and Status Review
2.1 Inspection Procedures 40801, 71801, 83750, 84750, 86750
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed on-site decommissioning inspections on September 19-22, October 18, November 4, and December 12-15, 2022, supplemented by in-office reviews and periodic phone calls during the inspection period. The inspection consisted of observations by the inspectors, interviews with site personnel, a review of procedures and records, and plant walk-downs.
The inspectors assessed the implementation and effectiveness of Oyster Creeks corrective action program (CAP) by reviewing a sampling of issues, non-conformances, and conditions adverse to quality in the CAP. The inspectors reviewed a representative selection of CAP documents to determine if a sufficiently low threshold for problem identification existed, if follow-up evaluations were of sufficient quality, and if Oyster Creek assigned timely and appropriate prioritization for issue resolution commensurate with the significance of the issue. The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of the licensees management oversight and quality assurance assessments of Oyster Creek activities in accordance with the decommissioning quality assurance program (DQAP).
The inspectors attended select management meetings, including station oversight committee and management review committee meetings. Inspectors reviewed documentation and met with Oyster Creek management and discussed staffing, status of decommissioning and upcoming activities, among other topics to verify whether the licensee had conducted activities in accordance with regulatory and license requirements. The inspectors performed several plant walk-downs to assess field conditions and decommissioning activities by assessing material condition of structures, systems, and components, housekeeping, system configurations, and worker level of knowledge or procedure use and adherence. These walk-downs included new radwaste, RAMQC storage area, and various areas in the reactor building. The inspectors observed select pre-job briefs and associated work activities, including characterization surveys in the warehouse, removal and segmentation of the lower core plate, and removal of the lower shroud.
The inspectors observed activities, reviewed documentation, and interviewed personnel associated with occupational radiation exposure to evaluate the licensees protection of worker health and safety and radiological protection department staffing. The inspectors conducted site walk-downs, including radiologically controlled areas, to examine and verify radiological postings, and airborne and contamination controls. The inspectors reviewed radiation work permits (RWPs), As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)work plans to determine if radiation work activities were pre-planned effectively to limit worker exposure, and attended various briefs discussing rad and industrial safety during work activities. The inspectors also observed radiation protection (RP) technicians and supervisors perform work activities, including responding to a personnel contamination event, and verifying a hot spot in the 23 of the New Radwaste Building. Additionally, the inspectors observed the RP coverage during the following work activities:
- (1) lifting and segmentation of the lower core plate;
- (2) dismantlement of the H-frame;
- (3) segment of the shroud removal from dog plates installation, horizontal cuts of the shroud, and the movement of the shroud to the cutting table; and
- (4) preparation of the crossbeam removal and blade change-out. The inspectors also observed the following activities: (1)staff donning and doffing protective clothing and equipment;
- (2) RP techs changing out air samples and checking BZ lapel filters on the refuel floor;
- (3) personnel exiting the radiologically controlled area (RCA) using portal monitors in both the reactor building and RCA yard. During the inspectors walk down of the reactor building and New Radwaste building, various instruments were checked for their condition and calibration.
The inspectors reviewed activities and documentation associated with radioactive effluent control and site radiological environmental monitoring program (REMP) to assess the effectiveness of site radiological programs. The inspectors reviewed changes made to the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual (ODCM), Process Control Program, and the radioactive waste system design and operation. The inspectors reviewed radioactive gaseous and liquid effluent release permits, licensee audits, and the first and second quarter 2022 groundwater monitoring reports. The inspectors reviewed procedures associated with entering events into the 10 CFR 50.75(g) file and assessed their adequacy.
The inspectors observed a selection of environmental monitoring stations to evaluate their location, placement, and material condition. The inspectors observed several media change-out activities (e.g., air sampling stations) to determine if staff followed appropriate site procedures and if the staff had the appropriate knowledge and training to perform their tasks. The inspectors walked down several locations of groundwater monitoring wells.
The inspectors observed activities, interviewed personnel, performed walk-downs, and reviewed documentation to verify the effectiveness of the licensees programs for the handling, storage, and transportation of licensed radioactive material and waste. The review included records of the shipment packaging, surveying, labeling, marking, placarding, vehicle checks, and emergency instructions to ensure compliance with the applicable NRC and Department of Transportation regulations. The inspectors observed two shipments one containing dewatered bead resin, and one containing velocity limiters leave the site.
b. Observations and Findings
The inspectors determined that issues had been identified, entered into the CAP, and evaluated commensurate with their safety significance through document review, interviews, and observation of several management review committee meetings. The inspectors determined that Oyster Creek had performed activities described in the DQAP as appropriate. The inspectors verified that audits and self-assessments were performed by qualified individuals, and management reviewed the audits and associated corrective actions.
The inspectors noted that during this inspection period, the site continued decommissioning and dismantlement activities in the new radwaste building, continued reactor vessel segmentation, and completed cleanup of the spent fuel pool. The inspectors noted that for the areas of the plant toured, the material condition and housekeeping was adequate. The inspectors noted through plant tours, document reviews, and observations of activities that Oyster Creek staff conducted activities in accordance with the regulatory requirements. The inspectors noted that workers were knowledgeable of and adhered to plant procedures and work plans, and pre-job briefings were thorough and highlighted specific safety concerns. The inspectors determined site staffing was adequate and personnel qualifications and training were up to date. The inspectors determined that the maintenance backlog was minimal, manageable, and that items important to safety were appropriately prioritized and tracked.
The inspectors verified that the RWPs, ALARA work plans were implemented to limit worker exposure. The inspectors determined that RP staff effectively controlled observed work activities and used appropriate equipment during those work activities.
The inspectors verified that selected technician training and qualifications were up to date. The inspectors verified that selected instruments during walk-downs were in calibration and in working condition. The inspectors noted that the qualifications reviewed for selected staff were current. The inspector observed the response and documentation regarding a personnel contamination event and determined that Oyster Creek acted in accordance with its processes.
The inspectors verified that radioactive effluent sampling and analysis requirements were satisfied. The inspectors determined that the REMP had been effectively implemented consistent with technical specifications and the ODCM. The inspectors verified the continued implementation of the ground water protection initiative.
The inspectors verified solid radioactive waste was adequately stored, monitored, and that inventories were up to date. The inspectors verified that radioactive waste shipping paperwork was properly completed, and Oyster Creek personnel were knowledgeable of their duties and responsibilities. The inspectors determined radioactive waste shipped for disposal at land disposal facilities was properly classified, described, packaged, marked, and labeled, and was in proper condition for transportation.
c. Conclusions
Based on the results of this inspection, no violations of more than minor safety significance were identified.
3.0 Exit Meeting
On January 12, 2023, the inspectors presented the inspection results to Jeffrey Dostal, Site Vice President, and other members of the Oyster Creek staff who acknowledged the inspection results. No proprietary information was retained by the inspectors or documented in this report.
ATTACHMENT:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Oyster Creek Personnel
- L. Berlinski, Oversight Assessor
- A. Farenga, Senior Radiation Protection Specialist
- R. Fitts, Corrective Action Process Manager
- M. Hassler, Decommissioning Manager
- S. Johnson, Site Licensing Manager
- K. Leonard, Waste Removal Manager
- J. Sisak, Decommissioning Facility Manager
- H. Tritt, Site Engineering Manager
- K. Wolf, Radiation Protection, Chemistry, and Environmental Manager
ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
None
PARTIAL