IR 05000255/2025402
| ML25171A029 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 06/23/2025 |
| From: | Michael Ziolkowski NRC/RGN-III/DRSS |
| To: | Mlynarek M Holtec Decommissioning International |
| References | |
| IR 2025402 | |
| Download: ML25171A029 (1) | |
Text
Mike Mlynarek Site Vice President Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC Palisades Nuclear Plant 27780 Blue Star Memorial Highway Covert, MI 49043-9530 SUBJECT:
PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT - RESTART SECURITY INSPECTION REPORT 05000255/2025402 On May 20, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant and discussed the results of this inspection with Michael Schultheis -
Director, Regulatory & Site Strategies and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.
No findings of more than minor significance were identified during this inspection.
On June 13, 2022, Palisades ceased permanent power operations and subsequently removed all fuel from the reactor, as detailed in the letter from Entergy to the NRC, Certifications of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations and Permanent Removal of Fuel from the Reactor Vessel, (ADAMS Accession No. ML22164A067). On September 28, 2023, Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (Holtec) submitted a letter to the NRC requesting exemptions from certain portions of the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.82(a)(2) to pursue the potential reauthorization of power operations at Palisades (ADAMS Accession No. ML23271A140). The NRCs initial acceptance to review Palisades request for exemptions was documented in ADAMS at Accession No. ML23291A440 on November 3, 2023.
June 23, 2025
M. Mlynarek
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 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholdin
Sincerely, Michael E. Ziolkowski, Chief Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Incident Response Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security Docket N License No. DPR-20
Enclosure:
As stated
Inspection Report
Docket Number:
05000255
License Number:
Report Number:
Enterprise Identifier:
I-2025-402-0044
Licensee:
Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC
Facility:
Palisades Nuclear Plant
Location:
Covert, MI
Inspection Dates:
May 12, 2025, to May 20, 2025
Inspectors:
K. Maloney, Sr. Physical Security Inspector
J. Rey, Security Specialist
Approved By:
Michael E. Ziolkowski, Chief
Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Incident Response Branch
Division of Radiological Safety and Security
SUMMARY
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting a Restart Security Inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant, in accordance with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2562, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program for Restart of Reactor Facilities Following Permanent Cessation of Power Operations.
List of Findings and Violations
No findings of more than minor significance were identified.
Additional Tracking Items
None.
INSPECTION SCOPES
Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs) in effect at the beginning of the inspection unless otherwise noted. Currently approved IPs with their attached revision histories are located on the public website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html.
Samples were declared complete when the IP requirements most appropriate to the inspection activity were met consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2562, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program for Restart of Reactor Facilities Following Permanent Cessation of Power Operations, which states, in part, that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will ensure that operational readiness has been reasonably verified across the reactor oversight process (ROP) cornerstones of safety and security.
SECURITY CORNERSTONE
81000.01 - Access Authorization
The inspectors evaluated the access authorization program through completion of the following
procedure elements: Access Authorization
- (1) All requirements During the inspection the inspectors verified the licensee has developed and is implementing or is prepared to implement it access authorization program, behavioral observation program, insider mitigation program and measures to ensure that its AA program provides assurance that individuals granted unescorted access are trustworthy, reliable, and do not constitute an unreasonable risk to public health and safety or the common defense and security. The inspectors familiarized themselves with relevant documentation which may include, but is not limited to the licensee's security plans, site-specific and/or corporate implementing procedures, security post orders, and security program reviews and audits. The inspectors also conducted a review of past security inspection reports for the facility, to a level which provides assurance that the licensee is meeting or prepared to meet the NRC regulatory requirements within the security program area being inspected.
81000.08 - Fitness-for-Duty Program
The inspectors evaluated the fitness for duty program through completion of the following
procedure elements: Fitness-for-Duty Program
- (1) All requirements During the inspection the inspectors verified the licensee has developed and is implementing or is prepared to implement its Fitness-for-Duty (FFD) requirements under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 26 (Subparts A through H, I, N, and O), and any other applicable requirement that assures licensee personnel (including contractors and vendors) will perform their tasks in a reliable and trustworthy manner and are not under the influence of any substance or mentally or physically impaired from any cause that may affect their abilities to perform their duties safely and competently. Inspectors verified that changes to the licensees FFD program made since the last inspection:
- (a) meet commitments to resolve previously identified issues or U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements under 10 CFR Part 26; and
- (b) do not adversely affect the performance requirements as prescribed by regulatory requirements and any other applicable requirements to meet the general performance objectives of 10 CFR 73.55(b).
INSPECTION RESULTS
No additional inspection results. The inspectors determined the licensee implementation of the programs is currently meeting all regulatory requirements. Based on this review, the inspectors found that the programs would meet all operating requirements.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
The inspectors verified that no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
- On May 20, 2025, the inspectors presented the Restart Security Inspection results to Michael Schultheis, Director, Regulatory & Site Strategies and other members of the licensee staff.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
PAL-07040
Paperwork Error Identified
05/13/2025
Corrective Action
Documents
Resulting from
Inspection
PAL-07092
Access to Vital Area Discrepancy
05/16/2025
EN-NS-101-01
AA/FFD Facility Controls
EN-NS-101-04
Processing Potentially Disqualifying Information (PDI)
EN-NS-101-105
Maintaining UAA/UA and Critical Group Status
EN-NS-101-106
Terminating Denial and Appeal of Unescorted Access
Authorization/Unescorted Access
81000.01
Procedures
Unescorted Access Authorization Program
PAL-07039
Unsecured Door Allowing Access to FFD Testing Equipment
05/13/2025
PAL-07065
FFD Blind Test Samples Not Sent per Procedural
Requirement.
05/14/2025
Corrective Action
Documents
Resulting from
Inspection
PAL-07067
Fatigue Assessment Paperwork Documentation Errors
Identified
05/14/2025
Miscellaneous
Employee Records Establishing Initial, Updated,
Reinstatement, Reinvestigation and Critical Group UAA
05/14/2025
Fitness for Duty/Access Authorization Assessment
Admin 1.45
Work Hours Limitations
DSP-SEC-102
Fitness for Duty Specimen Collection and Shipment
DSP-SEC-102
Fitness for Duty Program
DSP-SEC-102-01
Fitness for Duty Random and Follow-up Testing Selection
and Notification
DSP-SEC-102-03
Processing of Fitness for Duty Test Results
DSP-SEC-102-04
Blind Samples
DSP-SEC-102-05
Annual Reporting of Fitness for Duty Performance Data
EN-NS-101-04
Processing Potentially Disqualifying Information (PDI)
81000.08
Procedures
FF-000
Holtec Nuclear FFD Program Statement of Policy
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