IR 05000255/2025501
| ML25241A323 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 09/02/2025 |
| From: | Michael Ziolkowski NRC/RGN-III/DRSS |
| To: | Mlynarek M Palisades Energy |
| References | |
| IR 2025501 | |
| Download: ML25241A323 (1) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT - EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS BIENNIAL EXERCISE INSPECTION REPORT 05000255/2025501
Dear Mike Mlynarek:
On July 31, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant and discussed the results of this inspection with you and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.
No violations 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). On July 24, 2025, the NRC approved an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2), as detailed in the letter, Palisades Nuclear Plant - Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2) Concerning the Prohibition to Operate and Emplace Fuel in the Reactor Vessel, (ADAMS Accession No.
September 2, 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 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.
Sincerely, Michael E. Ziolkowski, Chief Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Incident Response Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security Docket No. 05000255 License No. DPR-20 Enclosure:
As stated cc w/ encl: Distribution via LISTSERV Kutlesa, Jure signing on behalf of Ziolkowski, Michael on 09/02/25
Letter to
SUMMARY
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) performed inspections of the licensees readiness to restart by conducting an emergency preparedness biennial exercise inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant.
List of Findings and Violations
No violations 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. 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.
REACTOR SAFETY
71114.01 - Exercise Evaluation
Exercise Evaluation (1 Sample)
- (1) The inspectors evaluated the biennial emergency plan exercise and evaluated emergency plan performance on July 29, 2025. The exercise scenario simulated an event at the Palisades Nuclear Plant that initiated with the declaration and notification of an Alert caused by a failure of the Reactor Protection System automatic trip when a Primary Coolant Pump experienced a rapid increase in vibration and tripped on overcurrent. The scenario conditions simulated the escalation of the significance of the event, requiring the declaration of a Site Area Emergency and a General Emergency which was communicated to the required state and local government agencies.
The inspectors observed and evaluated the exercise at the sites emergency response facilities, including the Control Room Simulator, the Technical Support Center, the Operations Support Center, and the Emergency Operations Facility.
The inspectors observed that some Emergency Preparedness Implementing Procedures (EPIPs) were not consistent with the Site Emergency Plan. For example, the Technical Support Center (TSC) minimum staffing in the Emergency Plan states that minimum staffing to activate the TSC is 9 personnel. The TSC Activation Procedure (EI-4.1) is unclear in defining minimum staffing requirements. During the exercise the licensee staffed the TSC to the Emergency Plan required minimum staffing. The licensee entered this issue into their corrective action program as CR
===25011215. The NRC will inspect this issue during a future program/baseline inspection.
The inspectors observed that the Emergency Response Data System (ERDS) was activated during the exercise, however data transmission to the NRC was not functioning. The licensee entered this issue into their corrective action program as CR 25006740. The NRC will inspect this issue during a future program/baseline inspection.
During the inspection, the inspectors verified the licensee has developed and is implementing an emergency preparedness program that effectively protects the public health and safety. The inspectors familiarized themselves with relevant documentation which may include but is not limited to the licensee's emergency plan and site-specific and/or corporate implementing procedures.
The inspectors reviewed the licensee plans:
- for a standard emergency classification and action level scheme, the bases of which include facility system and effluent parameters, is in use by the nuclear facility licensee, and State and local response plans call for reliance on information provided by facility licensees for determinations of minimum initial offsite response measures;
- that procedures have been established for notification, by the licensee, of State and local response organizations and for notification of emergency personnel by all organizations; the content of initial and follow-up messages to response organizations and the public has been established;
- that adequate methods, systems, and equipment for assessing and monitoring actual or potential offsite consequences of a radiological emergency condition are in use;
- that a range of protective actions has been developed for the plume exposure pathway EPZ for emergency workers and the public. In developing this range of actions, consideration has been given to evacuation, sheltering, and, as a supplement to these, the prophylactic use of potassium iodide (KI), as appropriate. Evacuation time estimates have been developed by the licensee.
Guidelines for the choice of protective actions during an emergency, consistent with Federal guidance, are developed and in place, and protective actions for the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ appropriate to the locale have been developed.
The inspectors also conducted a review of past emergency preparedness 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 emergency preparedness program area being inspected.
71114.08 - Exercise Evaluation - Scenario Review
Exercise Evaluation - Scenario Review===
- (1) The inspectors reviewed and evaluated the proposed scenario for biennial emergency plan exercise on June 11,
INSPECTION RESULTS
No violations were identified.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
- On July 31, 2025, the inspectors presented the emergency preparedness biennial exercise inspection results to Mike Mlynarek and other members of the licensee staff.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
Corrective Action
Documents
PAL-06740, CR
25006740
ERDS Connection to Existing PPC
04/30/2025
Corrective Action
Documents
Resulting from
Inspection
25011215
NRC Observation During Graded Exercise
08/13/2015
EI-4.1
Technical Support Center Activation
Draft
EI-4.2
Operations Support Center Activation
Draft
HDI PNP 2022-
2
Palisades Nuclear Plant 2022 Evacuation Time Estimate
Report
09/07/2022
KLD TR - 24-
1447
Palisades Power Plant 2023 Population Update Analysis
08/31/2023
KLD TR - 24-
1448
Palisades Power Plant 2024 Population Update Analysis
08/30/2024
PNP SEP
04.07.2025
Palisades Nuclear Plant Site Emergency Plan
Draft
Procedures
SEP Supp 1
Site Emergency Plan Supplement 1 - EAL Wall Charts
05/31/2018
Miscellaneous
Updated 2025 Palisades Nuclear Plant Emergency Exercise
Scenario
06/30/2025