IR 05000259/2024301
| ML24183A009 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Browns Ferry  |
| Issue date: | 07/01/2024 |
| From: | Tom Stephen NRC/RGN-II/DRS/OLB |
| To: | Jim Barstow Tennessee Valley Authority |
| References | |
| EPID L-2024-OLL-0028, 50-259/24-301, 50-260/24-301, 50-296/24-301 50-259/OL-24, 50-260/OL-24, 50-296/OL-24 | |
| Download: ML24183A009 (1) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT NOS. 05000259/2024301, 05000260/2024301, AND 05000296/2024301
Dear James Barstow:
During the period May 20 - 23, 2024, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. At the conclusion of the tests, the examiners discussed preliminary findings related to the operating tests and the written examination submittal with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report. The written examination was administered by your staff on May 29, 2024.
All applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. There were no post-examination comments. A Simulator Fidelity Report is included in this report as Enclosure 2.
The initial examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination. All examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and your staff were made according to NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, Revision 12.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of the NRCs document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
July 1, 2024 If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 997-4703.
Sincerely, Thomas A. Stephen, Chief Operations Branch 1 Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos: 50-259, 50-260, 50-296 License Nos: DPR-33, DPR-52, and DPR-68
Enclosures:
1. Report Details 2. Simulator Fidelity Report
REGION II==
Examination Report Docket No.:
50-259, 50-260, 50-296 License No.:
DPR-33, DPR-52, DPR-68 Report No.:
05000259/2024301, 05000260/2024301, 05000296/2024301 Enterprise Identifier:
L-2024-OLL-0028 Licensee:
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), LLC Facility:
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 Location:
Athens, AL 35611 Dates:
Operating Test - May 20 - 23, 2024 Written Examination - May 29, 2024 Examiners:
Joseph Viera, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer Brian Dyke, Operations Engineer Andreas Goldau, Operations Engineer Newton Lacy, Operations Engineer Kenneth Schaaf, Operations Engineer Approved by:
Thomas Stephen, Chief Operations Branch 1 Division of Reactor Safety
SUMMARY ER 05000259/2024301, 05000260/2024301, 05000296/2024301; Operating test May 20 - 23, 2024 & Written examination May 29, 2024; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant; Operator License Examinations.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) examiners conducted an initial examination in accordance with the guidelines in Revision 12, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." This examination implemented the operator licensing requirements identified in 10 CFR §55.41, §55.43, and §55.45, as applicable.
Members of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. The initial operating test, written RO examination, and written SRO examination submittals met the quality guidelines contained in NUREG-1021.
The NRC administered the operating tests during the period May 20 - 23, 2024. Members of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant training staff administered the written examination on May 29, 2024. All Reactor Operator (RO) and Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Six RO and all SRO applicants were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered. One RO license will be issued upon receipt of additional information related to an experience deferral.
There were no post-examination comments.
No findings were identified.
REPORT DETAILS 4.
OTHER ACTIVITIES 4OA5 Operator Licensing Examinations a.
Inspection Scope The NRC evaluated the submitted operating test by combining the scenario events and JPMs in order to determine the percentage of submitted test items that required replacement or significant modification. The NRC also evaluated the submitted written examination questions (RO and SRO questions considered separately) in order to determine the percentage of submitted questions that required replacement or significant modification, or that clearly did not conform with the intent of the approved knowledge and ability (K/A) statement. Any questions that were deleted during the grading process, or for which the answer key had to be changed, were also included in the count of unacceptable questions. The percentage of submitted test items that were unacceptable was compared to the acceptance criteria of NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Standards for Power Reactors.
The NRC reviewed the licensees examination security measures while preparing and administering the examinations in order to ensure compliance with 10 CFR §55.49, Integrity of examinations and tests.
The NRC performed an audit of license applications during the preparatory site visit in order to confirm that they accurately reflected the subject applicants qualifications in accordance with NUREG-1021.
The NRC administered the operating tests during the period May 20 - 23, 2024. The NRC examiners evaluated seven Reactor Operator (RO) and seven Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. Members of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant training staff administered the written examination on May 29, 2024. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, met the requirements specified in 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses.
The NRC evaluated the performance or fidelity of the simulation facility during the preparation and conduct of the operating tests.
b.
Findings No findings were identified.
The NRC developed the written examination sample plan outline. Members of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant training staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. All examination material was developed in accordance with the guidelines contained in Revision 12, of NUREG-1021. The NRC examination team reviewed the proposed examination. Examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and the licensee were made per NUREG-1021 and incorporated into the final version of the examination materials.
The NRC determined, using NUREG-1021, that the licensees initial examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.
All applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Six RO applicants and seven SRO applicants were issued licenses. Issuance of the license for one RO applicant has been delayed pending receipt of additional information related to a power plant experience (PPE) deferral.
Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Manager for evaluation of weaknesses and determination of appropriate remedial training.
The licensee did not submit any post-examination comments. A copy of the final written examination and answer key, with all changes incorporated, may be accessed not earlier than Friday May 29, 2026, in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Numbers ML24169A044 and ML24169A045.
4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit Exit Meeting Summary On May 23, 2024 the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Mr. E. Quinn Leonard, Assistant Plant Manager, and members of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel E. Quinn Leonard Assistant Plant Manager Bob Busick Director, Plant Training Drew Mitchell Director, Plant Operations Russel Joplin Program Manager, Corporate Nuclear Exam Simulation Michael Schulte Manager, Simulator Services Robbie Davis Manager, Nuclear Operations Training David Renn Manager, Plant Licensing Michael Tharpe Instructor, Operations Lead Allen Buckner Instructor, Operations Lead Mike Millsap Nuclear Unit Senior Operator, Shift Technical Advisor Ryan Coons Licensing Engineer
Enclosure 2 SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT Facility Licensee: Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Facility Docket No.: 50-259, 50-260, 50-296 Operating Test Administered: May 20 - 23, 2024 This form is to be used only to report observations. These observations do not constitute audit or inspection findings and, without further verification and review in accordance with Inspection Procedure 71111.11 are not indicative of noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.46. No licensee action is required in response to these observations.
While conducting the simulator portion of the operating test, examiners observed the following:
Item Description Simulator Problem Report 24-300027-064 Hand switch 3-HS-64-222A on the Unit 3 Simulator found to be intermittent. The switch failed to make up 2 of 11 times when cycled.
Switch replaced.
Ltr ML24183A009 OFFICE R-II/DRS/OB1 R-II/DRS/OB1 NAME JViera TStephen DATE Jul 1, 2024 Jul 1, 2024