Text

Integrated Inspection Report 05000272/2025004 and 05000311/2025004
	ML26040A016
Person / Time
Site:	Salem ; (DPR-070, DPR-075)
Issue date:	02/09/2026
From:	Nicole Warnek; Division of Operating Reactors
To:	Mcfeaters C; Public Service Enterprise Group
References
	IR 2025004
	Download: ML26040A016 (0)
	v • d • e

February 9, 2026

SUBJECT:

SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000272/2025004 AND 05000311/2025004

Dear Charles McFeaters:

On December 31, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2. On January 22, 2026, the NRC inspectors discussed the results of this inspection with David Sharbaugh, Site Vice President, 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.

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, Nicole S. Warnek, Chief Projects Branch 3 Division of Operating Reactor Safety

Docket Nos. 05000272 and 05000311 License Nos. DPR-70 and DPR-75

Enclosure:

As stated

Inspection Report

Docket Numbers:

05000272 and 05000311

License Numbers:

DPR-70 and DPR-75

Report Numbers:

05000272/2025004 and 05000311/2025004

Enterprise Identifier: I-2025-004-0038

Licensee:

PSEG Nuclear, LLC

Facility:

Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2

Location:

Hancocks Bridge, NJ

Inspection Dates:

October 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025

Inspectors:

J. Patel, Senior Resident Inspector

S. Quiroga, Resident Inspector

J. Demarshall, Senior Operations Engineer

T. Fish, Senior Operations Engineer

R. Rolph, Senior Health Physicist

Approved By:

Nicole S. Warnek, Chief

Projects Branch 3

Division of Operating Reactor Safety

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting an integrated inspection at Salem Nuclear Generating Station,

Units 1 and 2, in accordance with the Reactor Oversight Process. The Reactor Oversight Process is the NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors. Refer to https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/oversight.html for more information.

List of Findings and Violations

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

Additional Tracking Items

None.

PLANT STATUS

Unit 1 operated at or near rated thermal power for the entire inspection period.

Unit 2 operated at or near rated thermal power for the entire inspection period.

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) 2515, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program - Operations Phase. The inspectors performed activities described in IMC 2515, Appendix D, Plant Status, observed risk significant activities, and completed on-site portions of IPs. 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

71111.04 - Equipment Alignment

Partial Walkdown Sample (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated system configurations during partial walkdowns of the following systems/trains:

(1) Unit 1, 11 chemical and volume control system (CVCS) train during 13 CVCS pump maintenance, October 10, 2025

Complete Walkdown Sample (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated system configurations during a complete system walkdown of the Unit 2 23 auxiliary feedwater system, December 15, 2025.

71111.05 - Fire Protection

Fire Area Walkdown and Inspection Sample (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated the implementation of the fire protection program by conducting a walkdown and performing a review to verify program compliance, equipment functionality, material condition, and operational readiness of the following fire areas:

(1) Unit 2, electrical penetration area, pre-fire plan FP-SA-2546, November 13, 2025

Fire Brigade Drill Performance Sample (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated the on-site fire brigade training and performance during an unannounced fire drill on December 10, 2025.

71111.11A - Licensed Operator Requalification Program and Licensed Operator Performance

Requalification Examination Results (IP Section 03.03) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors reviewed and evaluated the licensed operator examination failure rates for the requalification annual operating exams administered August to October 2025.

71111.11B - Licensed Operator Requalification Program and Licensed Operator Performance

Licensed Operator Requalification Program (IP Section 03.04) (1 Sample)

(1) Biennial Requalification Written Examinations

The inspectors evaluated the quality of the licensed operator biennial requalification written examinations administered July to September 2024.

Annual Requalification Operating Tests

The inspectors evaluated the adequacy of the facility licensees annual requalification operating tests administered the week of September 15, 2025.

Administration of an Annual Requalification Operating Test

The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of the facility licensee in administering requalification operating tests required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 55.59(a)(2) and that the facility licensee is effectively evaluating their licensed operators for mastery of training objectives.

Requalification Examination Security

The inspectors evaluated the ability of the facility licensee to safeguard examination material, such that the examination is not compromised.

Remedial Training and Re-examinations

The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of remedial training conducted by the licensee, and reviewed the adequacy of re-examinations for licensed operators who did not pass a required requalification examination.

Operator License Conditions

The inspectors evaluated the licensees program for ensuring that licensed operators meet the conditions of their licenses.

Control Room Simulator

The inspectors evaluated the adequacy of the facility licensees control room simulator in modeling the actual plant, and for meeting the requirements contained in 10 CFR 55.46.

71111.11Q - Licensed Operator Requalification Program and Licensed Operator Performance

Licensed Operator Performance in the Actual Plant/Main Control Room (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors observed and evaluated Unit 1 and Unit 2 licensed operator performance in the main control room on November 18 and 25, 2025.

Licensed Operator Requalification Training/Examinations (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors observed and evaluated licensed operators in the plants simulator during a licensed operator requalification examination on November 5, 2025.

71111.12 - Maintenance Effectiveness

Maintenance Effectiveness (IP Section 03.01) (4 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of maintenance to ensure the following structures, systems, and components (SSCs) remain capable of performing their intended function:

(1) Unit 2, 2A 125 volts (V) direct current (DC) system when backup charger failed to provide increased current while credited for technical specification operability, October 31, 2025

(2) Unit 2, 2D vital inverter, modulation index card failure, week of September 22, 2025

(3) Unit 2, 21SW857, service water chiller condenser control valve, degradation resulting in a trip of 21 chiller, sampled on November 21, 2025

(4) Units 1 and 2, 10 CFR 50.65 (a)(3) Periodic Evaluation, week of December 22, 2025

Quality Control (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of maintenance and quality control activities to ensure the following SSC remains capable of performing its intended function:

(1) Chilled water pump, foot for pump frame, cast iron, commercial grade dedication, DP-24-3609, November 20, 2025

71111.13 - Maintenance Risk Assessments and Emergent Work Control

Risk Assessment and Management Sample (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated the accuracy and completeness of risk assessments for the following planned and emergent work activities to ensure configuration changes and appropriate work controls were addressed:

(1) Unit 2, fire risk assessment for 13 CVCS pump out of service, during week of October 14, 2025

71111.15 - Operability Determinations and Functionality Assessments

Operability Determination or Functionality Assessment (IP Section 03.01) (3 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the licensee's justifications and actions associated with the following operability determinations and functionality assessments:

(1) Unit 2, 25 service water pump for the associated traveling water screen not rotating, October 16, 2025 (Notification (NOTF) 21004712)

(2) Unit 2, 2A 125V DC due to degraded backup battery charger, October 30, 2025 (NOTF 21005412)

(3) Unit 1, 13 service water (SW) intake ventilation fan damper failed to open, assess operability of the 14, 15, and 16 service water pump bay, November 4, 2025 (NOTF 210064435)

71111.24 - Testing and Maintenance of Equipment Important to Risk

The inspectors evaluated the following testing and maintenance activities to verify system operability and/or functionality:

Post-Maintenance Testing (PMT) (IP Section 03.01) (5 Samples)

(1) Unit 1, 13 charging pump following repairs to speed controller, October 17, 2025 (Work Order (WO) 60164942)

(2) Unit 2, 24 reactor coolant loop flow following module replacement, October 28, 2025 (WO 30245510)

(3) Unit 2, 2A2 125V battery charger following corrective maintenance to restore current output, October 29-30, 2025 (WO 60165379)

(4) Unit 1, 13 SW vent fan damper failed to open, November 4, 2025 (WO 60165461)

(5) Unit 2, 24SW58, containment fan cooling unit SW inlet valve, failed to open, November 13, 2025 (WO 60165559)

Surveillance Testing (IP Section 03.01) (2 Samples)

(1) Unit 1, S1.OP-ST.DG-0002, "1B Diesel Generator Surveillance Test," October 6, 2025 (WO 50260346)

(2) Unit 2, S2.OP-ST.SW-0008, "Inservice Testing Service Water Valves (Aux Bldg)

Mode 1-4," December 18, 2025 (WO 50260994)

Inservice Testing (IST) (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

(1) Unit 2, S2.OP-ST.DG-0005, "22 Fuel Oil Transfer System Operability Test," October 10, 2025 (WO 50259357)

Diverse and Flexible Coping Strategies (FLEX) Testing (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) SH.OP-PT.FLX-0005, "Testing Godwin Dri-Prime Portable Pump HL160M," October 14, 2025 (WO 30403952)

71114.06 - Drill Evaluation

Additional Drill and/or Training Evolution (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated:

(1) The inspectors evaluated the conduct of a routine PSEG emergency preparedness drill, S25-02, on November 10, 2025.

OTHER ACTIVITIES - BASELINE

71151 - Performance Indicator Verification The inspectors verified licensee performance indicators submittals listed below:

MS06: Emergency AC Power Systems (IP Section 02.05) (2 Samples)

(1) Unit 1, October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

(2) Unit 2, October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

MS10: Cooling Water Support Systems (IP Section 02.09) (2 Samples)

(1) Unit 1, October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

(2) Unit 2, October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

OR01: Occupational Exposure Control Effectiveness Sample (IP Section 02.15) (1 Sample)

(1) October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

PR01: Radiological Effluent Technical Specifications/Offsite Dose Calculation Manual Radiological Effluent Occurrences (RETS/ODCM) Radiological Effluent Occurrences Sample (IP Section 02.16) (1 Sample)

(1) October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

71152S - Semiannual Trend Problem Identification and Resolution

Semiannual Trend Review (Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors reviewed the licensee's corrective action program for potential adverse trends that might be indicative of a more significant safety issue.

INSPECTION RESULTS

Observation: Semiannual Trend Review 71152S Emerging Trend in Preventive Maintenance Deferrals Due to Parts Unavailability

The inspectors reviewed PSEGs corrective action program to assess whether the licensee was identifying and evaluating trends that could be indicative of more significant safety issues.

The inspectors verified that PSEG was performing trend evaluations; however, the inspectors identified an emerging adverse trend involving increasing preventive maintenance (PM)deferrals attributed to parts unavailability. This condition has the potential to challenge equipment reliability and the effectiveness of the work management process. PSEG relies on timely procurement of parts to support planning and execution of preventive and corrective maintenance activities. The work management process requires that parts be available by established milestones to ensure PM tasks are completed within required frequencies, particularly for safety-related (SR) and high-safety-significant (HSS) components. The inspectors noted that parts availability issues have increasingly resulted in PM deferrals, overdue critical PMs, and declining PM program performance indicators.

The inspectors reviewed a sample of NOTFs associated with PM deferrals and parts-availability challenges to evaluate the adequacy of PSEGs problem identification, documentation, and corrective actions. Examples illustrating the developing trend include:

(NOTF 21000741) PM deferral for license renewal SR HSS component due to parts unavailability. Replacement of the SR/HSS component 2SWE9, the 23 SW strainer drum, WO 30328565, was delayed because required parts were not available, resulting in a critical PM exceeding its required frequency. PSEG performed deferral risk review in PDR-25-001029 to extend the PM to August 2026.

(NOTF 21003972) A 6-year PM deferral (WO 30322866) for SR fan motor 1VHE26-MTRY, 12 diesel generator area supply fan motor, due to an unavailable spare motor.

PSEG evaluated the deferral under PDR-25-01154 and extended the PM to March 2027.

(NOTF 20999574) PM on the emergency diesel generator (EDG) protective relays for the 2C EDG (WO 30403985) and 1A EDG (WO 30351619) was deferred due to parts obsolescence and unavailability. PSEG evaluated these deferrals under PDR-25-000825 (2C EDG) and PDR-25-000807 (1A EDG), extending PM intervals to June 2026 for the 2C EDG and October 2026 for the 1A EDG. The inspectors noted that extended delays in obtaining replacement protective relay parts could challenge long-term reliability of this SR equipment.

(NOTF 21005190) 1B EDG annunciator power supply PM deferral (WO 30265336), a corrective action from EACE 70111159, due to parts unavailability. PSEG evaluated the deferral under PDR-25-001216 and completed a deferral risk review to extend the due date to March 31, 2026.

(NOTF 21007944) Unit 2 SW pump room damper PM deferral (WO 30361527). A 4.5-year license renewal commitment to perform internal and external damper inspections for the 21, 22, and 23 service water pump rooms was not completed due to parts unavailability. PDR-25-001138 extended due date to February 2026.

On September 1, 2025, PSEG initiated NOTF 21000333 documenting that parts required to support corrective and preventive maintenance activities were increasingly unavailable by the work management parts-milestone date. This condition resulted in rescheduled work, increased schedule uncertainty, and reduced efficiency within the maintenance organization.

PSEG performed a Gaps, Drivers, Actions, and Results analysis to evaluate the issue and develop an action plan.

Additionally, on October 14, 2025, PSEG initiated NOTF 21004759 to document degraded PM program health indicators in accordance with ER-AA-210, Preventive Maintenance Program.

The NOTF identified multiple degraded indicators, including the total number of deferred PMs and the number of critical PMs with grace periods exceeding 18 months. An ACIT assignment was generated; however, the inspectors noted that no corrective actions had been completed as of the end of the review period. Notification order 70243286 was associated with this condition.

The inspectors did not identify any findings or violations of more than minor significance.

EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS

The inspectors verified that no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.

On January 22, 2026, the inspectors presented the integrated inspection results to David Sharbaugh, Site Vice President, and other members of the licensee staff.

On December 11, 2025, the inspectors presented the 71151 Radiation Protection Performance Indicator Verification inspection results to Robert McLaughlin, Hope Creek Plant Manager, and other members of the licensee staff.

DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

Inspection

Procedure

Type

Designation

Description or Title

Revision or

Date

71111.12

Corrective Action

Documents

20803970

2A2 125VDC battery charger won't go above 148A

21001319

2D Inverter Blown Fuse

21004663

Chiller Compressor Discharge Pressure Low

21005412

2A2 125V charger degraded

Miscellaneous

ERE 70242888