IR 05000285/2025004

NRC Inspection Report 050-00285/2025-004

ML25267A135
Person / Time
Site:	Fort Calhoun
Issue date:	09/30/2025
From:	Jeffrey Josey NRC/RGN-IV/DRSS/DIOR
To:	Via T Omaha Public Power District
References
IR 2025004
Download: ML25267A135 (12)

Text

September 30, 2025

SUBJECT:

FORT CALHOUN STATION - NRC INSPECTION REPORT 050-00285/2025-004

Dear Troy Via:

On September 9-10, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at your Fort Calhoun Station near Blair, Nebraska. The inspectors discussed the results of the decommissioning inspection with Ted Maine, Plant Manager-Decommissioning, and other members of your staff at the conclusion of the inspection. The inspection results are documented in the enclosed report. No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified during this inspection.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Agency Rules of Practice and Procedures, a copy of this letter, its enclosure(s), and your response, if you choose to provide one, will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room and from the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management 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 or proprietary information so that it can be made available to the public without redaction.

Sincerely, Jeffrey E. Josey, Branch Chief Decomm., ISFSI, and Operating Reactor Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security Signed by Josey, Jeffrey on 09/30/25 Docket No. 050-00285 License No. DPR-40 Enclosure:

Inspection Report 050-00285/2025-004 cc w/ encl: Distribution via ListServ

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted an announced, routine inspection of decommissioning activities in progress at Fort Calhoun Station.

List of Findings and Violations

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

Additional Tracking Items

None.

SITE STATUS Since the previous inspection conducted in June 2025 (ADAMS Accession No. ML25181A753), the licensee had completed the backfill of the auxiliary building basement and had begun disassembling the containment structure. During the onsite inspection, the primary activities were the continuance of demolition of the containment structure, dismantlement of underground utilities, and final status surveys.

INSPECTION SCOPES

The inspection was conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs).

Currently approved IPs 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. The inspection was declared complete when the objectives of the IP were met, consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter 2561, Decommissioning Power Reactor Inspection Program.

IP 83750 - Decommissioning Occupational Radiation Control Radiological Work Planning and Execution (IP Section 03.01)

The inspectors verified the licensee was identifying and assessing the magnitude and extent of radiological hazards and was adequately implementing radiological controls during planning and execution of radiological work. The inspectors:

(1) Toured the deconstruction area and the waste processing structure (WPS)

(2) Reviewed the Radiological Work Permit 25-0365, for the containment external demolition activities

(3) Reviewed the sites radiological survey program procedure, FCSD-RP-300, Radiological Survey Program, revision 4

(4) Attended the performance challenge meeting which discussed the critical path and near critical path activities. The sites current critical path is the reactor building demolition.

Occupational Radiation Exposure Topical Areas (IP Section 03.02)

The inspectors verified the licensee is implementing the occupational radiation exposure program by evaluating the contamination control topical area. The inspectors:

(1) Reviewed the sites radiological survey program procedure, FCSD-RP-300, Radiological Survey Program, revision 4

(2) Reviewed various site procedures for contamination control including discrete radioactive particle control and calibration of the Eberline Small Articles Monitor IP 86750 - Decommissioning Solid Radioactive Waste Management, Demolition, and Transportation of Radioactive Materials Demolition and Disposition Radiologically Impacted Structures (IP Section 03.03)

The inspectors verified that the licensee was demolishing and dispositioning radiologically impacted structures in accordance with applicable regulations and site procedures. The inspectors:

(1) Toured the deconstruction area, which included observing the active demolishment of the containment building which started on August 25, 2025.

(2) Reviewed the Radiological Controls in Support of Open-Air Demolition Plan of the radiologically structures being dismantled by open-air demolition which includes the reactor building, containment waste structure, waste processing structure, and underground utilities.

(3) Reviewed analysis report for the weekly soil samples for sampling inside the main deconstruction area/radiological controlled area.

IP 64704 - Decommissioning Fire Protection Program Fire Protection Program (IP Section 03.01)

The inspectors verified compliance with the administrative portions of their fire protection program. The inspectors:

(1) Conducted interviews with the designated Fire Marshal

(2) Reviewed changes to the Updated Fire Hazard Analysis, dated August 18, 2025, which reflected the current status of the site

(3) Review of procedure CC-FC-211, Fire Protection Program, revision 14 Fire Area Walkdown and Work Observations (IP Section 03.02)

The inspectors verified adequate licensee implementation of the fire protection program by conducting plant walkdowns of the two fire areas and observations of work activities. The inspectors verification included:

(1) Walkdown of the deconstruction area and the WPS

(2) Review of the written agreements between the licensee and the Blair and Fort Calhoun Fire Departments, which describe the responsibilities in responding to fires at the site.

(3) Review of Procedure Decommissioning Fire Plan, revision 9

(4) Review of select training records for fire extinguisher use Verification of the Fire Protection Systems and Equipment (IP Section 03.03)

The inspectors viewed the portable and wheeled fire extinguishers in the deconstruction area and the WPS to verify they had been inspected annually by the State Fire Marshal and had been inspected monthly by licensee personnel.

IP 84750 - Decommissioning Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent and Environmental Monitoring Annual Effluent and Environmental Reports (IP Section 03.02)

The inspectors reviewed the licensees 2024 Radiological Effluent Release Report and Radiological Environmental Operating Report and verified that the reported doses were below regulatory requirements.

Implementation of the Radiological, Effluent, and Groundwater Protection Initiative Programs (IP Section 03.03)

The inspectors verified that the radiological effluent and environmental programs are being implemented consistent with the regulations and the licensees procedure CH-ODCM-001, Off-Site Dose Calculation Manual (ODCM), revision 39. The inspectors verification included:

(1) Interviews with the Manager of Radiation Protection and Chemistry, Chemist, and the Senior Technical Support Specialist

(2) Performing walkdowns of the liquid discharge processing area

(3) Performing walkdowns of the WPS ventilation system

(4) Observing the collection of a particulate air sample at location 75 (Lomp Acreage)

(5) Observed particulate air sampling near the deconstruction area

(6) Review of procedure FCSD-RW-PG-101, Radwaste Process Control Program revision 2

(7) Review of four liquid release reports for 2025

(8) Review of procedure CH-FT-MM-002, Annual Radiological Effluent Report, revision

(9) Review of procedure CH-FT-MM-001, Quarterly Determination of Doses From Liquid and Gaseous Releases, revision 2 Problem Identification and Resolution (IP Section 03.04)

The inspectors verified that the licensee was identifying problems related to radioactive effluent, environmental, and groundwater monitoring programs at an appropriate threshold and entering them into the corrective action program. The inspectors reviewed the following condition reports:

(1) CR 2024-0016

(2) CR 2024-0183

(3) CR 2025-0066

INSPECTION RESULTS

No findings of significance were identified.

EXIT MEETING/DEBRIEFS The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.

• On September 10, 2025, the inspectors presented the routine inspection results to Ted Maine, Plant Manager-Decommissioning, and other members of the licensees staff.

DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

Additional Documents Reviewed:

Program

Area

Designation

Title or Description

Revision

or Date

Occupational

Radiation

Control

FC-21-08

Radiological Controls in Support of Open-Air

Demolition

revision 4

Occupational

Radiation

Control

FCSD-RP-300

Radiological Survey Program

revision 4

Occupational

Radiation

Control

FCSD-RP-503

Unconditional Release Survey Method

revision 7

Occupational

Radiation

Control

FCSD-RP-301

Discrete Radioactive Particle Control

revision 5

Occupational

Radiation

Control

FCSD-RP-704

Instrument Response Testing

revision 1

Occupational

Radiation

Control

FCSD-RP-777

Calibration of the Eberline Small Article Monitor

SAM-12

revision 0

Demolition

Work Order# 00763558

Demolition of the Containment Building Exterior

Surfaces

N/A

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

CH-FT-RV-008

Environmental Sample Collection-Air Monitoring

revision 0

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

Work Order No,

2031-06

Weekly Environmental Radiation Air Sampler

Operational Checks

revision 0

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

CH-AD-0055

Special Radiological Liquid Release Permit and

Summary

revision 7

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

Work Order No,

2031-06

Weekly Environmental Radiation Air Sampler

Operational Checks

revision 0

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

CH-FT-003

Environmental Sample Collection-Quarterly

Environmental Dosimeters (TLDS)

revision 0

Fire Protection

OP-FC-201-009

Control of Transient Combustible Material

revision 10

All Areas

N/A

Renewed Facility License No. DRP-40

N/A

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

N/A

Special Radiological Liquid Release Permit

Release No, 2025021, Sample Date: July 16, 2025

N/A

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

N/A

Special Planned Release From WPS Effluent,

Release No. 2025084, July 16, 2025-July 23, 2025

N/A

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-110

Waste Processing Structure Sampling and

Analysis

revision 1

Program

Area

Designation

Title or Description

Revision

or Date

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-113

Radiological Airborne Effluent Quarterly Composite

Analysis

revision 1

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-204

Portable Effluent Air Sampling

revision 3

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-205

Liquid Processing Tank Sampling

revision 1

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-108

Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Report

revision 2

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-401

Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program

(REMP) and Preparation of AREOR

revision 0

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-109

Special Radiological Air Release Permit and

Summary

revision 1

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-104

Ground Sampling and Analysis Process

revision 5

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

FCSD-CH-102

Quarterly Cumulative Dose Calculations From

Radiological Effluents

revision 1

Effluent and

Environ.

Monitoring

N/A

WPS and CWS Torit Ventilation System Checks,

Feb 2, 2025

revision 3

ATTACHMENT

Document request sent to licensee prior to the originally scheduled inspection date of August

18-20, 2025. Due to the licensee not conducting demolition activities on the containment

structure during these dates, the inspection was rescheduled for September 9-10, 2025, with

different inspectors.

The following items are requested for the

Decommissioning Inspection

at Fort Calhoun Station

August 18-20, 2025

Inspection Report 2025-004

Inspection Procedures:

1.

IP 71801, Decommissioning Implementation and Status

2.

IP 64704, Decommissioning Fire Protection Program

3.

IP 84750, Decommissioning Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent and

Environmental Monitoring

4.

IP 86750, Decommissioning Solid Radioactive Waste Management, Demolition and

Transportation of Radioactive Materials

Detailed inspection requests are listed below.

Please have the requested documents uploaded to Certrec by August 8, 2025.

Since more than one inspection procedure is to be conducted, if the information requests

appear to be redundant, there is no need to provide duplicate copies.

Inspectors:

1.

Eric McManus, Lead

2.

Christian Dennes

3.

Note: ISFSI inspectors,

L. Brookhart and J. Freeman, will also be on site, but will provide

a separate document request.

If there are any questions, please contact Eric McManus, 808-265-1878,

eric.mcmanus@nrc.gov.

1.

IP 71801 - Decommissioning Implementation and Status

A.

Organizational Charts

B.

List of the surveillancesProperty "Contact" (as page type) with input value "B.</br></br>List of the surveillances" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process., maintenance, and all other decommissioning activities

scheduled for the week of the inspection

C.

Tech Specs

D.

Current DSAR

E.

Current LTP

F.

Decommissioning Schedule of Activities for the next 6 months

G.

List of decommissioning activities completed since the previous inspection

H.

List of CAP entries since June 11Property "Contact" (as page type) with input value "H.</br></br>List of CAP entries since June 11" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process., 2025

2.

IP 64704 - Decommissioning Fire Protection Program

A.

Fire protection design basis documentsProperty "Contact" (as page type) with input value "A.</br></br>Fire protection design basis documents" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process., if applicable

B.

Fire Protection Program Procedure

C.

Pre-fire Plans and Procedures for Firefighting

D.

Hot Work and/or Transient Combustible Procedure

E.

MOU with local offsite fire department

F.

List of current fire protection systems and features impairmentsProperty "Contact" (as page type) with input value "F.</br></br>List of current fire protection systems and features impairments" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process., if applicable

G.

Fire protection self-assessments/audits performed since October 2024

H.

List of CAP entries for this program area since December 2024

3.

IP 84750 - Decommissioning Radioactive Waste Treatment, and Effluent and

Environmental Monitoring

A.

Current ODCM

B.

Procedures that implement ODCM

C.

QATR

D.

PCP procedure

E.

Four most recent radioactive waste discharge permits.

F.

Operating procedures for radwaste treatment including liquid radwaste systems

G.

Operating procedures for gaseous airborne effluent systems

H.

Latest Annual Effluent and Environmental Monitoring Program report

I.

Procedure that implements Groundwater Protection Initiative

J.

List of CAP entries for this program area since October 2024

4.

IP 86750 - Decommissioning Solid Radioactive Waste Management, Demolition

and Transportation of Radioactive Materials

A.

Copy of Demolition Plan/procedures

B.

Document describing waste streams for containment demolition

C.

Engineering evaluation to determine source term for containment demolition

D.

RWPs associated with containment demolition

E.

List of CAP entries for this program area since December 2024