IR 05000331/2020004

Integrated Inspection Report 05000331/2020004 and 05000331/2020501

ML21043A357
Person / Time
Site:	Duane Arnold
Issue date:	02/12/2021
From:	Billy Dickson NRC/RGN-III/DRP/B2
To:	Hansen P NextEra Energy Duane Arnold
References
IR 2020004, IR 2020501
Download: ML21043A357 (6)

Text

February 12, 2021

SUBJECT:

DUANE ARNOLD ENERGY CENTER - INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000331/2020004 AND 05000331/2020501

Dear Mr. Hansen:

On December 31, 2020, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Duane Arnold Energy Center. On October 22, 2020, the NRC inspectors 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 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,

/RA/

Billy C. Dickson, Jr., Chief Branch 2 Division of Reactor Projects Docket No. 05000331 License No. DPR-49

Enclosure:

As stated

Inspection Report

Docket Number: 05000331 License Number: DPR-49 Report Number: 05000331/2020004 AND 05000331/2020501 Enterprise Identifier: I-2020-004-0029 Licensee: NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC Facility: Duane Arnold Energy Center Location: Palo, IA Inspection Dates: October 01, 2020 to October 12, 2020 Inspectors: R. Edwards, Senior Health Physicist G. Hansen, Senior Emergency Preparedness Inspector C. Norton, Senior Resident Inspector Approved By: Billy C. Dickson, Jr., Chief Branch 2 Division of Reactor Projects Enclosure

SUMMARY The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting an integrated inspection at Duane Arnold Energy Center, 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 The unit began the inspection period in Mode 4, Cold Shutdown. On October 6, 2020, the licensee de-tensioned the reactor head to transition to Mode 5, Refuel. On October 8, 2020, the licensee began core unload. At 07:45 a.m. on October 12, 2020, the licensee removed the last fuel bundle from the reactor vessel and Duane Arnold transitioned to permanently defueled.

The licensee submitted a defueled certification letter to permanently end reactor operations.

The NRC ended the reactor oversight process at Duane Arnold on October 12, 2020.

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 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.

Starting on March 20, 2020, in response to the National Emergency declared by the President of the United States on the public health risks of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), resident inspectors were directed to begin telework and to remotely access licensee information using available technology. During this time, the resident inspectors performed periodic site visits each week; conducted plant status activities as described in IMC 2515, Appendix D, Plant Status; observed risk-significant activities; and completed on-site portions of IPs. In addition, resident and regional baseline inspections were evaluated to determine if all or portions of the objectives and requirements stated in the IP could be performed remotely. If the inspections could be performed remotely, they were conducted per the applicable IP. In some cases, portions of an IP were completed remotely and on-site. The inspections documented below met the objectives and requirements for completion of the IP.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 71114.08 - Exercise Evaluation Scenario Review Inspection Review (IP Section 02.01- 02.04) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors reviewed and evaluated the proposed scenario for biennial emergency plan exercise on March 12, 2020.

(2) On September 22, 2020, DAEC submitted a letter to the NRC (ML20266G292)

requesting the postponement of the biennial emergency preparedness exercise from September 2, 2020, to CY 2021 due to health and safety considerations associated with the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency.

(3) The NRC approved the exemption request in a letter dated November 25, 2020, (ML20301A846).

INSPECTION RESULTS No findings were identified.

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

• On October 22, 2020, the inspectors presented the integrated inspection results to Mr. P. Hansen, Decommissioning Director, and other members of the licensee staff.

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