IR 05000331/2025003
| ML26009A087 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Duane Arnold  |
| Issue date: | 01/12/2026 |
| From: | April Nguyen NRC/RGN-III/DORS |
| To: | Wheaton R NextEra Energy Duane Arnold |
| References | |
| IR 2025003 | |
| Download: ML26009A087 (0) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
DUANE ARNOLD ENERGY CENTER - RESTART INSPECTION REPORT 05000331/2025003
Dear Ray Wheaton:
On December 10, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed inspections at Duane Arnold Energy Center. The enclosed inspection report documents these inspection results, which the inspectors discussed on January 6, 2026, with you and other members of your staff.
No violations of more than minor significance were identified during this inspection.
On August 27, 2020, Duane Arnold ceased permanent power operations as detailed in the letter from NextEra to the NRC, Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations, (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML20240A067). On October 12, 2020, NextEra removed all fuel from the reactor, as detailed in the letter from NextEra to the NRC, Certification of Permanent Removal of Fuel from the Reactor Vessel for Duane Arnold Energy Center, (ADAMS Accession No. ML20286A317). On January 23, 2025, NextEra 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 Duane Arnold (ADAMS Accession No. ML25023A270). The NRCs initial acceptance to review Duane Arnolds request for exemptions was documented in ADAMS at Accession No. ML25056A149 on February 27, 2025.
January 12, 2026 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, April M. Nguyen, Lead Palisades Restart Team Division of Operating Reactor Safety Docket No. 05000331 License No.: DPR-49 Enclosure:
As stated cc w/ encl: Distribution via LISTSERV Signed by Nguyen, April on 01/12/26
SUMMARY
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) performed inspections of the licensees activities to verify radiation safety activities were appropriately performed.
List of Violations No violations of more than minor significance were identified.
Additional Tracking Items
None.
PLANT STATUS
The Duane Arnold Energy Center ceased power operations and subsequently removed all fuel from the reactor, as certified in a letter to the NRC on October 12, 2020.
On January 23, 2025, NextEra submitted a letter to the NRC requesting exemptions from certain portions of the requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2) to pursue the potential reauthorization of power operations. The NRC is conducting inspections to evaluate and assess the licensees activities for potential restoration to an operational status.
INSPECTION SCOPES
Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the referenced 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.
RADIATION SAFETY
CORNERSTONE From December 8 through 10, 2025, the inspectors performed on-site inspection activities at the facility. These activities included walkdowns of the reactor building, radioactive waste building, and turbine building. The inspectors observed high radiation area postings and controls, contamination area boundary postings and controls, and controls associated with clean areas established in the turbine building. The inspectors interviewed maintenance personnel working to restore heating for winterization as well as performing maintenance activities on various instrumentation for the liquid radioactive waste processing system to return portions of the system to operation for upcoming work activities. The inspectors also reviewed records associated with previously performed inspection activities the site conducted in the two condensate storage tanks. This included review of the radiation work permits, radiological risk assessment and planning records, and radiological surveys that were performed. In addition, the inspectors reviewed records associated with a radioactive material shipment to evaluate package characterization, shipping manifest preparation, and transport vehicle preparation.
The inspectors conducted these reviews using IP 71124.01, Radiological Hazard Assessment and Exposure Controls, and 71124.08, Radioactive Solid Waste Processing and Radioactive Material Handling, Storage, and Transportation, as applicable.
INSPECTION RESULTS
No violations of more than minor significance were identified.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
The inspectors verified that no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
- On January 6, 2026, the inspectors presented the inspection results to Ray Wheaton, Director of Restart Operations, and other members of the licensee staff.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
Miscellaneous
HP-55
Radiological Work Screening Form for Condensate Storage
Tank Inspections
08/27/2025
PDA-M-
250814-1
Condensate Storage Tanks Pre-Job Survey
08/14/2025
PDA-M-
250904-1
Condensate Storage Tank 1T-5A Post Cleaning Survey
09/04/2025
Radiation
Surveys
PDA-M-
250909-1
Condensate Storage Tank 1T-5B Post Cleaning Survey
09/09/2025
Radiation Work
Tank Inspections, Cleaning, Maintenance and Support
Shipping Records
25-04
SCO-II Shipment of Inspection Tools
07/23/2025
Procedures
Shipment of Radioactive Material
Shipping Records
25-04
Shipping Package for SCO-II shipment 25-04
07/23/2025