IR 05000348/2025301
| ML25337A152 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Farley  |
| Issue date: | 12/03/2025 |
| From: | NRC/RGN-II |
| To: | Southern Nuclear Operating Co |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-OLL-0028 IR 2025301 | |
| Download: ML25337A152 (7) | |
Text
E. Dean
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION II
Examination Report
Docket No.:
05000348, 05000364
License No.:
Report No.:
05000348/2025301 and 05000364/2025301
Enterprise Identifier: L-2025-OLL-0028
Licensee:
Southern Nuclear Company (SNC)
Facility:
Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant
Location:
Columbia, AL
Dates:
Operating Test - September 8, 12,2025 Written Examination - Sept 23, 2025
Examiners:
S. Battenfield, Chief Examiner, Operations Engineer M. Kennard, Senior Operations Engineer K. Kirchbaum, Senior Operations Engineer T. Shewmaker, Operations Engineer (examiner in training)
Approved by:
Matthew F. Endress, Chief Operations Branch Division of Operating Reactor Safety
SUMMARY
ER 05000348/2025301, 05000364/2025301; September 8 - 12, 2025 & September 23, 2025;
Joseph M. Farley 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 Joseph M. Farley 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. NRC regional management considered the impacts of the post-examination comment resolution on the evaluation that the written examinations met the expected quality standards.
The NRC administered the operating tests during the period September 8 - 12, 2025. Members of the Joseph M. Farley training staff administered the written examination on September 23, 2025. Four Reactor Operator (RO) and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Eight applicants were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered.
There was one post-examination comment.
No findings were identified.
REPORT DETAILS
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 September 8 - 12, 2025.
The NRC examiners evaluated four Reactor Operator (RO) and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. Members of the Farley Nuclear Plant training staff administered the written examination on September 23, 2025. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Joseph M. Farley 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 Joseph M. Farley 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.
NRC regional management considered the impacts of the post-examination comment resolution on the evaluation that the written examinations met the expected quality standards.
As a result of the post-examination comment resolution detailed in Enclosure 2 of this report, one JPM critical step was corrected in accordance with the guidance of NUREG-1021, section ES-3.6, paragraph A.3.
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 submitted one post-examination comment concerning the operating test.
A copy of the final written examination and answer key may be accessed not earlier than February 23, 2028--two and one half years after administration of the written exam, in the ADAMS system -- ADAMS Accession Number(s) ML25321A018 and ML25321A019.
4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit
Exit Meeting Summary
On September 25, 2025, the NRC chief examiner discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Stan Jackson, exam author, and other members of the Joseph M. Farley staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. The information that the licensee identified as proprietary was handled in a manner consistent with NRC and licensee guidelines for this type of information. On October 27, 2025, the NRC examination team conducted a final exit meeting with Stan Jackson, exam author, and other members of the Joseph M. Farley staff to discuss the examination results and provide the licensing details.
FACILITY POST-EXAMINATION COMMENTS AND NRC RESOLUTIONS
A complete text of the licensees post-examination comments can be found in ADAMS under
Accession Number ML25321A030.
Item
JPM f, Borate The RHR System To Prepare for RCS Cooldown
Facility Comment
Comment:
The current task standard is: Adjust PK-145 to achieve maximum flow without exceeding
135gpm.
The proposed new task standard is: Adjust PK-145 to initiate flow.
Basis: FNP-1-SOP-7.0, Residual Heat Removal System, Section 4.1 step 14.k states
that if the cold shutdown boron concentration is not achieved then return to step g and
repeat the boration procedure. Regardless of the amount of flow initiated, as long as flow
was initiated, the operator could repeat the steps until the required concentration was
achieved. Additionally, in this JPM, exceeding 135 gpm was not possible due to plant
configuration.
Recommendation: Change the critical task to match facility comment.
Facility Licensee Position
FNP agrees with the comment and recommends that this JPM be corrected with the new critical
step. NUREG-1021, ES-3.6, paragraph A.3., supports a post exam change.
Post exam change in accordance with ES-3.6 is clearly justified given the fact that max flow
cannot exceed 135 gpm based on RCS pressure and other valves in the system.
NRC Resolution
The licensees recommendation was accepted.
SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT
Facility Licensee: Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant
Facility Docket No.: 05000348, 05000364
Operating Test Administered: September 8-12, 2025
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.
No simulator fidelity or configuration issues were identified.