IR 05000416/2020301
| ML20091F319 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Grand Gulf  |
| Issue date: | 03/31/2020 |
| From: | Greg Werner Operations Branch IV |
| To: | Emily Larson Entergy Operations |
| Werner G | |
| References | |
| 50-416/20-301 | |
| Download: ML20091F319 (9) | |
Text
March 31, 2020
SUBJECT:
GRAND GULF NUCLEAR STATION - NRC INITIAL OPERATOR LICENSING EXAMINATION REPORT 05000416/2020301
Dear Mr. Larson:
On February 10, 2020, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an initial operator license examination at your Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1. The enclosed report documents the examination results and licensing decisions. The preliminary examination results were discussed on February 6, 2020, with Mr. Robert Franssen, General Manager Plant Operations, and other members of your staff. A telephonic exit meeting was conducted on February 28, 2020, with Mr. Tracy Tharp, Operations Training Supervisor, who was provided the NRC licensing decisions.
The examination included the evaluation of six applicants for reactor operator licenses, and two applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses. The license examiners determined that all applicants satisfied the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55, and the appropriate licenses have been issued. There were no post-examination comments submitted by your staff. The enclosure contains details of this report.
No findings were identified during this examination.
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 10 CFR 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.
Sincerely, Gregory E. Werner, Chief Operations Branch
Division of Reactor Safety
Docket No. 50-416 License No. NPF-29
Enclosure:
Examination Report 05000416/2020301 w/attachment: Supplemental Information
Inspection Report
Docket Number:
05000416
License Number:
Report Number:
Enterprise Identifier: L-2020-OLL-0011
Licensee:
Entergy Operations, Inc.
Facility:
Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1
Location:
Port Gibson, Mississippi
Inspection Dates:
February 3, 2020, to February 28, 2020
Inspectors:
C. Osterholtz, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer
K. Clayton, Senior Operations Engineer
M. Doyle, Operations Engineer
M. Hayes, Operations Engineer
Approved By:
Gregory E. Werner
Chief, Operations Branch
Division of Reactor Safety
SUMMARY
ER 05000416/2020301; February 3-28, 2020; Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1; Initial
Operator Licensing Examination Report
The NRC examiners evaluated the competency of six applicants for reactor operator licenses and two applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station,
Unit 1.
The licensee developed the examinations using NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors," Revision 11. The written examination was administered by the licensee on February 10. 2020. The NRC examiners administered the operating tests on February 3-6, 2020.
The NRC examiners determined that all the applicants satisfied the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55 and the appropriate licenses have been issued.
NRC-Identified and Self-Revealing Findings
None.
Licensee-Identified Violations
None.
REPORT DETAILS
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- INITIAL LICENSE EXAM
.1 License Applications
a. Scope
The NRC examiners reviewed all license applications submitted to ensure each applicant satisfied relevant license eligibility requirements. The NRC examiners also audited two of the license applications in detail to confirm that they accurately reflected the subject applicants qualifications. This audit focused on the applicants experience and on-the-job training, including control manipulations that provided significant reactivity changes.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
.2 Examination Development
a. Scope
The NRC examiners reviewed integrated examination outlines and draft examinations submitted by the licensee against the requirements of NUREG-1021. The NRC examiners conducted an onsite validation of the operating tests.
b. Findings
The NRC examiners provided outline, draft examination, and post-validation comments to the licensee. The licensee satisfactorily completed comment resolution prior to examination administration.
The NRC examiners determined the written examinations and operating tests initially submitted by the licensee were within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.
.3 Operator Knowledge and Performance
a. Scope
On February 10, 2020, the licensee proctored the administration of the written examinations to all eight applicants. The licensee staff graded the written examinations, analyzed the results, and presented their analysis to the NRC on February 12, 2020.
The NRC examination team administered the various portions of the operating tests to all applicants on February 3-6, 2020.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
All applicants passed the written examination and all parts of the operating tests. The final written examinations and post-examination analysis may be accessed in the ADAMS system under the accession numbers noted in the attachment. There were no post-examination comments as indicated in the licensee submittal.
The examination team noted no generic weaknesses associated with applicant performance on the operating tests. Post-examination analysis revealed nine generic weaknesses associated with applicant performance on the written examination:
- availability of the containment and drywell cooling systems during a loss of instrument air
- emergency operating procedure steps and containment design limits
- local power range monitors feeding an average power range monitor channel
- status of reactor recirculation pumps and breakers
- alarm colors and meaning
- technical specification actions for a missed surveillance
- actions required to secure a drywell purge compressor with a start signal present
- required presence of senior operator in the control room in Modes 4 and 5
These weaknesses were captured in the licensees corrective action program as Condition Reports CR-GGN-2020-01440 and CR-GGN-2020-02447. Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility training manager for evaluation and determination of appropriate remedial training.
.4 Simulation Facility Performance
a. Scope
The NRC examiners observed simulator performance with regard to plant fidelity during examination validation and administration.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
.5 Examination Security
a. Scope
The NRC examiners reviewed examination security for examination development during both the onsite preparation week and examination administration week for compliance with 10 CFR 55.49 and NUREG-1021. Plans for simulator security and applicant control were reviewed and discussed with licensee personnel.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
Exit Meeting Summary
The chief examiner presented the preliminary examination results to Mr. R. Franssen, General Manager Plant Operations, and other members of the staff on February 6, 2020. A telephonic exit was conducted on February 28, 2020, between Mr. C. Osterholtz, chief examiner, and Mr. T. Tharp, Operations Training Supervisor. The licensee did not identify any information or materials used during the examination as proprietary.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Licensee Personnel
- R. Franssen, General Manager Plant Operations
- E. Eilola, Director, Regulatory and Performance Improvement
- M. Ellis, NRC Exam Developer
- R. Gibson, Manager, Training
- E. Limbeck, Superintendent, Operations Training
- A. Watson, Supervisor, Operations Initial Training
- B. Wertz, Manager, Operations
NRC Personnel
- C. Young, Senior Project Engineer