IR 05000528/2020301
| ML21027A039 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 01/27/2021 |
| From: | Greg Werner Division of Reactor Safety IV |
| To: | Lacal M Arizona Public Service Co |
| References | |
| IR 2020301 | |
| Download: ML21027A039 (9) | |
Text
January 27, 2021
SUBJECT:
PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 - NRC INITIAL EXAMINATION REPORT 05000528/2020301, 05000529/2020301, AND 05000530/2020301
Dear Mrs. Lacal:
On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an initial operator license examination at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3. The enclosed report documents the examination results and licensing decisions. The preliminary examination results were discussed on December 3, 2020, with Mr. T. Weber, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Director, and other members of your staff. A telephonic exit meeting was conducted on January 15, 2021, with Mr. J. Shaver, Exam and Simulator Supervisor, and other members of your staff.
The examination included the evaluation of 14 applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses. The license examiners determined that all applicants satisfied the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (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 Nos. 05000528, 05000529, and 05000530 License Nos. NPF-41, NPF-51, and NPF-74
Enclosures:
Examination Report 05000528/2020301, 05000529/2020301, and 5000530/2020301 w/attachment: Supplemental Information
Inspection Report
Docket Numbers:
05000528, 05000529, and 05000530
License Numbers:
Report Numbers:
05000528/2020301, 05000529/2020301, and 05000530/2020301
Enterprise Identifier: L-2020-OLL-0017
Licensee:
Arizona Public Service Company
Facility:
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
Location:
Tonopah, Arizona
Inspection Dates:
November 30, 2020, to January 15, 2021
Inspectors:
C. Osterholtz, Chief Examiner
T. Farina, Senior Operations Engineer
J. Kirkland, Senior Operations Engineer
B. Bergeon, Operations Engineer
M. Doyle, Operations Engineer
S. Hedger, Emergency Preparedness Inspector
Approved By:
Gregory E. Werner, Chief
Operations Branch
Division of Reactor Safety
SUMMARY
Examination Report 05000528/2020301; 05000529/2020301; 05000530/2020301;
November 30, 2020 - January 15, 2021; Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station,
Units 1, 2, and 3; Initial Operator Licensing Examination Report
The NRC examiners evaluated the competency of 14 applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3.
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 December 10, 2020. The NRC examiners administered the operating tests during the week of November 30, 2020.
The NRC examiners determined that all 14 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 EXAMINATION
.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 three 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 December 10, 2020, the licensee proctored the administration of the written examinations to all 14 applicants. The licensee staff graded the written examinations, analyzed the results, and presented their analysis to the NRC on December 15, 2020.
The NRC examination team administered the various portions of the operating tests to all applicants on November 30 - December 3, 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 seven generic weaknesses associated with applicant performance on the written examination:
- ability to use steam tables
- knowledge of automatic auxiliary feedwater alignment on a loss of all main feedwater
- knowledge of radioactive gas monitors
- knowledge of approval requirements for operational decision-making action plans
- knowledge of switchyard clearance requirements
- knowledge of automatic reactor trips that mitigate feedwater line breaks
- knowledge of emergency diesel generator automatic trips that may be reset to restore power These weaknesses were captured in the licensees corrective action program as Condition Reports CR-00087-029, 30, 31, and 32. Copies of the 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 examination security and applicant control were reviewed and discussed with licensee personnel.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
Exit Meeting Summary
On December 3, 2020, the chief examiner presented the preliminary examination results to Mr. T. Weber, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Director, and other members of the staff. On January 15, 2021, a telephonic exit was conducted between Mr. C. Osterholtz, Chief Examiner, and Mr. J. Shaver, Exam and Simulator Supervisor.
The licensee did not identify any information or materials used during the examination as proprietary.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Licensee Personnel
- A. Aviles, Operations Manager
- S. Bernat, Operations Manager
- C. Clark, Operations Manager
- M. Diane, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs
- B. Garrettson, Exam Author
- Z. Goldwasser, Operations Training Manager
- C. Haven, Licensed Operator Continuing Training Supervisor
- M. Kura, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs John Rodgers - Exam Author
- D. Lowdermilk, Nuclear Operations Support Coordinator
- M. Newport, Problem Identification and Resolution Admin
- J. Rodgers, Exam Author
- J. Shaver, Exam and Simulator Supervisor
- J. Stewart, Licensed Operator Initial Training Supervisor
- T. Weber, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Director
NRC Personnel
- C. Peabody, Senior Resident Inspector