ML16167A372
| ML16167A372 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 06/23/2016 |
| From: | NRC/RGN-III |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML16167A372 (18) | |
Text
NRC's Annual Performance Assessment of Palisades for 2015 Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Region III South Haven, MI June 23, 2016
Introductions
Eric Duncan Branch Chief, Palisades NRC Region III 2
3 Purpose and Agenda Discuss NRCs Actions to Ensure the Safety of Palisades
- NRC Presentation
- Break
- Town Hall Discussion
NRC Inspections
- In 2015, more than 6700 hours0.0775 days <br />1.861 hours <br />0.0111 weeks <br />0.00255 months <br /> were committed to Palisades for performing NRC inspections.
- Two full-time NRC resident inspectors are dedicated to Palisades to perform plant inspections and immediately respond to events.
- Additionally, region-based specialist inspectors perform inspections in focused areas including operations, maintenance, engineering, radiation protection, emergency preparedness, security, and spent fuel storage.
4
5 2015 Annual Assessment
- Palisades continued to operate safely.
- Palisades began 2015 under increased NRC oversight due to an issue of low to moderate safety significance associated with Occupational Radiation Safety that was identified in 2014.
- The NRC conducted a follow-up inspection and concluded that Palisades had appropriately addressed the issue.
- On October 1, 2015, the plant returned to normal NRC oversight.
2015 Annual Assessment
- No worker dose limits were exceeded.
- The increased NRC oversight was due to an issue in 2014 that involved the failure to use an NRC-approved method for determining the effective dose to workers wearing dosimeters on several areas of their bodies.
- NRC follow-up inspection concluded 1) the cause of the deficiency was understood, 2) the extent of the issue had been identified, and
- 3) corrective actions will prevent recurrence.
6
2015 Annual Assessment
- The NRC issued a Severity Level III Violation in 2015 when Palisades failed to provide complete and accurate information to the agency.
- Subsequent NRC review determined safety was not affected since no actual actions were taken by Palisades as a result of the incorrect information that was provided.
- A follow-up NRC inspection is in progress to review corrective actions.
7
Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE)
- Safety Conscious Work Environment - an environment where workers feel free to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation, intimidation, harassment, or discrimination.
- All NRC licensees and contractors are expected to establish and maintain a SCWE which contributes to the safe operation of NRC-regulated facilities.
8
SCWE Inspections
- NRC identified problems with SCWE in 2011.
- NRC continued to focus on SCWE for the past five years and conducted numerous inspections.
- Inspections were performed by safety culture experts
- Inspections included focus group discussions and individual interviews
- The last NRC inspection conducted in 2016 identified no SCWE concerns.
- The NRC will continue to evaluate SCWE through the normal baseline inspection program.
9
Review of Discrimination Allegations
- In December 2013, the NRC received discrimination claims for raising safety issues from two former supervisors.
- The NRC completed an extensive investigation in March 2015 concerning these allegations of discrimination.
- The NRC determined that the allegations were not substantiated.
- The Department of Labor (DOL) received claims from the same two supervisors alleging discrimination in December 2013.
10
Review of Discrimination Allegations
- The DOL review found reasonable cause for discrimination.
- The DOL focuses on labor issues while the NRC focuses on Nuclear Safety.
- In response to the DOL ruling, the NRC requested that Palisades describe actions to assure the DOL findings would not have an adverse impact on SCWE.
- The NRC reviewed Palisades response and found it appropriate.
11
Safety Injection Refueling Water Tank (SIRWT) Investigation
- The NRC identified a violation involving the willful failure of plant personnel to enter SIRWT leakage information into the Corrective Action Program.
- The leakage did not affect plant or public safety.
- The SIRWT leakage issue was resolved in 2013.
- The NRC issued an Order in May 2016 that required Palisades to take comprehensive actions, including improving public communications.
12
Palisades 2.206 Petitions 2.206 Petition - allows any member of the public to request that the NRC take enforcement action, including action to modify, suspend, or revoke a nuclear plants license.
- Two 2.206 Petitions were closed in 2015.
- Primary coolant pump impeller degradation
- Security department SCWE
- No 2.206 Petitions are currently open.
13
License Amendments of Public Interest
- Palisades submitted a License Amendment Request (LAR) in July 2014 to use alternate criteria to meet reactor vessel fracture toughness requirements for protection against pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events.
- Palisades submitted a LAR in November 2014 for approval of an analysis to meet 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix G, fracture toughness of the reactor vessel during normal operations.
- Following an extensive review, the NRC approved these LARs on November 23, 2015.
14
15 Contacting the NRC
- Report an emergency
- (301) 816-5100 (call collect)
- Report a safety concern
- (800) 695-7403 or e-mail: Allegation@nrc.gov
- NRC Public Affairs Officers
- Vika Mitlyng (630) 829-9662
- Prema Chandrathil (630) 829-9663
- General information or questions
- www.nrc.gov
- Select What We Do for Public Affairs
16 Reference Sources
- Reactor Oversight Process
- http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/
ASSESS/index.html
- Public Electronic Reading Room
- http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.html
- NRC Information Digest
- http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1350/
- Public Document Room
- (800) 397-4209 (Toll Free)
Closing Remarks Pat Louden Director, Division of Reactor Projects NRC Region III 17
NRC's Annual Performance Assessment of Palisades for 2015 Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Region III South Haven, MI June 23, 2016