ML23107A254
| ML23107A254 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Catawba  |
| Issue date: | 04/14/2023 |
| From: | Tom Stephen Division of Reactor Safety II |
| To: | Flippin N Duke Energy Carolinas |
| References | |
| EPID L-2023-OLL-0021, 50-413/23-301, 50-414/23-301 50-413/OL-23, 50-414/OL-23 | |
| Download: ML23107A254 (11) | |
Text
April 14, 2023 Nicole Flippin Site Vice President Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Catawba Nuclear Station 4800 Concord Road York, SC 29745-9635
SUBJECT:
CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT 05000413/2023301 and 05000414/2023301
Dear Ms. Flippin:
During the period February 27 - March 3, 2023, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Catawba Nuclear Station. At the conclusion of the tests, the examiners discussed preliminary findings related to the operating tests and the written examination submittal with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report. The written examination was administered by your staff on March 9, 2023.
All applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. There were two post-administration comments concerning the operating test. These comments, and the NRC resolution of these comments, are summarized in Enclosure 2. A Simulator Fidelity Report is included in this report as Enclosure 3.
The initial examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination. All examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and your staff were made according to NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, Revision 12.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of the NRCs document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
N. Flippin 2
If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 997-4703.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Tom Stephen, Chief Operations Branch 1 Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos. 05000413 and 05000414 License Nos. NPF-35 and NPF-52
Enclosures:
- 1. Report Details
- 2. Facility Post Exam Comments and NRC Resolution
- 3. Simulator Fidelity Report cc: Distribution via Listserv
ML23107A254 SUNSI REVIEW COMPLETE FORM 665 ATTACHED OFFICE RII/DRS/OB1 RII/ DRS/OB1 RII/DRS/OB1 NAME DEgelstad DLanyi TStephen DATE 4/13/2023 4/ 13/2023 4/14 /2023 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II Examination Report Docket No.:
05000413 and 05000414 License No.:
05000413/2023301 and 050004142023301 Enterprise Identifier: L-2023-OLL-0021 Licensee:
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Facility:
Catawba Nuclear Station Location:
York, South Carolina Dates:
Operating Test - February 27 - March 3, 2023 Written Examination - March 9, 2023 Examiners:
David Lanyi, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer Daniel Bacon, Senior Operations Engineer Michael Kennard, Senior Operations Engineer Andreas Goldau, Operations Engineer Approved by:
Tom Stephen, Chief Operations Branch 1 Division of Reactor Safety
2
SUMMARY
ER 05000413/2023301, 050004142023301; operating test February 27 - March 3, 2023 &
written exam March 9, 2023; Catawba Nuclear Station; 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 Catawba 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.
The NRC administered the operating tests during the period February 27 - March 3, 2023.
Members of the Catawba training staff administered the written examination on March 9, 2023.
Both Reactor Operator (RO) and all eight Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. All applicants were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered.
There were two post-examination comments.
No findings were identified.
3 REPORT DETAILS
- 4.
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 to confirm that they accurately reflected the subject applicants qualifications in accordance with NUREG-1021.
The NRC administered the operating tests during the period February 27 - March 3, 2023. The NRC examiners evaluated two Reactor Operator (RO) and eight Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021.
Members of the Catawba Nuclear Station training staff administered the written examination on March 9, 2023. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Catawba Nuclear Station, 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 Catawba Nuclear Station 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.
4 The NRC determined, using NUREG-1021, that the licensees initial examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.
All applicants passed both the operating test and written examination and were issued licenses.
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 two post-examination comments concerning the operating test.
A copy of the final written examination and answer key, with all changes incorporated, and the licensees post-examination comments may be accessed not earlier than March 10, 2025, in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Numbers ML23079A095, ML23079A092 and ML23079A090).
5 4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit Exit Meeting Summary On March 3, 2023, the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Mr. Jon Huecker, Plant Manager, and members of the Catawba Nuclear Station staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.
6 KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel Jon Huecker - Plant Manager Donald Griffith - Manager Nuclear Training Steven Andrews - Operations Manager Scott Milton - AOM Shift Rich Exley - ILT Training Program Superintendent Bruce Boyette - Operations Training Instructor Rusty Miller - Operations Training Instructor
FACILITY POST-EXAMINATION COMMENTS AND NRC RESOLUTIONS A complete text of the licensees post-examination comments can be found in ADAMS under Accession Number ML23079A090.
Item 1 RO Admin JPM A.1-1R Comment The facility contended that the cue of this JPM contained a typographical error specifying Unit 1 conditions although all other listed information related to Unit 2. This error had the potential to confuse applicants as to which unit the information relates. Therefore, the licensee requested to revise this JPM key to include both unit 1 and unit 2 applicable numbers.
NRC Resolution The facilitys recommendation was accepted. The JPM and its key have been revised to include allowing the applicant to answer for either unit.
Item 2 SRO Admin JPM A1.1-S Comment The facility contended that the JPM key and task standard incorrectly identified all positions to be properly filled on the shift roster of 02/15/23. Applicants should specify that SRO (C. Brown) cannot fill the position of Fire Brigade Captain.
NRC Resolution The facilitys recommendation was accepted. The JPM and its key have been revised for the correct answer.
SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT Facility Licensee: Catawba Nuclear Station Facility Docket No.: 05000413 and 05000414 Operating Test Administered: February 27 - March 3, 2023 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.