IR 05000255/2024011
| ML24197A185 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 07/15/2024 |
| From: | April Nguyen NRC/RGN-III/DORS |
| To: | Mlynarek M Holtec Decommissioning International |
| References | |
| IR 2024011 | |
| Download: ML24197A185 (1) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT - RESTART INSPECTION REPORT 05000255/2024011
Dear Mike Mlynarek:
On May 1, 2024, and May 10, 2024, respectively, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed two inspections at the Palisades Nuclear Plant. The enclosed inspection report documents these inspection results, which the inspectors discussed on May 1, 2024, and May 10, 2024, with you and other members of your staff.
Based on the results of these inspections, no findings or violations were identified.
On June 13, 2022, Palisades ceased permanent power operations and subsequently removed all fuel from the reactor, as detailed in the letter from Entergy to the NRC, Certifications of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations and Permanent Removal of Fuel from the Reactor Vessel, (ADAMS Accession No. ML22164A067). On September 28, 2023, Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (Holtec) submitted a letter to the NRC requesting exemptions from certain portions of the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.82(a)(2) to pursue the potential reauthorization of power operations at Palisades (ADAMS Accession No. ML23271A140). The NRCs initial acceptance to review Palisades request for exemptions was documented in ADAMS at Accession No. ML23291A440 on November 3, 2023.
July 15, 2024 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 Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.
Sincerely, April M. Nguyen, Lead Palisades Restart Team Division of Operating Reactor Safety Docket No. 05000255 License No. DPR-20
Enclosure:
As stated
Inspection Report
Docket Number:
05000255
License Number:
Report Number:
Licensee:
Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC
Facility:
Palisades Nuclear Plant
Location:
Covert, MI
Inspection Dates:
April 29 - May 10, 2024
Inspectors:
B. Bergeon, Senior Operations Engineer
J. Cassidy, Senior Health Physicist
T. Henning, Senior Operations Engineer
Approved By:
April M. Nguyen, Lead
Palisades Restart Team
Division of Operating Reactor Safety
SUMMARY
This report covers announced inspections completed by regional inspectors.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) performed inspections of the licensees activities to ensure the adequate protection of workers and the public under the radiation safety cornerstone and to assess requalification training and evaluation of previously licensed operators under the reactor safety cornerstones.
List of Findings and Violations
No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified.
Additional Tracking Items
None.
PLANT STATUS
The Palisades Nuclear Plant ceased permanent power operations and subsequently removed all fuel from the reactor, as certified in a letter to the NRC on June 13, 2022. On September 28, 2023, Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (Holtec) submitted a letter to the NRC requesting exemptions from certain portions of the requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2)to pursue the potential reauthorization of power operations. The NRC is conducting inspections to evaluate and assess the licensees activities for potential restoration to an operational status.
INSPECTION SCOPES
Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the referenced inspection procedures (IPs) in effect at the beginning of the inspection unless otherwise noted. Currently approved IPs with their attached revision histories are located on the public website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html.
REACTOR SAFETY
CORNERSTONES
71111.11B - Licensed Operator Requalification Program and Licensed Operator Performance
- (1) Biennial Requalification Written Examinations The inspectors evaluated the quality of the licensed operator biennial requalification written examinations administered on April 26, May 3, and May 10, 2024.
Annual Requalification Operating Tests The inspectors evaluated the adequacy of the facility licensees annual requalification operating tests administered during the weeks of April 22, April 29, and May 6, 2024.
Administration of an Annual Requalification Operating Test The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of the facility licensee in administering requalification operating tests required by 10 CFR 55.59(a)(2) and that the facility licensee is effectively evaluating their licensed operators for mastery of training objectives.
Requalification Examination Security The inspectors evaluated the ability of the facility licensee to safeguard examination material, such that the examination is not compromised.
Remedial Training and Re-examinations The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of remedial training conducted by the licensee, and reviewed the adequacy of re-examinations for licensed operators who did not pass a required requalification examination.
RADIATION SAFETY
CORNERSTONE
71124.01 - Radiological Hazard Assessment and Exposure Controls
Radiological Hazard Assessment (IP Section 03.01)
- (1) The inspectors evaluated how the licensee identifies the magnitude and extent of radiation levels and the concentrations and quantities of radioactive materials and how the licensee assesses radiological hazards.
Instructions to Workers (IP Section 03.02)
- (1) The inspectors evaluated how the licensee instructs workers on plant-related radiological hazards and the radiation protection requirements intended to protect workers from those hazards.
Radiological Hazards Control and Work Coverage (IP Section 03.04)
The inspectors evaluated the licensees control of radiological hazards for the following radiological work:
- (1) Unit 1 lifting the reactor head from the reactor cavity to the reactor head stand
- (2) Unit 1 removal and replacement of the reactor head O-ring
- (3) Cleaning and decontamination of the Unit 1 reactor flange and O-ring groove
High Radiation Area and Very High Radiation Area Controls (IP Section 03.05)
The inspectors evaluated licensee controls of the following High Radiation Areas and Very High Radiation Areas:
- (1) Unit 1 containment building
- (2) Unit 1 reactor cavity
- (3) Unit 1 head stand area when reactor head was on stand
Operator License Conditions The inspectors evaluated the licensees program for ensuring that licensed operators meet the conditions of their licenses.
Control Room Simulator The inspectors evaluated the adequacy of the facility licensees control room simulator in modeling the actual plant, and for meeting the requirements contained in 10 CFR 55.46. Control room simulator fidelity was previously evaluated on March 13, 2024, and documented in Inspection Report 05000255/2024010 (ADAMS Accession No. ML24078A315).
Radiation Worker Performance and Radiation Protection Technician Proficiency (IP Section 03.06)
- (1) The inspectors evaluated radiation worker and radiation protection technician performance as it pertains to radiation protection requirements.
INSPECTION RESULTS
No findings or violations were identified during these inspections.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
- On May 1, 2024, the inspectors presented the radiation protection inspection results to G. Wright, Radiation Protection Manager, and other members of the licensee staff.
- On May 10, 2024, the inspectors presented the licensed operator requalification program results to M. Mlynarek, Site Vice President, and other members of the licensee staff.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
Simulator Scenario SES-245
Simulator Scenario SES-246
Simulator Scenario SES-249
Simulator Scenario SES-270
Simulator Scenario SES-277
Simulator Scenario SES-278
Simulator Scenario SES-300
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-RO Admin 17
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-SRO Admin 17
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-AFW-05
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-ELEC-01
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-EOP-28
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-EOP-55
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-RO Admin 8
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-SRO Admin 18
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-AFW-06
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-AOP-34
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR CPS-01
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-AOP-41
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-RO Admin 9
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-SRO Admin 19
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-AOP-14A
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-EOP-13
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-PZR-04
Job Performance Measure PLJPM-LOR-CRD-01
24 LOR Biennial RO-SRO Exam 1
24 LOR Biennial RO-SRO Exam 2
24 LOR Biennial RO-SRO Exam 3
24R1/24R2/24R3/24R4 LOR Training Cycle Schedules
Shift 1 Crew Notebook
Miscellaneous
Shift 2 Crew Notebook
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
Shift 3 Crew Notebook
Shift 4 Crew Notebook
Shift 5 Crew Notebook
PAL-2176
Sentinel Login Issue Extremity Multi-packs
04/29/2024
PAL-02185
NRC Questioned Potential Inconsistencies
04/30/2024
PNT-114
Licensed Operator Requalification Training Program
Description
PNT-201
Systematic Approach to Training Process
PNT-210
Conduct of Simulator Training
PNT-217
Examination Security
PNT-218
Licensed Operator Requalification Annual and Biennial
Exam Development
PNT-201-TF-10
Remediation Form
PNT-024-TF-SBT
Scenario Based Testing Scenario 249 LOR Exam Scenario
Procedures
LOR 2024-2026
LOR Long Range Training Plan
Radiological Work Permit and Associated ALARA Plan,
240433, Disassembly of the Rx Head, Reset the Rx Head
in the Cavity, and Associated Work Activities (Supports
Re-Start/PCS Chem Decon)
Radiological Survey Sheet Number 2024-0201, 649' CTMT
General Areas
04/30/2024
Airborne Radioactivity Calculation Form, 2024-AS-0173,
Vacuum Head
04/26/2024
Airborne Radioactivity Calculation Form, 2024-AS-0170,
FME Walkdown in Cavity
04/26/2024
Airborne Radioactivity Calculation Form, 2024-AS-0171,
FME Walkdown in Cavity
04/26/2024
Miscellaneous
Lapel Air Sample Alpha Analysis, 2024-AS-0186,
Head Stand/ Clean Under Head
04/30/2024
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
Air Sampling
Alpha Monitoring
Job Coverage
Procedures
Selection, Issue and Use of Respiratory Protection
Equipment