ML24211A054

Operator License Examination Report

ML24211A054
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	07/29/2024
From:	Tom Stephen NRC/RGN-II/DRS/OLB
To:	Marshall T Tennessee Valley Authority
References
IR 2024301
Download: ML24211A054 (1)

Text

Tennessee Valley Authority ATTN: Thomas Marshall Site Vice President Sequoyah Nuclear Plant P. O. Box 2000 Soddy-Daisy, TN 37384-2000

SUBJECT:

SEQUOYAH NUCLEAR PLANT - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT 05000327/2024301 AND 05000328/2024301

Dear Thomas Marshall:

During the period June 10-18, 2024, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. At the conclusion of the tests, the examiners discussed findings related to the operating tests with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report.

The written examination was administered by your staff on June 26, 2024.

Seven Reactor Operator (RO) and seven Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One Senior Reactor Operator was exempted from the operating test and passed the written exam. One RO and one SRO applicant failed the written examination. There were no post-administration comments concerning any part of the exam. A Simulator Fidelity Report is included in this report as Enclosure 2.

The written examination and operating test were developed by the NRC. 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).

July 29, 2024

T. Marshall 2

If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 997-4807.

Sincerely, Thomas A. Stephen, Chief Operations Branch 1 Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos: 05000327, 05000328 License Nos: DPR-77, DPR-79

Enclosures:

1. Report Details

2. Simulator Fidelity Report cc: Distribution via Listserv Signed by Stephen, Tom on 07/29/24

ML24211A054 Cover Letter Only:

X SUNSI Review X Non-Sensitive Sensitive X Publicly Available Non-Publicly Available OFFICE RII/DRS RII/DRS RII/DRS NAME K. Wallace D. Lanyi T. Stephen DATE 07/29/24 07/29/24 07/29/24

Enclosure U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II Examination Report Docket No.:

05000327, 05000328 License No.:

DPR-77, DPR-79 Report No.:

05000327/2024301 and 05000328/2024301 Enterprise Identifier:

L-2024-OLL-0014 Licensee:

Tennessee Valley Authority Facility:

Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Location:

Soddy-Daisy, TN Dates:

Operating Test - June 10 - 18, 2024 Written Examination - June 26, 2024 Examiners:

D. Lanyi, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer K. Kirchbaum, Senior Operations Engineer N. Lacy, Operations Engineer V. Furr, Operations Engineer L. Nist, Reactor Operator (Examiner Qualified)

Approved by:

Thomas A. Stephen, Chief Operations Branch 1 Division of Reactor Safety

T. Marshall 3

2

SUMMARY

ER 05000327/2024301, 05000328/2024301; June 10 - 18, 2024 & June 26, 2024; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant; 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.

The operating test and written examination were developed by the NRC. The initial operating test, written Reactor Operator (RO) examination, and written Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) examination met the quality guidelines contained in NUREG-1021.

The NRC administered the operating tests during the period June 10 - 18, 2024. Members of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant training staff administered the written examination on June 26, 2024. Seven RO and seven SRO applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One SRO was exempted from the operating test and passed the written exam.

Fifteen (15) applicants were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered.

There were no post-examination comments.

No findings were identified.

REPORT DETAILS 4.

OTHER ACTIVITIES 4OA5 Operator Licensing Examinations a.

Inspection Scope 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 in order to confirm that they accurately reflected the subject applicants qualifications in accordance with NUREG-1021.

The NRC administered the operating tests during the period June 10 - 18, 2024. The NRC examiners evaluated eight Reactor Operator (RO) and nine Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. One of the SRO applicants previously passed the operating test and therefore was exempted from taking another one. Members of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant training staff administered the written examination on June 26, 2024. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant 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, the written examination, and the operating test outlines. All examination material was developed in accordance with the guidelines contained in Revision 12, of NUREG-1021. The licensee reviewed the examination and proposed modifications. The NRC examination team reviewed the proposed modifications. 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.

Seven RO applicants and seven SRO applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One SRO applicant was exempted from the operating test and passed the written exam. One RO applicant and one SRO applicant passed the operating test but did not pass the written examination. Seven RO applicants and eight SRO applicants were issued licenses.

Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Director for evaluation of weaknesses and determination of appropriate remedial training.

T. Marshall 3

2 The licensee submitted no post-examination comments. A copy of the final written examination and answer key may be accessed not earlier than December 26, 2026, thirty months after administration of the written exam, in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Numbers ML24208A057and ML24208A058).

3 4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit Exit Meeting Summary On July 25, 2024, the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Mr. T. Marshall, Sequoyah Plant Site Vice President, and other members of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.

KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel T. Marshall, Site Vice President B. Jenkins, Sequoyah Plant Manager G. Garner, Director of Site Training R. Medina, Site Licensing Manager J. Ward, Manager, Initial License Training R. Joplin, TVA Corporate Nuclear Examination Program Manager A. Forsha, Sequoyah Training Examination Development D. Neff, Sequoyah Training Examination Development

T. Marshall 3

SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT Facility Licensee: Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Facility Docket No.: 05000327 and 05000328 Operating Test Administered: June 10-18, 2024 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.