ML25161A222
| ML25161A222 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Issue date: | 06/30/2025 |
| From: | Jon Greives NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Ji W Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Bassett C | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25161A223 | List: |
| References | |
| EAF-NRR-2025-0105 IR 2024202 | |
| Download: ML25161A222 (4) | |
Text
OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION EAF-NRR-2025-0105 Dr. Wei Ji, Director Reactor Critical Facility Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th Street, JEC 5040 Troy, NY 12180-3590
SUBJECT:
RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIAL INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000225/2024202
Dear Dr. Ji:
From December 4, 2024 - May 15, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted a Special Inspection at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Reactor Critical Facility (RCF). The NRC staff initiated the Special Inspection based upon the criteria in NRC Management Directive 8.3, NRC Incident Investigation Program, the results of a routine inspection at the Reactor Critical Facility on November 13 - 15, 2024, and your event notification#57428 dated November 16, 2024, regarding a security occurrence at the RCF. The Special Inspection utilized guidance in Inspection Procedure 93812, Special Inspection. RPI supplemented the event notification by a \
letter dated November 18, 2024.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to security and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license. The inspectors reviewed procedures, documents, records, observed activities, performed walk-downs, and interviewed personnel. The enclosed report presents the results of this inspection. On May 15, 2025, a final inspection exit briefing was conducted via videoconference with you and other members of the RPI administration and staff.
Based on the results of this inspection, one Severity Level IV security violation and apparent security violation(s) were identified. These violation(s) were evaluated in accordance with the NRC Enforcement Policy. The current Enforcement Policy is available on the NRCs website at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/enforce-pol.html.
Enclosure(s) transmitted herewith contain(s) SUNSI. When separated from enclosure(s), this transmittal document is decontrolled.
June 30, 2025
OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION W. Ji 2
OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION The Severity Level IV security violation is cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and the circumstances surrounding it are described in detail in the subject inspection report. You are required to respond and should follow the instruction specified in the enclosed Notice when preparing your response. If you have additional information that you believe the NRC should consider, you may provide it in your response to the Notice. The NRCs review of your response to the Notice will determine whether further enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
The enclosed inspection report also provides a description of the apparent security violation(s). The apparent violation(s) are being considered for escalated enforcement action in accordance with the NRC Enforcement Policy. Since the NRC has not made a final determination in this matter, no Notice of Violation is being issued for the inspection finding(s) at this time. Note that the NRC does not discuss the number of security-related apparent violations that are potentially characterized above Severity Level IV. In addition, please be advised that the number and characterization of apparent security violation(s) described in the enclosed inspection report may change as a result of further NRC review. You will be advised by separate correspondence of the results of our deliberations on this matter.
With regard to the apparent security violation(s), before the NRC makes its enforcement decision, we are providing you with an opportunity to: (1) respond in writing to the apparent security violation(s) addressed in the inspection report within 30 days of the date of this letter or (2) request a predecisional enforcement conference (PEC). If a PEC is held, the NRC may issue a press release to announce the time and date of the conference; however, the PEC will be closed to public observation since Security-Related Information will be discussed.
If you choose to provide a written response for the apparent security violation(s), it should be clearly marked as a Response to Apparent Violations in NRC Inspection Report 05000225/2024202; EAF-NRR-2025-0105 and should include for the apparent violation(s):
(1) the reason for the apparent security violation(s) or, if contested, the basis for disputing the apparent security violation(s); (2) the corrective steps that have been taken and the results achieved; (3) the corrective steps that will be taken; and (4) the date when full compliance will be achieved. Your response may reference or include previously docketed correspondence if the correspondence adequately addresses the required response. The guidance in NRC Information Notice 96-28, Suggested Guidance Relating to Development and Implementation of Corrective Action, at https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0612/ML061240509.pdf may be helpful in preparing your response. If Security-Related Information is necessary to provide an acceptable response, please mark your entire response Security-Related Information in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 2.390(d)(1) and follow the instructions for withholding in 10 CFR 2.390(b)(1).
Your written response should be sent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN:
Document Control Desk, Washington, DC 20555-0001, with a copy mailed to Jonathan Greives Director (Acting), Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738 within 30 days of the date of this letter. If an adequate response is not received within the time specified or an extension of time has not been granted by the NRC, the NRC will proceed with its enforcement decision or schedule a PEC. If you choose to request a PEC, the conference will afford you the opportunity to provide your perspective on these matters and any other information that you believe the NRC should take into consideration before making an enforcement decision.
OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION W. Ji 3
OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION The decision to hold a PEC does not mean that the NRC has determined that a violation has occurred or that enforcement action will be taken. This conference would be conducted to obtain information to assist the NRC in making an enforcement decision. The topics discussed during the conference may include information to determine whether a violation occurred, information to determine the significance of a violation, information related to the identification of a violation, and information related to any corrective actions taken or planned.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRCs Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of the NRC Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS).
ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). However, the material enclosed herewith contains Security-Related Information in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390(d)(1) and its disclosure to unauthorized individuals could present a security vulnerability. Therefore, the material in the enclosure will not be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from NRC's ADAMS. If you choose to provide a response and Security-Related Information is necessary to provide an acceptable response, please mark your entire response Security-Related Information-Withhold from public disclosure under 10 CFR 2.390 in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390(d)(1) and follow the instructions for withholding in 10 CFR 2.390(b)(1). In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390(b)(1)(ii), the NRC is waiving the affidavit requirements for your response.
Please contact Tony Brown at (301) 415-7499, or Tony.Brown@nrc.gov within ten days of the date of this letter to notify the NRC of your intended response to either provide a written response or participate in a PEC. A PEC should be held within 30 days.
Sincerely, Jonathan E. Greives, Director (Acting)
Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-225 License No. CX-22
Enclosures:
As stated cc w/o enclosures: GovDelivery Subscribers Signed by Greives, Jon on 06/30/25
ML25161A221 (Cover letter w/enclosure(s))
ADAMS Accession No.: ML25161A222 (Cover letter)
NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/LA NAME CBassett TEck NParker DATE 6/10/2025 6/17/2025 6/18/2025 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC OE/EB NRR/DANU/D (Acting)
NAME TBrown JPeralta JGreives DATE 6/20/2025 6/20/2025 6/30/2025