ML25224A056
| ML25224A056 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Issue date: | 08/25/2025 |
| From: | Jon Greives NRC/NRR/DANU |
| To: | Ji W Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Eck T | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25224A057 | List: |
| References | |
| EAF-NRR-2025-0105 | |
| Download: ML25224A056 (3) | |
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 - NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Dear Dr. Ji:
This letter provides you with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) enforcement decision regarding the apparent security violation(s) identified during the special inspection conducted at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Reactor Critical Facility December 4, 2024 - December 5, 2024, with in-office review continuing through May 15, 2025.
The special inspection was initiated in response to unresolved issues identified during a routine inspection conducted from November 13, 2024, to January 23, 2025, and to Event Notification 57428 submitted by RPI staff on November 16, 2024. These issues were documented in NRC Safety and Security Inspection Report No. 05000225/2024201 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Nos: ML25072A075 - public cover letter; ML25072A076 - non-public enclosed report), issued March 14, 2025.
The NRC staff discussed preliminary results with you and your staff at the conclusion of the onsite portion of the special inspection on December 5, 2024. A final special inspection exit briefing was conducted via teleconference on May 15, 2025. Subsequently, on June 30, 2025, the NRC issued Special Inspection Report No. 05000225/2024202 (ML25161A222 - public cover letter; ML25161A221 - non-public enclosed report). This report documented the results of the special inspection, including apparent violation(s) that were being considered for escalated enforcement in accordance with the NRC Enforcement Policy. Note that the NRC does not discuss the number of security-related apparent violations that are characterized above a Severity Level IV. The Enforcement Policy can be found on the NRCs website at:http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/enforce-pol.html.
The NRC staff provided you with the opportunity to address the apparent violation(s) by either attending a predecisional enforcement conference or by providing a written response before making a final enforcement decision. By letter dated July 28, 2025 (ML25217A481 -
non-public), RPI submitted its Reply to Notice of Violation (Notice) and Response to the Apparent Violation(s) outlined in Inspection Report No. 05000225/2024202.
Enclosure(s) transmitted herewith contain(s) SUNSI. When separated from enclosure(s), this transmittal document is decontrolled.
August 25, 2025
OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION W. Ji OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION The letter detailed the cause of the apparent violation(s), the corrective actions taken and their outcomes, and affirmed that RPI has implemented these actions and achieved full compliance to address the issues that resulted in the apparent violation(s).
Based on the information developed during the special inspection and the information that you provided in your written response, the NRC staff determined that violation(s) of NRC requirements occurred and is proceeding with enforcement action. The security-related violation(s) are cited in the enclosed Notice and the circumstances surrounding it are described in detail in the subject Special Inspection Report No. 05000225/2024202 (ML25161A222 -
public cover letter; ML25161A221 - non-public enclosed report).
Because your facility has not been subject to escalated enforcement action within the past 2 years, the NRC evaluated whether credit was warranted for corrective actions, as outlined in section 2.3.4 of the Enforcement Policy. Based on the NRCs review, the corrective actions implemented by RPI staff were determined to be comprehensive.
Therefore, to encourage prompt and comprehensive correction of violations, and in recognition of the absence of prior escalated enforcement action, I have been authorized, following consultation with the Director of the Office of Enforcement, not to propose a civil penalty in this case. However, future significant violations could result in the imposition of a civil penalty.
Additionally, the issuance of this violation(s) constitutes an escalated enforcement action and may subject you to increased inspection effort.
The NRC concluded that information regarding: (1) the reason for the violation(s); (2) the corrective actions taken and the results achieved; and (3) the date when full compliance was achieved is already adequately addressed on the docket in Special Inspection Report No. 05000225/2024202, and your letter dated July 28, 2025. Therefore, you are not required to respond to this letter unless the description therein does not accurately reflect your corrective actions or your position. In that case, or if you choose to provide additional information, you should follow the instructions specified in the enclosed Notice.
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room and ADAMS, accessible from the NRC Web site at:
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Should you choose to submit a response, it should, to the extent practicable, not include any personal privacy, proprietary, or safeguards information, to allow for public disclosure without the need for redaction. If the inclusion of such information is necessary to provide an adequate response, please submit: (1) a bracketed version of your response that clearly identifies the information to be withheld, and (2) a redacted version suitable for public release. If you request the withholding of any information, you must specifically identify the portions of your response to be withheld and provide a detailed justification for your request. For example, explain why disclosure would result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or, in the case of confidential commercial or financial information, provide the supporting basis required under 10 CFR 2.390(b).
Additionally, if you choose to provide a response, it should be sent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, DC 20555-0001, with a copy mailed to Mr. Jonathan Greives Acting Director, Division of Advanced Reactors and
OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION W. Ji OFFICIAL USE ONLY - SECURITY-RELATED INFORMATION Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Tony Brown, Chief, Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Oversight Branch at (301) 415-7499, or via email at Tony.Brown@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Jonathan E. Greives, Acting Director Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-225 License No. CX-22
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/o enclosure: GovDelivery Subscribers Signed by Greives, Jon on 08/25/25
ML25224A055 (Cover letter w/enclosure)
ADAMS Accession No.: ML25224A056 (Cover letter)
NRC-002 OFFICE RI/DRSS NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/LA OE/EB NAME TEck CBassett NParker JPeralta DATE 8/12/2025 8/12/2025 8/12/2025 8/13/2025 OFFICE NRR/DRO/IRAB NRR/DRO/BC NRR/DANU/D(Acting)
NAME DAird TBrown JGreives DATE 8/14/2025 8/14/2025 8/25/2025