IR 05000277/2021301

Initial Operator Licensing Examination Report 05000277/2021301 and 05000278/2021301

ML21244A327
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	09/01/2021
From:	Diane Jackson NRC/RGN-I/DORS
To:	Rhoades D Exelon Generation Co LLC, Exelon Nuclear
Jackson D
References
ER 2021301
Download: ML21244A327 (9)

Text

September 1, 2021

SUBJECT:

PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION, UNITS 2 AND 3 - INITIAL OPERATOR LICENSING EXAMINATION REPORT 05000277/2021301 AND 05000278/2021301

Dear Mr. Rhoades:

On June 10, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an examination at the Peach Bottom facility. The enclosed examination report documents the examination results, which were discussed on August 5, 2021, with Mr. D. Henry, Plant Manager, and other members of your staff.

The examination included the evaluation of four applicants for reactor operator licenses and five applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses. The written and operating examinations were developed using NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors," Revision 11. The license examiners determined eight of the nine applicants satisfied the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55, and the appropriate licenses were issued on August 5, 2021.

No findings were identified during this examination. 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 10 CFR 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.

Sincerely, Digitally signed by Donald E.

Donald E. Jackson Date: 2021.09.01 13:07:57 Jackson -04'00'

Donald E. Jackson, Chief Operations Branch Division of Operating Reactor Safety Docket Nos. 05000277 and 05000278 License Nos. DPR-44 and DPR-56 Enclosure:

Examination Report 05000277/2021301 and 05000278/2021301 w/Attachment: Supplementary Information cc w/encl: Distribution via ListServ

SUMMARY

ER 05000277/2021301 and 05000278/2021301; 6/1/2021 - 6/10/2021; Peach Bottom Atomic

Power Station, Units 2 and 3; Initial Operator Licensing Examination Report.

Four NRC examiners evaluated the competency of four applicants for reactor operator licenses and five applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses. The facility licensee developed the examinations using NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors," Revision 11. The written examination was administered by the facility on June 10, 2021. NRC examiners administered the operating tests June 1-4, 2021. The NRC examiners determined that eight of nine applicants satisfied the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55, and the appropriate licenses have been issued.

NRC-Identified and Self-Revealing Findings

No findings were identified.

Licensee-Identified Violations

None.

REPORT DETAILS

4OA5 Other Activities (Initial Operator License Examination)

.1 License Applications

a. Scope

The examiners reviewed all license applications submitted by the licensee to ensure the applications reflected that each applicant satisfied relevant license eligibility requirements. The applications were submitted on NRC Form 398, Personal Qualification Statement, and NRC Form 396, Certification of Medical Examination by Facility Licensee. The examiners also audited the license applications to confirm that they accurately reflected the subject applicants qualifications. This audit focused on the applicants experience and on-the-job training, including control manipulations that provided significant reactivity changes.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

.2 Operator Knowledge and Performance

a. Examination Scope

On June 10, 2021, the licensee proctored the administration of the written examinations to all applicants. The licensee staff graded the written examinations, analyzed the results, and presented their analysis to the NRC on June 17, 2021.

The NRC examination team administered the various portions of the operating examination June 1-4, 2021. The applicants for reactor operator licenses participated in at least two dynamic simulator scenarios, in a control room and facilities walkthrough test consisting of eleven system tasks, and an administrative test consisting of four administrative tasks. The applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses participated in at least two dynamic simulator scenarios, a control room and facilities walkthrough test consisting of ten system tasks, and an administrative test consisting of five administrative tasks.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

Eight of nine applicants passed the operating test and all applicants passed the written examination. For the written examinations, the reactor operator applicants average score was 90.3 percent and ranged from 89.3 to 92.0 percent. The senior operator applicants average score was 89.2 percent and ranged from 85.8 to 95.9 percent. The text of the examination questions may be accessed in the ADAMS system under the accession numbers noted in the Attachment. In accordance with current NRC policy, the release of the written examination in ADAMS to the public will be delayed for two years.

Chapter ES-403 and Form ES-403-1 of NUREG 1021 require the licensee to analyze the validity of any written examination questions that were missed by half or more of the applicants. The licensee conducted this analysis and submitted it to the chief examiner.

The facility also submitted comments for two questions on the SRO-only portion of the exam. The NRC accepted both comments. Details of those post exam comments and the associated NRC response may be accessed in the ADAMS system under the accession number noted in the Attachment.

.3 Initial Licensing Examination Development

a. Examination Scope

The facility licensee developed the examinations in accordance with NUREG-1021, Revision 11. All licensee facility training and operations staff involved in examination preparation and validation were listed on a security agreement. The facility licensee submitted the operating examination outline on December 17, 2020. The chief examiner reviewed the outlines against the requirements of NUREG-1021, and provided comments to the licensee. The facility licensee submitted the draft examination package on March 15, 2021. The chief examiner reviewed the draft examination package against the requirements of NUREG-1021, conducted an onsite validation during the week of May 3, 2021, and provided comments to the licensee during the week of May 10, 2021.

The licensee satisfactorily completed comment resolution on May 23, 2021.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

The NRC approved the initial examination outline and advised the licensee to proceed with the operating examination development.

The examiners determined that the written and operating examinations initially submitted by the licensee were within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.

.4 Simulation Facility Performance

a. Examination Scope

The examiners observed simulator performance with regard to plant fidelity during the examination validation and administration.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

.5 Examination Security

a. Examination Scope

The examiners reviewed examination security for examination development and during both the onsite preparation week and examination administration week for compliance with NUREG-1021, Revision 11 requirements. Plans for simulator security and applicant control were reviewed and discussed with licensee personnel.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit

The chief examiner presented the examination results to Mr. D. Henry, and other members of the licensee's staff on August 5, 2021.

The licensee did not identify any information or materials used during the examination as proprietary.

ATTACHMENT:

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

KEY POINTS OF CONTACT

Licensee Personnel

D. Adams, Lead Exam Author

N. Patrou, Exam Author

ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED

NONE