IR 05000255/2025404
| ML26013A162 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 01/20/2026 |
| From: | Michael Ziolkowski NRC/RGN-III |
| To: | Mlynarek M Palisades Energy |
| References | |
| IR 2025404 | |
| Download: ML26013A162 (0) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT - RESTART SECURITY INSPECTION REPORT 05000255/2025404
Dear Mike Mlynarek:
On December 8, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant and discussed the results of this inspection with Dan Gagnon, Director of Security, and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.
No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified during this inspection.
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).
On July 24, 2025, the NRC approved an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2), as detailed in the letter, Palisades Nuclear Plant - Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2) Concerning the Prohibition to Operate and Emplace Fuel in the Reactor Vessel, (ADAMS Accession No. ML25163A182) and a set of licensing actions supporting reauthorization of Palisades Nuclear Plant. On August 25, 2025, Palisades notified the NRC that they rescinded their 10 CFR 50.82(a)(1) certification, which removed the prohibition on operation and emplacement of fuel in the reactor (ADAMS Accession No.
ML25237A317). Palisades also implemented the set of licensing actions to support reimplementation of their operational licensing basis.
January 20, 2026 On August 25, 2025, the NRC transitioned oversight of Palisades to the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP).
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, Michael E. Ziolkowski, Chief Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Incident Response Branch Division of Radiological Safety and Security Docket No. 05000255 License No. DPR-20
Enclosure:
As stated
Inspection Report
Docket Number:
05000255
License Number:
Report Number:
Enterprise Identifier:
I-2025-404-0013
Licensee:
Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC
Facility:
Palisades Nuclear Plant
Location:
Covert, MI
Inspection Dates:
June 16, 2025, to December 08, 2025
Inspectors:
K. Hussar, Sr Physical Security Inspector, RGN I
S. Cavanaugh, Physical Security Inspector, RGN III
K. Maloney, Sr Physical Security Inspector, RGN III
Approved By:
Michael E. Ziolkowski, Chief
Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Incident Response Branch
Division of Radiological Safety and Security
SUMMARY
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting a Restart Security Inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant, in accordance with the Reactor Oversight Process. The Reactor Oversight Process is the NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors. Refer to https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/oversight.html for more information.
List of Findings and Violations
No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified.
Additional Tracking Items
None.
INSPECTION SCOPES
Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the 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/readingrm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html.
Samples were declared complete when the IP requirements most appropriate to the inspection activity were met consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2562, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program for Restart of Reactor Facilities Following Permanent Cessation of Power Operations, which states, in part, that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will ensure that operational readiness has been reasonably verified across the reactor oversight process (ROP) cornerstones of safety and security.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- TEMPORARY INSTRUCTIONS, INFREQUENT AND ABNORMAL
81000.04 - Equipment Performance, Testing, and Maintenance
The inspectors evaluated the equipment performance, testing and maintenance program through completion of the following procedure elements:
Equipment Performance, Testing, and Maintenance (3 Sample)
(1)02.02.d; 02.06.f; 02.09 These samples, combined with the samples documented in Inspection report
===5000255/2025403, dated July 24, 2025 (ML25205A048), constitute completion of Inspection Procedure 81000.04.
81000.05 - Protective Strategy Evaluation
The inspectors evaluated the licensee's Protective Strategy through completion of the following
procedure elements: Protective Strategy Evaluation
- (1) All elements
81000.14 - Review of New Power Reactor Target Sets
The inspectors evaluated the licensee's Target Set program through completion of the following procedure elements:
Review of New Power Reactor Target Sets===
(1)03.03 b These samples, combined with the samples documented in Inspection report 5000255/2025403, dated July 24, 2025 (ML25205A048), constitute completion of Inspection Procedure
INSPECTION RESULTS
No findings were identified.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
- On December 8, 2025, the inspectors presented the Restart Security Inspection results to Dan Gagnon and other members of the licensee staff.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
Shadow Tec Advanced Video Patrol System Operator
Powerpoint
Miscellaneous
Operability Testing Job Aid
Early Warning
System
Camera View Images
2/01/2025
81000.04
Procedures
Early Warning
System
Standing Order
Corrective Action
Documents
Resulting from
Inspection
25010961
08/04/2025
OCA Area Patrols
OCA Area Patrols
REV 1
PL 0025
Vital Area Patrols
REV 15
PL 0029
PA Manhole Patrols
REV 4
PL 0031
South OCA Patrol
REV 9
PL0022
IMP Patrols
07/16/2025
PL0026
Protected Area Patrols
REV 9
81000.05
Procedures
PL0027
DFS Protected Area Patrols
REV 1