ML16167A372

Nrc'S Annual Performance Assessment of Palisades for 2015

ML16167A372
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	06/23/2016
From:	NRC/RGN-III
To:
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Download: ML16167A372 (18)

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NRC's Annual Performance Assessment of Palisades for 2015Nuclear Regulatory Commission -Region IIISouth Haven, MIJune 23, 2016 IntroductionsEric DuncanBranch Chief, PalisadesNRC Region III2 3Purpose and AgendaDiscuss NRC's Actions to Ensure the Safety of Palisades*NRC Presentation*Break*Town Hall Discussion NRC Inspections*In 2015, more than 6700 hours0.0775 days <br />1.861 hours <br />0.0111 weeks <br />0.00255 months <br /> were committed to Palisades for performing NRC inspections.*Two full-time NRC resident inspectors are dedicated to Palisades to perform plant inspections and immediately respond to events.*Additionally, region-based specialist inspectors perform inspections in focused areas including operations, maintenance, engineering, radiation protection, emergency preparedness, security, and spent fuel storage.4 52015 Annual Assessment*Palisades continued to operate safely.*Palisades began 2015 under increased NRC oversight due to an issue of low to moderate safety significance associated with Occupational Radiation Safety that was identified in 2014.*The NRC conducted a follow-up inspection and concluded that Palisades had appropriately addressed the issue.*On October 1, 2015, the plant returned to normal NRC oversight.

2015 Annual Assessment*No worker dose limits were exceeded.*The increased NRC oversight was due to an issue in 2014 that involved the failure to use an NRC-approved method for determining the effective dose to workers wearing dosimeters on several areas of their bodies.*NRC follow-up inspection concluded 1) the cause of the deficiency was understood, 2) the extent of the issue had been identified, and 3)corrective actions will prevent recurrence.6 2015 Annual Assessment*The NRC issued a Severity Level III Violation in 2015 when Palisades failed to provide complete and accurate information to the agency.*Subsequent NRC review determined safety was not affected since no actual actions were taken by Palisades as a result of the incorrect information that was provided. *A follow-up NRC inspection is in progress to review corrective actions.7 Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE)*Safety Conscious Work Environment -an environment where workers feel free to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation, intimidation, harassment, or discrimination. *All NRC licensees and contractors are expected to establish and maintain a SCWE which contributes to the safe operation of NRC-regulated facilities.8 SCWE Inspections*NRC identified problems with SCWE in 2011.*NRC continued to focus on SCWE for the past five years and conducted numerous inspections.-Inspections were performed by safety culture experts-Inspections included focus group discussions and individual interviews*The last NRC inspection conducted in 2016 identified no SCWE concerns.*The NRC will continue to evaluate SCWE through the normal baseline inspection program.9 Review of Discrimination Allegations*In December 2013, the NRC received discrimination claims for raising safety issues from two former supervisors.*The NRC completed an extensive investigation in March 2015 concerning these allegations of discrimination.*The NRC determined that the allegations were not substantiated.*The Department of Labor (DOL) received claims from the same two supervisors alleging discrimination in December 2013.10 Review of Discrimination Allegations*The DOL review found reasonable cause for discrimination.*The DOL focuses on labor issues while the NRC focuses on Nuclear Safety.*In response to the DOL ruling, the NRC requested that Palisades describe actions to assure the DOL findings would not have an adverse impact on SCWE.*The NRC reviewed Palisades' response and found it appropriate.11 Safety Injection Refueling Water Tank (SIRWT) Investigation*The NRC's Office of Investigations (OI) initiated an investigation in 2012 concerning SIRWT leakage.*The NRC identified a violation involving the willful failure of plant personnel to enter SIRWT leakage information into the Corrective Action Program.*The leakage did not affect plant or public safety.*The SIRWT leakage issue was resolved in 2013.*The NRC issued an Order in May 2016 that required Palisades to take comprehensive actions, including improving public communications.12 Palisades 2.206 Petitions2.206 Petition -allows any member of the public to request that the NRC take enforcement action, including action to modify, suspend, or revoke a nuclear plant's license.*Two 2.206 Petitions were closed in 2015.-Primary coolant pump impeller degradation

-Security department SCWE*No 2.206 Petitions are currently open.13 License Amendments of Public Interest*Palisades submitted a License Amendment Request (LAR) in July 2014 to use alternate criteria to meet reactor vessel fracture toughness requirements for protection against pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events.*Palisades submitted a LAR in November 2014 for approval of an analysis to meet 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix G, fracture toughness of the reactor vessel during normal operations.*Following an extensive review, the NRC approved these LARs on November 23, 2015.14 15Contacting the NRC*Report an emergency-(301) 816-5100 (call collect)*Report a safety concern -(800) 695-7403 or e-mail: Allegation@nrc.gov*NRC Public Affairs Officers -VikaMitlyng (630) 829-9662-Prema Chandrathil (630) 829-9663*General information or questions-www.nrc.gov-Select "What We Do" for Public Affairs 16Reference Sources*Reactor Oversight Process-http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ ASSESS/index.html*Public Electronic Reading Room-http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.html*NRC Information Digest-http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1350/*Public Document Room-(800) 397-4209 (Toll Free)

Closing RemarksPat LoudenDirector, Division of Reactor ProjectsNRC Region III17 NRC's Annual Performance Assessment of Palisades for 2015Nuclear Regulatory Commission -Region IIISouth Haven, MIJune 23, 2016