2022 Reactor Actions
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Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1) (EA-22-089)
On December 5, 2022, the NRC issued a notice of violation associated with a white significance determination process finding to Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (licensee) at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1. The white finding, an issue of low-to-moderate safety significance, involved the licensee’s failure to prevent the introduction of foreign material into the Calvert Cliffs Unit 1 ‘1A’ emergency diesel generator leading to its failure during routine testing required by the facility’s technical specifications.
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Unit 2) (EA-22-062)
On November 29, 2022, the NRC issued a notice of violation associated with a white significance determination process finding to Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (licensee) at the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Unit 2. The white finding, an issue of low-to-moderate safety significance, involved the failure of one of the four electromatic relief valves (ERVs) associated with the automatic depressurization subsystem to actuate during surveillance testing. The NRC determined that the ERV inoperability resulted from the licensee’s failure to have documented procedures of a type appropriate to the circumstances for rebuilding the 2-0203-3B ERV solenoid actuator, which failed to meet the requirements of Title of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion V.
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Unit 2) (EA-22-071)
On November 28, 2022, the NRC issued a notice of violation associated with a white significance determination process finding to Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (licensee) at Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Unit 2. The white finding, an issue of low-to-moderate safety significance, involved the licensee’s failure to use a pre-planned procedure during a planned offsite power source outage which is a violation of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion V.
Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station (EA-22-039)
On October 18, 2022, the NRC issued a notice of violation associated with a white significance determination process finding to Dominion Energy (licensee) at Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station. The white finding, an issue of low-to-moderate safety significance, involved the licensee’s failure to adequately assess erratic emergency diesel generator (EDG) governor operation which resulted in an inoperable EDG. This failure to document the EDG performance is a violation of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion XVI and since this inoperable EDG exceeded the licensee’s technical specification (TS) allowed outage time, a TS violation was also issued.
Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 (EA-22-033)
On September 12, 2022, the NRC issued a notice of violation associated with a white significance determination process finding to Entergy Operations, Inc. (licensee) at the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3. The white finding, an issue of low-to-moderate safety significance, involved calibration errors associated with the main condenser wide range gas monitor ; accordingly, the licensee failed to maintain the effectiveness of an emergency plan that met the requirements in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, Appendix E, and the planning standards of 10 CFR 50.47(b), as required by 10 CFR 50.54(q)(2).
National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research (EA-21-148)
On August 1, 2022, the NRC issued a confirmatory order (CO) to National Institute of Standards and Technology, Center for Neutron Research (licensee) confirming commitments reached as part of an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mediation settlement agreement between the licensee and the NRC. The ADR mediation and subsequent CO were based on the results of a special inspection in which the NRC identified one apparent violation of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 50.59, “Changes, tests and experiments,” and six apparent violations of the licensee’s technical specification requirements. The apparent violations involved the exceedance of reactor fuel cladding temperature which resulted in a damaged fuel element. Additionally, the licensee agreed to complete wide-ranging corrective actions and enhancements that are expected to improve reactor safety, as fully described in the CO. In consideration of the corrective actions and commitments outlined in the CO, the NRC agrees not to pursue any further enforcement action associated with the violations. The issuance of this CO is considered as escalated enforcement consistent with the NRC Enforcement Policy.
Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station (EA-21-155)
On March 1, 2022, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation associated with a White Significance Determination Process finding to Energy Harbor Nuclear Corporation (Licensee) Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. The white finding, an issue of low to moderate safety significance, involved the licensee’s failure to establish the required voltage specifications for emergency diesel generator (EDG) speed control switches as required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 50, Appendix B, Criterion III, “Design Control.” As a result, on May 27, 2021, the Division 1 EDG failed to reach required voltage and frequency during surveillance testing.
Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station) (EA-21-041)
On January 26, 2022, the NRC issued a Confirmatory Order (CO) to Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC (HDI) memorializing commitments reached during an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mediation session held on October 14, 2021. The ADR session was associated with apparent violations of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, Criterion VI.G, "Weapons, Personal Equipment, and Maintenance," and 10 CFR 50.9, "Completeness and Accuracy of Information." The apparent violations involved a (now-former) training superintendent at Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, who was also responsible for performing armorer duties, and who deliberately failed to perform firearms maintenance activities and also falsified records related to those activities. As a result of the CO, HDI agreed to complete wide-ranging corrective actions (CA) and enhancements that are expected to improve the security program. In consideration of the CA and commitments outlined in the CO, the NRC agrees to (1) reduce the civil penalty in the amount of $50,000.00, (2) not issue a separate Notice of Violation in addition to the CO, and (3) not consider the issuance of the CO as escalated enforcement for future civil penalty assessment purposes consistent with the NRC Enforcement Policy.
Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 & 2) (EA-21-026)
On January 4, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a severity level III Notice of Violation to Southern Nuclear Operating Company’s Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2, for a violation of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Parts 50.9(a) and 55.27 for the failure to maintain complete and accurate medical qualification records for a senior reactor operator.