Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Eric Epstein: Three Mile Island cleanup must be fully funded

Eric Epstein: Three Mile Island cleanup must be fully funded

Eric Epstein

ERIC EPSTEIN | Saturday, December 26, 2020 7:00 p.m.

3352260_web1_ptr-tns-ThreeMileIsland-071819

CLEM MURRAY/THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER/TNS  
Three Mile Island

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently granted approval for the transfer of the license of Three Mile Island Unit-2 (TMI-2) from FirstEnergy, a public utility, to TMI-2 Solutions, a limited liability corporation based in Utah. The NRC approved the license transfer without holding a hearing. TMI-Alert speaks in opposition to such a move.

Why should you be concerned about the transfer of a license from a damaged nuclear power plant? The reality is that there is not enough money to clean up Three Mile Island. Any shortfall will require a bailout from Pennsylvania taxpayers. TMI’s underfunded cleanup fund should serve as a cautionary tale for taxpayers in Western Pennsylvania.

Three Mile Island Unit-2 was built at a cost to ratepayers of $700 million. The plant was over budget and behind schedule. The planned operating life of the plant was 40 years. At the time of the core melt accident on March 28, 1979, TMI had operated for just 90 days. There were no decommissioning funds set aside.

In 1982, Gov. Richard Thornburgh cobbled together a $1 billion fund to pay for the removal of the damaged fuel. But funding problems did not go away.

Following the accident at TMI-2 , the NRC created the TMI-2 Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel met 78 times in the vicinity of TMI-2, and met regularly with NRC commissioners. Inadequate funding for TMI-2’s future closure was a constant concern expressed by the advisory panel.

These concerns have become reality. On March 26, 2018, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission estimated the decommissioning price tag for TMI-2 to be $1.266 billion. The cost to clean up TMI-2, based on FirstEnergy’s most recent estimates, is $1.4 billion. That amount doesn’t cover the cost to remove radio­active waste from the island.

The NRC recently granted FirstEnergy approval, without a hearing, to transfer TMI-2’s license. The new owner, TMI-2 Solutions, is a limited liability corporation from Utah with no assets. The problem remains the same, except the underfunded cleanup plan has been handed off from a public utility to a private venture.

There is approximately $900 million in the cleanup fund, which is $500 million less than is needed to get the job done. Still, in defiance of logic, the NRC granted the license transfer to TMI-2 Solutions. What happens if TMI-2 Solutions runs out of money? You can bet it will not be a limited liability company picking up the tab.

Regardless of anyone’s position on nuclear power, or party affiliation, funding should be in place to accomplish a complete cleanup, and ensure removal of high-level radioactive waste from Three Mile Island.

The TMI cleanup funding dilemma is a warning for taxpayers in Western Pennsylvania. Beaver Valley Nuclear Station, like TMI-2, was owned by FirstEnergy.

In 2018, FirstEnergy Solutions filed for bankruptcy and announced it would deactivate Beaver Valley. In bankruptcy documents filed in 2019, FirstEnergy estimated it would cost $380 million to decommission Unit 1, and an additional $367 million to decommission Unit 2.

Beaver Valley was on the verge of closing in 2021. Its new owner, Energy Harbor, emerged out of the FirstEnergy Solutions bankruptcy. 

What’s next? Who pays to clean up Beaver Valley when the decommissioning funds come up short?

Eric Epstein is chairman of Three Mile Island Alert Inc. (www.tmia.com).

Friday, December 25, 2020

Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3 - Request for Additional Information - TSTF-505 (EPID L-2019-LLA-0120)

Subject:  Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3 - Request for Additional Information - TSTF-505 (EPID L-2019-LLA-0120)

ADAMS Accession No. ML20357A097

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

NRC Names Mirela Gavrilas Director, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 20-061 December 22, 2020
CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200

NRC Names Mirela Gavrilas Director, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today announced the appointment of Mirela Gavrilas as director, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, effective with the retirement of Brian Holian on Dec. 31, 2020.

Gavrilas, who joined the NRC in 2004 as a reactor systems engineer in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Research, currently serves as the deputy office director for Reactor Safety Programs and Mission Support in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. She is recognized for her many accomplishments, including the review of the construction permit for the SHINE Medical Technologies facilities, leading the development of the agency’s accident tolerant fuel plan and modernizing NRR’s workload management processes and metrics.

She has held several senior management positions in NRR, including serving as deputy director, Division of Policy and Rulemaking; deputy director, Division of Risk Assessment; and director, Division of Safety Systems. She also has expertise in international risk assessment and safety analysis.

Prior to joining the NRC, she served on the University of Maryland faculty, having led the first Nuclear Energy Agency/Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development international standard problem for computation fluid mechanics.

Gavrilas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a graduate of NRC’s 2014 Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

12/15/2020 Summary of Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding a Planned Request for an Exemption to Reduce the Frequency of Updates to Its Inservice Testing and Inspection Programs (EPID L-2020-LRM-0089)

Subject:  12/15/2020 Summary of Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding a Planned Request for an Exemption to Reduce the Frequency of Updates to Its Inservice Testing and Inspection Programs (EPID L-2020-LRM-0089)

ADAMS Accession No.:  ML20351A283

Monday, December 21, 2020

TMI-2 License transferred

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
BEFORE THE COMMISSION

In the Matter of:
GPU NUCLEAR, INC., METROPOLITAN EDISON
CO., JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT CO.,   Docket No. 50-320-LT
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC CO., and TMI-2
SOLUTIONS, LLC                                                         December 18, 2020
(Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 2)

Re: Notification of Closing of TMI-2 Transaction

E201218t031028_TMI-2 Closing Notification.pdf

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Opinion: Three Mile Island Cleanup Needs to be Fully Funded, ( Morris & Epstein, 12/14/20)

Opinion: Three Mile Island Cleanup Needs to be Fully Funded

Dear Editor:

We are writing in regard to the recent announcement by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(“NRC)” to grant approval, without a hearing, to FirstEnergy to transfer TMI-2’s license to Energy
Solutions, a limited liability corporation from Utah with no assets. We speak in opposition to such a
move.

Before explaining our concerns, let us tell you a little about the writers.

Eric Epstein became involved with Three Mile Island issues in December 1982 after he
returned home from college. He was 23, and joined the Susquehanna Valley Alliance. Epstein has
been the spokesperson or Chairman of Three Mile Island Alert since 1984. TMI-Alert, a safe-energy
organization founded in 1977, monitors the Peach Bottom, Three-Mile Island and Susquehanna
nuclear power plants. Mr. Epstein has conducted research and provided testimony relating to
decommissioning, decontamination, and emergency planning before the NRC. He attended many of
the TMI Advisory Panel meetings.

Read more

TMI Opinion.docx

"How to do Independent Monitoring at Nuclear Power Plants" with Mr. Eric Epstein

 "How to do Independent Monitoring at Nuclear Power Plants" with Mr. Eric Epstein https://youtu.be/Y0MCBjUjQJQ

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Testimony: Re: Three Mile Island & Water Use, (Susquehanna River Basin Commission, December 11, 2020)

TMIA Testimony, (12_11_20) (1).pdf

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Emergency Preparedness Biennial Exercise Inspection Report 05000277/2020501 and 05000278/2020501

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Emergency Preparedness Biennial Exercise Inspection Report 05000277/2020501 and 05000278/2020501

ADAMS Accession No.  ML20352A174

Exelon Generation Company, LLC -Alternative Request for Documentation of Replacement of Pressure Retaining Bolting

Subject: Exelon Generation Company, LLC -Alternative Request for Documentation of Replacement of Pressure Retaining Bolting

ADAMS Accession No. ML20350B558

​​​​​​​ML20350B558.pdf

2020/11/30 NRR E-mail Capture - Susquehanna -Acceptance Review Replacement Of Unit 1 Transformers

Subject:  2020/11/30 NRR E-mail Capture - Susquehanna -Acceptance Review Replacement Of Unit 1 Transformers

ADAMS Accession No. ML20335A573

ML20335A573.pdf

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action: Peach Bottom One-time Exemption App. B Sect. VI.C.3.(I)(1) Force on Force [COVID-19] (EPID No. L-2020-LLE-0192)

SUBJECT:  Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action: Peach Bottom One-time Exemption App. B Sect. VI.C.3.(I)(1) Force  on Force [COVID-19] (EPID No. L-2020-LLE-0192)

ADAMS Accession No.  ML20324A647

PBAccFOFExemption.pdf

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Emergency Preparedness Biennial Exercise Inspection Report 05000387/2020501 and 05000388/2020501

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Emergency Preparedness Biennial Exercise Inspection Report 05000387/2020501 and 05000388/2020501

ADAMS Accession No.  ML20323A217

SSES.pdf

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Exemption from Annual Force-on-Force Exercise Requirement of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, "General Criteria For Security Personnel," Subsection VI.C.3.(l)(1) (EPID L-2020-LLE-0192 [COVID-19])

Subject:  Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Exemption from Annual Force-on-Force Exercise Requirement of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, "General Criteria For Security Personnel," Subsection VI.C.3.(l)(1) (EPID L-2020-LLE-0192 [COVID-19])

ADAMS Accession No. ML20325A017

Monday, December 14, 2020

NRC Unveils New Web Design Enhancing Usability and Mobility

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 20-060 December 14, 2020
CONTACT: Ivonne Couret, 301-415-8200

NRC Unveils New Web Design Enhancing Usability and Mobility

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission unveiled its redesigned public website, offering a more modern look for users, providing a streamlined experience, improving functionality, and enhancing security. The site is also mobile-friendly, enabling improved access via smartphones and tablets.

The updated site uses a new Cloud-based content management system, which makes it easier for staff to maintain online information and improves the consistency, quality and timeliness of the NRC information. The CMS tracks the site’s more than 30,000 webpages and 60,000 files in Adobe Portable Document Format. The site also links directly to documents in the online Agencywide Documents Access and Management System.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Documentation of the Completion of Required Actions Taken in Response to the Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Accident

Subject:  Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Documentation of the Completion of Required Actions Taken in Response to the Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Accident

ADAMS Accession No.:   ML20339A397

Before the Susquehanna River Basin Commission Testimony of Eric J. Epstein, December 11, 2020

TMIA Testimony, (12_11_20).pdf

Friday, December 11, 2020

Summary Of November 13, 2020, Meeting With Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding A Planned Request For An Alterantive To Certain Documentation Requirements For The Replacement Of Pressure Retaining Bolting (EPID-L-2020-LRM-0102)

SUBJECT:  Summary Of November 13, 2020, Meeting With Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding A Planned Request For An Alterantive To Certain Documentation Requirements For The Replacement Of Pressure Retaining Bolting (EPID-L-2020-LRM-0102)

ADAMS Accession No.  ML20342A352

Thursday, December 10, 2020

This Friday, Dec 11, 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST join a ZOOM for conversation with Eric Epstein /Three Mile Island

Meet Three Mile Island Alert, Inc., Chairman Eric Epstein​​​​​​​

West coast’s SLF is excited to host an online conversation with longtime safe-energy advocate Eric Epstein. Epstein is chairman of Three Mile Island Alert, Inc., in Harrisburg, Penn., a group he founded in 1977 to monitor the Peach Bottom, Susquehanna, and Three Mile Island Nuclear generating stations.


Zoom Meeting with Eric Epstein
Friday at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. (EST), Dec. 11th
>>  Link to Register  <<

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the meeting.

In addition to his work with Three Mile Island Alert, Inc., Epstein coordinates EFMR Monitoring, Inc., a nonpartisan, community-based organization established in 1992. EFMR monitored radiation levels at Peach Bottom and Three Mile Island nuclear generating stations, invested in community development, and sponsored remote robotics research. For more then 35 years, Epstein has specialized in research, litigation and has provided expert testimony on the following nuclear issues.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Summary of November 4, 2020, Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding A Planned Request for an Alternative to Reduce the Frequency of Updates to Its Inservice Testing and Inspection Programs

Subject:  Summary of November 4, 2020, Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding A Planned Request for an Alternative to Reduce the Frequency of Updates to Its Inservice Testing and Inspection Programs


ADAMS Accession No. ML20323A033

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

NRC Approves License Transfer for Three Mile Island, Unit 2

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 20-058 December 2, 2020
CONTACT: David McIntyre, 301-415-8200

NRC Approves License Transfer for Three Mile Island, Unit 2

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the transfer of the license for the Three Mile Island Generating Station, Unit 2, from FirstEnergy Companies to TMI-2 Solutions.

FirstEnergy Companies, comprising Metropolitan Edison Co., Jersey Central Power and Light Co., Pennsylvania Electric Co. and GPU Nuclear Inc., requested the transfer for TMI-2 Solutions to complete the decommissioning of the unit. TMI-2 Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of EnergySolutions, a Utah-based radioactive waste disposal company.

The TMI-2 reactor, located approximately 10 miles southeast of Harrisburg, Pa., operated for approximately six months before suffering reactor core damage on March 28, 1979. Subsequently, about 99 percent of the fuel and damaged reactor core material was removed and shipped to the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory, and in 1993 the plant was placed in a Post-Defueling Monitored Storage status. The license currently authorizes only possession of byproduct and special nuclear materials remaining at the reactor.

The NRC review determined that the proposed transfer complies with NRC regulatory requirements, provides reasonable assurance that public health and safety will be protected, and is not detrimental to the common defense and security.

The approval is effective immediately, and the license will be amended to reflect the new ownership once the sale of Unit 2 is completed.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - TMI UNIT 1 SIREN TEST SCHEDULED FOR DEC. 3*

 
Contact:
Dave Marcheskie
Three Mile Island Generating Station
717-579-0229
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



THREE MILE ISLAND GENERATING STATION EMERGENCY SIREN TEST SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 3
Sirens to sound for three minutes at 12:15 p.m.

LONDONDERRY TWP, Pa (November 30, 2020) — Exelon Generation will conduct its semi-annual, full volume test of the emergency warning sirens surrounding Three Mile Island (TMI) Generating Station on December 3 at approximately 12:15 p.m. 

This will be the final siren test for TMI Unit 1. Although TMI Unit 1 permanently shut down on September 20, 2019, the siren system remains in operation in accordance with local, state and federal emergency planning requirements. In January 2021,  those emergency procedures and processes will be discontinued as part of the decommissioning process.

The emergency warning siren system consists of 96 sirens located in parts of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties within a 10-mile radius of TMI. The sirens are not a signal to evacuate, but a warning to tune to a local emergency alert broadcast television or radio station. County emergency management authorities activate the sirens, which can be used in the event of any emergency, including severe weather.

Monday, November 30, 2020

NRC Fast-Tracks Three Mile Island's License Transfer Without Hearing; OK's Transfer of $900 Million to Limited Liability Company in Utah, (11/30/20)

Subject: NRC Fast-Tracks Three Mile Island's License Transfer Without Hearing; OK's Transfer of $900 Million to Limited Liability Company in Utah, (11/30/20)

Friday, November 20, 2020

NRC Issues Confirmatory Order to Arizona Public Service Company

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: IV-20-024 November 18, 2020
Contact: Victor Dricks, 817-200-1128

NRC Issues Confirmatory Order to Arizona Public Service Company
​​​​​​​
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued to Arizona Public Service Co. a Confirmatory Order, documenting mutually agreed upon actions to implement programs designed to address regulatory compliance issues that contributed to two apparent violations of NRC requirements. APS operates the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Tonopah, Ariz.

The apparent violations involved the company’s failure to (1) perform a written evaluation for a change to a dry cask storage system used for spent nuclear fuel and obtain a license amendment for the way they performed accident calculations and (2) adequately analyze the consequences of a hypothetical accident involving a cask tip over on the independent spent fuel storage installation pad. The apparent violations of NRC requirements are described in a July 6 NRC inspection report.

Company officials requested the Alternative Dispute Resolution process with the NRC to discuss corrective actions. The process uses a neutral mediator with no decision-making authority to assist the NRC and its licensees in reaching an agreement.

Following a Sept. 16 meeting with company officials, the NRC issued the Confirmatory Order documenting actions that the company has agreed to take.

Saturday, November 7, 2020

NRC Fines TVA More Than $900,000 for Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant Violations; Cites Three Individuals for Their Roles in the 2015 Incident

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 20-054 October 27, 2020
CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200

NRC Fines TVA More Than $900,000 for Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant Violations; Cites Three Individuals for Their Roles in the 2015 Incident

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued notices of violation and three civil penalties totaling $903,471 to the Tennessee Valley Authority, and issued violations to two managers and a plant operator for their roles in a 2015 incident.

The enforcement actions are the result of an NRC investigation into events that occurred during and after the startup of Watts Bar Unit 1 following a maintenance outage in November 2015. During the startup, operators failed to follow plant procedures and subsequently failed to properly document their actions in the control room log. Shift managers also failed to review the logs to ensure their accuracy.

Through numerous inspections, interviews, and predecisional enforcement conferences over more than four years, the NRC identified five TVA violations associated with non-conservative decision making, procedural violations, and incomplete and/or inaccurate information regarding the events provided by the utility to the NRC.

TVA and the three cited individuals have 30 days to respond to the NRC’s enforcement actions.

Footnote: Supporting documents will be available through the NRC’s electronic document database, ADAMS.

Exelon Generation Company, LLC - Review Of Quality Assurance Program Changes (EPID L-2019-LLQ-0003)

Exelon Generation Company, LLC - Review Of Quality Assurance Program Changes (EPID L-2019-LLQ-0003)

ADAMS Accession No. ML20287A130

ML20287A130.pdf

Three Mile Island:  Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 – NRC Inspection Report No. 07200077/2020001

Three Mile Island:  Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 – NRC Inspection Report No. 07200077/2020001

ML20307A598

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Fire barrier at Susquehanna nuclear plant discovered to be composed of "combustible material", (NRC Fire Inspection, 10/27/20)

Edwin Lyman
@NucSafetyUCS

This is nuts:  @NRCgov cited the Susquehanna #nuclear plant in #Pennsylvania after discovering that part of a barrier in place since 1982 intended to protect a diesel-powered fire pump from a 3-hour fire was actually composed of a combustible material (!) https://nrc.gov/docs/ML2030/ML20301A482.pdf

12:37 AM · Oct 30, 2020·Twitter Web App


Fire Inspection report, (NRC, 10_27_20).pdf

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Blog - The science is in: Nuclear is out

 
 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

PA Radiation Discovery


DeMystifying Nuclear Power

TUE, OCT 27

BY ARNIE GUNDERSEN / EDITOR MAGGIE GUNDERSEN

Many years ago, I woke up on a Sunday morning to find three State Police Bomb Squad cars and one truck pulling a bomb disposal trailer parked on the lot next door to our home in rural Connecticut…



One Week Until Election Day

You may be well aware, but we wanted to remind our readers that the 2020 Electionis in 7 days! Now, more than ever, we realize that climate challenges are nonpartisan!

#VoteClimate2020

Learn more and get involved at: VoteClimate2020.org

Friday, October 23, 2020

THREE MILE ISLAND: NRC INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000289/2020004, EXELON GENERATION CO., LLC, THREE MILE ISLAND UNIT 1, MIDDLETOWN, PA

THREE MILE ISLAND:  NRC INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000289/2020004, EXELON GENERATION CO., LLC, THREE MILE ISLAND UNIT 1, MIDDLETOWN, PA

ML20296A549

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Regulatory Virtual Audit Plan Regarding License Amendment Request to Adopt TSTF-505, Revision 2 (EPID L-2020-LLA-0120))

Subject:  Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Regulatory Virtual Audit Plan Regarding License Amendment Request to Adopt TSTF-505, Revision 2 (EPID L-2020-LLA-0120))

ADAMS Accession No.:  ML20290A524

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

PA - No Press Coverage


 

Friday, October 16, 2020

NRC 2020-2021 Information Digest Now Available Online

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 20-050 October 15, 2020
CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200

NRC 2020-2021 Information Digest Now Available Online

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has published the 2020-2021 edition of its Information Digest, which describes, in plain language and with visual aids, the agency's mission, responsibilities, accomplishments and activities related to the civilian use of radioactive materials.

The NRC Information Digest is published annually and, beginning this year, will be available only electronically on the NRC website. This new online-edition, NUREG-1350, Volume 32, is a quick reference guide to the agency and industry in an easy-to-use format.

The Digest has embedded hyperlinks for ready access to additional information on major topics. The NRC graphics, figures, maps, and data sets also will be available online.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

NRC Names New Resident Inspector at Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: I-20-020 October 14, 2020
Contact: Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330 Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331

NRC Names New Resident Inspector at Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has selected Ronald Rolph as the new resident inspector at the Beaver Valley nuclear power plant in Shippingport, Pa.

Rolph joined the NRC in 2004 as a materials inspector in the Division of Nuclear Materials Safety at the agency’s Region I Office in King of Prussia, Pa. In 2007, he worked as a reactor health physics inspector, also in the Region I Office.

He became qualified as an NRC resident inspector and has performed in various acting positions as a resident inspector while also conducting health physics inspections. Most recently, he served as acting resident inspector at the Salem nuclear power plant from July through September 2020.

Rolph holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematical science and master’s degree in information technology from Pennsylvania State University.

Each U.S. commercial nuclear power plant has at least two NRC resident inspectors. Rolph joins the NRC’s senior resident inspector at Beaver Valley, Gwynne Eatmon, serving as the agency’s eyes and ears at the facility, carrying out inspections, monitoring significant work projects and interacting with plant workers and the public.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Issuance of Amendment Nos. 276 and 258 Re: Revise Technical Specification 5.5.2 to Modify the Design-Basis Loss-of-Coolant Accident Analysis (EPID L-2020-LLA-0000)

SUBJECT:  Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Issuance of Amendment Nos. 276 and 258 Re: Revise Technical Specification 5.5.2 to Modify the Design-Basis Loss-of-Coolant Accident Analysis (EPID L-2020-LLA-0000)

​​​​​​ADAMS Accession No.  ML20199G749

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Energy Harbor will be Seeking Exemptions

Energy Harbor setting up request for Exemption with this regulation rollback
This is the setup phase.

ML20273A290
​​​​​​​https://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber=ML20273A290 

Document Title:
Beaver Valley Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1 and Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1 - Request to Use Provision in Later Edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XI

Document Type:
Code Relief or Alternative
Letter

Document Date:
09/28/2020
 

Sunday, October 4, 2020

2020/09/17 NRR E-mail Capture - Corrected Acceptance Review for Susquehanna - Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-582, "Reactor Pressure Vessel Water Inventory Control (RPV WIC) Enhancements" (EPID L-2020-LLA-0197)

Subject:  2020/09/17 NRR E-mail Capture - Corrected Acceptance Review for Susquehanna - Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-582, "Reactor Pressure Vessel Water Inventory Control (RPV WIC) Enhancements"  (EPID L-2020-LLA-0197)

ADAMS Accession No. ML20261H427

ML20261H427.pdf

Monday, September 28, 2020

NRC Names New Senior Resident Inspector at Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: I-20-019 September 28, 2020
Contact: Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330 Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331

NRC Names New Senior Resident Inspector at Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has selected Christopher Highley as the new senior resident inspector at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Salem Township (Luzerne County), Pa.

Highley joined the NRC in late 2014 as a reactor engineer in the Division of Reactor Projects in the agency’s Region I Office in King of Prussia, Pa. Since November 2015, he has served as the resident inspector at the Millstone nuclear power plant in Connecticut.

Prior to joining the agency, Highley served for more than 25 years in the U.S. Navy, including 11 years as an enlisted nuclear operator. His assignments included serving onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, at the Charleston Nuclear Power Training Unit and as a combat systems officer and joint planning officer with the U.S. Army’s III Corps and U.S. Forces Iraq.

Highley holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, with a minor in math and physics, from the University of Arizona.

Each U.S. commercial nuclear power plant has at least two NRC resident inspectors. Highley joins resident inspector Matt Rossi, serving as the agency’s eyes and ears at the facility, conducting inspections, monitoring significant work projects and interacting with plant workers and the public.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Ohio AG Complaint

All the below are named as defendants

B. DEFENDANTS:

2. FIRSTENERGY CORP. is an Akron, Ohio-based public utility holding company. FirstEnergy Corp. is the parent company of FirstEnergy Service Company and former parent company of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. FirstEnergy Corp. senior management, including its then-President and CEO Charles Jones, also served as senior officers of FirstEnergy Service Company. FirstEnergy Corp. directed and controlled the operation of FirstEnergy Service Company through this shared leadership. FirstEnergy Corp. also played an integral role in establishing and funding Partners for Progress, Inc., which is described below.

3. FIRSTENERGY SERVICE COMPANY (“FIRSTENERGY SERVICE”) is an Ohio corporation with its principal place of business in Akron, Ohio, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. At all times relevant to this Complaint, FirstEnergy Service provided administrative, management, financial, compliance, ethical, external affairs, and political and regulatory advocacy services to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. In

9

re: FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP., et al., 18-50757(AMK), US District Court, NDOH ED, 18-50757amk Doc 2721-1 at 50-51. Because of this relationship, FirstEnergy Service is inextricably intertwined with FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. and the affairs of a corrupt enterprise, which is referred to herein as “The Unholy Alliance.” 4. FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. (“FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS”) was an Akron, Ohio-based operator of two financially troubled nuclear power generation stations located in the State of Ohio. FirstEnergy Solutions operated as a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. On March 31, 2018, FirstEnergy Solutions filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio. FirstEnergy Solutions continued to operate the two Ohio nuclear plants throughout 2018 and 2019. On February 27, 2020, FirstEnergy Solutions emerged from these bankruptcy proceedings as Energy Harbor Corp.

5. ENERGY HARBOR CORP. (“ENERGY HARBOR”) is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Akron, Ohio. Through bankruptcy proceedings, Energy Harbor is successor in interest to the former FirstEnergy Solutions and its nuclear power generation plants in Ohio. As successor in interest, Energy Harbor will be the direct beneficiary of House Bill 6 and the resulting subsidies. Energy Harbor stands to receive benefits in excess of $1.3 billion as the result of statutory changes contained in House Bill 6 of the 133rd Ohio General Assembly. Prior to FirstEnergy Solutions’ emergence from bankruptcy as Energy Harbor, a number of key executives now within Energy Harbor held similar positions within FirstEnergy Solutions.

HB6complaint92320.pdf

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission launches investigation into FirstEnergy Corp.

First Energy now under SEC investigation

Friday, September 25, 2020

[decomm_wkg] FRN - Fresh and Spent Fuel Pool Criticality Analyses

Docketed today: FRN - Fresh and Spent Fuel Pool Criticality Analyses
Comment by: October 23, 2020

Document Title:
DG 1373 RG 1.240 Federal Register Notice - Fresh and Spent Fuel Pool Criticality Analyses

Document Type:
Federal Register Notice

Document Date:
09/02/2020
 

[decomm_wkg] Summary Of The July 30, 2020, Higher Burnup Workshop

The Workshop was about enriched fuel for existing nuclear plants up to 10% and next generation / advanced reactors with up to 19.75%



Document Title:
Summary Of The July 30, 2020, Higher Burnup Workshop Category 2 Public Meeting

Document Type:
Meeting Summary Memoranda

Document Date:
09/24/2020

2020/09/22 NRR E-mail Capture - Exelon Generation Company, LLC - Fleet Request to Use Paragraph IWA-5120 of the 2017 Edition of the ASME B&PV Code, Section XI (EPID: L-2020-LLR-0118)

Subject:  2020/09/22 NRR E-mail Capture - Exelon Generation Company, LLC - Fleet Request to Use Paragraph IWA-5120 of the 2017 Edition of the ASME B&PV Code, Section XI (EPID: L-2020-LLR-0118)

ADAMS Accession No.:  ML20266G303

ML20266G303.pdf

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Exemption Request From Certain Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, "General Criteria For Security Personnel" (EPID L-2020-LLE-0094 [COVID-19])

Subject:  Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Exemption Request From Certain Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, "General Criteria For Security Personnel" (EPID L-2020-LLE-0094 [COVID-19])

ADAMS Accession No. ML20232C272

ML20232C272.pdf

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Reactor Outage Chart 2020

 

Expected US Nuclear Plant Refueling Outages in 2020

Plant

City

State

Company

Approx. Start

Browns Ferry

Athens

AL

Tennesee Valley Authority

Mid Feb

Grand Gulf

Port Gibson

MS

Entergy

Mid Feb

Brunswick

Southport

NC

Duke Energy Progress

Late Feb

David Besse

Oak Harbor

OH

First Energy

Late Feb

Byron

Byron

IL

Exelon

Early Mar

Nine Mile

Oswego

NY

Exelon

Early Mar

Vogtle

Augusta

GA

Southern Nuclear Operating Co.

Early Mar

South Texas Project

Wadsworth

TX

STP Nuclear Operating Co.

Early Mar

Arkansas Nuclear One

Russellville

AR

Entergy

Early Mar

Point Beach

Two Rivers

WI

NextEra (FPL)

Early Mar

Salem

Hancocks Bridge

NJ

PSEG

Early Mar

Fermi

Frenchtown Charter Twp.

MI

DTE Energy

Mid Mar

McGuire

Huntersville

NC

Duke Energy Progress

Mid Mar

Susquehanna

Berwick

PA

Talen Energy

Mid Mar

Sequoyah

Soddy Daisy

TN

Tennesee Valley Authority

Late Mar

Beaver Valley

Shippingport

PA

First Energy

Late Mar

Limerick

Pottstown

PA

Exelon

Late Mar

Quad Cities

Cordova

IL

Exelon

Late Mar

Turkey Point

Florida City

FL

Florida Power & Light

Late Mar

Seabrook

Seabrook

NH

NextEra Energy

Early Apr

Salem

Hancocks Bridge

NJ

PSEG

Early Apr

Palo Verde

Tonopah

AZ

Arizona Public Service Co.

Early Apr

Comanche Peak

Glen Rose

TX

Luminant

Early Apr

Ginna

Ontario

NY

Exelon

Early Apr

Oconee

Seneca

SC

Duke Energy

Early Apr

VC Summer

Jenkinsville

SC

Dominion Energy

Early Apr

Millstone

Waterford

CT

Dominion Energy

Early Apr

Braidwood

Braceville

IL

Exelon

Mid Apr

Watts Bar

Spring City

TN

Tennesee Valley Authority

Mid Apr

Catawba

York

SC

Duke Energy

Early May

Surry

Surry

VA

Dominion Energy

Early May

Indian Point

Buchanan

NY

Entergy

Early May

Palisades

Covert

MI

Entergy

Late Aug

North Anna

Mineral

VA

Dominion Energy

Early Sep

Robinson

Hartsville

SC

Duke Energy Progress

Early Sep

Vogtle

Augusta

GA

Southern Nuclear Operating Co.

Early Sep

Fitzpatrick

Oswego

NY

Exelon

Early Sep

Prairie Island

Welch

MN

Northern States Power

Early Sep

DC Cook

Bridgman

MI

AEP

Mid Sep

McGuire

Huntersville

NC

Duke Energy

Mid Sep

Cooper

Brownville

NE

Nebraska Public Power District

Mid Sep

Waterford

Killona

LA

Entergy

Mid Sep

Point Beach

Two Rivers

WI

NextEra (FPL)

Early Oct

Salem

Hancocks Bridge

NJ

PSEG

Early Oct

Palo Verde

Tonopah

AZ

Arizona Public Service Co.

Early Oct

Browns Ferry

Athens

AL

Tennesee Valley Authority

Early Oct

Diablo Canyon

Avila Beach

CA

Pacific Gas & Electric

Early Oct

Callaway

Fulton

MO

Ameren

Early Oct

Byron

Byron

IL

Exelon

Early Oct

Turkey Point

Florida City

FL

Florida Power & Light

Early Oct

Farley

Dothan

AL

southern Nuclear Operating Co.

Early Oct

Gomanche Peak

Glen Rose

TX

Luminant

Early Oct

Peach Bottom

Delta

PA

Exelon

Mid Oct

Millstone

Waterford

CT

Dominion Energy

Mid Oct

Watts Bar

Spring City

TN

Tennesee Valley Authority

Mid Oct

Duane Arnold

Palo

IA

NextEra Energy

Late Oct

Source: Nuclear Energy Institute

Expected US Nuclear Plant Refueling Outages in 2020.docx