Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: IV-25-001 January 22, 2025
Contact: Victor Dricks, 630-829-9662 Tressa Smith, 817-200-1172

NRC Proposes $9,000 Civil Penalty Against Paramount Builders, Inc.

 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed a $9,000 civil penalty against Paramount Builders, Inc. of Pago Pago, American Samoa, for a violation of NRC requirements associated with its use of equipment containing radioactive materials.

 

The violation involved the company’s possession and use of two portable nuclear gauges, although only one was authorized in its NRC license. The devices are used to measure the physical properties of materials, such as soil at construction sites. Companies are required to properly handle and possess radioactive materials in the quantity authorized by their NRC license to protect public health and the environment.

 

The proposed fine stems from an unannounced inspection conducted in February 2024 at the facility, followed by an office review. During the inspection, 10 other violations were identified but were not assessed a civil penalty. All identified violations are documented in the September 2024 inspection report.

 

The NRC issued its decision after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the proposed violation and corrective actions taken by the company.

 

Paramount Builders has 30 days to pay the fine, dispute it, or request involvement from a neutral third-party mediator to resolve the issue.

25-001-iv.pdf

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release

No: 25-002 January 8, 2025

CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200

Matthew J. Marzano Sworn in as NRC Commissioner

Matthew J. Marzano, nominated as an NRC Commissioner by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, was ceremonially sworn in today by Chair Christopher T. Hanson. His term expires June 30, 2028.

“The next few years are some of the most pivotal in the agency’s history,” said Marzano. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join my fellow Commissioners at this moment to work together to help shape the future of the NRC.”

The NRC has five Commissioners, one of whom is designated by the President as Chair. The Commission was established to be a collegial body that formulates policies, develops regulations, issues orders to licensees and adjudicates legal matters. The Commissioners serve five-year terms, with one term expiring every year on June 30. No more than three Commissioners may be of the same political party.

“I welcome Matthew Marzano to the NRC Commission as we prepare for the new year and the exciting events and issues before us,” said Hanson. “The Commission functions at its best when we are at our full strength of five.”

Marzano began his career as a civilian instructor for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program at the U.S. Department of Energy. In that capacity, he oversaw the training of U.S. Navy personnel preparing for assignment as nuclear plant operators on submarines and aircraft carriers. Marzano then transitioned to the commercial nuclear power industry at the V.C. Summer new nuclear construction project in South Carolina, where he supported construction activities while pursuing a Senior Reactor Operator license. He earned his Senior Reactor Operator license at Braidwood Nuclear Power Station, in Illinois, where he led installation testing of a modernized control system to improve plant performance and safety.

Most recently, Marzano served as a “detailee” from the Idaho National Laboratory to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he advised the committee on policy matters relating to clean air, climate, and energy, including the bipartisan ADVANCE Act. Prior to this role, Marzano was selected as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Congressional Fellow, representing the American Nuclear Society and supporting the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Marzano holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida, where his research focused on the modeling of nuclear energy systems.

25-002.pdf

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000387/2024401 and 05000388/2024401 (Cover Letter Only)

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 - Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000387/2024401 and 05000388/2024401 (Cover Letter Only)

ADAMS Accession No. ML25006A135

 

https://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber=ML25006A135

DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets Jan. 14 On Data Centers, Three Mile Island Unit 2 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning

DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets January 14 On Data Centers, Three Mile Island Unit 2 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning, Abandoned Mine Land Reforestation

On the agenda for the January 14 meeting of the DEP Citizens Advisory Council are presentations on the development of data centers, 

Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Unit 2 decommissioning and abandoned mine land reforestation.

The Council will also hear an update on agency activities from Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley.

Data Centers

Commissioner Kim belly Barrow, Vice Chair of the Public Utility Commission will provide a presentation to Council on the impact 

of data center development on electricity demands and the grid in Pennsylvania and the region.

The PUC held a technical conference on November 25 on the adequacy of electricity supplies in Pennsylvania, including the 

growing electricity demand from the development of data centers.

The PUC has a deadline of January 9 to submit follow-up comments on the issue to help the Commission identify issues

and actions it can take to address supply and grid issues.

Click Here for more information.

TMI Unit 2 Decommissioning

The damaged Unit 2 nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in Dauphin County is being decommissioned 

by TMI-2 Solutions, 

an Energy Solutions company. The decommissioning is unrelated to the proposed restart of TMI Unit 1 to supply power to Microsoft data centers.

Joseph Lynch, Energy Solutions, will provide the presentation on the status of decommissioning activities.

Exemptions allow PSEG Nuclear, LLC to transfer excess earnings from the nuclear decommissioning trust (NDT) fund into sub-accounts in the NDT for decommissioning costs that do not fall under the definition of "decommission."

SUBJECT:  HOPE CREEK GENERATING STATION, SALEM GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2, AND PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION, UNITS 2 AND 3 - EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE 10 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, PART 50, SECTIONS 50.82(a)(8)(1)(A) AND 50.75(h)(1)(iv) (EPID L-2024-LLE-0018)

Cover letter.pdf

NRC _exemptions_.pdf

Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 – Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action Re: Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 50.82(A)(2) to Support Reauthorization of Power Operations (EPID L-2024-LLE-0031)

Subject: Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 – Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action Re: Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 50.82(A)(2) to Support Reauthorization of Power Operations (EPID L-2024-LLE-0031)

ADAMS Accession No.: ML24355A057

ADAMS Hyperlink: https://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber=ML24355A057

Using Web-based ADAMS, select “Advanced Search”

Under “Property,” select “Accession Number”

Under “Value,” enter the Accession Number

Click Search.

Appeal of FERC Order on Data Center and Nuclear Plant

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/company-pursue-appeals-court-option-wake-ferc-order-data-center-and-nuclear-plant

Company to Pursue Appeals Court Option in Wake of FERC Order on Data Center and Nuclear Plant Talen Energy on Dec. 23 said it intends to pursue appellate remedies after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said that it would not immediately address a Talen Energy request for rehearing of a Commission order that rejected an amended Interconnection Service Agreement among PJM, Susquehanna Nuclear LLC and PPL Electric Utilities tied to a data center in Pennsylvania. www.publicpower.org