PNO-III-24-002, Preliminary Results of Steam Generator Inspections at Palisades Nuclear Plant
| ML24262A092 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 09/18/2024 |
| From: | April Nguyen NRC/RGN-III/DORS |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-III-24-002 | |
| Download: ML24262A092 (1) | |
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION - REGION III PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE - PNO-III-24-002 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. Some of the information may not yet be fully verified or evaluated by the Region III staff.
Facility Palisades Nuclear Plant Holtec Decommissioning International Covert, MI Docket No: 50-255 Licensee Emergency Classification Notification of Unusual Event Alert Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
SUBJECT:
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF STEAM GENERATOR INSPECTIONS AT PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT On August 24, 2024, with the plant defueled, Holtec, the owner of the Palisades Nuclear Plant, commenced steam generator (SG) tube inspections in their two SGs. The steam generators are large heat exchangers that transfer heat from the primary coolant system (reactor vessel) to the secondary plant systems (main steam system). The inspections were planned as part of Palisades restart activities. Experienced NRC inspectors were on-site and observed the SG inspections.
During Holtecs analysis of the inspection data, preliminary results identified a large number of SG tubes with indications that require further analysis and/or repair. Further data analysis is in progress with additional tube inspections, testing, and repairs to be completed over the next few months.
There is no impact on public health. The unit remains defueled.
The NRC is aware of the preliminary findings and will inspect further Holtec activities related to the SGs as they are conducted. The NRC has assembled a team of subject matter experts who are evaluating the data and assessing Holtecs plans to correct the conditions. The NRC will ensure appropriate actions are taken prior to the potential restart of Palisades. The NRC will document the status and results of its inspection activities for this issue in publicly available inspection reports.
While this information does not present an immediate safety concern, the NRC is issuing this Preliminary Notification because it involves the potential restart of Palisades, which has high public and media interest.
The NRC maintains its public webpage on Palisades current as to the status of potential restart activities, including information on upcoming public meetings, which can be found at https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/pali.html. Specific questions on this project should be directed to PalisadesRestartProject@nrc.gov.
September 18, 2024
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY The State of Michigan has been notified.
This preliminary notification is issued for information only. The information presented herein has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of 9:45 a.m. EST on September 18, 2024.
ADAMS Accession Number: ML24262A092
Contact:
April Nguyen 630-829-9587 April.Nguyen@nrc.gov