In the Matter of Entergy Nuclear Operations, 44208-44213 [2014-17873]

Download as PDF 44208 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 146 / Wednesday, July 30, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES requirement or request: 5,372 hours (56 hours reporting + 5,316 hours recordkeeping). 10. Abstract: Part 61 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), establishes the procedures, criteria, and license terms and conditions for the land disposal of low-level radioactive waste. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements are mandatory and, in the case of application submittals, are required to obtain a benefit. The information collected in the applications, reports, and records is evaluated by the NRC to ensure that the licensee’s or applicant’s disposal facility, equipment, organization, training, experience, procedures, and plans provide an adequate level of protection of public health and safety, common defense and security, and the environment. The public may examine and have copied for a fee publicly-available documents, including the final supporting statement, at the NRC’s Public Document Room, Room O–1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC’s Web site: https://www.nrc.gov/ public-involve/doc-comment/omb/. The document will be available on the NRC’s home page site for 60 days after the signature date of this notice. Comments and questions should be directed to the OMB reviewer listed below by August 29, 2014. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given to comments received after this date. Danielle Y. Jones, Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (3150–0135), NEOB–10202, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments can also be emailed to Danielle_Y_Jones@omb.eop.gov or submitted by telephone at 202–395– 1741. The Acting NRC Clearance Officer is Kristen Benney, telephone: 301–415– 6355. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of July 2014. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Kristen Benney, Acting NRC Clearance Officer, Office of Information Services. [FR Doc. 2014–17866 Filed 7–29–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Jul 29, 2014 Jkt 232001 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. NRC–2014–0174] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of pending NRC action to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and solicitation of public comment. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) invites public comment about our intention to request the OMB’s approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Information pertaining to the requirement to be submitted: 1. The title of the information collection: Generic Communications Program. 2. Current OMB approval number: 3150–XXXX. 3. How often the collection is required: On occasion. 4. Who is required or asked to report: Nuclear power reactor licensees, nonpower reactors and materials applicants and licensees. 5. The number of annual respondents: 500. 6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 156,000. 7. Abstract: The NRC is requesting approval of a generic clearance to collect information concerning possible non-routine generic problems which would require prompt action from NRC to preclude potential threats to public health and safety. Submit, by September 29, 2014, comments that address the following questions: 1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the NRC to properly perform its functions? Does the information have practical utility? 2. Is the burden estimate accurate? 3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected? 4. How can the burden of the information collection be minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology? The public may examine and have copied for a fee publicly-available SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 documents, including the draft supporting statement, at the NRC’s Public Document Room, Room O–1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC’s Web site: https://www.nrc.gov/ public-involve/doc-comment/omb/. The document will be available on the NRC’s home page site for 60 days after the signature date of this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available for public inspection. Because your comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information, the NRC cautions you against including any information in your submission that you do not want to be publicly disclosed. Comments submitted should reference Docket No. NRC–2014–0174. You may submit your comments by any of the following methods: Electronic comments go to https:// www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. NRC–2014–0174. Mail comments to the Acting NRC Clearance Officer, Kristen Benney (T–5 F50), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the Acting NRC Clearance Officer, Kristen Benney (T–5 F50), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, by telephone at 301– 415–6355, or by email to INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GOV. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of July 2014. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Kristen Benney, Acting NRC Clearance Officer, Office of Information Services. [FR Doc. 2014–17867 Filed 7–29–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [EA–14–013; NRC–2014–0175] In the Matter of Entergy Nuclear Operations Nuclear Regulatory Commission ACTION: Confirmatory order; issuance. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a confirmatory order to Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., confirming agreements reached in an Alternative Dispute Resolution session held on May 15, 2014. As part of the agreement, Entergy will take actions to verify security staff and management training credentials, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 146 / Wednesday, July 30, 2014 / Notices strengthen its safety culture, present the issue at industry meetings, set standards for security senior management and perform an independent effectiveness review. Entergy is also required to notify the NRC periodically of the status of its efforts. DATES: Issue Date: July 21, 2014. Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2014–0175 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this action by the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2014–0175. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301–287–3422; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For questions about this Order, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may access publicly available documents online in the NRC Library at https://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number for each document referenced in this document (if that document is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Lougheed, Region III, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 630–810–4376, email: Patricia.Lougheed@nrc.gov. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of the Order is attached. Dated at Lisle, Illinois, this 21st day of July 2014. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Jul 29, 2014 Jkt 232001 For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Cynthia D. Pederson, Regional Administrator. Attachment—CONFIRMATORY ORDER MODIFYING LICENSE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of: Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., Palisades Nuclear Plant, Docket No. 05000255, License No. DPR–20, EA–14–013. CONFIRMATORY ORDER MODIFYING LICENSE I Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., (Licensee or Entergy) is the holder of Reactor Operating License No. DPR–20 issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50 on March 24, 1971, and renewed on January 17, 2007. The license authorizes the operation of the Palisades Nuclear Plant in accordance with conditions specified therein. This Confirmatory Order is the result of an agreement reached during an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mediation session conducted on May 15, 2014. II On May 10, 2013, the NRC Office of Investigations (OI), Region III Field Office initiated an investigation to determine whether employees at the Palisades Nuclear Plant (Palisades) willfully failed to follow the security plan requirements, when a security manager assigned a security operations supervisor to perform duties without confirming whether the supervisor had the appropriate qualifications. The investigation also assessed whether the security operations supervisor assumed those duties as requested. The investigation was completed on January 9, 2014, and was documented in OI Report No. 3–2013–018. The investigation concluded that both the security manager and the security operations supervisor willfully violated 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, II B., ‘‘Qualification Requirements’’ and Palisades Security Plan Section 3.1. Specifically, in mid-December 2012, a supervisory security individual at Palisades requested leave for Christmas Eve. In order to grant at least part of the individual’s request, a security manager requested a security operations supervisor to fill two hours of the individual’s shift. At multiple times during the conversation, the security operations supervisor informed the PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44209 security manager that his technical supervisory qualifications were not completed. The security manager acknowledged that he was aware that the security operations supervisor’s qualifications were not completed. However, the security manager stated that he believed that only meant the security operations supervisor was not qualified to perform one particular job function, and he stated that the security operations supervisor would not need to perform that job function during the two hours where he would be filling in for the other supervisor. Neither the security manager nor the security operations supervisor verified the qualifications for the position despite a site requirement to check qualifications before assigning or assuming posts. The security manager stated that he did not review the security plan or check with anyone on the security operations supervisor’s qualifications until the end of April after two condition reports were written questioning the decision. The security operations supervisor stated that he relied upon what the security manager told him, as to why it was acceptable to assume the post. The security operations supervisor also said that he was not challenged on his qualifications prior to assuming the post, although that was a routine practice. Both the security manager and the security operations supervisor failed to verify the security operations supervisor’s qualification for a position prior to having him assume that position for two hours on December 24, 2012. The NRC determined that this was a violation of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, II B., ‘‘Qualification Requirements’’ and Palisades Security Plan Section 3.1. Specifically, 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, II B., ‘‘Qualification Requirements’’ requires that each person who performs security-related job tasks or job duties required to implement the licensee physical security or contingency plan shall, prior to being assigned to duties, be qualified in accordance with the licensee’s NRC-approved training and qualifications plan. Section 3.1 of the Palisades Nuclear Plant Physical Security Plan, Appendix B, Revision 14, required, in part, that each individual assigned duties and responsibilities identified in the security plans, licensee protective strategy, and implementing procedures must before assignment: (1) Be trained and qualified to perform assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements of the training and qualification plan; (2) meet the minimum qualification requirements of the training and qualification plan; and E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1 44210 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 146 / Wednesday, July 30, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES (3) be trained and qualified in the use of all equipment or devices required to effectively perform all assigned duties and responsibilities. On May 15, 2014, Entergy and the NRC met in an ADR session mediated by a professional mediator, arranged through Cornell University’s Institute on Conflict Resolution. ADR is a process in which a neutral mediator with no decision-making authority assists the parties in reaching an agreement on resolving any differences regarding the dispute. This confirmatory order is issued pursuant to the agreement reached during the ADR process. III In response to the NRC’s offer, Entergy requested use of the NRC ADR process to resolve differences it had with the NRC. During the ADR session held on May 15, 2014, a preliminary settlement agreement was reached. The elements of the agreement, as signed by both parties, consisted of the following: A. Verification of Training Credentials for Both Staff and Management: A.1 Conduct fleet-wide review of qualifications of each duty position in security to ensure that the qualifications for each position are clear and verifiable by all parties (security officers, security supervisors, and security manager). The initial review and applicable procedure revisions shall be completed by November 30, 2014. A.2 Verify and modify, if necessary, the applicable security procedure to ensure that both assignor and assignee validate qualifications before the assignee performs a duty position. This shall be completed by November 30, 2014. A.3 Following completion of A.1 and A.2, training will be conducted on the changes. This shall be completed by June 30, 2015. B. Strengthen Safety Culture: (1) Leadership, Safety Values, & Actions; (2) Problem Identification & Resolution; (3) Personal Accountability; (4) Work Processes; (5) Environment for Raising Concerns; and (6) Questioning Attitude & Proceeding In the Face of Uncertainty: B.1 As part of its Security Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE) Action Plan, Entergy has completed the following actions at Palisades: • Each Security Shift Supervisor has signed and posted a SCWE Commitment letter. (Completed March 6, 2014) • Security management conducted refresher training for each security shift emphasizing the reporting of concerns, the drafting of Condition Reports (CRs), the Corrective Action Program (CAP), and the expectation of feedback on CRs. (Completed February 24, 2014) VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Jul 29, 2014 Jkt 232001 • A volunteer from each security team was assigned as an ombudsman to provide security department members with a readily available and familiar person to whom they can raise concerns. Security management briefed the department on the new security ombudsman program and related activities. (Completed March 31, 2014) • The Director, Regulatory & Performance Improvement, developed a security department ‘‘dashboard’’ of SCWE-related indicators, such as, CAP usage, the number and content of anonymous CRs, CAP backlog, average age of open CRs, employee concern program (ECP) usage, on-site NRC allegations, and security equipment status. (Completed March 7, 2014) B.2 As part of its SCWE Action Plan, Entergy has committed to the following actions at Palisades. These actions are hereby incorporated into the Confirmatory Order: • Through June 30, 2016, the Palisades Security Manager shall meet quarterly (during the calendar quarter, allowing for one month grace period) with each security team: (a) To reinforce the importance of a healthy SCWE and management’s intolerance for retaliation, and (b) to discuss security concerns and issue resolution. • Through June 30, 2016, security management shall maintain and update a ‘‘Security Top 10 Issues’’ board to reflect, among other things, the expected issues resolution dates. B.3 Revise procedure EN–LI–102 to ensure that the Condition Review Group (CRG) chair considers whether the person assigned is sufficiently independent. This applies to condition reports that have challenges to a decision or a resolution that is highly dependent on a single individual. A ‘‘read and sign’’ will be provided to each CRG chair to inform them of the procedure revision. The procedure will be revised by November 30, 2014, and the ‘‘read and sign’’ training will be completed by January 31, 2015. B.4.a Conduct a case study for supervisors and above throughout the fleet that highlights safety culture aspects of the event: Questioning attitude, proceeding in the face of uncertainty, procedure compliance, and responsiveness to employee concerns. The case study will be developed and conducted by June 30, 2015. B.4.b Discuss the safety culture aspects of the issue with Entergy and long-term contract staff at three monthly tailgate meetings. The tailgate meetings shall include employee rights, licensee expectations with respect to raising issues, methods to raise issues, and the PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 right to contact the NRC. The action will be completed by December 31, 2014. C. Recognition by the Reactor Community: C.1 Entergy Fleet Director of Nuclear Security shall make a presentation to an industry security working group on this event. The licensee will provide the NRC an opportunity to review the presentation. This shall be accomplished by December 31, 2014. C.2 Entergy shall make a related presentation at a broad industry meeting(s) that covers all four regions beyond security organizations. This shall be accomplished by June 30, 2015. D. Setting Standards for Security Senior Management: Entergy shall revise EN–FAP–HR–006 to include specific requirements for Security Manager selection and development. This shall be accomplished by December 31, 2014. E. Effectiveness Review: Entergy shall arrange for an independent effectiveness review of the actions discussed in sections A and B. The review will be conducted no earlier than one year, but less than two years, from the issuance date of the Confirmatory Order. F. Notification of NRC When Actions Are Completed: F.1. Unless otherwise specified, Entergy will submit written notification by letter to the NRC staff, specifically, the Director, Division of Reactor Safety, 2443 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL, 60532, at intervals of six months, one year, and annually thereafter until the terms of the Confirmatory Order are completed, providing a status of each item in the Confirmatory Order. F.2. Upon completion of all terms of the Confirmatory Order, Entergy will provide the NRC with a letter discussing its basis for concluding that the Order has been satisfied. G. Administrative Items: G.1 The NRC and Entergy agree that the issues described above resulted in an individual inappropriately holding a position for which he was not qualified, contrary to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, II B., ‘‘Qualification Requirements’’ and the Palisades Security Plan. Entergy does not agree that the violation was committed willfully, and on this point, the parties agree to disagree. G.2 The NRC will issue a green finding with a cross-cutting aspect in the area of H.13, ‘‘Consistent Process,’’ but in consideration of the commitments delineated above, the NRC agrees to refrain from issuing a Notice of Violation or proposing a civil penalty for all matters discussed in the E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 146 / Wednesday, July 30, 2014 / Notices NRC’s letter of March 25, 2014 (EA–14– 013). G.3 The NRC considers the corrective actions and enhancements discussed above to be appropriately prompt and comprehensive to address the causes which gave rise to the incident discussed in the NRC’s letter of March 25, 2014 (EA–14–013). G.4 The NRC will consider the Confirmatory Order as an escalated enforcement action. G.5 This agreement is binding upon successors and assigns of Entergy. On July 14, 2014, Entergy consented to issuing this Confirmatory Order with the commitments, as described in Section V below. Entergy further agreed that this Confirmatory Order is to be effective 30 days after issuance of the Confirmatory Order and that it has waived its right to a hearing. IV Since the licensee has agreed to take additional actions to address NRC concerns, as set forth in Section III above, the NRC has concluded that its concerns can be resolved through issuance of this Confirmatory Order. I find that Entergy’s commitments as set forth in Section V are acceptable and necessary and conclude that with these commitments the public health and safety are reasonably assured. In view of the foregoing, I have determined that public health and safety require that Entergy’s commitments be confirmed by this Confirmatory Order. Based on the above and Entergy’s consent, this Confirmatory Order is effective 30 days after issuance of the Confirmatory Order. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES V Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 104b, 161b, 161i, 161o, 182, and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission’s regulations in 10 CFR 2.202 and 10 CFR Part 50, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT THE ACTIONS DESCRIBED BELOW WILL BE TAKEN AT PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT AND OTHER NUCLEAR PLANTS IN ENTERGY’S FLEET AND THAT LICENSE NO. DPR– 20 IS MODIFIED AS FOLLOWS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AT THE PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT: A. Verification of Training Credentials for both Staff and Management: A.1 Conduct fleet-wide review of qualifications of each duty position in security to ensure that the qualifications for each position are clear and verifiable by all parties (security officers, security supervisors, and security manager). The initial review and applicable procedure VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Jul 29, 2014 Jkt 232001 revisions shall be completed by November 30, 2014. A.2 Verify and modify, if necessary, the applicable security procedure to ensure that both assignor and assignee validate qualifications before the assignee performs a duty position. This shall be completed by November 30, 2014. A.3 Following completion of A.1 and A.2, training will be conducted on the changes. This shall be completed by June 30, 2015. B. Strengthen Safety Culture: B.1 Through June 30, 2016, the Palisades Security Manager shall meet quarterly (during the calendar quarter, allowing for one month grace period) with each security team: (a) to reinforce the importance of a healthy SCWE and management’s intolerance for retaliation, and (b) to discuss security concerns and issue resolution. B.2 Through June 30, 2016, Palisades security management shall maintain and update a ‘‘Security Top 10 Issues’’ board to reflect, among other things, the expected issues resolution dates. B.3 Discuss the safety culture aspects of the event with Palisades Nuclear Plant staff, including long-term contract staff, in three monthly tailgate meetings. The tailgate meetings shall include employee rights, licensee expectations with respect to raising issues, methods to raise issues, and the right to contact the NRC. The tailgate meetings will be completed by December 31, 2014. B.4 Revise procedure EN–LI–102 to ensure that the Condition Review Group (CRG) chair considers whether the person assigned is sufficiently independent. This applies to condition reports that have challenges to a decision or a resolution that is highly dependent on a single individual. A ‘‘read and sign’’ will be provided to each Entergy (fleet-wide) CRG chair to inform them of the procedure revision. The procedure will be revised by November 30, 2014, and the ‘‘read and sign’’ training will be completed by January 31, 2015. B.5 Conduct a case study for supervisors and above throughout the Entergy fleet that highlights safety culture aspects of the event: questioning attitude, proceeding in the face of uncertainty, procedure compliance, and responsiveness to employee concerns. The case study will be developed and conducted by June 30, 2015. C. Recognition by the Reactor Community: C.1 Entergy Fleet Director of Nuclear Security shall make a presentation to an industry security working group on this PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44211 event. The licensee will provide the NRC an opportunity to review the presentation. The presentation shall be accomplished by December 31, 2014. C.2 Entergy shall make a related presentation at a broad industry meeting aimed at an audience beyond the security organizations and covering all four NRC regions. It is acceptable to make the presentation at multiple meetings, if deemed necessary to reach the desired audience. The presentations shall be accomplished by June 30, 2015. D. Setting Standards for Security Senior Management: Entergy shall revise procedure EN– FAP–HR–006 to include specific requirements for Security Manager selection and development. This shall be accomplished by December 31, 2014. E. Effectiveness Review: Entergy shall arrange for an independent effectiveness review of the actions discussed in sections A and B. The review will be conducted no earlier than one year, but less than two years, from the issuance date of the Confirmatory Order. F. Notification of NRC When Actions Are Completed: F.1. Unless otherwise specified, Entergy will submit written notification by letter to the NRC staff, specifically, the Director, Division of Reactor Safety, 2443 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL, 60532, at intervals of six months, one year, and annually thereafter until the terms of the Confirmatory Order are completed, providing a status of each item in the Confirmatory Order. F.2. Upon completion of all terms of the Confirmatory Order, Entergy will provide the NRC with a letter discussing its basis for concluding that the Order has been satisfied. The Regional Administrator, Region III, may, in writing, relax or rescind any of the above conditions upon demonstration by the Licensee of good cause. VI Any person adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order, other than Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., may request a hearing within 30 days of the issuance date of this Confirmatory Order. Where good cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the time to request a hearing. A request for extension of time must be directed to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and include a statement of good cause for the extension. All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including a request for hearing, a petition for leave to intervene, any motion or other E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 44212 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 146 / Wednesday, July 30, 2014 / Notices document filed in the proceeding prior to the submission of a request for hearing or petition to intervene, and documents filed by interested governmental entities participating under 10 CFR 2.315(c), must be filed in accordance with the NRC’s E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139; August 28, 2007), as amended by 77 FR 46562; August 3, 2012 (codified in pertinent part at 10 CFR Part 2, Subpart C). The E-Filing process requires participants to submit and serve all adjudicatory documents over the internet, or in some cases to mail copies on electronic storage media. Participants may not submit paper copies of their filings unless they seek an exemption in accordance with the procedures described below. To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the Office of the Secretary by email at hearing.docket@nrc.gov, or by telephone at 301–415–1677, to (1) request a digital (ID) certificate, which allows the participant (or its counsel or representative) to digitally sign documents and access the E-Submittal server for any proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise the Secretary that the participant will be submitting a request or petition for hearing (even in instances in which the participant, or its counsel or representative, already holds an NRCissued digital ID certificate). Based upon this information, the Secretary will establish an electronic docket for the hearing in this proceeding if the Secretary has not already established an electronic docket. Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is available on NRC’s public Web site at https:// www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/ getting-started.html. System requirements for accessing the ESubmittal server are detailed in NRC’s ‘‘Guidance for Electronic Submission,’’ which is available on the agency’s public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/ site-help/e-submittals.html. Participants may attempt to use other software not listed on the Web site, but should note that the NRC’s E-Filing system does not support unlisted software, and the NRC Meta System Help Desk will not be able to offer assistance in using unlisted software. If a participant is electronically submitting a document to the NRC in accordance with the E-Filing rule, the participant must file the document using the NRC’s online, Web-based submission form. In order to serve documents through the Electronic Information Exchange System, users VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Jul 29, 2014 Jkt 232001 will be required to install a Web browser plug-in from the NRC’s Web site. Further information on the Webbased submission form, including the installation of the Web browser plug-in, is available on the NRC’s public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/esubmittals.html. Once a participant has obtained a digital ID certificate and a docket has been created, the participant can then submit a request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene through the EIE. Submissions should be in Portable Document Format (PDF) in accordance with NRC guidance available on the NRC’s public Web site at https:// www.nrc.gov/site-help/esubmittals.html. A filing is considered complete at the time the documents are submitted through the NRC’s E-Filing system. To be timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing system no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the due date. Upon receipt of a transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document and sends the submitter an email notice confirming receipt of the document. The E-Filing system also distributes an email notice that provides access to the document to the NRC’s Office of the General Counsel and any others who have advised the Office of the Secretary that they wish to participate in the proceeding, so that the filer need not serve the documents on those participants separately. Therefore, any others who wish to participate in the proceeding (or their counsel or representative) must apply for and receive a digital ID certificate before a hearing request/petition to intervene is filed so that they can obtain access to the document via the E-Filing system. A person filing electronically using the NRC’s adjudicatory E-Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC Meta System Help Desk through the ‘‘Contact Us’’ link located on the NRC’s Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/ site-help/e-submittals.html, by email at MSHD.Resource@nrc.gov, or by a tollfree call at 1–866–672–7640. The NRC Meta System Help Desk is available between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. Participants who believe that they have a good cause for not submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper format. Such filings must be submitted by: (1) First class mail addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Commission, Washington, DC 20555– 0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. Participants filing a document in this manner are responsible for serving the document on all other participants. Filing is considered complete by first-class mail as of the time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service upon depositing the document with the provider of the service. A presiding officer, having granted an exemption request from using E-Filing, may require a participant or party to use E-Filing if the presiding officer subsequently determines that the reason for granting the exemption from use of E-Filing no longer exists. Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in the NRC’s electronic hearing docket, which is available to the public at https:// ehd1.nrc.gov/ehd/, unless excluded pursuant to an order of the Commission or the presiding officer. Participants are requested not to include personal privacy information, such as social security numbers, home addresses, or home phone numbers in their filings, unless an NRC regulation or other law requires submission of such information. With respect to copyrighted works, participants are requested not to include copyrighted materials in their submission, except for limited excerpts that serve the purpose of the adjudicatory filings and would constitute a Fair Use application. If a person other than the licensee requests a hearing, that person shall set forth with particularity the manner in which his interest is adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order and shall address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.309(d) and (f). If a hearing is requested by a person whose interest is adversely affected, the Commission will issue a separate Order designating the time and place of any hearings, as appropriate. If a hearing is held, the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this Confirmatory Order should be sustained. In the absence of any request for hearing, or written approval of an extension of time in which to request a hearing, the provisions specified in Section IV above shall be effective and final 30 days after issuance of the Confirmatory Order without further order or proceedings. If an extension of time for requesting a hearing has been E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 146 / Wednesday, July 30, 2014 / Notices approved, the provisions specified in Section V shall be final when the extension expires if a hearing request has not been received. Dated at Lisle, Illinois this 21st day of July 2014. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Cynthia D. Pederson, Regional Administrator. [FR Doc. 2014–17873 Filed 7–29–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50–295 and 50–304; NRC– 2011–0145] Zion Solutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2; Exemption From Certain Requirements mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1.0 Background Zion Nuclear Power Station (ZNPS) Units 1 and 2 were permanently shut down in February 1998, for economic reasons. On February 13, 1998, Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd), the ZNPS licensee at that time, submitted a letter certifying the permanent cessation of operations at ZNPS, Units 1 and 2 (Agencywide Documents and Access Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. 9802200407). On March 9, 1998, ComEd submitted a letter certifying the permanent removal of fuel from the reactor vessels at ZNPS (ADAMS Accession No. 9803110251). Pursuant to section 50.82(a)(2) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), upon docketing of the certification for permanent cessation of operations and permanent removal of fuel from the reactor vessels, the 10 CFR part 50 license no longer authorizes operation of the reactor or emplacement or retention of fuel into the reactor vessel. On May 4, 2009, the NRC issued the order to transfer the ownership of the permanently shut down ZNPS facility, and responsibility for its decommissioning to ZionSolutions (ZS), a subsidiary of EnergySolutions (ADAMS Accession No. ML090930037). This transfer was effectuated on September 1, 2010 (ADAMS Accession No. ML102290437). ZS was established solely for the purpose of acquiring and decommissioning the ZNPS facility for release for unrestricted use, while transferring the spent nuclear fuel and Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) radioactive waste to the ZNPS Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Jul 29, 2014 Jkt 232001 Section 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) states that decommissioning trust funds may be used by licensees if the withdrawals are for expenses for legitimate decommissioning activities consistent with the definition of decommissioning in 10 CFR 50.2. The definition of decommissioning in 10 CFR 50.2 reads as follows: ‘‘to remove a facility or site safely from service and reduce residual radioactivity to a level that permits— (1) Release of the property for unrestricted use and termination of the license; or (2) Release of the property under restricted conditions and termination of the license.’’ Similar to 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A), provisions of 10 CFR 50.75(h)(1)(iv) and (h)(2) dictate that, with certain exceptions, disbursements from nuclear decommissioning trusts ‘‘are restricted to decommissioning expenses.’’ However, in accord with 10 CFR 50.75(h)(5), these provisions do not apply to ‘‘any licensee that as of December 24, 2003, has existing license conditions relating to decommissioning trust agreements, so long as the licensee does not elect to amend those license conditions.’’ The operating licenses for ZNPS included ‘‘existing license conditions relating to decommissioning trust agreements’’ on December 24, 2003, and as such, ZNPS is exempt from the provisions of paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(3) of the regulations in 10 CFR 50.75, pursuant to the terms of 10 CFR 50.75(h)(5). 2.0 Request/Action On June 4, 2013, (ADAMS Accession No. ML13157A05), ZS, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, ‘‘Specific Exemptions,’’ submitted a request for an exemption from 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A), for the ZNPS. According to the licensee, the proposed exemptions would confirm ZS’s authorization to use funds from the nuclear decommissioning trusts for irradiated fuel management, consistent with the ZNPS updated Irradiated Fuel Management Plan and Post Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR). 3.0 Discussion Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, ‘‘Specific exemptions,’’ the Commission may grant exemptions from the regulations in part 50 either upon application by any interested person or on its own initiative, if it determines the exemptions are authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety, and are consistent with the common defense and security, and special circumstances are present. The proposed exemptions would not result in a violation of the Atomic PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44213 Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the Commission’s regulations. Therefore, the exemption is authorized by law. The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) is to provide reasonable assurance that adequate funds will be available for decommissioning of power reactors within 60 years of permanent cessation of operations. Based on the site-specific cost estimate and the cash flow analysis, the use of the nuclear decommissioning trusts funds in the proposed manner will not adversely impact ZS’s ability to complete the prompt radiological decommissioning of the ZNPS site and ultimately to terminate the ZNPS licenses within 60 years, consistent with the schedule and costs contained in the ZNPS’s PSDAR. Therefore, the underlying purpose of the regulation will continue to be met. Since the underlying purpose of the rule will continue to be met, the exemption will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety. Section 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) could limit the withdrawal of funds from the nuclear decommissioning trusts for activities directly associated with irradiated fuel management until the ZNPS licenses have been terminated. However, the ZNPS licenses cannot be terminated unless the irradiated fuel is managed until such time that the U.S. Department of Energy takes possession of the irradiated fuel. Moreover, the sitespecific decommissioning cost analysis demonstrates that adequate funds are reasonably available in the nuclear decommissioning trusts to both manage the irradiated fuel and to complete all decommissioning and decontamination activities, including the activities necessary to proceed down the path toward ultimate license termination. Additionally, the NRC has already acknowledged the accumulation of nonNRC dedicated funds in the nuclear decommissioning trust funds in the safety evaluation report (SER) for the ZNPS license transfer to ZS. Finally, additional assurances have been provided to assure the availability of funds for radiological decontamination and decommissioning, including a $200 million irrevocable letter of credit with the JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The adequacy of the nuclear decommissioning trusts to cover the cost of activities associated with the different elements of decommissioning (including the irradiated fuel management) is supported by a sitespecific decommissioning cost analysis. Based on the above, special circumstances are present. The NRC staff finds that the use of the nuclear decommissioning trusts as contemplated by the Irradiated Fuel E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44208-44213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17873]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[EA-14-013; NRC-2014-0175]


In the Matter of Entergy Nuclear Operations

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

ACTION: Confirmatory order; issuance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a 
confirmatory order to Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., confirming 
agreements reached in an Alternative Dispute Resolution session held on 
May 15, 2014. As part of the agreement, Entergy will take actions to 
verify security staff and management training credentials,

[[Page 44209]]

strengthen its safety culture, present the issue at industry meetings, 
set standards for security senior management and perform an independent 
effectiveness review. Entergy is also required to notify the NRC 
periodically of the status of its efforts.

DATES: Issue Date: July 21, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2014-0175 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this action by the 
following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2014-0175. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-287-
3422; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For questions about this Order, 
contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this document.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may access publicly available documents online in the NRC 
Library at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the 
search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and then select ``Begin Web-
based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's 
Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-
4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number 
for each document referenced in this document (if that document is 
available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is 
referenced.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Lougheed, Region III, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 
630-810-4376, email: Patricia.Lougheed@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of the Order is attached.

    Dated at Lisle, Illinois, this 21st day of July 2014.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Cynthia D. Pederson,
Regional Administrator.

Attachment--CONFIRMATORY ORDER MODIFYING LICENSE

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

    In the Matter of: Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., Palisades 
Nuclear Plant, Docket No. 05000255, License No. DPR-20, EA-14-013.

CONFIRMATORY ORDER MODIFYING LICENSE

I

    Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., (Licensee or Entergy) is the 
holder of Reactor Operating License No. DPR-20 issued by the U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) pursuant to Title 10 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50 on March 24, 1971, 
and renewed on January 17, 2007. The license authorizes the operation 
of the Palisades Nuclear Plant in accordance with conditions specified 
therein.
    This Confirmatory Order is the result of an agreement reached 
during an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mediation session 
conducted on May 15, 2014.

II

    On May 10, 2013, the NRC Office of Investigations (OI), Region III 
Field Office initiated an investigation to determine whether employees 
at the Palisades Nuclear Plant (Palisades) willfully failed to follow 
the security plan requirements, when a security manager assigned a 
security operations supervisor to perform duties without confirming 
whether the supervisor had the appropriate qualifications. The 
investigation also assessed whether the security operations supervisor 
assumed those duties as requested. The investigation was completed on 
January 9, 2014, and was documented in OI Report No. 3-2013-018. The 
investigation concluded that both the security manager and the security 
operations supervisor willfully violated 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, II 
B., ``Qualification Requirements'' and Palisades Security Plan Section 
3.1.
    Specifically, in mid-December 2012, a supervisory security 
individual at Palisades requested leave for Christmas Eve. In order to 
grant at least part of the individual's request, a security manager 
requested a security operations supervisor to fill two hours of the 
individual's shift. At multiple times during the conversation, the 
security operations supervisor informed the security manager that his 
technical supervisory qualifications were not completed. The security 
manager acknowledged that he was aware that the security operations 
supervisor's qualifications were not completed. However, the security 
manager stated that he believed that only meant the security operations 
supervisor was not qualified to perform one particular job function, 
and he stated that the security operations supervisor would not need to 
perform that job function during the two hours where he would be 
filling in for the other supervisor. Neither the security manager nor 
the security operations supervisor verified the qualifications for the 
position despite a site requirement to check qualifications before 
assigning or assuming posts. The security manager stated that he did 
not review the security plan or check with anyone on the security 
operations supervisor's qualifications until the end of April after two 
condition reports were written questioning the decision. The security 
operations supervisor stated that he relied upon what the security 
manager told him, as to why it was acceptable to assume the post. The 
security operations supervisor also said that he was not challenged on 
his qualifications prior to assuming the post, although that was a 
routine practice.
    Both the security manager and the security operations supervisor 
failed to verify the security operations supervisor's qualification for 
a position prior to having him assume that position for two hours on 
December 24, 2012. The NRC determined that this was a violation of 10 
CFR Part 73, Appendix B, II B., ``Qualification Requirements'' and 
Palisades Security Plan Section 3.1. Specifically, 10 CFR Part 73, 
Appendix B, II B., ``Qualification Requirements'' requires that each 
person who performs security-related job tasks or job duties required 
to implement the licensee physical security or contingency plan shall, 
prior to being assigned to duties, be qualified in accordance with the 
licensee's NRC-approved training and qualifications plan.
    Section 3.1 of the Palisades Nuclear Plant Physical Security Plan, 
Appendix B, Revision 14, required, in part, that each individual 
assigned duties and responsibilities identified in the security plans, 
licensee protective strategy, and implementing procedures must before 
assignment: (1) Be trained and qualified to perform assigned duties and 
responsibilities in accordance with the requirements of the training 
and qualification plan; (2) meet the minimum qualification requirements 
of the training and qualification plan; and

[[Page 44210]]

(3) be trained and qualified in the use of all equipment or devices 
required to effectively perform all assigned duties and 
responsibilities.
    On May 15, 2014, Entergy and the NRC met in an ADR session mediated 
by a professional mediator, arranged through Cornell University's 
Institute on Conflict Resolution. ADR is a process in which a neutral 
mediator with no decision-making authority assists the parties in 
reaching an agreement on resolving any differences regarding the 
dispute. This confirmatory order is issued pursuant to the agreement 
reached during the ADR process.

III

    In response to the NRC's offer, Entergy requested use of the NRC 
ADR process to resolve differences it had with the NRC. During the ADR 
session held on May 15, 2014, a preliminary settlement agreement was 
reached. The elements of the agreement, as signed by both parties, 
consisted of the following:
    A. Verification of Training Credentials for Both Staff and 
Management:
    A.1 Conduct fleet-wide review of qualifications of each duty 
position in security to ensure that the qualifications for each 
position are clear and verifiable by all parties (security officers, 
security supervisors, and security manager). The initial review and 
applicable procedure revisions shall be completed by November 30, 2014.
    A.2 Verify and modify, if necessary, the applicable security 
procedure to ensure that both assignor and assignee validate 
qualifications before the assignee performs a duty position. This shall 
be completed by November 30, 2014.
    A.3 Following completion of A.1 and A.2, training will be conducted 
on the changes. This shall be completed by June 30, 2015.
    B. Strengthen Safety Culture: (1) Leadership, Safety Values, & 
Actions; (2) Problem Identification & Resolution; (3) Personal 
Accountability; (4) Work Processes; (5) Environment for Raising 
Concerns; and (6) Questioning Attitude & Proceeding In the Face of 
Uncertainty:
    B.1 As part of its Security Safety Conscious Work Environment 
(SCWE) Action Plan, Entergy has completed the following actions at 
Palisades:
     Each Security Shift Supervisor has signed and posted a 
SCWE Commitment letter. (Completed March 6, 2014)
     Security management conducted refresher training for each 
security shift emphasizing the reporting of concerns, the drafting of 
Condition Reports (CRs), the Corrective Action Program (CAP), and the 
expectation of feedback on CRs. (Completed February 24, 2014)
     A volunteer from each security team was assigned as an 
ombudsman to provide security department members with a readily 
available and familiar person to whom they can raise concerns. Security 
management briefed the department on the new security ombudsman program 
and related activities. (Completed March 31, 2014)
     The Director, Regulatory & Performance Improvement, 
developed a security department ``dashboard'' of SCWE-related 
indicators, such as, CAP usage, the number and content of anonymous 
CRs, CAP backlog, average age of open CRs, employee concern program 
(ECP) usage, on-site NRC allegations, and security equipment status. 
(Completed March 7, 2014)
    B.2 As part of its SCWE Action Plan, Entergy has committed to the 
following actions at Palisades. These actions are hereby incorporated 
into the Confirmatory Order:
     Through June 30, 2016, the Palisades Security Manager 
shall meet quarterly (during the calendar quarter, allowing for one 
month grace period) with each security team: (a) To reinforce the 
importance of a healthy SCWE and management's intolerance for 
retaliation, and (b) to discuss security concerns and issue resolution.
     Through June 30, 2016, security management shall maintain 
and update a ``Security Top 10 Issues'' board to reflect, among other 
things, the expected issues resolution dates.
    B.3 Revise procedure EN-LI-102 to ensure that the Condition Review 
Group (CRG) chair considers whether the person assigned is sufficiently 
independent. This applies to condition reports that have challenges to 
a decision or a resolution that is highly dependent on a single 
individual. A ``read and sign'' will be provided to each CRG chair to 
inform them of the procedure revision. The procedure will be revised by 
November 30, 2014, and the ``read and sign'' training will be completed 
by January 31, 2015.
    B.4.a Conduct a case study for supervisors and above throughout the 
fleet that highlights safety culture aspects of the event: Questioning 
attitude, proceeding in the face of uncertainty, procedure compliance, 
and responsiveness to employee concerns. The case study will be 
developed and conducted by June 30, 2015.
    B.4.b Discuss the safety culture aspects of the issue with Entergy 
and long-term contract staff at three monthly tailgate meetings. The 
tailgate meetings shall include employee rights, licensee expectations 
with respect to raising issues, methods to raise issues, and the right 
to contact the NRC. The action will be completed by December 31, 2014.
    C. Recognition by the Reactor Community:
    C.1 Entergy Fleet Director of Nuclear Security shall make a 
presentation to an industry security working group on this event. The 
licensee will provide the NRC an opportunity to review the 
presentation. This shall be accomplished by December 31, 2014.
    C.2 Entergy shall make a related presentation at a broad industry 
meeting(s) that covers all four regions beyond security organizations. 
This shall be accomplished by June 30, 2015.
    D. Setting Standards for Security Senior Management:
    Entergy shall revise EN-FAP-HR-006 to include specific requirements 
for Security Manager selection and development. This shall be 
accomplished by December 31, 2014.
    E. Effectiveness Review:
    Entergy shall arrange for an independent effectiveness review of 
the actions discussed in sections A and B. The review will be conducted 
no earlier than one year, but less than two years, from the issuance 
date of the Confirmatory Order.
    F. Notification of NRC When Actions Are Completed:
    F.1. Unless otherwise specified, Entergy will submit written 
notification by letter to the NRC staff, specifically, the Director, 
Division of Reactor Safety, 2443 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL, 60532, at 
intervals of six months, one year, and annually thereafter until the 
terms of the Confirmatory Order are completed, providing a status of 
each item in the Confirmatory Order.
    F.2. Upon completion of all terms of the Confirmatory Order, 
Entergy will provide the NRC with a letter discussing its basis for 
concluding that the Order has been satisfied.
    G. Administrative Items:
    G.1 The NRC and Entergy agree that the issues described above 
resulted in an individual inappropriately holding a position for which 
he was not qualified, contrary to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 73, 
Appendix B, II B., ``Qualification Requirements'' and the Palisades 
Security Plan. Entergy does not agree that the violation was committed 
willfully, and on this point, the parties agree to disagree.
    G.2 The NRC will issue a green finding with a cross-cutting aspect 
in the area of H.13, ``Consistent Process,'' but in consideration of 
the commitments delineated above, the NRC agrees to refrain from 
issuing a Notice of Violation or proposing a civil penalty for all 
matters discussed in the

[[Page 44211]]

NRC's letter of March 25, 2014 (EA-14-013).
    G.3 The NRC considers the corrective actions and enhancements 
discussed above to be appropriately prompt and comprehensive to address 
the causes which gave rise to the incident discussed in the NRC's 
letter of March 25, 2014 (EA-14-013).
    G.4 The NRC will consider the Confirmatory Order as an escalated 
enforcement action.
    G.5 This agreement is binding upon successors and assigns of 
Entergy.
    On July 14, 2014, Entergy consented to issuing this Confirmatory 
Order with the commitments, as described in Section V below. Entergy 
further agreed that this Confirmatory Order is to be effective 30 days 
after issuance of the Confirmatory Order and that it has waived its 
right to a hearing.

IV

    Since the licensee has agreed to take additional actions to address 
NRC concerns, as set forth in Section III above, the NRC has concluded 
that its concerns can be resolved through issuance of this Confirmatory 
Order.
    I find that Entergy's commitments as set forth in Section V are 
acceptable and necessary and conclude that with these commitments the 
public health and safety are reasonably assured. In view of the 
foregoing, I have determined that public health and safety require that 
Entergy's commitments be confirmed by this Confirmatory Order. Based on 
the above and Entergy's consent, this Confirmatory Order is effective 
30 days after issuance of the Confirmatory Order.

V

    Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 104b, 161b, 161i, 161o, 182, and 
186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's 
regulations in 10 CFR 2.202 and 10 CFR Part 50, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED 
THAT THE ACTIONS DESCRIBED BELOW WILL BE TAKEN AT PALISADES NUCLEAR 
PLANT AND OTHER NUCLEAR PLANTS IN ENTERGY'S FLEET AND THAT LICENSE NO. 
DPR-20 IS MODIFIED AS FOLLOWS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN 
AT THE PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT:
    A. Verification of Training Credentials for both Staff and 
Management:
    A.1 Conduct fleet-wide review of qualifications of each duty 
position in security to ensure that the qualifications for each 
position are clear and verifiable by all parties (security officers, 
security supervisors, and security manager). The initial review and 
applicable procedure revisions shall be completed by November 30, 2014.
    A.2 Verify and modify, if necessary, the applicable security 
procedure to ensure that both assignor and assignee validate 
qualifications before the assignee performs a duty position. This shall 
be completed by November 30, 2014.
    A.3 Following completion of A.1 and A.2, training will be conducted 
on the changes. This shall be completed by June 30, 2015.
    B. Strengthen Safety Culture:
    B.1 Through June 30, 2016, the Palisades Security Manager shall 
meet quarterly (during the calendar quarter, allowing for one month 
grace period) with each security team: (a) to reinforce the importance 
of a healthy SCWE and management's intolerance for retaliation, and (b) 
to discuss security concerns and issue resolution.
    B.2 Through June 30, 2016, Palisades security management shall 
maintain and update a ``Security Top 10 Issues'' board to reflect, 
among other things, the expected issues resolution dates.
    B.3 Discuss the safety culture aspects of the event with Palisades 
Nuclear Plant staff, including long-term contract staff, in three 
monthly tailgate meetings. The tailgate meetings shall include employee 
rights, licensee expectations with respect to raising issues, methods 
to raise issues, and the right to contact the NRC. The tailgate 
meetings will be completed by December 31, 2014.
    B.4 Revise procedure EN-LI-102 to ensure that the Condition Review 
Group (CRG) chair considers whether the person assigned is sufficiently 
independent. This applies to condition reports that have challenges to 
a decision or a resolution that is highly dependent on a single 
individual. A ``read and sign'' will be provided to each Entergy 
(fleet-wide) CRG chair to inform them of the procedure revision. The 
procedure will be revised by November 30, 2014, and the ``read and 
sign'' training will be completed by January 31, 2015.
    B.5 Conduct a case study for supervisors and above throughout the 
Entergy fleet that highlights safety culture aspects of the event: 
questioning attitude, proceeding in the face of uncertainty, procedure 
compliance, and responsiveness to employee concerns. The case study 
will be developed and conducted by June 30, 2015.
    C. Recognition by the Reactor Community:
    C.1 Entergy Fleet Director of Nuclear Security shall make a 
presentation to an industry security working group on this event. The 
licensee will provide the NRC an opportunity to review the 
presentation. The presentation shall be accomplished by December 31, 
2014.
    C.2 Entergy shall make a related presentation at a broad industry 
meeting aimed at an audience beyond the security organizations and 
covering all four NRC regions. It is acceptable to make the 
presentation at multiple meetings, if deemed necessary to reach the 
desired audience. The presentations shall be accomplished by June 30, 
2015.
    D. Setting Standards for Security Senior Management:
    Entergy shall revise procedure EN-FAP-HR-006 to include specific 
requirements for Security Manager selection and development. This shall 
be accomplished by December 31, 2014.
    E. Effectiveness Review:
    Entergy shall arrange for an independent effectiveness review of 
the actions discussed in sections A and B. The review will be conducted 
no earlier than one year, but less than two years, from the issuance 
date of the Confirmatory Order.
    F. Notification of NRC When Actions Are Completed:
    F.1. Unless otherwise specified, Entergy will submit written 
notification by letter to the NRC staff, specifically, the Director, 
Division of Reactor Safety, 2443 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL, 60532, at 
intervals of six months, one year, and annually thereafter until the 
terms of the Confirmatory Order are completed, providing a status of 
each item in the Confirmatory Order.
    F.2. Upon completion of all terms of the Confirmatory Order, 
Entergy will provide the NRC with a letter discussing its basis for 
concluding that the Order has been satisfied.
    The Regional Administrator, Region III, may, in writing, relax or 
rescind any of the above conditions upon demonstration by the Licensee 
of good cause.

VI

    Any person adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order, other 
than Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., may request a hearing within 30 
days of the issuance date of this Confirmatory Order. Where good cause 
is shown, consideration will be given to extending the time to request 
a hearing. A request for extension of time must be directed to the 
Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
and include a statement of good cause for the extension.
    All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including a 
request for hearing, a petition for leave to intervene, any motion or 
other

[[Page 44212]]

document filed in the proceeding prior to the submission of a request 
for hearing or petition to intervene, and documents filed by interested 
governmental entities participating under 10 CFR 2.315(c), must be 
filed in accordance with the NRC's E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139; August 
28, 2007), as amended by 77 FR 46562; August 3, 2012 (codified in 
pertinent part at 10 CFR Part 2, Subpart C). The E-Filing process 
requires participants to submit and serve all adjudicatory documents 
over the internet, or in some cases to mail copies on electronic 
storage media. Participants may not submit paper copies of their 
filings unless they seek an exemption in accordance with the procedures 
described below.
    To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 
days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the 
Office of the Secretary by email at hearing.docket@nrc.gov, or by 
telephone at 301-415-1677, to (1) request a digital (ID) certificate, 
which allows the participant (or its counsel or representative) to 
digitally sign documents and access the E-Submittal server for any 
proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise the Secretary 
that the participant will be submitting a request or petition for 
hearing (even in instances in which the participant, or its counsel or 
representative, already holds an NRC-issued digital ID certificate). 
Based upon this information, the Secretary will establish an electronic 
docket for the hearing in this proceeding if the Secretary has not 
already established an electronic docket.
    Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is 
available on NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/getting-started.html. System requirements for accessing the 
E-Submittal server are detailed in NRC's ``Guidance for Electronic 
Submission,'' which is available on the agency's public Web site at 
https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. Participants may 
attempt to use other software not listed on the Web site, but should 
note that the NRC's E-Filing system does not support unlisted software, 
and the NRC Meta System Help Desk will not be able to offer assistance 
in using unlisted software.
    If a participant is electronically submitting a document to the NRC 
in accordance with the E-Filing rule, the participant must file the 
document using the NRC's online, Web-based submission form. In order to 
serve documents through the Electronic Information Exchange System, 
users will be required to install a Web browser plug-in from the NRC's 
Web site. Further information on the Web-based submission form, 
including the installation of the Web browser plug-in, is available on 
the NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html.
    Once a participant has obtained a digital ID certificate and a 
docket has been created, the participant can then submit a request for 
hearing or petition for leave to intervene through the EIE. Submissions 
should be in Portable Document Format (PDF) in accordance with NRC 
guidance available on the NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. A filing is considered complete at the 
time the documents are submitted through the NRC's E-Filing system. To 
be timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing 
system no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the due date. Upon 
receipt of a transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document 
and sends the submitter an email notice confirming receipt of the 
document. The E-Filing system also distributes an email notice that 
provides access to the document to the NRC's Office of the General 
Counsel and any others who have advised the Office of the Secretary 
that they wish to participate in the proceeding, so that the filer need 
not serve the documents on those participants separately. Therefore, 
any others who wish to participate in the proceeding (or their counsel 
or representative) must apply for and receive a digital ID certificate 
before a hearing request/petition to intervene is filed so that they 
can obtain access to the document via the E-Filing system.
    A person filing electronically using the NRC's adjudicatory E-
Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC Meta System 
Help Desk through the ``Contact Us'' link located on the NRC's Web site 
at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html, by email at 
MSHD.Resource@nrc.gov, or by a toll-free call at 1-866-672-7640. The 
NRC Meta System Help Desk is available between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., 
ET, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays.
    Participants who believe that they have a good cause for not 
submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in 
accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing 
requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper 
format. Such filings must be submitted by: (1) First class mail 
addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: 
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or 
expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth 
Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 
20852, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. Participants 
filing a document in this manner are responsible for serving the 
document on all other participants. Filing is considered complete by 
first-class mail as of the time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, 
express mail, or expedited delivery service upon depositing the 
document with the provider of the service. A presiding officer, having 
granted an exemption request from using E-Filing, may require a 
participant or party to use E-Filing if the presiding officer 
subsequently determines that the reason for granting the exemption from 
use of E-Filing no longer exists.
    Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in the 
NRC's electronic hearing docket, which is available to the public at 
https://ehd1.nrc.gov/ehd/, unless excluded pursuant to an order of the 
Commission or the presiding officer. Participants are requested not to 
include personal privacy information, such as social security numbers, 
home addresses, or home phone numbers in their filings, unless an NRC 
regulation or other law requires submission of such information. With 
respect to copyrighted works, participants are requested not to include 
copyrighted materials in their submission, except for limited excerpts 
that serve the purpose of the adjudicatory filings and would constitute 
a Fair Use application.
    If a person other than the licensee requests a hearing, that person 
shall set forth with particularity the manner in which his interest is 
adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order and shall address the 
criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.309(d) and (f).
    If a hearing is requested by a person whose interest is adversely 
affected, the Commission will issue a separate Order designating the 
time and place of any hearings, as appropriate. If a hearing is held, 
the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this 
Confirmatory Order should be sustained.
    In the absence of any request for hearing, or written approval of 
an extension of time in which to request a hearing, the provisions 
specified in Section IV above shall be effective and final 30 days 
after issuance of the Confirmatory Order without further order or 
proceedings. If an extension of time for requesting a hearing has been

[[Page 44213]]

approved, the provisions specified in Section V shall be final when the 
extension expires if a hearing request has not been received.

Dated at Lisle, Illinois this 21st day of July 2014.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Cynthia D. Pederson,
Regional Administrator.

[FR Doc. 2014-17873 Filed 7-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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