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Electric utilities

NRC Approves Exemption for Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station from 10 CFR Part 26 Requirements During COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved an exemption for Exelon Generation Company, LLC's Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2, from certain requirements of 10 CFR Part 26, "Fitness for Duty Programs," due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The exemption allows the licensee to use alternative work-hour controls to manage the impact of the pandemic on plant operational safety and security. The exemption is effective from March 8, 2021, until May 7, 2021.

Key Takeaways:

  • The exemption was approved in response to Exelon's application dated February 17, 2021, which cited the March 28 and November 10, 2020, letters from Mr. Ho Nieh describing a process to request expedited review of certain exemptions from 10 CFR Part 26 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The exemption allows the licensee to implement alternative work-hour controls to manage the impact of the pandemic on maintaining plant operational safety and security at Quad Cities.
  • The exemption requires Exelon to establish alternative controls at Quad Cities for the management of fatigue, including restrictions on work hours, breaks, and shifts.
  • The NRC determined that the exemption is authorized by law, will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the public interest.
  • The exemption is effective from March 8, 2021, until May 7, 2021.
  • This exemption is the third exemption approved for Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, following exemptions ending on June 9, 2020, and February 15, 2021.

Statistics:

  • 10 CFR Part 26 exemption effective period: March 8, 2021 - May 7, 2021
  • 16 work hours in any 24-hour period and not more than 86 work hours in any 7-day period
  • 10-hour break is provided between successive work periods
  • 12-hour shifts are limited to not more than 14 consecutive days
  • 6 days off is provided in any 30-day period
  • Behavioral observation and self-declaration during the period of the exemption

Sources:

  • NRC letter dated March 1, 2021, "SUBJECT: QUAD CITIES NUCLEAR POWER STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - EXEMPTION FROM SELECT REQUIREMENTS OF 10 CFR PART 26 (EPID L-2021-LLE-0010 [COVID-19])"
  • Exelon Generation Company, LLC application dated February 17, 2021, "SUBJECT: QUAD CITIES NUCLEAR POWER STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - EXEMPTION FROM SELECT REQUIREMENTS OF 10 CFR PART 26 (EPID L-2021-LLE-0010 [COVID-19])"
  • NRC letters dated March 28 and November 10, 2020, from Mr. Ho Nieh describing a process to request expedited review of certain exemptions from 10 CFR Part 26 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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