Palisades Nuclear Plant

NRC Preparing to Oversee First of a Kind Effort to Restart a Shuttered Plant

The Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP) permanently ceased operations on May 20, 2022, after more than 40 years of commercial operation. In early 2023, Holtec, the licensee for PNP expressed an interest in returning the plant to an operational status.

This effort will involve Holtec explaining how it will (1) return plant components to a status that supports safe operation; (2) restore the licensing basis of the plant to an operational status, and (3) make any upgrades necessary to meet current NRC requirements.

NRC staff will carefully review the regulatory and licensing documents for the plant, inspect new and restored components necessary to operate safely, and continue ongoing oversight to ensure sufficiency of all plant systems and programs.

To provide oversight of this effort, the NRC has established the Palisades Nuclear Plant Restart Panel, which will guide the staff efforts to review, inspect, and confirm that PNP is ready to be returned to an operating facility. The Restart Panel will help coordinate licensing, inspection, and oversight activities across the agency to ensure that all aspects of the PNP restart project are meeting the NRC’s safety, security, and environmental requirements.

Licensing Actions Under Review

The licensee for the Palisades Nuclear Plant, Holtec Decommissioning International (HDI), is pursuing several licensing actions to restore the operational licensing basis for the plant.

Regulatory Path to Reauthorize Power Operations
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Submittal	ML23032A399	02/01/2023
Updated Submittal	ML23072A404	03/13/2023
Kickoff Meeting	ML23107A121	03/20/2023
Follow-Up Meeting	ML23171B122	05/24/2023
Request for Exemption from Certain Termination of License Requirements of 10 CFR 50.82
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Pre-Submittal Meeting	ML23263A001	08/29/2023
Submittal	ML23271A140	09/28/2023
Acceptance Review	ML23291A440	11/03/2023
RAI Letter			Requests for additional information (RAIs) will be issued as needed for this action.
RAI Response
Final Documentation
Estimated Completion	Tuesday, December 31, 2024		Date as included in acceptance review
Application for Order Consenting to Transfer of Control of License and Conforming License Amendments
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Pre-Submittal Meeting	ML23303A213	10/03/2023
Submittal	ML23340A161	12/06/2023
Acceptance Review	ML24012A242	01/16/2024
RAI Letter			RAIs will be issued as needed for this action
RAI Response
Final Documentation
Estimated Completion	Tuesday, December 31, 2024		Date as included in acceptance review
Request to Revise Operating License and Technical Specifications to Support Resumption of Power Operations
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Pre-Submittal Meeting	ML24016A005	12/05/2023
Submittal	ML23348A148	12/14/2023
Acceptance Review	ML24022A117	01/23/2024
Draft RAI Email	ML24192A001	06/06/2024	A supplement to the original request was provided to address editorial changes identified by the NRC staff. The full technical review of this request is still underway, and additional RAIs will be issued as needed for this action.
Supplemental Response	ML24191A422	07/09/2024
Final Documentation
Estimated Completion	Friday, January 31, 2025		Date as included in acceptance review
Request to Revise the Administrative Technical Specifications to Support Resumption of Power Operations
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Pre-Submittal Meeting	ML24051A094	02/06/2024
Submittal	ML24040A089	02/09/2024
Acceptance Review	ML24060A221	03/18/2024
Draft RAI Email	ML24192A147	06/28/2024	A supplement to the original request will be provided to address editorial changes identified by the NRC staff. The full technical review of this request is still underway, and additional RAIs will be issued as needed for this action.
Supplemental Response	ML24213A082	07/31/2024
Final Documentation
Estimated Completion	Friday, March 14, 2025		Date as included in acceptance review
Request to Reinstate the Palisades Emergency Plan to Support Resumption of Power Operations
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Pre-Submittal Meeting	ML24089A246	03/18/2024
Submittal	ML24122C666	05/01/2024
Acceptance Review	ML24141A119	05/23/2024
RAI Letter	ML24192A167	06/28/2024	An initial RAI was provided to address longer lead time items needing response. The full technical review of this request is still underway, and additional RAIs will be issued as needed for this action.
RAI Response	ML24206A187	07/24/2024
Final Documentation
Estimated Completion	Friday, May 30, 2025		Date as included in acceptance review
Request to Update the Palisades Quality Assurance Plan to Support Resumption of Power Operations
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Pre-Submittal Meeting	ML24166A291	04/29/2024
Submittal	ML24144A106	05/23/2024	The operating quality assurance plan was submitted as a supplement to the license transfer application and will be incorporated into the schedule for that review.
Final Documentation
Estimated Completion	Tuesday, December 31, 2024		Date as included in acceptance review
Request to Update the Main Steam Line Break Analysis Methodology for Palisades
	ADAMS Accession No.	Document Date	Other Information
Pre-Submittal Meeting	ML24212A059	05/15/2024
Submittal	ML24145A145	05/24/2024
Acceptance Review	ML24169A434	06/18/2024
RAI Letter			RAIs will be issued as needed for this action
RAI Response
Final Documentation
Estimated Completion	Monday, June 30, 2025		Date as included in acceptance review

The NRC recently issued a letter to Holtec informing the licensee of the new estimated NRC staff hours and completion dates necessary for the various licensing actions outlined above due to the additional effort and time required by the NRC staff to complete its review of the environmental impacts from the proposed licensing actions related to reauthorization of power operations at Palisades. The NRC staff now expects to issue its final decisions on the licensing actions by July 31, 2025. The schedule change letter is available for public review at ADAMS Accession No. ML24219A420.

Inspection Activities

Numerous NRC inspections and other oversight activities are planned to assess Holtec’s readiness to restart the Palisades plant. In support of this effort the NRC established Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2562, “Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program for Restart of Reactor Facilities Following Permanent Cessation of Power Operations.” The purpose of IMC 2562 is to:

• Establish oversight policies, requirements, and guidance for transitioning from a decommissioning reactor facility to an operational power reactor facility subject to the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP).
• Detail the requirements for the inspection activities and operational plant readiness to provide reasonable assurance for safe operations following reactivation of an operating license.
• Ensure other federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal governments, the public, and other applicable stakeholders are engaged and informed.

The NRC has assembled a site-specific inspection plan related to the oversight activities necessary to assess the effectiveness of Holtec’s actions related to the potential restart of Palisades in accordance with the NRC’s health, safety, and environmental standards. The series of inspections will provide input for developing an objective and documented basis for any NRC decision to transition Palisades back to the operating reactor inspection program and resume commercial power operations. The inspection plan is available for public review at ADAMS Accession No. ML24228A195.

Publicly available inspection reports from the activities completed to date related to the efforts to resume power operations at Palisades are listed below:

March 20, 2024 – Palisades Plant Reference Simulator Inspection Report

July 15, 2024 – Palisades Nuclear Plant – Restart Inspection Report 05000255/2024011

September 18, 2024 – Preliminary Notification of Palisades Steam Generator Inspection Results

October 1, 2024 – Summary of Conference Call Regarding Steam Generator Tube Inspections

Previous NRC inspection reports from the operational period for Palisades, covering the year 2000 through the shutdown date of May 20, 2022, have been made available for reference on the NRC’s Inspection Reports For Operating Power Reactors public page in the Palisades section. Note that these inspection reports do not cover the decommissioning activities completed to date at the site.

To sign up to receive NRC correspondence related to Palisades decommissioning, potential restart, and inspection activities join the Palisades listserv distribution by filling out the Operating Reactor Correspondence form with your email information.

Public Meetings

The NRC has engaged in several pre-submittal interactions with the Palisades staff on various topics related to the potential for restart, and will continue to host public meetings related to the potential for Palisades to resume power operations throughout the project.

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Palisades Restart Panel hosted a public meeting in the vicinity of the Palisades site to discuss the NRC’s efforts related to regulation and oversight of the potential restart activities. The summary of that meeting is publicly available in ADAMS at ML24141A063.

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, an additional meeting was held between members of the NRC and Holtec Decommissioning International staff to discuss the status and progress of the potential restart project. The summary of that meeting is publicly available in ADAMS at ML24257A058.

The Palisades Restart Panel is tentatively planning an additional public meeting to discuss the Palisades restart project on November 20, 2024. Please continue to check the NRC’s public website for additional information regarding this upcoming meeting.

The NRC staff is conducting an environmental review in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) associated with the actions to return Palisades to an operational status. In support of this effort the NRC held a hybrid public meeting on July 11, 2024, to discuss the environmental review process for Holtec International’s requests to reauthorize commercial power operations at Palisades.

Continue to check the NRC Public Meeting Page for information on any additional meetings on the Palisades Restart Project and associated actions.

Additional Activities

• On April 9, 2024, HDI provided notice of a significant change to the Palisades decommissioning schedule outlined in the Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR). This change will defer removal of spent nuclear fuel and special nuclear material from the spent fuel pool to the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI). This change is being made to support the Palisades restart project but does not impact the current status of Palisades as a decommissioning facility.
• On April 18, 2024, HDI provided notice to the NRC of its intent to pursue subsequent license renewal as governed by 10 CFR 54, “Requirements for Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants.” According to the notice, HDI plans to submit an application for a second renewed operating license for Palisades during the first quarter of 2026 and no later than March 24, 2026. The first license renewal period for Palisades expires on March 24, 2031. Additional information regarding the NRC’s subsequent license renewal process can be found on the NRC’s public website under the Reactor License Renewal heading.
• Holtec International has stated its intention to request NRC approval to build small modular reactors (SMRs) at Palisades. The NRC is engaged in preapplication activities with SMR, LLC (A Holtec International Company) to construct and operate a dual unit facility of the SMR-300 design at the Palisades site. Details on the SMR-300 design, status of preapplication activities, and planned engagements may be found on the NRC’s SMR-300 Pre‑Application Activities public webpage. Information on the SMR (Holtec) initial design, the SMR-160, may be found on the SMR (Holtec) Designs public webpage.

Other Documents of Interest

Palisades Transition Quality Assurance Program (TQAP)

The TQAP that will govern the quality-related activities associated with the potential restart of Palisades during the transitional period between decommissioning and resumption of power operations is available at ADAMS Accession No. ML24215A356 (see Enclosure 3).

Annual Environmental Monitoring Reports Since Shutdown

• Palisades Nuclear Plant and Big Pock Point Plant - 2021 Annual Radioactive Effluent Release and Waste Disposal Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant - 2021 Radiological Environmental Operating Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant - 2021 Annual Non-Radiological Environmental Operating Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant and Big Rock Point - 2022 Annual Radioactive Effluent Release and Waste Disposal Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant - 2022 Radiological Environmental Operating Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant - 2022 Annual Non-Radiological Environmental Operating Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant - 2023 Annual Radioactive Effluent Release and Waste Disposal Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant - 2023 Radiological Environmental Operating Report
• Palisades Nuclear Plant - 2023 Annual Non-Radiological Environmental Operating Report

Annual Decommissioning Funding Status Reports Since Shutdown

• March 28, 2022 - Decommissioning Funding Status Report Covering Calendar Year 2021
• March 31, 2023 - Decommissioning Funding Status Report Covering Calendar Year 2022
• March 29, 2024 - Decommissioning Funding Status Report Covering Calendar Year 2023

Previous Environmental Impact Statements

• NUREG-1437, "Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants," Supplement 27, regarding Palisades Nuclear Plant, was published in October 2006.
• NUREG-0343, “Final Addendum to the Final Environmental Statement Related to Operation of Palisades Nuclear Generating Plant,” was published in February 1978.
• “Final Environmental Statement Related to the Operation of Palisades Nuclear Generating Plant” was issued in June 1972.

For additional questions please use the NRC’s newly established email address for topics specifically concerning the potential restart of Palisades, which is PalisadesRestartProject@nrc.gov. Correspondence sent to this address will be routed to the appropriate NRC program office as needed, including the Office of Public Affairs.

1.0 Site Identification

Decommissioning Status:	SAFSTOR
Permanent Shutdown Date:	05/20/2022
Fuel Removal Date:	06/10/2022
License No.:	DPR-20
Project Manager:	Marlayna Doell

2.0 Site Status Summary

Palisades is a single unit pressurized water reactor located along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Covert Township, and consists of the pressurized water reactor, other associated plant equipment, and related site facilities. Palisades is also the site of the generally licensed Palisades independent spent fuel storage installation.

By letter dated June 13, 2022, Entergy Nuclear Palisades (ENP) certified that all fuel had been removed from the reactor. On June 28, 2022 (ML22173A179), the operating license for Palisades was transferred from Entergy to Holtec Decommissioning International (HDI) for the purpose of decommissioning Palisades. HDI submitted the Palisades Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR) to the NRC on December 23, 2020, and official review of the HDI PSDAR commenced after completion of the license transfer. A PSDAR public meeting was held in the vicinity of the Palisades plant on September 22, 2022 (ML22292A261).

Significant Decommissioning Licensing Documents:

• Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations – ML17004A062, ML17271A233, and ML17292A032
• Certification of Permanent Removal of Fuel from the Reactor Vessel – ML22164A067
• Palisades Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR) and Site-Specific Decommissioning Cost Estimate (DCE) – ML20358A232
• NRC Staff Review of the Palisades PSDAR and DCE – ML23087A035
• Approval of the Certified Fuel Handler (CFH) Training Program – ML17151A350
• Amendment to the Administrative Controls Section of Technical Specifications – ML18114A410
• Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73, Sections 73.55(p)(1)(i) and (p)(1)(ii) Related to the Suspension of Security Measures in an Emergency or During Severe Weather – ML17216A802
• Amendment to Revise Emergency Response Organization (ERO) Staffing Requirements – ML18170A219
• Exemption from Certain Record Retention Requirements – ML21195A368
• Exemption for use of the Decommissioning Trust Fund – ML21286A581
• Amendment to Revise the Palisades License and Technical Specifications to Reflect the Permanently Defuled Condition – ML22039A198
• Amendment to Approve the Permanently Defueled Emergency Plan (PDEP) – ML23236A004
• Exemption from Portions of 10 CFR 50.47 Related to Emergency Preparedness Requirements – ML23263A977
• Exemption from 10 CFR 50.54(w)(1) to Reduce On-Site Property Damage Insurance – ML23191A522
• Exemption from 10 CFR 140.11(a)(4) to Reduce Off-Site Liability Insurance Requirements – ML23192A077

Several of these licensing actions may be amended or reversed by the ongoing activities related to the potential for Palisades to resume operations.

3.0 Major Technical or Regulatory Issues

None

4.0 Estimated Date for Closure

Calendar year 2041

Plant Information	NRC Employee Contacts
Reactor Status Report (Daily) Reactor Event Notification Safety Performance Summary Inspection Reports US Plant Inspections following Japan Event Severe Accident Inspections FEMA After Action Reports (Emergency Exercises) Enforcement Actions	Sr. Public Affairs Officer:        Viktoria Mitlyng - 630-829-9662 Public Affairs Officer:        Prema Chandrathil - 630-829-9663 Sr. Resident Inspector, Resident Inspector, Project Manager
Key Documents	Related Information
License Renewal Plant Operating License Plant Environmental Report Plant-Specific Actions in Response to the Japan Nuclear Accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi	Reactor Quick Links Reactor Oversight Process NRC Emergency Preparedness and Response FEMA's State Offices and Agencies of Emergency Management Other Reactors in Michigan ADAMS - for additional documents Subscribe to E-mail Notices for Reactor Correspondence