Nuclear Plant Gets Permission for Tired Workers to Stay Longer
Published Date: 11/25/2025
Notice
Summary
Palisades Energy, LLC got a special okay from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to relax work hour rules at the Palisades Nuclear Plant for 60 days starting November 3, 2025. This one-time break helps the plant manage its staff better without extra costs or delays. Workers and the plant’s operations will feel the change during this short, focused period.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
60‑Day Work‑Hour Exemption for Plant Staff
The NRC granted Palisades Energy a one-time exemption allowing certain plant workers (those identified in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1) through (a)(5)) to use the less restrictive outage work-hour rules in 10 CFR 26.205(d)(4) and (d)(5) instead of the normal non-outage limits in 10 CFR 26.205(d)(3) and (d)(7) for a 60-day period starting November 3, 2025. The exemption was issued on October 24, 2025.
Exemption Helps Avoid Restart Delays and Energy Shortfalls
The NRC staff considered that denying the exemption could delay restarting the Palisades Nuclear Plant and could delay the amount of energy available to the surrounding area. Granting the exemption supports the licensee's plan to use the initial outage (August 25, 2025–October 23, 2025) plus the 60‑day exemption starting November 3, 2025 to meet its planned restart and sync‑to‑grid schedule.
Minimum Days Off Must Still Be Provided
Even with the exemption, Palisades must follow outage minimum days‑off (MDO) rules: individuals under 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1)–(a)(3) must have at least 3 days off in each successive 15‑day period; those under 10 CFR 26.4(a)(4) must have at least 1 day off in any 7‑day period; and those under 10 CFR 26.4(a)(5) must have at least 4 days off in each successive 15‑day period during the 60‑day exemption starting November 3, 2025.
Pre‑Exemption 50‑Hour Reset Commitment
Palisades committed that individuals performing duties under 10 CFR 26.4(a)(2) (Chemistry/Health Physics) and 26.4(a)(4) (Maintenance) will work no more than 50 hours per week averaged over a 2‑week period between October 20, 2025 and November 2, 2025 to provide an adequate rest/reset before the exemption period begins on November 3, 2025.
Exemption Ends Early If Unit Connects to Grid
The exemption will end at the earlier of the approved 60‑day period starting November 3, 2025 or the time when the Palisades unit is connected to the electrical grid if that occurs before the end of the 60 days.
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