Nuclear plant gets 21-day pass for longer shifts at Sequoyah Unit 2
Published Date: 3/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Valley Authority got a special one-time pass to relax work hour rules at the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Unit 2, for up to 21 days between March 24 and May 15, 2025. This means workers can put in longer shifts temporarily to keep things running smoothly without breaking the usual limits. No extra costs or delays are expected, just a smart move to stay on track safely.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Exemption may help avoid extended outage and market purchases
The NRC found that granting the exemption could help TVA complete maintenance and startup work during the specified 21-day window (starting no earlier than March 24, 2025, and no later than May 15, 2025), which may allow Sequoyah Unit 2 to return to service sooner. The staff noted that an earlier end to the outage could help TVA meet elevated electrical demand without committing other generating assets or purchasing replacement power from the market, supporting local reliability.
Certain plant workers may work longer shifts
The NRC granted TVA a one-time exemption allowing certain Sequoyah Unit 2 personnel (those listed in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(4)) to follow the less restrictive outage work-hour rules for up to 21 days. The 21-day period must start no earlier than March 24, 2025, and no later than May 15, 2025; while the exemption is in effect, individuals in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1) and (a)(2) must have at least 3 days off in each successive 15-day period and individuals in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(4) must have at least 1 day off in any 7-day period.
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