Accreditation is an acceptable means to meet federal regulations for nuclear plant training programs and is the result of actions taken after the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. In the early- to mid-80s, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations established an accreditation program for the nuclear industry and required its members to seek accreditation for their operator training programs and for their maintenance and technical programs.

In March 1985, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission endorsed the INPO-managed accreditation program. After a two-year trial period, the NRC concluded, based on evaluations of the accreditation process, that INPO was effective in improving training programs through the accreditation process.

Entergy Nuclear General Manager of Training Gregg Ludlam explains that accreditation is a philosophy and a foundational element in our industry’s operational success.

“The fact that our plants are operated safely is directly linked to the quality of training our operators, technicians and engineers receive. Going through these evaluations ensures training is core business, and since accreditation exceeds federal requirements, it drives training excellence,” Ludlam said. ” Those stations achieving accreditation renewal in 2019 were unanimous in voting by the independent accrediting board. That says a lot for our programs.”

Federal law, known as the Training Rule (10 CFR 50.120 as well as 10 CFR 55 for operator programs), requires the use of the systematic approach to training, known as SAT, for key training programs at nuclear power plants.

SAT is a five-step process comprised of analysis of jobs and tasks, design of a training program based on that analysis, development of the training program once the design is complete, implementation of the training program to job candidates and incumbents, and finally, evaluation of the training program to ensure it is meeting its intent. The five-step process is known by the acronym ADDIE – analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. 

“So, one can see the importance of this. It’s not nonsense. Accreditation ensures we are meeting or exceeding federal requirements for nuclear power plant training programs,” Ludlam added.

There are 12 accredited training programs as defined by INPO, split between operator training and maintenance, technical training. For Operations, the six accredited training programs are non-licensed operator, reactor operator, senior reactor operator, shift manager, shift technical advisor and continuing training for licensed personnel. For maintenance, technical training, the six accredited training programs are instrumentation and control technician, electrical maintenance personnel, mechanical maintenance personnel, radiation protection technician, chemistry technician and engineering personnel. 

In 2020, ANO’s maintenance, technical training will be reviewed, and Waterford 3 Electric Station operator training program will be evaluated.

What does all this mean for Entergy Nuclear employees? Ludlam said that accreditation is an investment in our teams.

“The robust nature of our programs provides employees with the skills, knowledge and proficiency to operate and maintain our plants with excellence. They know the programs are theirs, and they are partners with training personnel to ensure they meet staff needs,” Ludlam said.

JACKSON, Miss. – Entergy Nuclear, the nation’s second largest nuclear power operator, has signed an agreement with Nebraska Public Power District to extend management support services to Cooper Nuclear Station until January 2029. The original contract between the companies, signed in 2003, was for the remaining years of the plant’s original operating license, currently due to expire in 2014 and presently under review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a 20-year license extension.

“The decision to extend the Support Services Agreement was based on the significant improvements in regulatory and operational performance realized at Cooper since the beginning of the agreement in 2003,” said Ron Asche, NPPD chief executive officer. “I believe that NPPD and Entergy have established an effective partnership that bodes well for the future of Cooper.”

John Herron, Entergy chief nuclear officer, said, “NPPD’s partnering with Entergy has mutual benefits. It gives single-plant owners like NPPD the advantages of owning a nuclear asset while also obtaining the benefits and economies of scale that come with being affiliated with a large nuclear operating fleet. Our nuclear expertise is then enhanced by having additional opportunity to evaluate industry best practices from all the plants including Cooper.” He added, “We believe that this support services agreement is a model for the industry, where we at Entergy can apply our fleet leverage to add value and assist non-fleet operators.”

Asche agreed. “The Support Services Agreement has provided the resources that NPPD was looking for to secure its objective of remaining in the nuclear generation business, which is a proud part of our heritage. It remains important to our Board that NPPD retain the responsibility and accountability for the CNS operating license while enhancing job security for the hundreds of NPPD employees who help manage and operate the plant daily. With greenhouse gas concerns, having CNS as an important part of our diverse generation mix is now more critical than ever. I believe that the fleet affiliation with Entergy also reduces our overall business risk as a single-unit owner and operator.”

Cooper is an 810-megawatt boiling water reactor near Brownville, Neb. Entergy Vice President Stewart Minahan serves as NPPD’s chief nuclear officer and Cooper senior vice president, reporting to Asche.

���ϳԹ��� is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $13 billion and approximately 14,700 employees.

Always there when you need us, NPPD’s mission is to safely generate and deliver low-cost reliable energy and provide outstanding customer service. Working in partnership with the state’s rural public power districts, cooperatives and municipalities, NPPD helps serve an estimated 1 million Nebraskans with retail or wholesale electric power and energy-related products and services.

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Entergy Nuclear’s online address is .

Nebraska Public Power District’s online address is