INFORMATION REPORT

August 15, 2002 SECY-02-0155

For: The Commissioners

From: John W. Craig, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: SECY-02-0155 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING AUGUST 9, 2002

Contents Enclosure

Nuclear Reactor Regulation A

Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards B

Nuclear Regulatory Research C

Nuclear Security and Incident Response D

General Counsel E*

Administration F

Chief Information Officer G

Chief Financial Officer H*

Human Resources I

Small Business & Civil Rights J*

Enforcement K*

State and Tribal Programs L*

Public Affairs M

International Programs N

Office of the Secretary O

Region I P

Region II P

Region III P*

Region IV P

Executive Director for Operations Q*

Congressional Affairs R*

*No input this week.

/RA/

John W. Craig

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Bergman, OEDO
August 15, 2002 SECY-02-0155

For: The Commissioners

From: John W. Craig, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: SECY-02-0155 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING AUGUST 9, 2002

Contents Enclosure

Nuclear Reactor Regulation A

Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards B

Nuclear Regulatory Research C

Nuclear Security and Incident Response D

General Counsel E*

Administration F

Chief Information Officer G

Chief Financial Officer H*

Human Resources I

Small Business & Civil Rights J*

Enforcement K*

State and Tribal Programs L*

Public Affairs M

International Programs N

Office of the Secretary O

Region I P

Region II P

Region III P*

Region IV P

Executive Director for Operations Q*

Congressional Affairs R*

*No input this week.

/RA/

John W. Craig

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Bergman, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\WEEK809.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TBergman:paa JWCraig

08/15/02 08/15/02
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING AUGUST 9, 2002

The Weekly Information Report is compiled by the Office of the EDO and includes highlights of

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: T. Bergman, OEDO by E-mail: tab@nrc.gov. 

Use GO TO (Ctrl+Home) to advance to the page number for a specific Office.

PgDn and PgUp can also be used to advance through the text.

OFFICE Page OFFICE Page

NRR 2 STP *

NMSS 4 OPA 17

RES 8 IP 18

NSIR 9 SECY 19

OGC * Region I 20

ADM 10 Region II 21

CIO 11 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 23

HR 15 OEDO *

SB/CR * OCA *

OE *

*No input this week
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station

Mr. Lew Myers, First Energy Chief Operating Officer, has been named the Vice President for

Davis-Besse. He replaces Mr. Howard Bergendahl.

Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit 2

On August 5, 2002, the NRC issued a final no significant hazards consideration determination

and license amendment to Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (ENO) allowing a one-time deferral

of the Type A containment integrated leak rate test (ILRT) at the Indian Point Nuclear

Generating Unit 2 (IP2). The amendment, issued in response to ENO’s July 13, 2001, license

amendment application, results in a one-time extension of the surveillance interval from a

once-per-10-year frequency to a once-per-15-year frequency for performance of the test. 

Under the allowed extension, IP2 shall perform its next ILRT within 15 years of the last

successful ILRT, which was conducted on June 20, 1991.

A Petition for Leave to Intervene and Request for Hearing on ENO’s amendment request was

filed by Riverkeeper, Inc. on March 18, 2002, and is still pending before the Atomic Safety and

Licensing Board (ASLB). Pursuant to a July 17, 2002, ASLB Order, Riverkeeper, Inc. has until

August 12, 2002, to file an amended petition with contentions. NRC and licensee responses

are due on August 22, 2002. A prehearing conference is scheduled for August 27, 2002, in

White Plains, New York.

Intern Visit to Bellefonte Plant

On August 6, 2002, NRR LPD2 staff accompanied a group of 2003 and 2004 interns, a Region

II Summer intern, and the NRR Intern Program Coordinator to the Bellefonte Plant in

Hollywood, Alabama. Bellefonte, Unit 1, is about 90% complete and provides an excellent

opportunity to access areas of the facility which are not readily accessible in an operating plant. 

Similar future visits are planned for other intern groups.

Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant

On July 26, 2002, the staff issued the improved Standard Technical Specifications for Prairie

Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2. The licensee’s full implementation is expected

by October 31, 2002. 

Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Workshop on PWR Sump Performance

On July 30-31, 2002, the staff attended an NEI workshop for industry personnel responsible for

addressing GSI-191, “Assessment of Debris Accumulation on PWR Sump Performance.” The

workshop was a kick-off of the industry-wide implementation of the NEI program. The

workshop focused on the initial phase of the industry initiative; implementation of NEI-02-01,

"Condition Assessment Guidelines: Debris Sources Inside Containment." Results of the initial
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE A

set of condition assessments were discussed. The NRC staff presented the NRC regulatory

perspective and addressed the current status of regulatory activity for GSI-191.

Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Meeting to Discuss SECY-02-132

On August 1, 2002, the NRC staff met with NEI representatives to discuss SECY-02-132 on

NFPA 805 Rulemaking, and the recently provided Draft C NFPA 805 Implementation Guidance

developed by NEI. It was agreed that there is a need for an NEI/OGC meeting to discuss the

terms “previously approved licensing basis” and “tacit licensing basis approval.” It was also

agreed that the NRC staff will consider NEI’s request that early licensees transitioning to NFPA

805 fire protection requirements be invited to submit their background analyses and evaluations

for NRC staff review and comment (in order to clearly show those and future transitioning

licensees what considerations are appropriate in “mapping” pre-NFPA 805 licensing bases into

NFPA 805). The NRC staff agreed to provide NEI with comments on the Draft C

Implementation Guidance Document by the end of September, 2002.

License Renewal

The NRC received on August 1, 2002, a license renewal application for Ginna. Another license

renewal application for V. C. Summer was received on August 6, 2002. With these submittals,

the staff is currently reviewing renewal applications for 10 plants totaling 16 units. The next

scheduled submittal of a renewal application is in January 2003.

Staff Holds Public Meetings on the Draft Peach Bottom Environmental Impact Statement in

Support of License Renewal

The NRC staff recently participated in two outreach activities related to the license renewal

application for Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3. On July 31, 2002, the staff

conducted two meetings to solicit comments from the public on the draft supplemental

environmental impact statement (SEIS) issued on June 28, 2002. The draft SEIS is a plantspecific supplement to the “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of

Nuclear Power Plants” (NUREG-1437). Approximately 100 people attended the meetings,

including representatives of the NRC staff, State and local governments, Exelon, the nuclear

industry, news media, and members of the public. There were 17 individuals who spoke at the

meetings, several of whom expressed concerns, for various reasons, with extending the

operating life of the two nuclear units at Peach Bottom. The public comment period ends on

September 17, 2002.

In addition, in an effort to improve communication and increase interaction with members of the

public, the NRC staff hosted an informal “open house” for one hour prior to each meeting. The

NRC staff participated with displays and brochures and met with members of the public to

answer questions about the proposed renewal of the Peach Bottom operating licenses. The

NRC staff also provided space for the licensee and a local citizens activist group (in response to

their requests) to set up displays and interact in an informal setting with other meeting

attendees. 

At the conclusion of the comment period, the staff will evaluate the comments received, revise

the SEIS as appropriate, and issue the final SEIS in February 2003.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE A

Public Meeting with NEI on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) Ratings

On July 26, 2002, the NRC staff held a public meeting with NEI on the INES. Following the

opening remarks and introductions, NEI presented industry concerns with the use of INES. 

Their primary concern was the potential to "over classify" a minor fuel leak condition based on

interpretations of the guidance. NEI provided some suggestions for consideration to aid in the

development of internal NRC procedures in the assessment process.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Training on the Revised 10 CFR Part 35

On August 8-9, 2002, staff from the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, Region II,

and Region IV provided training on the revised 10 CFR Part 35. The training was performed in

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, near the Region I office. Over 50 people representing Region I,

Agreement States, and master material licensees attended the training. This was the second of

five training sessions targeted at inspection and licensing staffs. The next training session will

be held at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Headquarters on August 14, 2002.

Trojan Enforcement Action

On August 6, 2002, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation to Portland General Electric Company

for activities associated with the licensing of the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation

(ISFSI) at the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. The issues within the Notice of Violation were

characterized as a Severity Level III problem and resulted from an NRC Investigation that

concluded in July 2001. The violations involved: (1) failure to provide NRC with complete and

accurate information with respect to implementation of the quality assurance requirements

during the coating qualification program for materials used in construction of the ISFSI; and (2)

failure to control components after identifying that they did not conform to their design basis. 

Because of the corrective actions implemented by Portland General Electric Company, NRC did

not issue a civil penalty.

Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board Visit to the Center for Nuclear Waste

Regulatory Analyses

On August 2, 2002, two representatives from the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

visited the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses (hereafter, the Center) in San

Antonio, Texas. Technical staff from the Division of Waste Management and the Center met

with the representatives to discuss saturated zone issues for Yucca Mountain. The discussions

centered around the importance of aquifer properties in repository performance, particularly the

properties of valley fill aquifers south of Yucca Mountain. The Center staff demonstrated

groundwater modeling approaches being used to support the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s

prelicensing work. The board representatives also toured the Center labs where experiments

are being conducted in metal corrosion and heat effects on groundwater.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Department of Energy (DOE) Quarterly Quality

Assurance and Management Meetings on the Yucca Mountain Project 

On July 30-31, 2002, staff from the Division of Waste Management took part in the NRC and

DOE Quarterly Quality Assurance (QA) and Management Meetings on the Yucca Mountain

Project. These meetings took place at NRC Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. On the first

day, NRC and DOE focused on QA issues and DOE’s revised Management Improvement

Initiative, which DOE has developed to improve its QA Program. Also, the staff heard from

DOE’s contractor, Bechtel SAIC Corporation, on its QA program organization and activities. 
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE B

The second day’s meeting focused on management issues, including: (1) DOE Program and

Project updates; and (2) NRC Program update, including the Licensing Support Network, status

of key technical issue agreement schedule, and milestones from now until license application. 

During this meeting NRC management took the opportunity to share its expectations for both

NRC and DOE during this pre-licensing transition phase.

Staff Observe Department of Energy Audit of Bechtel SAIC Company’s Implementation of

Quality Assurance Program

From July 29 to August 2, 2002, Division of Waste Management staff observed a limited-scope

compliance-based audit of Bechtel SAIC Company’s (BSC’s) implementation of the Office of

Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Quality Assurance (QA) Program in Las Vegas,

Nevada. The Department of Energy implements its QA program according to the

DOE/RW-0333P, Revision 11, Quality Assurance Requirements and Description document and

applicable implementing procedures. DOE established a five-member audit team from the

Office of Quality Assurance. This five-member audit team evaluated the effectiveness of

applicable DOE QA Program elements as they pertain to Yucca Mountain Site Characterization

Office activities, for: (1) Organization; (2) QA Program; (3) Design Control; (4) Implementing

Documents; (5) Software; and (6) Control of Electronic Management of Data. DOE identified

two proposed Deficiency Reports and one Observation. DOE reviewed these findings with BSC

management at a Post-Audit Conference on August 2, 2002. The Nuclear Regulatory

Commission observers were in general agreement with the findings of the QA Team.

Proposed Rule Signed by the Executive Director for Operations

On August 6, 2002, the Executive Director for Operations approved a proposed rule that

amends 10 CFR Parts 72 and 73, “Event Notification Requirements.” This proposed rule would

amend the NRC’s regulations at 10 CFR Part 72 to change several event notification

requirements that apply to an Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) and a

Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS) installation. The proposed rule would also amend

safeguards event notification requirements that apply to a reactor facility, a fuel cycle facility, an

ISFSI, an MRS, licensees who possess or transport special nuclear material or spent fuel, a

geological repository operations area and a gaseous diffusion plant. With respect to both the

event notification requirements and the safeguards event notification requirements, the

changes are intended to align these requirements with recent changes to the power reactor

event notification requirements in Part 50 made in a final rule issued on October 25, 2000

(65 FR 63769). These changes would reduce licensee burden through the consolidation of

some notifications and lengthening the reporting period for other notifications. However, some

new requirements would be added to permit the NRC to more effectively carry out its

responsibilities during emergencies and in responding to public and media inquiries during

events or conditions at licensees’ facilities. 
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

PPS Briefing for the NAS Board on Radioactive Waste Management

On July 30, 2002, representatives from the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) and

NMSS’ Spent Fuel Project Office (SFPO), presented a high level briefing on the Package

Performance Study to the Board on Radioactive Waste Management of the National Academy

of Sciences. The presentation included the history of NRC’s assessment of risk estimates

associated with the transport of spent nuclear fuel, the goals of the package performance

study, the scope of work, and a tentative schedule. The importance of public outreach in

accomplishing the goals was stressed. The staff will schedule additional meetings with the

Board to provide a more detailed briefing when the staff completes the PPS Test Protocols (the

preliminary test plans for public comment). 

ANL-NRC Interactive Meeting on Work at ANL Related to Steam Generators, Metals Behavior

under High Temperature Conditions Related to Severe Accidents, and to High Temperature

Gas Cooled Reactors

A meeting was held on August 6 and 7, 2002, at Headquarters between staff of Argonne

National Laboratory (ANL) and RES staff to discuss work being conducted at ANL for the NRC. 

The first area discussed was the program on predictions of active and passive component

failure during severe accidents, phase II. This program involves 16 tasks that include

determination of material properties where data is not available for the materials and

temperatures of interest, and predictions of failure under the temperatures, stresses and

environment of severe accidents for hot leg and surge line piping components, steam generator

manways, pressure relief valves, and spiral wound gaskets. Based on results presented by ANL

staff, RES staff provided guidance and direction to ANL to initiate high temperature testing of

bolts used for manways since data for these materials is not available from the literature. In

addition RES staff directed ANL to initiate analyses of surge line and hot leg failure using

various levels of stresses in addition to the pressure stress. 

The next area discussed was the Program on high temperature metallic components for high

temperature gas cooled reactors. RES staff provided an overview and expectations for this

new program; ANL provided some initial results related to the materials used, available

information and design codes for high temperature applications. 

The next area discussed was the loads encountered by steam generator tubes under main

steam line break (MSLB) and feed water line break (FWLB) conditions. This program is being

conducted to address GSI-188. RES presented results from thermal-hydraulics analyses

related to forces imposed on steam generator structures during MSLB and FWLB. ANL

presented results on the potential propagation of preexisting cracks under these loading

conditions. Preliminary results indicate that the forces on the tubes will be low and that failure

of tubes will only occur if a small number of tubes are locked in the tube support plate (TSP),

and these alone carry the entire load, with the remaining tubes free to move. The highest

forces are on the higher TSPs where there are the fewest degraded tubes. 
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE C

The final area discussed was the model boiler design and predictions/modeling of crevice

physical and chemical conditions. The model boiler will be used to improve the understanding

of the interplay between TSP crevice design, heat transfer/flow in the crevice, chemical hideout,

and the initiation and propagation of outer diameter stress corrosion cracks. Work that could

potentially be done by RES staff in cooperation with ANL staff that would help in gaining better

understanding of crevice conditions and corrosion was also discussed and planned.

Conference Call with NEI on Collaborative Research Related to Vessel Head Penetrations and

Head Degradation

RES staff members, along with staff members from NRR and the 0350 Panel, had a

conference call with representatives of NEI, EPRI, and the Materials Reliability Program to

discuss potential collaborative research on vessel head penetrations and head degradation. A

representative from the Davis Besse plant was also on line. As a preparation for this call, RES

had provided a brief write-up to the industry groups and others on its comprehensive plans for

research on this subject. The write-up discussed the ongoing work as well as plans for initiating

new work. The write-up emphasized the overall objective of the research as development of an

independent integrated, probabilistic calculational model leading to evaluation of inspection

techniques and intervals for vessel penetrations for long term management of the issue, and for

incorporation in overall risk assessment. 

Discussions focused on the following topics as some specific areas of potential cooperation: 

(1) crack initiation and growth rates of Alloys 600 and 182; (2) corrosion and corrosion potential

of reactor steels in concentrated boric acid solutions; (3) potential construction of a mock-up of

the Davis-Besse leak and wastage process to assess generic implications (this is still under

consideration). The inspection area was also suggested as another major area for potential

cooperation. There are proposals from industry on the boric acid corrosion for a DOE program

for FY 2003. The conference call concluded with the arrangement that the RES staff and EPRI

staff will continue discussions to identify specific research topics.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Information Assurance Solutions Working Symposium

The Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR) participated in the Information

Assurance Solutions Working Symposium in Tampa, Florida from July 29 to August 2, 2002. 

The symposium included sessions on secure communication policy, current secure

communication hardware, and emerging technologies. The presentations included valuable

information bearing on viable solutions to secure communications requirements for the

Operations Center, the new Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, and the agency as a

whole.

North American Aerospace Defense Command - Amalgam Virgo 02 Exercise

On August 6, 2002, the Division of Incident Response Operations (DIRO) and the Region IV

staff attended a debrief from the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD's)

Amalgam Virgo 02 Exercise that NRC participated in on June 4, 2002. Each agency that

participated in Amalgam Virgo 02 was given the opportunity to present lessons learned from the

exercise; DIRO presented for NRC. Amalgam Virgo 02 was a live-fly cross-border exercise

involving Federal, State, and local responders in the United States and Canada. DIRO and

Region IV staff discussed continuing coordination between NRC and NORAD, including

participation in future exercises.

Installation of the New Operations Center Teleconferencing System

In late July, staff from the Division of Incident Response Operations completed Headquarters

Operations Officer (HOO) training on the new SPECTEL System 700 conferencing system in

the Operations Center. The SPECTEL system will replace the Allegro Conferencing System

currently used by the HOOs. The final installation of the system will be completed during

August, and most routine conference calls will be handled by the new system during an August

trial-use period. NRC participants in Operations Center conference calls will notice slight

differences, for instance, in the introductory prompts. HOOs will be developing concepts to

adopt the features of the new conferencing system during the August trial-use period. The new

SPECTEL system is scheduled to be fully operational in September. 

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-IV-02-039, Benefis Health Care, MEDICAL MISADMINISTRATION.

2. PNO-II-02-025A, Burns, Cooley, Dennis, Inc., STOLEN RECOVERED - UPDATE.

3. PNO-II-02-028, Bunnell - Lammons, Engineering, Inc., STOLEN PORTABLE GAUGE.

4. PNO-IV-02-040, Centura Health Penrose, MEDICAL MISADMINISTRATION.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Cost Recovery for Contested Hearings Involving U.S. National Security Initiatives (Part 170)

A proposed rule that would amend the regulations imposing fees for regulatory services was

published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2002 (67 FR 49623). The proposed amendments

would allow the NRC to recover its costs associated with contested hearings involving U.S.

Government national security-related proceedings through licensing or other regulatory service

fees assessed to the affected applicant or licensee. The proposed amendment would be a

special exemption to the Commission’s long-standing policy of recovering costs associated with

contested hearings through annual fees assessed to licensees within the affected class. The

comment period for this action expires August 30, 2002.

Combustible Gas Control in Containment (Part 50)

A proposed rule that would amend the regulations for combustible gas control in power reactors

was published in the Federal Register on August 2, 2002 (67 FR 50374). The proposed rule

would eliminate the requirement for hydrogen recombiners and hydrogen control systems and

relax requirements for hydrogen and oxygen monitoring equipment. The comment period for

this action closes October 16, 2002.

Federal Advisory Committee Act Regulations (Part 7)

A proposed rule that would amend the Commission’s regulations concerning compliance with

the Federal Advisory Committee Act was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2002

(67 FR 51501). The proposed amendments would conform NRC’s regulations with newly

issued regulations of the General Services Administration. The comment period for this action

closes October 7, 2002.

Robert H. Leyse; Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-50-76)

A document requesting public comment on a petition for rulemaking submitted by Robert H.

Leyse (PRM-50-76) was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2002 (67 FR 51783). 

The petition requests amendment to the NRC’s regulations concerning Emergency Core

Cooling Systems and associated guidance documents to correct technical deficiencies that do

not consider complex thermal hydraulic conditions during a Loss-of-Coolant-Accident, including

the potential for very high fluid temperatures. The comment period for this action closes

October 23, 2002. 

Contract Award

On August 1, 2002, a commercial item/task ordering type contract (NRC-10-02-161) was

awarded to Strategic Staffing, Inc., an 8(a) firm located in Alexandria, VA, for the agency’s

Administrative and Clerical Support Services. The contract is for one year with two one-year

option periods with a maximum ordering limitation of $3 million. The first task order request

was sent to Strategic Staffing on August 7, 2002, for the Office of General Counsel.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Requests received during the period of

August 2, 2002 through August 8, 2002:

OIG final report of its investigation/inquiry re: letter from Chairman to requester dated 11/26/01

(FOIA/PA-2002-0354)

Investigation R3-2001-034 (FOIA/PA-2002-0355)

NRR-2002-A-0011, transcript dated 3/27/02 (FOIA/PA-2002-0356)

RFQ RS-01-179-016, awarded proposal (FOIA/PA-2002-0357)

Entergy Corporation, fines and/or violations of its operations (FOIA/PA-2002-0358)

Investigation OI-4-2001-035, all records (FOIA/PA-2002-0359)

U.S. OGE’s 7/31/02 letter to NRC and DOE re: license application for Yucca Mountain, all

records predating 7/31/02 letter to and from NRC, DOE, and OGE (FOIA/PA-2002-0360)

DPV review of enforcement action by Region, all records (FOIA/PA-2002-0361)

Davis Besse nuclear generating station, communications between NRC Commission and

FirstEnergy, U.S. Congress, industry, and NRC staff, re: Bulletin 2001-01, between 9-1-01 and

1-31-02, all records (FOIA/PA-2002-0362)

Investigation R3-2002-021 (FOIA/PA-2002-0363)
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Arrivals

BRAY, Cassie LEGAL INTERN OGC

FRANCIS, Joseph STUDENT IT TRAINEE RI

DZIEDZIC, Magdalena NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN RIII

KING, Ikeda SECRETARY (OA) NMSS

PHAM, Bo PROJECT MANAGER NRR

ORDERS, William SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER NSIR

ORTEGA-LUCIANO, Jonathan NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN NRR

RIGGS, Eric PROJECT ENGINEER RII

RIVERA-ORTIZ, Joel NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN NRR

RUTKOWSKI, John REACTOR ENGINEER RIII

QUINONES-PADOVANI,

Ernetso

NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN NMSS

VOTOLATO, Dori NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN NMSS

Retirements

HUBER, Linda SECRETARY (OA) RIII

Departures

ANDERSON, Angel STUDENT CLERK RIII

BELCHER, Stephanie STUDENT ENGINEER RII

BELLARMINE, Gnanasigamani SUMMER FACULTY NRR

BRELAND, Nicole LEGAL INTERN OGC

BROWN, Yvette CONTRACT SPECIALIST ADM

DATILLO, Ken SENIOR PROGRAM ANALYST NMSS

GOYAL, Raju STUDENT LAW CLERK ASLBP

HANSON, Michael PROGRAM ANALYST OCFO

HARRIS, Brian* STUDENT LAW CLERK OGC
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE I

HELD, Wesley STUDENT ENGINEER NRR

KELCH, Daniel SUMMER CLERK ADM

LARE, Megan** STUDENT CLERK RI

MARTIN, David OFFICE ASSISTANT RIII

RIVERA, Eric SUMMER INTERN OCFO

* Effective August 6, 2002

**Effective August 8, 2002
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Media Interest

A visit by the Executive Director for Operations and Region IV Administrator Ellis Merschoff to

the Board of Directors of Nebraska’s Cooper nuclear plant drew media interest.

Internal NRC memos became the basis for two extensive media reports about decisions made

last fall regarding the possible shutdown of Davis-Besse.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

 02-086 Commissioner Jeffrey S. Merrifield Takes Oath of Office for Second Term

at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

 02-087 NRC Recommends Supplemental Inspections for Pressurized Water

Reactor Vessel Heads

Regions:

I-02-049 Kenneth Kolaczyk Named NRC Senior Resident Inspector at Ginna

I-02-050 NRC to Discuss Results of Peach Bottom License Renewal Inspection

II-02-043 NRC Cites Oconee Nuclear Plant For Violation of Low to Moderate Safety

Significance

III-02-048 NRC Oversight Panel to Hold Three Meetings on Davis-Besse Reactor

Vessel Head Damage in Lisle, IL, and Oak Harbor, OH
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE N

Office of International Programs

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Representative for the CHUBU Electric Company in Japan

On August 6, 2002, Mr. Kazunori Toyozumi, the Washington representative for the CHUBU

Electric Company in Japan, accompanied by his office assistant Christine Holst, and Jack Gray,

BWR-Owners Group, visited NRC and briefed technical staff from RES and NRR on CHUBU’s

analysis of the November 7, 2001, Residual Heat Removal (RHR) pipe rupture. From computer

modeling and structural analysis of the ruptured pipe, CHUBU has concluded that the pipe

rupture was due to a hydrogen combustion.

On August 8, 2002, a working group from the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency in Tokyo

met with NMSS to discuss NRC regulations concerning transportation and high level waste

disposal matters.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. COMSECY-02-0040 7/17/02 Proposed Rule - Part 170 Fees for

Contested Hearings Related to National

Security Initiatives

SRM on COMSECY-02-

0040

7/24/02 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on COMSECY02-0040

7/24/02 (same)

Negative Consent Documents

1. SECY-02-0112 6/21/02 NRC Review of Idaho National Engineering

and Environmental Laboratory Draft

Incidental Waste (Waste Incidental to

Reprocessing) Determination for SodiumBearing Waste

SRM on 02-0112 7/26/02 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-02-0147 8/1/02 SECY-02-0147 Weekly Information Report -

Week Ending July 26, 2002

2. SECY-02-0139 7/22/02 Plan for Resolving Policy Issues Related to

Licensing Non-Light Water Reactor Designs

3. SECY-02-0142 7/24/02 Status of the General License Program

4. SECY-02-0143 7/26/02 Assessment of the Possible Effects of

Nuclear Industry Consolidation on NRC

Oversight

5. SECY-02-0150 8/7/02 Weekly Information Report Week Ending

August 2, 2002

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Proposed Rule - 10 CFR Part 7 - Federal Advisory Committee Act Regulation.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE O

2. Notice of Receipt - Robert H. Leyse; Petition for Rulemaking.

3. Notice of Meeting - ASLBP Public Notice of Prehearing Conference-Entergy Nuclear IP2.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE P

Region I

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Maine Yankee Reactor Pressure Vessel Transferred To Shipping Container

On August 6, 2002, Maine Yankee, with assistance from Barnhardt Crane and Rigging and

Stone & Webster, lifted the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) from the refuel cavity and transferred

it to a shipping container. The total weight lifted was approximately 600 tons. The RPV

shipping container is essentially a three-inch thick steel cylinder, measuring 36 feet long and 19

feet in diameter, with supplemental steel shielding on the top and bottom and along the active

core region. The total RPV shipping package activity is estimated at 49,000 curies.

The next steps in the RPV removal project include welding end cover plates, final grouting, and

placement of the shipping container on a transport barge in preparation for shipment to

Barnwell, S.C. in the Fall of 2002 or Spring of 2003.

Maine Yankee Completes Fuel Movement Dry Run

On August 6, 2002, Maine Yankee completed the spent fuel movement dry run. The dry run

was performed to demonstrate that Maine Yankee is adequately prepared to package the spent

nuclear fuel that is currently in the spent fuel pool, and to transport it to the on-site independent

spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI). The dry run was a complete pool-to-pad demonstration

that exercised procedures, personnel, and equipment. Maine Yankee is using NAC

International’s NAC-UMS Universal Storage System for a total of 60 canisters of spent fuel. The

NAC-UMS system consists of a transportable storage canister (TSC), each with the capacity to

store up to up to 24 spent fuel assemblies; the transfer cask, which is used to shield the

canisters during transfers; and a vertical concrete cask, which contains the TSC during storage. 

Maine Yankee has already packaged and transferred four canisters containing greater than

class C (GTCC) waste to the ISFSI. Maine Yankee plans to begin the fuel transfer process

during the week of August 12, 2002, and to complete the final canister transfer in the third

quarter of 2003.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Commissioner Dicus Visits the Region II Office and the Farley Nuclear Plant

On August 8, 2002, Commissioner Dicus and her technical assistant visited the Region II office. 

The visit included meetings with the Regional Administrator and other managers to discuss

challenges for each division in the regional organization. Commissioner Dicus also held

question and answer sessions with the regional managers and staff.

On August 9, Commissioner Dicus, accompanied by her technical assistant and the Regional

Administrator, visited the Farley Nuclear Plant, operated by The Southern Nuclear Operating

Company. The purpose of the visit was to tour the physical facility, discuss topics of interest

with licensee management, and meet with the NRC resident inspectors.

Tennessee Valley Authority - Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant

On August 7, 2002, representatives from Tennessee Valley Authority were in the Region II

office to attend a management meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the

Browns Ferry Unit 1 Restart Project, including the schedule for planned major milestones and

NRC’s inspection program related to this Project.

Virginia Electric Power Company - Employee strike and NOUE

Negotiations continue between the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) union

and the Power Company in an effort to resolve issues related to a strike by some workers at the

North Anna and Surry nuclear power station sites. The strike began by workers (i.e., licensed

and non-license operators, electrical and mechanical craft) walking off the sites on August 2,

2002. Region II continues to monitor licensee activities with an expanded day shift by the NRC

resident inspectors at both sites.

On August 9, 2002, the licensee declared a Notice of Unusual Event (NOUE) for the North

Anna nuclear facility. The basis of the NOUE was that the North Anna lake level dropped to

246 feet above mean sea level and this level is related to providing adequate water for normal

operating and long term cooling of safety related equipment. Region II issued a Preliminary

Notification explaining the NOUE and its implications for site operations on August 9.
August 9, 2002 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 9, 2002

Presentation to the Nebraska Public Power District Board of Directors

On August 8, 2002, the Executive Director for Operations and the Regional Administrator made

a presentation to the Nebraska Public Power District Board of Directors. The presentation

addressed the declining performance of the Cooper Nuclear Station. 

Status of Union Negotiations at South Texas Project

August 6, 2002, the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union ratified,

by a 60 percent vote, a contract with South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company

(STPNOC). The contract is expected to be signed next Tuesday by STPNOC management

and then forwarded to IBEW International for approval. Training on work rule changes will be

implemented. The new contract is for 2 years, expiring July 31, 2004.

The security force union, which has an agreement not to strike, continues to work without a

contract in place. If a contract is ratified it would be retroactive to February 1, 2002. Only about

50 percent of the security force is represented by the union. Union negotiators have

recommended passage; however, the last vote turned it down. The main issue is that more

than a 2 percent raise is desired. A federal mediator is scheduled for August 21 with a vote the

following day by the union.