INFORMATION REPORT

October 2, 2002 SECY-02-0178

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-02-0178 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING SEPTEMBER 27, 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:

M. Layton, OEDO
October 2, 2002 SECY-02-0178

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-02-0178 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING SEPTEMBER 27, 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:

M. Layton, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\WEEK927.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

MLayton:paa JWCraig

10/02/02 10/02/02
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 27, 2002

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: M. Layton, OEDO by E-mail: mcl@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 * 

NSIR 9 SECY 19

OGC * Region I 20

ADM 10 Region II 21

CIO 11 Region III *

CFO * Region IV *

HR 15 OEDO *

SB/CR * OCA 24

OE *

*No input this week
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Reactor Oversight Process

During the week of September 16, 2002, two members of the Office of Nuclear Reactor

Regulation (NRR) visited the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory

(INEEL) to discuss the formulation of the reactor oversight process (ROP) Safety System

Functional Failure performance indicator (PI) and the basis for the Green/White threshold for

the Scrams With Loss of Normal Heat Removal PI. The purpose of the discussions was to

gather INEEL staff insights into these issues in order to revise the ROP PI guidance to be more

consistent with the calculations that were used to establish the ROP thresholds for these two

indicators. During the same trip, staff participated in the IEEE conference in Phoenix, AZ, on

Human Factors and Power Plants. A presentation on the ROP PIs was given in the PI session

of the conference. In addition, the staff visited the resident inspectors at the Palo Verde and

San Onofre nuclear power plants to discuss issues related to the Mitigating Systems

Performance Index pilot program implementation. 

Public Meeting with NEI and Industry on Public Radiation Safety Cornerstone Issues

On September 18, 2002, NRR staff participated in a teleconferenced public meeting with

representatives of the nuclear industry, the Nuclear Energy Institute, and members of the public

to discuss a proposed change to the Public Radiation Safety Cornerstone of the Reactor

Oversight Process (ROP). At this meeting, the participants discussed a revision of the

Radioactive Material Control branch of the Significance Determination Program (SDP) for

consideration by all Stakeholders. The revisions reflect the experience gained in the past two

years of ROP implementation. The change will refine the SDP to reflect the reduced public risk

associated with radioactive material within the licensee’s protected and restricted areas. 

These public meetings are held periodically to enable the staff and stakeholders to share

information which is used to “fine tune” the ROP as experience is gained on the program. The

next public meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2002.

NRC Information Notice 2002-27, Recent Fires at Commercial Nuclear Power Plants in the

United States dated September 20, 2002

The NRC issued this information notice to inform addressees of recent fire incidents at

commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. The NRC anticipates that recipients will

review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider taking appropriate actions. 

Entergy Meeting on Decommissioning Funding

On September 24, 2002, the NRC met with Entergy Operations, Inc. (EOI) regarding issues

associated with the collection of decommissioning funds for plants operated by EOI in Arkansas

and Louisiana. Representatives from the Public Service Commissions of Arkansas and

Louisiana attended the meeting. Discussion focused on the NRC regulatory requirements for

licensees to provide reasonable assurance of decommissioning funding for nuclear power
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE A

plants, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.75, and the NRC staff’s approach to making a determination of

reasonable assurance. John McGaha, President of EOI, and other Entergy representatives

asked questions about their approaches to assure adequate funding following actions by the

PSC to curtail the collection of decommissioning funds.

Risk-Informed Coherence Public Meeting

On September 20, 2002, NRR and RES staff held a public meeting to discuss progress it has

made towards risk-informing regulatory activities and its plans for improving the coherence

among the reactor arena activities as described in SECY-02-0131, “Update of the RiskInformed Regulation Implementation Plan.” A number of industry representatives including, the

Nuclear Energy Institute, participated in the meeting and provided input for the staff to consider

as it moves forward with the coherence program. 

Meeting on Standardizing License Renewal Applications (LRA)

On September 24, 2002, the staff met in a public meeting with the Nuclear Energy Institute's

(NEI) License Renewal Task Force and discussed general formatting issues. The goal is to

have the LRA organized in a format that allows the public to better understand the application

and the staff to review it more efficiently and effectively. The staff and NEI plan to have a

standard format for license renewal applications by the end of the year. Utilities plan to submit

an application after the middle of 2003 will be able to use the standard format. A follow up

meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2002. 

Exelon

In a letter dated September 25, 2002, Exelon withdrew the requests for exemptions from

10 CFR 2.109 and 10 CFR 50.75(f)(2). Exelon (a parent company of AmerGen, licensee of

Oyster Creek) requested schedular exemptions by letters dated April 30, 2002, and June 21,

2002. These regulations concern the timely review of an application for license renewal, and

the submission of decommissioning cost estimates, respectively. The NRC also received a

letter from the State of New Jersey opposing the granting of these exemptions. In a letter

dated September 25, 2002, Exelon withdrew the requests for exemption. 

Duke Energy

Duke Energy has announced that Bruce Hamilton, formerly the Oconee Engineering Manager,

has been promoted to the position of Oconee Station Manager. Also, Tom Harrall, presently

the General Manager of Nuclear Services, has been promoted to the position of McGuire

Station Manager. These changes, along with the other previously-announced changes, will be

implemented over the next several months.

Tritium Production Program

NRR issued a license amendment to Tennessee Valley Authority on September 23, 2002,

authorizing it to operate Watts Bar with tritium-producing burnable absorber rods in the core. 
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE A

10 CFR 50.69 Rulemaking

The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) transmitted a letter dated

September 18, 2002, stating that they agreed with the staff’s proposal to issue the 10 CFR

50.69 rulemaking package for public comment (i.e., 10 CFR 50.69 rule language, statement of

considerations, draft regulatory guide DG-1121, etc.). 
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Licensing Support Network Advisory Review Panel Public Meeting

On September 18-19, 2002, Division of Waste Management (DWM) staff took part in the

Licensing Support Network Advisory Review Panel (hereafter, panel) Public Meeting in Las

Vegas, Nevada. The Secretary of the Commission chairs the panel, consisting of the NRC; the

Department of Energy (DOE); and affected units of local government. The panel provides

advice to NRC on the hardware, software, formatting standards, operating conditions, and other

areas directed by the Secretary of the Commission. DWM staff made two presentations to the

panel. The first presentation was a summary of the proposed revisions to the “Topical

Guidelines for the Licensing Support Network,” which has been issued for public comment. The

second presentation was a summary of the June 2002 Electronic Submissions Technical

Exchange between NRC and DOE. Other presentations by panel members included a

progress report; system security risk assessment; experience of local counties in setting up

licensing support network web sites; participant training needs; review of relevancy; NRC plans

for a digital courtroom; and a demonstration of the latest version of the Licensing Support

Network website features.

Staff Participates In On-Site Representatives Open House

On September 17, 2002, the NRC’s On-Site Representatives for Yucca Mountain held an open

house in Las Vegas, Nevada. Participants included staff from the Division of Waste

Management, including the On-Site Representatives, and personnel from the Spent Fuel

Project Office and the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses. The purpose of the

open house was to allow members of the community to meet the On-Site Representatives,

obtain information on their roles, and discuss issues related to pre-licensing activities for the

proposed high-level waste repository at Yucca Mountain. The open house provided an effective

forum for the constructive exchange of information, with more than 35 individuals representing

the public, citizen groups, and communities. The continued involvement of NRC

representatives at community activities, such as the open house, enhances opportunities for

public interaction and represents an important extension of the Agency’s public outreach

program.

Proposed Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility Public Meeting

On September 17-19, 2002, staff from the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards,

the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, and the Office of the General Counsel held public

meetings in North Augusta, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Charlotte, North Carolina. 

The purpose of these meetings was to discuss changes to the Environmental Report submitted

by Duke Cogema Stone & Webster for the proposed Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility. 

The staff also solicited public comment on how the staff should consider the proposed changes

in developing the NRC’s draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The staff answered

many questions about the project and received stakeholders comments, that will assist the staff

in preparing NRC’s DEIS.
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE B

Staff Participates in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Forum Meeting

On September 23-24, 2002, staff from the Division of Waste Management participated in a

meeting of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Forum in Sacramento, California. The purpose of

the meeting was to exchange information on developments in radioactive waste management

and disposal in the U.S. Attendees included, in addition to the States and Compacts involved in

low-level waste disposal, representatives from disposal facility operators; the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA); the Army Corps of Engineers; and the Nuclear Energy Institute. 

Topics discussed included the legislation recently passed in the State of California regarding

radioactive wastes; EPA’s proposed rulemaking on mixed and low-activity waste; the lawsuit

against the State of Nebraska by the Compact and generators; and an update on NRC

activities. The latter included reports on Yucca Mountain, the National Academies’ studies on

clearance and low-activity waste, and a status report on licensing of Private Fuel Storage.

Meeting on Diablo Canyon Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Application

On September 19, 2002, staff from the NRC and the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory

Analyses (hereafter, the Center) met with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) staff to discuss the

August 29, 2002, NRC, request for additional information (RAI) on the subject application. The

meeting was held at the Center offices in San Antonio, Texas. NRC and Center staffs provided

requested clarifications for a number of the RAI questions. PG&E staff members expressed

appreciation for the meeting, which they think will aid them in providing their RAI response by

October 15, 2002, in accordance with the established schedule.

RISKIND Computer Code Presentation

On September 25, 2002, staff from Argonne National Laboratory gave a presentation to the

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards and the Office of Nuclear Regulatory

Research staff on the uses of the RISKIND computer program. This program is used for

calculating radiological consequences and health risks from transporting spent nuclear fuel. 

RISKIND was developed in the early 1990s to support Department of Energy (DOE) spent

nuclear fuel shipments and has been used to assess health risks in many DOE Environmental

Impact Statements. There was also a discussion on potential areas for expanding the

capability of the code to include homeland security issues, vulnerability studies, and highburnup and mixed-oxide fuel.
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Implementing Agreement on Thermal-Hydraulic Code Applications and Maintenance Between

the NRC and the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate (SKI)

On September 24, 2002, the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) forwarded an

international cooperative agreement to Sweden for signature between the NRC and the

Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate relating to cooperation in the Thermal-Hydraulic Code

Applications and Maintenance Program. This Implementing Agreement defines the terms and

conditions by which the NRC and the SKI will continue their cooperation in the NRC

thermal-hydraulic code applications and maintenance program- (CAMP) on the basis of mutual

benefit and reasonable equity and reciprocity. As part of their participation, the SKI will provide

a cash contribution plus two code assessment reports per year for the duration of this

Implementing Agreement. The SKI will contribute in-kind technical information in the area of

code validation and verification based on their nuclear plant designs. This Implementing

Agreement will enter into force upon signature, with effect from August 31, 2002, and remain in

effect for a period of five years, contingent upon the timely renewal of its umbrella Agreement

(before December 12, 2006).

“IAEA Safety Culture Services - Recent Developments” Seminar

On September 23, 2002, Dr. Kerstin Dahlgren-Persson presented a seminar entitled "The IAEA

Safety Culture Services - Recent Developments." Dr. Dahlgren-Persson is the primary person

responsible for the program on the "Management of Safety and Safety Culture at the IAEA. 

She discussed what the IAEA does in the area of safety culture, including what and how IAEA

supports safety culture investigations and training at nuclear power plants around the world. 

Her focus was on how the IAEA works with the facility on (1) the assessment process and tools,

(2) execution of self-assessment, (3) analysis of results and presentation of findings,

(4) development of an improvement program based on results from the self-assessment, and

(5) implementation of improvement programs. Regions I and III, were video linked to the

presentation. 

Meeting with General Atomics on the GT-MHR

On September 24, 2002, RES coordinated a public meeting with General Atomics (GA) and

interested external stakeholders concerning the Gas Turbine - Modular Helium Reactor

(GT-MHR) pre-application review. GA provided a technical overview of the GT-MHR

preliminary design and safety approach, the design and development status of the GT-MHR

project and, their objectives and areas of interest for the GT-MHR pre-application review. GA’s

areas of interest involve an initial scope of review that would focus on fuel quality assurance,

fission product source-term and radiological confinement; qualification of nuclear graphite

sources for the GT-MHR and; high temperature metals qualification. Detailed discussions

addressed the technical information that would be provided for each technical topic, review

schedule, resources required and nature of the feedback that the staff would provide. It was

agreed that the first technical review topical meeting would cover GT-MHR fuel and source term

and that it would be held by early December 2002. Other topical meetings and GA white paper
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE C

topical submittals would be defined and scheduled for GA presentation and staff review over

the course of the pre-application review. 

Air Oxidation of Spent Fuel Cladding

Air oxidation tests of fuel cladding have begun at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). 

These tests will provide essential data on air oxidation kinetics of zircaloy cladding necessary

for evaluating the heatup of fuel during certain spent fuel pool, dry cask and reactor accidents.

Currently the staff, in its evaluations must rely on a limited set of available data obtained

primarily over a temperature range different from that of interest and extrapolated to relevant

conditions. As a result the current correlations must be applied conservatively to account for

uncertainties. The staff published in February 2001 a technical study on spent fuel pool

accident risk at nuclear power plants (NUREG-1738). In this study, the staff examined the

likelihood of accelerated zircaloy oxidation, i.e., "zirc fires" and attendant fission product release

on the basis of simplified and potentially very conservative ignition temperature criteria. 

Oxidation up to the ignition threshold was modeled using the limited existing data. In order to

provide a more realistic assessment of spent fuel heatup under transient and air ingression

conditions RES is performing integrated severe accident analyses using the MELCOR code

which will incorporate new oxidation models based on this ANL testing. Currently, ANL is

conducting air oxidation test of a preoxidized (in steam) zircaloy-4 specimen at 400oC

representing spent fuel cladding condition in a pool that has partially or completely lost the

coolant inventory and created a pathway for air ingression. More air oxidation tests are planned

shortly to cover the temperature range of interest (up to 800 oC) together with a few tests at

higher temperatures. Also, different cladding materials including advanced cladding for high

burnup operation will be tested in future. 

Research Seminar on Environmental Software Linkage System

On September 24, 2002, RES hosted a research seminar on "Development and Application of

OpenLink for Environmental Risk Assessment" presented by Drs. S.Y. Chen, David LePoire

and John Arnash, Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne’s risk team developed the OpenLink

software system to provide a means of conducting long-term risk analysis and management in

support of their Long-Term Stewardship (LTS) initiative. OpenLink is designed to: (1) integrate

existing risk models for LTS (or other risk-related) analysis; (2) connect databases,

visualizations, and model applications; (3) provide a web-enabled platform for risk

management, risk communication, and decision-making; and (4) provide a user-friendly

interface for utilizing these tools. The Argonne speakers demonstrated the applicability of the

OpenLink system by linking the existing RESRAD-OFFSITE code for dose assessment

calculations to several existing environmental modules. In particular, the linkage was

demonstrated for the RESRAD-OFFSITE code with (1) the waste leaching code DUST for use

in performance assessments, and (2) the Compass Code within MARSSIM (Multi-Agency

Radiation Surveillance and Site Investigation Manual) for use in cleanup certification. The

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) and RES staff are using the

RESRAD-family of codes which have been cited in decommissioning reviews. The Office of

Nuclear Matieral Safety and Safeguards and RES staff will be working with NMSS staff and the

Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses through the multimedia environmental modeling

(ISCMEM) effort to facilitate transfer of this and other environmental software linkage systems

for use in NMSS’s decommissioning, uranium recovery and high-level waste programs.
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE C

NRC/NEI Meeting on 10 CFR 50.46

NRC staff met with representatives of Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and other stakeholders on

September 26, 2002, to discuss possible rulemaking efforts associated with risk-informing 10

CFR 50.46, Appendix K and GDC 35. A member of the RES staff provided a presentation on

the RES technical report on a proposed risk-informed alternative to GDC 35. GDC 35

establishes Emergency Core Cooling System reliability by requiring the system to be able to

respond to the full spectrum of loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs) given a simultaneous loss of

offsite power (LOOP) and a single additional failure. NEI indicated support to pursue a riskinformed alternative to the LOCA-LOOP requirement separately from attempting to risk inform

the single failure criterion. NEI indicated that: (1) a boiling water reactor plant may be

interested in undertaking a pilot activity to support potential changes to the LOCA-LOOP

requirement, (2) they are working on a concept for risk informing the single failure criterion, and

that they would be prepared to share this information with the staff by early next year, and (3)

they fully support the unbundling of rulemaking activities associated with the technical

requirements contained in 50.46, Appendix K and GDC 35. 
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-IV-02-049, Schlumberger Technology Corporation - LOSS OF CONTROL

OF A WELL LOGGING SOURCE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN EXPOSURES TO

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

2. PNO-IV-02-050, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - MEDICAL MISADMINISTRATION.

3. PNO-III-02-039, Perry, First Energy - REACTOR SCRAM DURING MAIN TURBINE

TESTING LEADS TO SHUTDOWN GREATER THAN 72 HOURS.

4. PNO-IV-02-051, Entergy Operations, Inc. - REGION IV RESPONSE TO

HURRICANE/SEVERE WEATHER ON GULF COAST.

5. PNO-IV-02-051A, Entergy Operations, Inc. - UPDATE OF RESPONSE TO

HURRICANE/SEVERE WEATHER ON GULF COAST.
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending September 27, 2002

National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists; Withdrawal of Petition for Rulemaking

(PRM-35-13)

A document that withdraws a petition for rulemaking submitted by the National Registry of

Radiation Protection Technologists was published in the Federal Register on September 14,

2002. The petition has been withdrawn at the petitioner’s request.

Industry Codes and Standards; Amended Requirements (Part 50)

A final rule that amends the regulations to incorporate by reference a later edition and addenda

of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

was published in the Federal Register on September 26, 2002; 67 FR 60520. The final rule

incorporates by reference a later edition of the ASME BPV Code and OM Code to provide

updated rules for construction, inservice inspection, and inservice testing of components in

light-water cooled nuclear power plants. The final rule becomes effective October 28, 2002.

Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Small Business Expo

On September 26, 2002, a Division of Contracts staff member assisted the Small Business

Program Manager, Office of Small Business and Civil Rights, at the NRC's exhibitor table at the

Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Small Business Expo, at the Omni Shoreham

Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Expo was very well attended by small businesses, large

business, and Federal government. Information about doing business with the NRC was

provided to approximately 75 people.

Competitive Sourcing

A fixed price/labor hour contract was awarded to Jennell Williams, Inc. on September 26, 2002,

under Contract No. NRC-28-02-282, for the performance of "Human Resources and

Administrative Support Services." This procurement was an 8(a) set-aside. The total contract

amount of $405,370 is for a one (1) year base period plus four (4) one-year option periods. The

streamlining initiatives used: electronic transmittal of Statement of Work; electronic transmittal

of Request for Proposal; Small Business Administration/NRC Memorandum of Understanding;

use of less than three SEP technical members. 

A fixed price/labor hour contract was awarded on September 27, 2002, to RICOMM Systems,

Inc., under Contract No. 28-02-283, for the performance of "Information Resources and

Administrative Support Services." This procurement was an 8(a) set-aside. The total contract

amount of $299,956.80 is for a one (1) year base period plus four (4) one-year option periods. 

The streamlining initiatives used: electronic transmittal of Statement of Work; electronic

transmittal of Request for Proposal; electronic receipt of proposals; Small Business

Administration/NRC Memorandum of Understanding; use of less than three SEP technical

members.
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

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

September 20, 2002 through September 26, 2002:

Radiation exposure on named individual, licensee report, May 21, 2002 (FOIA/PA-2002-0425)

Correspondence, meetings, phone logs, etc. between NRC and named Federal and State

officials and their staffs, August 1997 to present (FOIA/PA-2002-0426)

Daily Plant Status reports, Region III, 12-1-92 to present (FOIA/PA-2002-0427)

Molycorp, York PA facility, Amendment 1 to License No. SMB-1408, all documents related to

issuance, application, and NRC Request for Additional Information and licensees response

(FOIA/PA-2002-0428)

Federal Register Notice relating to SUA-1358, Source Material License, complete memo copy

from NMSS, published 12-11-02 and 12-18-01 (FOIA/PA-2002-0429)

Marion Mill, Boulder, CO., docket nbrs. 40-7199 and 40-6875, all NRC and AEC records, and

records relating to License Nbr. SUC-912 (FOIA/PA-2002-0430)

Documents reflecting waivers or extensions by Chairman of restrictions on prohibited securities

ownership and on required period for security divestiture (FOIA/PA-2002-0431)

Environmental, health or safety action brought against NRC by any Federal agency to bring into

compliance property owned, operated, or leased by NRC; and copies of policies, guidance,

directives, etc. (FOIA/PA-2002-0432)
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Arrivals

BILLINGS, Danny* REACTOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER NRR

BILLINGS, Sally SECRETARY NRR

SERPAN, Charles** CONSULTANT OIP

WELTER, Kent NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN RES

Departures

GARVER, Melanie*** PROGRAM ANALYST OCFO

PATEL, Amar STUDENT ENGINEER RI

*Transferring from RII

**Effective 10/01/02

***Effective 09/26/02
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Media Interest

The Indian Point 2 emergency exercise drew widespread media interest. 

There was continuing interest in FirstEnergy Company’s personnel changes in response to

Davis Besse’s reactor head problems. 

The Nevada Attorney General’s correspondence on NRC/DOE meetings received media

attention. 

Press Releases

Headquarters:

02-109 NRC Grants TVA License Amendment to Produce Tritium at Watts Bar

Nuclear Power Plant for Energy Department

02-110 NRC Advises Nuclear Licensees to Review Supplemental Security Measures

as Nation Returns to Yellow Homeland Security Level

02-111 NRC Announces Opportunity for Hearing on License Renewal for Ginna

Nuclear Power Plant 

02-112 NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet October 10-12 in

Rockville, MD

02-113 NRC Proposes Changes to Regulations on Decommissioning Funding

Regions:

IV-02-040 NRC Region IV Office in Arlington, Texas Implements Hurricane Response

Procedure for Waterford and River Bend

IV-02-041 NRC Sends Augmented Inspection Team to Review Circumstances Related

to Radiation Exposures at Texas Firm’s Job Site in Montana
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Information Papers

1. SECY-02-0168 9/20/02 SECY-02-0168 Weekly Information ReportWeek Ending September 13, 2002

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress dated September 23, 2002 informs of NRC’s activities related to DOE’s

program to produce tritium in TVA’s Watts Bar and Sequoyah reactors. 

2. Letter to Mr. Gary Wahlert, OPM, dated September 20, 2002 nominates NRC’s Alternative

Dispute Resolution Program for Allegations of Discrimination for the Office of Personnel

Management Director’s Award for Outstanding Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs. 

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologies; Withdrawal of Petition for

Rulemaking.

2. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Subcommittee Meeting on Planning and

Procedures - Notice of Meeting.

3. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Meeting of the Subcommittee on Reactor Fuels

- Notice of Meeting.

4. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Meeting of the Subcommittee on Plant License

Renewal.

5. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards - Notice of Meeting.
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE P

Region I

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

Workshop on Part 35

On September 24, 2002, Region I held a workshop for its medical licensees on revised Part 35. 

Approximately 240 licensee representatives and consultants attended the all day workshop held

at the Radisson Valley Forge. Headquarters and Regional staff made presentations and

interacted with licensees on the risk-informed, performance-based approach embodied in the

new rule, the section by section changes, and the new licensing guidance in Volume 9 of the

NUREG-1556 series. Verbal and written feedback from the attendees was positive. 

Pre-Decisional Enforcement Conference with Craig Testing Laboratories

On September 26, 2002, a pre-decisional enforcement conference was held between NRC

Region I and Craig Testing Laboratories, Inc. Craig Testing attendees included the President

and the Radiation Safety Officer. The conference was held to discuss an apparent violation of

10 CFR 20.1802, control of material not in storage, and to discuss past security violations. On

July 15, 2002, an authorized user failed to maintain constant surveillance of licensed material

when he placed a portable gauge on a manhole cover and went to move his vehicle. The

gauge was then damaged by a forklift. The NRC addressed the licensee’s inspection history

and current findings, the NRC’s concerns regarding security of licensed material, and the

enforcement policy. The licensee discussed their corrective actions and their radiation safety

program as it related to the findings of the NRC inspection. 
September 27, 2002 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

BWX Technologies Facility Visit

On September 24, 2002, the Regional Administrator, accompanied by the Deputy Executive

Director for Reactor Programs; the Director, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response;

and the Materials/Waste Coordinator, Operations and Program Management Staff visited the

facility and met with licensee management and resident inspector.

10 CFR Part 35 Stakeholder’s Workshop in San Juan, Puerto Rico

On September 28, 2002, the Regional Administrator and staff conducted a Stakeholder’s

Workshop on Implementation of Revisions to the NRC’s Regulations on the Medical Use of

Radioisotopes for the new 10 CFR Part 35, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Over 200 stakeholders

were expected to attend.

Special Strategic Plan Senior Leadership Group Session

On September 26, 2002, the Regional Administrator attended the Special Strategic Plan Senior

Leadership Group Session in Headquarters.

Carolina Power and Light Company - H. B. Robinson’s Operators Certification Presentation

Banquet

On September 24, the Deputy Regional Administrator visited the H. B. Robinson Plant in

Hartsville, SC., toured the facility and met with licensee management and resident inspectors,

and attended the Robinson Operators Certification Presentation Evening Banquet.

Region II Operations Training Managers Meeting

On September 25, the Director of the Division of Reactor Safety and the Branch Chief for

Operator Licensing and Human Performance attended a meeting of the Region II Operations

Training Managers. Items covered included operator licensing examination quality, scheduling,

and the interface between Operations and Security.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Activates Regional Operations Center

On September 25, at noon, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region IV,

located in Atlanta, Georgia, activated its Regional Operations Center (ROC) in anticipation of

the arrival and impact of HURRICANE ISIDORE on the Regional States. The Regional State

Liaison Officer represented the Region at the ROC, and, along with FEMA IV, monitored all

potential off-site consequences as related to NRC licensed facilities. 
September 27, 2002 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 27, 2002

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 67

OCA

Contact

DATE

&

PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Combs Tentative TBD Dr. Paperiello, DOE, DOD,

DOS

Combating Terrorism: PreventingNuclear Terrorism

Reps. ShNatl Secu

 InternatiGovernm

Keeling TBA

SD-342

 2:30 CIA Secondary Nuclear Proliferation Senators 

Internatio FederaGovernm