INFORMATION REPORT

July 13, 2004 SECY-04-0116

For: The Commissioners

From: William M. Dean, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: SECY-04-0116 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JULY 2, 2004

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 and 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/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Kim, OEDO
July 13, 2004 SECY-04-0116

For: The Commissioners

From: William M. Dean, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: SECY-04-0116 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JULY 2, 2004

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 and 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/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Kim, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\Week702.WPD
OEDO AO/OEDO

TJKim WMDean

07/13/04 07/14/04

WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING JULY 2, 2004

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: T. Kim, OEDO by E-mail: TJK3@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 12

RES 6 OIP *

NSIR 8 SECY 13

OGC * Region I 14

ADM 9 Region II 16

CIO 10 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 17

HR 11 OEDO *

SBCR * OCA 18

OE *

*No input this week
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

NRC Meeting with the Vermont Public Service Board

On June 28, 2004, NRR and Region I staff met with the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB)

regarding Vermont Yankee's request for a 20 percent extended power uprate. The NRC staff

described NRC's uprate review process and the pilot engineering inspection slated for Vermont

Yankee in August. Overall, the meeting provided a good forum for describing the scope and

depth of the NRC's power uprate review and engineering inspection processes. The NRC

discussed the criteria to be used for the independence of the inspection team performing the

engineering inspection. The staff also described NRC's process for selecting contractors for the

inspection. The staff noted the public nature of the inspection process, that the engineering

inspection would have a state observer, and plans for a public exit meeting. The PSB expressed

interest in the ability of NRC's inspections and reviews to assess the impact of the uprate on

reliability of the plant and on precluding operational issues, such as those experienced at Quad

Cities after its uprate. NRC staff also explained that the steam dryer integrity and flow-induced

vibration issues were receiving significant attention by the NRC and are important issues in this

power uprate request. 

NRC Public Meeting Regarding Ultrasonic Flow Meters

On July 1, 2004, NRR staff held a public meeting to present the staff's planned generic

correspondence on the use of ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) devices for measuring feedwater flow

used in determining the reactor thermal power. Representatives of Westinghouse, Caldon,

Advance Measurement and Analysis Group, Westinghouse Owners Group, and the public

participated in this meeting. The NRC staff presented background information about UFM

technology, staff review of vendor topical reports, public concerns, NRC Independent Task

Group recommendations, and a summary of the proposed generic communication being

developed. Discussions about proposed actions for licensees highlighted some technical

difficulties in implementing such actions and being able to achieve the desired results. The staff

agreed to carefully consider proposed actions to ensure they are practical, defensible, and

understandable, and to make other clarifying changes. The feedback from the attendees was

constructive and helpful.

Public Meeting on an Alternate, Risk-Informed Approach for Resolving GSI-191

The staff met with Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and industry representatives on June 29, 2004,

to continue discussions regarding an alternate, risk-informed approach for resolving Generic

Safety Issue (GSI)-191, “Assessment of Debris Accumulation on Pressurized Water Reactor

Sump Performance.” This was the third public meeting on the topic within the last month. 

Progress is being made toward reaching consensus on an acceptable risk-informed approach. 

During the meeting, NEI presented a detailed outline of their proposed risk-informed alternative,

which will be documented in Chapter 6 of the NEI Evaluation Guidelines document. The NEI

proposal considers and includes many of the technical and regulatory elements discussed at

previous public meetings. While progress is being made, certain elements require further
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

discussion. These include the debris generation break size selection and use of realistic

parameter values in the net positive suction head (NPSH) calculations, which demonstrate that

the acceptance criteria of 10 CFR 50.46 are satisfied. 

NEI is currently drafting the risk-informed Chapter of the Evaluation Guidelines, and plans to

submit a revised Chapter 6 to the staff by mid-July. The staff is considering meeting with NEI

and industry on July 20, 2004, to discuss the revised Chapter 6 and other Sections of the NEI

Evaluation Guidelines document and provide feedback. 

NRC Information Notice (IN) 2004-12: Spent Fuel Rod Accountability Dated June 25, 2004

NRC issued the subject IN to inform addressees of issues at two reactor facilities regarding 

ineffectiveness of the licensee material control and accounting programs. In 2000, the Millstone

Unit 1 licensee reported that two full-length irradiated fuel rods were not in the locations specified

in special nuclear material accounting records. In 2004, in response to the NRC concerns with

the effectiveness of spent fuel pool inventory methods, the Vermont Yankee licensee found that

two spent fuel rod pieces were not in their documented locations in the spent fuel pool. 

Regional Division Director Counterpart Meeting

On June 29-30, 2004, the Division of Inspection Program Management (DIPM) staff hosted the

Regional Division Director Counterpart Meeting via a video teleconference. Division Directors

from all four regions and headquarters discussed issues related to the Reactor Oversight

Process (ROP), ROP dynamics, the significance determination process (SDP), mitigating system

performance index (MSPI), enforcement interface issues, the status of fire protection issues, and

safety conscience work environment (SCWE). 
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Public Meeting on Yankee Rowe License Termination Plan

On June 24, 2004, staff held a public meeting in Shelborne Falls, Massachusetts, to discuss the

License Termination Plan (LTP) that was submitted in support of the decommissioning of the

Yankee Rowe nuclear plant. The meeting was held to collect public comments on the LTP,

which the staff is currently reviewing. Approximately 50-60 people attended the meeting and

provided comments. The public's primary concern about the LTP was with the tritium in the

groundwater at the plant. The public also expressed concerns about nuclear power in general 

and the safe storage of fuel in the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation. Under the

current schedule, the review of the LTP should be complete by March 2005.

NRC/SMC Meeting on License Guidance

On June 29, 2004, NRC staff met with representatives of Shieldalloy Metallurgical Corporation

(SMC) to discuss the guidance that NRC staff had transmitted to SMC on May 15, 2004,

regarding a long-term control, possession-only license. Staff from the New Jersey Department

of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and two other interested parties also participated by

telephone. The day before this meeting, NJDEP provided NRC staff with a copy of a letter that

was being sent from NJDEP to the NRC Chairman, stating its concerns with the guidance and

decommissioning of the site. This letter was also discussed during the meeting. Based on this

meeting, NRC and SMC staff agreed to meet again to discuss environmental issues and

radiation dose modeling. SMC anticipates providing a schedule to NRC, by October 2004, for

submittal of its decommissioning plan.

Interagency Coordinating Committee

On June 22, 2004, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on National Source Tracking met to

discuss high level agency requirements for source tracking. Agencies represented at the

meeting were NRC, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, the

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Infrastructure Protection, DHS-Customs, the

Department of State, and the Department of Commerce. The group agreed to the high level

functions for the national source tracking system. Remaining open issues - Ra-226,

import/export details, transhipments, and licensee information - will be addressed by sub-groups

of the Committee. The next full Committee meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2004.

Meeting Between Japanese Nuclear Safety Commission and NRC

On June 21-22, 2004, two representatives from the Japan Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC)

met with staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards (FCSS) at NRC

Headquarters. The meeting was held to discuss issues and to answer questions regarding

activities associated with the nuclear fuel cycle facilities in both the United States and Japan. 

Specific topics included NRC presentations on: (1) 10 CFR Part 70, Integrated Safety Analysis;

and (2) Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility licensing. The Japan NSC presentation focused

on: (1) the status of Japanese risk-informed safety regulation initiatives; (2) the current status of
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE B

Japanese Safety Regulation on Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities; and (3) the role of the Nuclear

Safety Commission. The meeting was very successful with good interaction and questions

between FCSS and NSC.

The Japan NSC also regulates a Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) facility in Japan, and the visitors

requested a site visit to the GNF facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. On June 24, 2004, an

FCSS Project Manager accompanied the Japanese regulators on a site visit to the GNF facility.

Public Meeting in Piketon, Ohio, on United States Enrichment Corporation Inc.’s American

Centrifuge Plant

On June 23, 2004, NRC staff conducted a public meeting in Piketon, Ohio, to discuss United

States Enrichment Corporation Inc.’s (USEC) proposed commercial gas centrifuge uranium

enrichment facility (American Centrifuge Plant or ACP) to be located at the Portsmouth Gaseous

Diffusion Plant site in Piketon, Ohio. USEC anticipates submitting its license application for the

ACP in August 2004. The NRC staff began the meeting by briefly describing the proposed

project, the licensing process that will be utilized in reviewing USEC’s application, and

opportunities the public will have to provide input. The NRC staff also described the processes

that will be utilized to develop its Environmental Impact Statement and to inspect the ACP. 

About 125 individuals attended the meeting. In addition to local and regional residents, state and

local elected officials or their designees, members of the unions associated with the Portsmouth

Gaseous Diffusion Plant and USEC staff were also in attendance. USEC staff brought with them

to the meeting over 8,000 form “letters of support” for the proposed ACP.

Louisiana Energy Services Quarterly Management Meeting

On June 24, 2004, staff from NRC and Louisiana Energy Services (LES) held the second

quarterly management meeting to discuss management issues related to the uranium

enrichment plant proposed to be located in Eunice, New Mexico. Both parties stated that good

progress has been made to date, and all goals have been met ahead of schedule. NRC staff is

reviewing LES responses to Requests for Additional Information and will communicate whether

or not additional clarification or information is needed. LES stated that it intends to select an

architect-engineer for the facility in August.

Meeting Between NRC and Rio Algom Mining LLC

On June 30, 2004, representatives from Rio Algom Mining LLC (Rio Algom) met with NRC staff. 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing NRC staff review of the Rio Algom

Alternate Concentration Limits application for the Ambrosia Lake, New Mexico, uranium mill site. 

Two separate meetings were held. A morning meeting for technical staff was convened to

discuss the application. In the afternoon, NRC management attended a meeting with both

management and technical staff from Rio Algom. These meetings resulted in agreement on a

plan to move toward completion of the licensing action.
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

International Cooperative Probabilistic Risk Assessment Research Program (COOPRA)/RiskInformed Decision Making (RIDeM) Working Group Meeting

The 7th annual meeting of the COOPRA/RIDeM Working Group (WG) was held on June 23-24,

2004, in London, UK, at the headquarters of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The overall

objective of the COOPRA/RIDeM WG is to review the use of risk information in decision making

in the member countries, identify any shortfalls in the processes, and coordinate collaborative

research where appropriate. To this end, the RIDeM WG has identified several issues of

common interest with respect to risk-informed decision making. The 7th RIDeM WG meeting was

well attended with members from the UK, Canada, France, Hungary, Spain, Taiwan, Japan, and

USA. In addition, members from the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)/Committee on the Safety of

Nuclear Installations (CSNI)/Working Group Risk (WGRisk) (e.g., representatives from the UK,

France, Japan, and the Netherlands) were in attendance to facilitate cooperation between

WGRisk and COOPRA/RIDeM. One focus of the meeting was an exchange of general

information about both COOPRA/RIDeM WG and WGRisk activities 

to-date. It was decided that work on the COOPRA/RIDeM data base of risk-informed decisions

would be suspended while WGRisk initiates its work in developing specifications for a more

detailed data base of risk-informed decisions. 

The meeting included presentations by members on the use of cost-benefit analysis, updates on

RIDeM issues, and presentations on PRA activities. The presentations on the use of cost-benefit

analysis revealed some similarities (e.g., use of NUREG/BR-0184 by Taiwan and U.S.) and

some differences in approaches. Action items for future COOPRA/RIDeM work were identified

in areas related to cost-benefit analysis, uncertainty, and the process for risk-informed decision

making. The next COOPRA/RIDeM meeting was tentatively agreed to take place in June 2005.

Containment Structural Integrity Research Program

On June 29, 2004, managers and staff members from RES, NRR, and NMSS engaged in 

extensive discussions regarding current needs and future research directions related to

containment integrity. RES staff and contractors gave briefings on the background and current

status of the containment structural integrity research program. The next actions will include

reviewing the advanced and new reactors license application submittals for containment analysis

and design and determine whether or not recommendations on improvements and revisions to

the Standard Review Plan are appropriate. The staff will also evaluate the improvements that

may be needed for the codes and standards on containment analysis and design. Further, the

staff will assess the feasibility of utilizing data from this research to enhance MELCOR severe

accident analysis models and make them more realistic. 

The containment structural integrity research program was co-sponsored and jointly funded by

the Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (NUPEC) of Japan (currently Japan Nuclear Energy

Safety Organization (JNES)) and the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. The purpose of

the program was to investigate the response of representative models of nuclear containment

structures to pressure loading beyond the design basis accident and to compare analytical
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

predictions to measured behavior. This was accomplished by conducting static, pneumatic

overpressurization tests of scale models at ambient temperature. These results are used to

evaluate the safety of existing nuclear power plants in the US and overseas. SNL also

discussed the containment testing and capacity background and containment issues for

advanced and next generation plants.
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Public Meeting with Nuclear Energy Institute

On June 30, 2004, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR) staff held a public

meeting to discuss a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-led Sandia National Laboratory

(SNL) study and a Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)-led Electric Power Research Institute study

relating to (NRC) protective action recommendation guidance concerning evacuation and

sheltering. The meeting was attended by Nuclear Information & Resource Service, Riverkeeper,

State of New Jersey Bureau of Radiation Protection, NEI, SNL, McGraw-Hill and representatives

from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency, as

well as various utilities.

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-II-04-005, Nuclear Fuel Services Inc. - PRESS INTEREST IN TRANSPORTATION

EVENT.

2. PNO-IV-04-015, Baker Hughes Oil Field Operations (DBA Baker Atlas) - TRUCK FIRE

INVOLVING BYPRODUCT MATERIAL.
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Contract Award

On June 30, 2004, a competitive fixed price contract No. DR-10-04-418, was awarded to

McManis Associates, Inc. The vendor shall provide a space utilization assessment to the Office

of Administration to evaluate the effectiveness of the Space Planning System in meeting its

desired purpose of supporting micro and macro space planning for the NRC. The assessment

will include sampling and evaluation of actual space use in the headquarters complex for all

categories of occupants. The period of performance is four months and the contract fixed price is

$60,906.00. 
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

FileNET Professional Services Contract Issued

A three-year Task Ordering contract with two additional option years was issued to FileNET

Corporation on June 28, 2004. Under this contract FileNET's Professional Services Division will

provide an assortment of expert technical support services, many of which are critical to the

success of the High-Level Waste project. These services include: ADAMS Document

Management Architecture Analysis; upgrade ADAMS and all other FileNET document

repositories to current software releases; replace Panagon Web Publishing software (support

discontinued effective December 2004) with FileNET's P8 Distributor software; and analysis of

migrating ADAMS to web-based software. 

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Requests Received During the Period of

June 25 through July 1, 2004:

DS 161, Application of the Concepts of Exclusion, Exemption &

Clearance, comments to IAEA, Bob Meck & others

FOIA/PA-2004-0275

Power reactor status reports, 4-1-2003 to present FOIA/PA-2004-0276

10 CFR 50 Appendix RIII.G.2 & non-compliant “operator manual

actions,” all communications 7-14-2003 to 6-25-2004, between NRC

offices

FOIA/PA-2004-0277

Louisiana Energy Services, application for license(s) for enrichment

facility in New Mexico, all correspondence before 1-30-04 between

Commission & NRC staff or LES

FOIA/PA-2004-0278

Solicitation RS-ADM-05-396, bidders mailing list, incumbent

contractor, abstract of bids from last competition & schedule B line

item pricing from current contract

FOIA/PA-2004-0279

Custodial Management Services, White Flint complex, incumbent

contractor & contract value for the past year

FOIA/PA-2004-0280
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Arrivals

CHIU, Alvin Student Engineer (Summer) NRR

HAYES, Launette Michelle Student Clerk R-II

JACOBI, Eric Scott Student Administrative (Summer) NMSS

MOY, Brian General Engineer (Summer) NRR

MELHAFF, Zachary Student IT R-IV

Retirements

BARHAM, Tommie Chief, Payroll Services Team OCFO

BEESON, Juanita Technical Writer-Editor OCIO

BROWN, Rebecca Sr. Processing Assistant R-I

DRYSDALE, Peter Sr. Resident Inspector R-I

FRANKLIN, Mary Fiscal Accounting Assistant OCFO

JOYNER, James Director, Division of Resource Management R-I

LOHMEIER, Alfred Reactor Inspector R-I

MAY, Judith Sr. Management Analyst NSIR

PARKER, Michael E . Sr. Reactor Analyst R-III

VISSING, Guy Sr. Project Manager NRR

Departures

HACKETT, Gregory P. Emergency Response Coordinator NSIR

MCLAUGHLIN, Monica Secretary (OA) NSIR

SHEETZ, Ann Secretary (OA) NRR

TURNER, Larry Reactor Operations Engineer NRR
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Media Interest

The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) fielded significant media inquiries on the following:

The Energy Department’s certification of documentation for the Yucca Mountain application.

NRC’s presentation to the Vermont Public Service Board on the Vermont Yankee power uprate

review.

Warnings that nuclear medicine patients could incur travel delays by triggering radiation

detectors at airports or border crossings.

Other OPA items:

OPA provided courtesy calls to Ohio media concerning a very minor radioactivity release that

stemmed from filter maintenance at the Davis-Besse plant. No reporting thresholds were

exceeded; information was provided to prevent potential misunderstandings.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

04-079 NRC Updates Vermont Public Service Board on Status of Vermont Yankee

Uprate Review (6/28)

04-080 NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet July 7-9 in

Rockville, Maryland (6/30)

04-081 NRC Announces Opportunity for Hearing on Application to Increase Power

Output of Vermont Yankee (7/1)

Regions:

I-04-035 NRC to Meet with Public in New York on Nine Mile Point License Renewal

(7/1)

IV-04-030 Diablo Canyon Meeting to Be Rescheduled

IV-04-031 NRC to Discuss Performance of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station

July 29 (6/29)

IV-04-032 NRC to Discuss Findings of Palo Verde Augmented Inspection (7/1)

IV-04-033 NRC to Meet with Pacific Gas & Electric to Discuss Diablo Canyon Issues

(7/1)
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SRM-SECY-04-0037 7/01/04 Issues Related to Proposed Rulemaking to

Risk-Inform Requirements Related to Large

Break Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA)

Break Size and Plans for Rulemaking on

LOCA with Coincident Loss-of-Offsite Power

Voting Record on SECY04-00377/01/04 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-04-0100 6/23/04 SECY-04-0100 Weekly Information Report -

Week Ending June 11, 2004

2. SECY-04-0106 6/28/04 SECY-04-0106 Weekly Information Report -

Week Ending June 18, 2004

Memoranda

1. M040602B 6/30/04 Staff Requirements - Meeting with ACRS

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congressman Markey, dated June 24, 2004, responds to questions concerning

the accountability for two irradiated spend fuel rod segments missing from the Vermont

Yankee NPP.

2. Letter to Congresswoman Kelly, dated June 23, 2004, regarding the NRC’s interaction with

Mr. William Lemanski, former Entergy employee.

3. Letter to Congressman Bass, dated June 22, 2004, responds to constituent concerns

relating to Vermont Yankee.

4. Letter to Senator Sununu, dated June 22, 2004, responds to constituent concerns relating

to Vermont Yankee.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Establishment of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to preside over the Sequoyah Fuels

Corporation proceeding; Gore, Oklahoma Site (Materials License Amendment) - Docket

No. 40-8027-MLA-9; ASLBP No. 04-824-06-MLA. 
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region I

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Limerick - Dropped Fuel Pin

On July 1, 2004, the licensee was performing an eddy current test of a fuel bundle that

experienced a leak during its first cycle of operation. While removing the third fuel pin from the

eddy current test assembly, the upper end plug, used to lift the pin, failed and separated from the

pin. The pin dropped 13 feet, through the eddy current test tube, and hit the bottom of the spent

fuel pool (SFP) floor. The lower end plug also separated from the pin either during the fall or

after impacting the SFP floor. 

Initial inspections have concluded that all fuel pellets have remained inside the fuel pin and the

pin has remained in an upright position, supported by the eddy current tube. There was a small

release of bubbles/gas from the pin when the upper and lower end plugs separated from the pin;

however, the local area radiation monitors and ventilation radiation monitors did not show an

increase in radiation levels. The resident inspector monitored the licensee's actions and verified

that there was no immediate radiological safety concern. The resident inspectors will continue to

follow the recovery effort. 

Pilgrim - Strike Planning

Entergy, the licensee for Pilgrim, continues to negotiate a first contract with the two new unions

for engineers and technical employees and a renewal contract with the production and

maintenance group. The latter contract expires on July 13, and negotiations will continue on July

3, 4 and 5 with the assistance of a mediator. Entergy continues preparations for a potential job

action involving all union personnel by implementing the actions described in the Staffing

Contingency Plan. The resident inspector and Region I staff continue to monitor licensee

activities through inspections and periodic telephone briefings with licensee management. NRC

staff is prepared to provide around-the-clock coverage at the site in the event a strike occurs. 

The public and other external stakeholders have expressed interest in the negotiations.

Vermont Yankee - Update on Transformer Fire

Since the transformer fire which resulted in an Unusual Event on June 18, 2004, Entergy, the

Vermont Yankee licensee, has completed its damage assessment and root cause evaluation. 

Extensive testing and inspection of components confirmed damage to the main transformer

bushings, isophase bus ducts, and potential transformer (PT) cabinet. All of these items will be

repaired or replaced. The main and auxiliary transformers and main generator were not

damaged. The event was due to a phase-to-ground fault (caused by the de-lamination of a

portion of the aluminum expansion joint in an isophase bus bar) combined with the subsequent

failure of a surge arrester in the PT cabinet. The de-lamination also traveled down the isophase

duct into the main transformer bushing box. Entergy determined the root causes of the event to

be inadequate preventive maintenance on both the surge arresters and bus ducts. Final

installation and post maintenance testing of the new equipment is in progress. The licensee

currently plans to start up the reactor within the week and will implement a test plan to ensure the
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

electrical system, including the repaired and replaced equipment, functions as designed. The

resident inspectors will follow the repairs and observe startup activities. 
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Progress Energy Company - Shearon B. Harris Nuclear Plant

On June 28, 2004, the Deputy Director, Division of Reactor Projects, was at the Harris Nuclear

Power Plant, in New Hill, NC. He attended the Licensed Operator Certification Presentation and

met with the resident inspectors.
July 2, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Grand Gulf Public Meeting 

On June 28, 2004, the Region IV staff held a meeting with representatives of Entergy

Operations, Inc., the licensee for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. The purpose of this meeting

was to discuss the improvements that the licensee was implementing for the licensed operator

initial and requalification examination programs.
July 2, 2004 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 2, 2004

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 65

Combs 07/07/04

2154 RHOB

1:30 TBA Federal Information Technology

R&D

Reps. BuHuman RGovernm

Portner 07/07/04

SD-192TENTATIVE

2:00 Markup FY2005 Energy and Water

Development Appropriations

Senators Energy anAppropria

Keeling 07/08/04

2154 RHOB

10:15 TBA Federal Workforce Telework

Opportunities Post-9/11

Reps. DaGovernm

Keeling 07/13/04

SD-366

10:00 Kyle McSlarrow, DOE Role of Nuclear Power in National

Energy Policy

Senators Energy &