INFORMATION REPORT

June 19, 2003 SECY-03-0103

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-03-0103 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JUNE 13, 2003

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

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards S

*No input this week.

/RA/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

R. Torres, OEDO
June 19, 2003 SECY-03-0103

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-03-0103 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JUNE 13, 2003

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

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards S

*No input this week.

/RA/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

R. Torres, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\Week613.wpd

OEDO AO/OEDO

RTorres:paa WMDean

06/19/03 06/ /03
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING JUNE 13, 2003

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: R. Torres, OEDO by E-mail: rjt@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 * Region II 21

CIO 11 Region III *

CFO * Region IV *

HR 15 OEDO *

SB/CR * OCA 24

OE * ACRS 25

*No input this week
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant

A June 8, 2003, Washington Post article reported that Dominion Power expects to receive its

first foreign tanker shipment of liquified natural gas (LNG) at its Cove Point LNG plant in

southern Calvert County in July 2003. This will be the first LNG shipment since 1980. The

Cove Point LNG facility is located 3.5 miles southeast of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant

(CCNPP). 

On October 12, 2001, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an Order that

granted approval to resume shipping operations at Cove Point. The NRC participated in a

November 16, 2001, technical conference with FERC and other stakeholders, including the

Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and the owners of

Cove Point. Previously, in a 1995 safety evaluation, the NRC staff concluded that, for the types

of accidents that were considered to be most credible, the operation of the Cove Point facility

did not jeopardize safe operation of the CCNPP. 

The Washington Post article noted that the Coast Guard still must issue a final operating plan

for the ship’s navigation on the Chesapeake Bay. It is expected that the plan will include

extensive security measures to counter concerns about potential terrorism. The Coast Guard’s

plan will be issued before a foreign tanker enters the bay.

NRC Information Notice 2003-05, Failure to Detect Freespan Cracks in PWR Steam Generator

Tubes

On June 5, 2003, this information notice was issued to inform licensees of a recent problem

experienced at Comanche Peak Unit 1 concerning the detection of freespan outside diameter

stress corrosion cracking in steam generator tubes. 

NRC Bulletin 2003-01, Potential Impact of Debris Blockage on Emergency Sump Recirculation

at Pressurized-water Reactors

On June 9, 2003, Bulletin 2003-01 was issued to all holders of operating licenses for

pressurized-water reactors (PWRs) (except permanently defueled reactors). The bulletin

informs PWR licensees of the results of NRC-sponsored research which identified the potential

susceptibility of recirculation sump screens to debris blockage in the event of a high-energy line

break requiring recirculation operation of the emergency core cooling system (ECCS) or

containment spray system (CSS), and of the potential for debris blockage of flowpaths

necessary for system recirculation operation and containment drainage. The bulletin requests

that licensees confirm their compliance with Section 50.46(b)(5) of Title 10 of the Code of

Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.46(b)(5)) concerning long term ECCS performance, and other

existing applicable regulatory requirements, or describe any compensatory measures

implemented to reduce the potential risk due to post-accident debris blockage as evaluations to

determine compliance proceed.
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE A

License Renewal Application for Fort Calhoun Unit 1

On June 11, 2003, the staff presented the results of its evaluation of the Fort Calhoun license

renewal application (LRA) to the Advisory Committee for Reactor Safeguards (ACRS). The

staff’s safety evaluation report (SER), which was issued April 21, 2003, contained 10 open

items. Subsequently, the staff identified one more open item based on new information. The

staff’s presentations provided discussions of their review, the license renewal inspections, and

explanations of the open items and their resolution status. ACRS members acknowledged that

the LRA and the staff’s SER were of good quality. The final SER is due to be completed by

September 19, 2003. The renewed license is scheduled to be issued on November 21, 2003.

Generic Letter 2003-01, Control Room Habitability

Generic Letter 2003-01, "Control Room Habitability" was issued June 12, 2003. This generic

letter alerts addressees to findings that control room licensing and design bases, and existing

regulatory requirements may not be met and that existing technical specification surveillance

requirements may not be adequate. It requests licensees to submit information that

demonstrates that the control room at each of their respective facilities complies with the

current licensing and design bases, and regulatory requirements. The requested information

will be collected and used to determine if additional regulatory action is required. 

Inspection Manual Chapter and Inspection Procedures for Early Site Permit (ESP) Applications

On May 29, 2003, the staff issued the inspection procedures (IPs) that will be used for an Early

Site Permit (ESP) application. The inspection procedures are referenced by inspection manual

chapter (IMC) 2501, "Nuclear Reactor Inspection Program Early Site Permit." IMC 2501, which

was originally issued on October 8, 2002, also has been revised to reference the IPs and to

make changes to be consistent with the draft ESP review standard.
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

High-Level-Waste Public Outreach Meetings in California and Nevada

On June 3, 2003, in response to a request from Inyo County California officials, NRC staff

briefed the Inyo County Supervisors at a regularly scheduled board meeting held in

Independence, California, and conducted a public outreach meeting in Tecopam, California,

during the evening of June 4, 2003. NRC was represented by staff from the Division of Waste

Management, the Spent Fuel Projects Office, the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory

Analyses, the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, and the Office of the General

Counsel. The staff provided an overview of NRC’s role in the potential licensing of the geologic

repository at Yucca Mountain, with specific presentations on associated ground-water,

transportation, and security issues. Attendees at the June 4, 2003, meeting included residents

of Tecopa and neighboring Nevada towns; and representatives of the Western Shoshone Tribe;

citizens’ groups; Inyo County; the media; the Nuclear Energy Institute; and Bechtel/SAIC. At

the request of Nye County, Nevada, NRC staff met with Nye County Commissioners on June 5,

2003, to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as spent fuel cask integrity, associated

transportation issues, NRC’s role in the licensing process, and ongoing interactions with the

Department of Energy. Representatives of NRC’s Office of Inspector General attended both

the June 4 and June 5, 2003, meetings, for informational purposes.

High-Level-Waste Technical Exchange Meeting Between NRC and DOE on Container Life and

Source-Term Waste Package Design

On June 4-5, 2003, staff from the Division of Waste Management and the Center for Nuclear

Waste Regulatory Analyses (hereafter, the Center) attended a Technical Exchange meeting

with the Department of Energy (DOE) Yucca Mountain Staff, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The

meeting was attended by the public and representatives from DOE, NRC, the Center, the

National Waste Technical Review Board, and the State of Nevada. DOE presented information

on the proposed design for the waste package and drip shield, application of the American

Society of Mechanical Engineer’s code for waste package fabrication and testing, and how the

new designs affect 10 separate key technical issues. NRC shared specific concerns

addressing the designs and methodology for the waste package and drip shield, as they pertain

to both pre-closure and post-closure issues. DOE responded to several NRC concerns and

indicated that it would respond to the remaining issues. In addition, DOE presented information

on effects of seismicity as they relate to the waste package and drip shield. The meeting

provided beneficial information and highlighted the value of future NRC/DOE interactions on

topics relevant to waste package and drip-shield design and methodology.

High-Level-Waste Licensing Support Network Advisory Review Panel Public Meeting

On June 3, 2003, staff from the High-Level Waste Business and Program Integration Staff and

the Division of Waste Management attended the Licensing Support Network (LSN) Advisory

Review Panel public meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Office of the Secretary chairs the

panel consisting of NRC, the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Energy Institute, and affected

units of local government. The LSN Advisory Review Panel provides advice to NRC on
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE B

hardware, software, formatting standards, operating conditions, and on other areas directed by

the Secretary of the Commission. NRC gave presentations on its organizational roles and

responsibilities; LSN Administrator’s report; draft guidance for the electronic hearing docket

submittals; potential 10 CFR Part 2, Subpart J, rule changes; and an update on the Digital Data

Management System. The chair of the panel will send a follow-up letter to the LSN Advisory

Review Panel members requesting feedback on the draft guidance for the electronic hearing

docket submittals and proposed changes to 10 CFR Part 2, Subpart J.

Differing Professional View on Chemical Consequences at the Proposed Mixed-Oxide Fuel

Fabrication Facility

A Differing Professional View (DPV) filed February 24, 2003, with the Office of Nuclear Material

Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) raised concerns regarding chemical consequences from

potential chemical events at the proposed mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication facility, as well as

the applicability of 10 CFR 70.64 and NRC’s regulatory authority to regulate chemical hazards

at the proposed facility. In a report issued on May 9, 2003, an ad hoc review panel appointed

by the Director, NMSS, found that the views in the DPV had merit, and recommended that:

(1) the MOX applicant provide the analyses and data to support its conclusion that no additional

safety controls are necessary for hazardous chemicals that would affect the safety of licensed

material and thus present an increased radiological risk; (2) guidance be included in a Standard

Review Plan (SRP); (3) actions be taken to ensure that the applicant and relevant NRC

management and staff understand applicable 10 CFR Part 70 provisions regarding chemical

hazards regulated by NRC; and (4) a determination be made with regard to the process of

apparent premature closure of the chemical safety issue raised in the DPV. A Director's

Decision was issued on June 7, 2003, accepting Recommendations 3 and 4. Decision was

deferred on Recommendation 1 pending issuance of the panel report on a closely related DPV. 

Recommendation 2 was not adopted because the resources required to develop an SRP would

be substantial and, since no other such facility application is expected to be submitted for the

foreseeable future, little or no benefit would be derived from its development.

Meeting with Packaging Technology on TRUPACT-III Transportation Package

On June 11, 2003, the Spent Fuel Project Office met with Packaging Technology, Inc., which is

planning to submit an application for certification of the TRUPACT-III transportation package. 

The TRUPACT-III would be used for transporting large boxes of transuranic wastes to the

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. The purpose of the pre-licensing meeting was to go over the

applicant's plan for performing certification tests on the half-scale model.

DOT/NRC Information Exchange Meeting

On June 11, 2003, the Spent Fuel Project Office and the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident

Response staff met with Department of Transportation (DOT) staff at NRC Headquarters, for a

periodic information exchange meeting, as provided under the DOT/NRC Memorandum of

Understanding. Agenda topics included DOT and NRC rulemaking activities; preparations for

the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) transport safety conference; review and

comment on proposals for the 2005 Edition of IAEA’s transportation safety regulations

(TS-R-1); transport security meetings; and regulatory compliance issues.
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Distribution of Sewage Sludge Survey Results to Participating Facilities

The sampling and analysis of sewage sludge and ash from 313 publicly owned treatment works

(POTWs) has been completed. Three reports detailing the results, analyses, and conclusions

of the survey are in the final stages of preparation for publication as Interagency Steering

Committee on Radiation Standards (ISCORS) documents. An information paper is being

prepared by the staff to briefly describe the results of the study and the main recommendations

and to indicate how the reports can be accessed through the ISCORS web site. Individual

results are currently being mailed to the participating POTW operators together with average

concentrations of measured radionuclides for all facilities sampled in their physiographic region. 

In addition, a database is being prepared that will be accessible from the ISCORS web site to

allow members of the public to independently assess the information on radionuclides found in

the analyses of the POTW samples. Confidentiality was offered to secure the voluntary

participation of the POTWs so no information is available in the data base or in the information

assessed by the staff that identifies individual POTWs.

Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) Frequency Reevaluation Expert Panel Meeting

The expert panel that is reevaluating LOCA initiating event frequencies and providing

information that will be used to redefine the large-break loss-of-coolant accident (LBLOCA)

design basis met on June 4 and 5, 2003, in Bethesda, MD. The objective of this meeting was

to provide the results from calculations performed by the base case evaluation team and

resolve final issues prior to the onset of individual elicitation sessions. The base case team has

conducted four analyses to predict LOCA frequencies as a function of break size for five

specific piping systems: two analyses are based on service experience data and two are based

on probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) predictions. The experts will use these results to

anchor their elicitation responses which will be used to determine entire passive piping system

LOCA frequencies as a function of pipe size. The meeting resulted in a plan to continue

benchmarking PFM-based calculations using operating experience data and to conduct some

additional calculations to make the conditions analyzed more consistent among the four

approaches. The meeting also discussed sources that may contain non-piping passive system

LOCA precursor data. This data will be used to anchor each expert’s opinion on the non-piping

passive system LOCA contributions as a function of leak rate. 
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-II-03-010, Consolidated Coal Company - MISSING FIXED GAUGE.
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

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

June 6 through June 12, 2003:

Split Rock Uranium Mill Site and Acid Pond, permits, compliance

reports, incident reports, investigations, etc., all records

FOIA/PA-2003-0309

OIG report 00A 07, correspondence dated 5-23-02, 4-30-02, and 5-

13-02 related to report

FOIA/PA-2003-0310

Fermi II, Detroit Edison, documents related to incident 4-25-00, all

records

FOIA/PA-2003-0311

Purchase orders and/or contracts between NRC and lodging facilities FOIA/PA-2003-0312

OI reports 4-2000-030 and 4-2000-030S, all records FOIA/PA-2003-0313
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Twenty-sixth Annual Awards Ceremony Held

On June 12, 2003, NRC held its Twenty-Sixth Annual Awards Ceremony on the Green. In

attendance were Chairman Nils Diaz; Commissioner Greta Joy Dicus; Commissioner Edward

McGaffigan; Commissioner Jeffrey S. Merrifield; and William D. Travers, Executive Director for

Operations. At the ceremony, 1 employee received the Presidential Distinguished Executive

Rank Award, 11 employees received the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award, 2

employees received the Distinguished Service Award, and 39 employees received the

Meritorious Service Award. A reception was held for all NRC employees in the Two White Flint

North Cafeteria following the ceremony. Employees from the Office of Human Resources and

the Office of Administration, as well as other offices, provided volunteer ushers, who helped

make the event a huge success.

Arrivals

CHEN, David Zhong-He STUDENT ENGINEER (summer) NRR

CRANE, Samantha STUDENT ENGINEER (summer) RES

FOSTER, Rocky TRANSPORTATION SAFEGUARDS

PROJECT MANAGER

NSIR

FRAZIER, Alan PHYSICAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST NSIR

GRIMMEL, Bradford NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN NRR

JOHNSON, Dante NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN RI

HILEMAN, Mary STUDENT ENGINEER (summer) RES

KELLY, Paul SECURITY SPECIALIST NSIR

MAGNER, Stefanie Ann STUDENT LAW CLERK (summer) OGC

MONROE, Gilena STUDENT ENGINEER (summer) ACRS

NERRET, Amanda STUDENT CLERK (summer) NSIR

PAREDES, Liliana NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN RIII

NGUYEN, Victoria STUDENT CLERK (summer) RIII

RUIZ, Robert NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN RIII

SHEHEE, James PHYSICAL SECURITY INSPECTOR RII

SNOWBERGER, Dwight STUDENT ENGINEER (summer) NRR

WONG, Benjamin STUDENT ENGINEER (Coop) NRR
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE I

Retirements

GILL, Charles HEALTH PHYSICIST RIII

Departures

HENRY, Alvin NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN NRR

MORRELL, Ambe NUCLEAR SAFETY INTERN RIII
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Media Interest

Security concerns surrounding the Indian Point facility in New York as the topic of a CBS

Sunday Morning News segment in which NRC Commissioner Merrifield appeared briefly.

NRC’s issuance of a bulletin to nuclear power plant operators asking them to report on the

condition of sumps used to collect water used to cool reactors during emergencies. 

This week’s vote by the U.S. Senate on the energy bill that would subsidize a new generation of

nuclear power plants and could end up with taxpayers paying the bill. 

A nationally run Knight-Ridder Newspapers feature on possible re-awakening of the nuclear

power industry, including an interview with NRC Chairman Nils Diaz.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

03-076 NRC Staff Issues Bulletin On Reactor Containment Sump Blockage Issue (6/10)

03-077 NRC Amends Licensing, Inspection and Annual Fees Rule (6/10)

03-078 NRC To Hold Public Meeting June 17 On Human Reliability Analysis For Risk

Modeling (6/10)

03-079 NRC Advisory Committee On Nuclear Waste To Meet June 24-25 In Rockville,

Maryland (6/12)

03-080 NRC Staff Issues Generic Letter On Nuclear Power Plant Control Room

Habitability Issues (6/13) 

Regions:

I-030-039 NRC, PSEG Nuclear To Discuss Spent Fuel Storage Plans For Salem And

Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plants (6/10)

II-03-034 NRC Staff To Hold Public Meeting With Progress Energy June 27 To Discuss

Second Robinson License Renewal Inspection (6/11)

IV-03-025 NRC Assigns New Resident Inspector To Columbia Generating Station (6/13)
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE N

Office of International Programs

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Meeting at the Department of Energy (DOE)

The National Nuclear Security Administration convened an interagency meeting on sources on

June 11, 2003, to discuss coordination of efforts among agencies tasked with source

protection, source recovery, regulatory or other aspects of reducing the vulnerability of

radioactive sources abroad. In addition to representatives from the Offices of International

Programs, Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards, and Nuclear Security and Incident

Response, the group included the Department of State, Department of Energy, Department of

Defense, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. A working group will be established to

develop guidelines for a consistent U.S. Government policy and to weigh in on specific case

issues related to international source recovery and security.
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Memoranda

1. M030529A 6/10/03 Staff Requirements - Briefing on Status of

Revisions to the Regulatory Framework for

Steam Generator Tube Integrity (SECY-03-

0080)

2. M030613A 6/13/03 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session: I.

SECY-03-0084 - Sequoyah Fuels Corp.

(Gore, Oklahoma Site); Presiding Officer’s

Certified Questions

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress (Reps. Lowey, Engel, and Hinchey), dated June 6, 2003, concerns the

emergency evacuation plans for the Indian Point nuclear power plants.

2. Letter to Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, dated May 29, 2003, concerns security at the Oyster

Creek Generating Station.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. 143rd Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste - Notice of Meeting.

2. ASLBP - Sequoyah Fuels Corp. Designation of Presiding Officer.

3. Petition for rulemaking; notice of receipt - Union of Concerned Scientists and Mothers for

Peace.
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE P

Region I

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Howard University Hospital

On June 4, 2003, a Pre-decisional Enforcement Conference was held to discuss an apparent

violation identified during an inspection conducted on March 18-19, 2003. The apparent

violation involved the failure to perform surveys required in 10 CFR Part 20. There was a

significant potential for an exposure above the regulatory limits in 10 CFR 20.1201 because of

the extent of the contamination found in the Nuclear Medicine and Cardiology Departments. 

The licensee provided information pertaining to its corrective and preventive actions.

Meeting Between NRC, ABB Prospects, Inc., the Corps of Engineers, and the State of

Connecticut

On June 5, 2003, staff from Region I Division of Nuclear Materials Safety and Headquarters

Division of Waste Management met with representatives of the Corps of Engineers and the

State of Connecticut to discuss the Derived Concentration Guideline Levels (DCGLs) that ABB

Prospects, Inc. (ABB) proposed in a license amendment request for ABB’s Combustion

Engineering site in Windsor, CT. The meeting was requested by the Corps of Engineers and

was held at the Corps’ New England District Headquarters in Concord, MA. 

Maine Yankee Reactor Vessel Burial at Barnwell, SC

On June 7, 2003, the Maine Yankee reactor vessel was accepted and placed into a burial

trench at the Chem-Nuclear Barnwell, SC, low-level waste disposal site. The reactor vessel

had been shipped via barge from the Maine Yankee decommissioning reactor site in

Wiscasset, ME on May 6, 2003. The package was transported without incident. Although the

reactor vessel was removed and packaged in August, 2002, the shipment to South Carolina

was delayed due to low water levels in the Savannah River.

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Meeting

On June 10, 2003, the ACRS met with Hub Miller and the Region I staff. The staff briefed the

Committee on issues involving the Reactor Oversight Program and the evaluation of safety

culture at sites. The Committee meeting followed a tour of Peach Bottom on June 9, 2003.

Senior Regional Managers Visit Florida Power and Light Corporate Offices

On June 11, 2003, the Regional Administrators from Region I and Region II, and members of

the staff, met with Florida Power and Light managers at the company's corporate headquarters

in Juno Beach, Florida. The main topics of discussion included the performance of Seabrook,

St. Lucie and Turkey Point, and strategic issues related to all three sites.
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Florida Power and Light Company - St. Lucie Nuclear Plant Visit and Meeting

On June 10, 2003, the Regional Administrator and the Deputy Director, Division of Reactor

Projects visited the Florida Power and Light Company (FP&L) St. Lucie’s Nuclear Power Plant. 

Both met with the resident inspectors and toured the facility. 

Navy Radiation Safety Committee Meeting

On June 11, 2003, the Director, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety attended the Navy

Radiation Safety Committee (NRSC) Meeting in Crystal City, VA. NRSC members provided an

update of permitting and inspection activities. This participation is part of the Region II

oversight of this master materials licensee’s program.

Integrated Material Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP) Exit Meeting

On June 13, 2003, the Director, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety participated in the IMPEP

exit meeting for the NRC’s review of the radiation control program, managed by the State of

South Carolina as part of the State’s Agreement with the NRC. The review results will be

formally transmitted in a report to the State.

BWX Technologies (BWXT), Inc. - Public Meeting

On June 9, 2003, the Chief, Fuel Facilities Branch met with BWXT licensee representatives in a

management meeting, held near the facility in Lynchburg, VA. The purpose of the meeting was

to discuss the results of the Licensee Performance Review for the licensee’s facility in

Lynchburg. The licensee’s performance was characterized as operating the facility in

compliance with NRC safety requirements and with no significant areas for improvement

identified by the NRC. There was one media representative from the National Public Radio at

the meeting.

Emergency Planning Interface with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

On June 12, 2003, members of the CDC met with Region II Emergency Preparedness (EP)

staff and the Region II State Liaison officer to discuss EP processes, inspection methods, and

performance indicators used by the NRC. The visit was to obtain information to aid CDC in

developing a new incident response plan for responding to national and international biological

hazards.
June 13, 2003 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 18

OCA

Contact

DATE

&

PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Gerke 06/24/03

2154 RHOB

10:00 TBA Cyber Security at Federal Agencies Reps. Pu

Tech Poli GovernGovernm

Gerke 06/12/03

TBAPostponed

A.M. NRC Commission and

Others

Davis-Besse Reps. Gre

Oversight Energy an
June 13, 2003 ENCLOSURE S

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 13, 2003

Workshop on Safety Culture

On June 12, 2003, the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) held a workshop

regarding safety culture at nuclear power plants. Topics discussed by the industry and the NRC

staff included: initiatives, methodologies, guidelines, and adopted approaches for safety culture;

effective criteria for evaluating safety culture; assessing the rigors of safety culture programs;

and the implications on the safe operation of nuclear power plants. Specific objectives for the

workshop included gathering information on domestic and international activities, and

determining the attributes of effective safety culture. The workshop was organized into two

panels. One panel discussed the collective understanding of safety culture, and the other panel

discussed the attributes of safety culture. The ACRS plans to continue following-up on the

progress of this matter during future meetings.