INFORMATION REPORT

August 30, 2004 SECY-04-0158

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0158 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING AUGUST 20, 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 
August 30, 2004 SECY-04-0158

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0158 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING AUGUST 20, 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\Week820.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TKim:paa WMDean

08/30/04 08/31/04
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING AUGUST 20, 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 17

RES 8 OIP *

NSIR * SECY 19

OGC * Region I 20

ADM 10 Region II *

CIO 11 Region III 22

CFO * Region IV 23

HR * OEDO *

SBCR * OCA 24

OE *

*No input this week
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Public Meeting

On August 18, 2004, the Division of Inspection Program Management (DIPM) held another of a

series of public meetings with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and industry representatives to

discuss ROP implementation issues. Topics discussed included significance determination

process (SDP) timeliness, safety system functional failures, reactor coolant system (RCS)

leakage performance indicator improvement initiative, suggested improvements to the

frequently asked question (FAQ) process, changes to NEI 99-02, revision 2, and open FAQs. 

The next ROP public meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2004.

Mitigating System Performance Index (MSPI) Public Meeting

On August 19, 2004, DIPM met with representatives from NEI and other industry

representatives in another of a series of public meetings to discuss MSPI implementation

issues. Topics discussed included the need to define the conditions on when to use a front

stop (i.e., risk limiter) and the need for a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) standard and

guidelines. These and other issues were outlined in a staff position that was presented to

industry during the July public meeting. Performance indicator issues, including action plans for

the subcommittee task groups for Reactor Scrams with Loss of Normal Heat Removal and

Barrier Integrity, performance indicators (PIs), and open frequently asked questions were also

discussed. The next MSPI public meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2004.

Public Meeting Regarding Proposed Rulemaking on Risk-Informed Changes to 10 CFR 50.46

On August 17, 2004, staff from the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) held a public

meeting to obtain public input on potential costs and benefits associated with the

implementation of the proposed changes to 10 CFR 50.46. The proposed rule change would

permit power reactor licensees to implement a voluntary risk-informed alternative to current

requirements for loss-of-coolant accident analyses. The information gathered from this meeting

will be factored into the regulatory analysis for the proposed rule. Representatives from NEI,

licensees, owners groups, and reactor vendors participated in the meeting. A senior policy

advisor from the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works was also in

attendance. The staff gave a presentation of the conceptual basis for the proposed rule and

posed a number of questions on estimated costs and benefits. The public was afforded the

opportunity to request clarifications on the structure of the draft rule. The industry

representatives had many questions on the structure of the rule, primarily related to

understanding the implications for implementing the rule at their facilities. Written input from

the stakeholders to support development of the regulatory analysis is expected in September

2004.
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

Meeting with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Safety

Commission (CNSC)

On August 17, 2004, NRR and the Office of Research (RES) staff met with AECL and CNSC to

discuss the design certification process. The purpose of the meeting was for NRC to provide

information on the design certification process under 10 CFR Part 52 with a focus on the ACR700 application expected next year. The topics discussed included the technical and

administrative requirements for a design certification application, the roles of RES and the

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safety in the process, review schedule considerations and

potential impacts, and lessons learned from previous reviews. 

Meeting with the Boiling Water Reactor Owners’ Group (BWROG) on Power Uprate Operation

On August 18, 2004, the staff held a public meeting at NRC headquarters in Rockville, MD, with

BWROG to discuss the status of industry activities to address potential adverse flow effects

from power uprate operation. The BWROG representatives stated that the objectives of its

effort are (1) to ensure that operating experience and lessons learned are incorporated into

power uprate programs to assure safe and reliable operations; and (2) to provide oversight for a

broad range of industry efforts related to BWR extended power uprates. As part of its effort,

the BWROG is developing recommendations for plants that have implemented, or plan to

implement, power uprates. The BWROG stated its belief that the current BWR steam dryer

analysis conservatively predicts steam dryer loads. During the meeting, representatives from

Exelon reported that its extent-of-condition evaluation for plant systems and components at

Dresden and Quad Cities were completed, and that recommendations had been provided to the

BWROG for incorporation in September 2004 into operational guidance for power uprates. The

BWROG plans to complete a document describing lessons learned from power uprate

operation and recommendations by the end of 2004. The BWROG stated that a refinement of

the current steam dryer analysis methodology is being developed to facilitate more realistic

evaluations of steam dryer structural integrity under power uprate conditions with completion of

the refinement scheduled for May 2005. The BWROG indicated that it would provide the NRC

staff with the documented results of its activities when available.
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

High-Level Waste Staff and Contractors Observe Drop Testing of Department of Energy (DOE)

Canisters

On August 10-12, 2004, Division of High-Level Waste Repository Safety and Center for Nuclear

Waste Regulatory Analyses staff members observed four spent nuclear fuel canister drop tests

at Sandia National Laboratory. Two Idaho Spent Fuel Project and two Multi-Canister Overpack

canisters were dropped from various heights and angles onto an unyielding 6-foot thick

reinforced concrete pad. The purpose of the tests was to evaluate the canister performance

under accidental drops and to validate the DOE’s mechanical deformation computer models. 

Visual inspection of the canisters after the tests did not reveal any breaches and the resulting

deformations agreed reasonably well with those predicted by the finite-element computer

models.

Staff Review of Wyoming Underground Injection Control Program

On August 10-12, 2004, staff from the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

(NMSS) visited with the State of Wyoming to determine if the State’s underground injection

control (UIC) program for in-situ Leach (ISL) uranium facilities is, at a minimum, equivalent to

NRC’s groundwater protection requirements. A representative of the Environmental Protection

Agency was also present. Staff identified a major deficiency in the Wyoming groundwater

restoration requirements that resulted from a recent challenge to Wyoming’s regulations by the

Wyoming Mining Association (WMA). WMA stated that Wyoming’s regulations and guidance

were more stringent than their overriding statute. Until recently, language in Wyoming’s

regulations had existed that was consistent with NRC’s guidance which states that the primary

goal of groundwater restoration is to achieve background water quality. Because of the

challenge by the WMA, this language has been deleted. The result is that staff will not be able

to defer part of the groundwater ISL program dealing with review of groundwater restoration,

excursion monitoring, and excursion corrective action. 

Meeting with BFS Regarding Transport of VSC-24 Canisters in the Model No. TS125 Cask

On August 12, 2004, Spent Fuel Project Office staff met with BNFL Fuel Solutions (BFS) on the

subject topic. The meeting centered on the structural analysis for the fuel canister and basket,

and criticality calculations. BFS plans to take credit for fuel burnup in the criticality analysis

using actual fuel characteristics for the 58 canisters that are currently loaded at three reactor

sites. BFS estimates that an application for approval will be submitted to NRC in April 2005.
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

Public Meeting on Good Practices for Implementing Human Reliability Analysis

On August 16, 2004, the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) held a public meeting to

present NUREG-1792, “Good Practices for Implementing Human Reliability Analysis (HRA),

Draft Report for Comment,” which was published in July 2004. The meeting was well attended

by both internal and external stakeholders including representatives from the nuclear power

industry, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. During the meeting, NRC

staff provided an overview of NUREG-1792 and obtained preliminary comments from

attendees. The public comment period for NUREG-1792 ends on October 4, 2004. After

reviewing public comments and incorporating necessary changes, RES intends on issuing the

final version of NUREG-1792 in the Spring of 2005.

Meeting of the Proactive Materials Degradation Assessment (PMDA) Expert Panel

On August 9 -13, 2004, RES held the first meeting of the PMDA expert panel to discuss the

Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT) process. The purpose of the PMDA-PIRT

is to identify locations and components in light water reactors (LWRs) that could be susceptible

to future materials degradation phenomena, thereby avoiding reactionary responses to

unanticipated issues. The PMDA-PIRT utilizes a panel comprised of eight internationally

recognized experts in materials degradation phenomena in LWRs from industry, regulatory

agencies, and academic institutions in the United States, France, Sweden, Japan, and Canada. 

Staff from the NRC Technical Training Center (TTC) presented detailed system and operational

history information on the pressurized water reactor (PWR) Reactor Coolant System (RCS),

which is the first system to be addressed by the panel. 

The process developed at this meeting will be used at seven additional Expert Panel meetings,

three of which will be used to examine the remaining PWR systems of interest and four

meetings to examine a range of boiling water reactor (BWR) systems. The final report for all

PWR components examined is expected to be available in June 2005, and the final report for

the BWR systems examined should be completed in December 2005. Results from this activity

will be used to guide research and regulatory actions to minimize unanticipated safety

implications from materials degradation.
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending August 20, 2004

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC-MPC, Amendment 4, Revision (AH50 -

Part 72)

On August 13, 2004, NRC published a direct final rule (69 FR 50053) that revises 10 CFR

72.214, “List of approved spent fuel storage casks,” and the accompanying notice for public

comment (69 FR 50089) in the Federal Register. The revised rule adds Amendment No. 4 to

the certificate of compliance associated with the NAC multipurpose canister cask system. This

amendment will modify the cask design to incorporate vacuum drying enhancements under a

general license. The direct final rule becomes effective October 27, 2004, unless significant

adverse comments are received by September 13, 2004. 

NRC Enforcement Policy; Alternative Dispute Resolution

On August 13, 2004, NRC published an amendment to its Enforcement Policy in the Federal

Register (69 FR 50219). The amendment includes an interim enforcement policy regarding the

use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the enforcement program for cases involving

discrimination and wrongdoing. 
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

Quarterly Information Technology (IT) Focus Group Meeting

On August 11-12, 2004, the quarterly IT Focus Group meeting was held at NRC Headquarters. 

Participants included staff from numerous headquarters and regional offices. Some of the

presentation topics included knowledge management, wireless 802.11, wireless email, Adobe

PDF converter software, and the draft NRC wireless security policy.

Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Agencywide Documents Access and

Management System (ADAMS) Records Management Briefing to the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA)

On August 17, 2004, OCIO staff conducted an ADAMS records management briefing to the

records management staff of FDA. FDA plans to design a system similar to ADAMS that will

include both document management and records management functions, as well as document

tracking and automatic processing of e-mails into the system. The purpose of the briefing was

to share NRC’s experience with ADAMS as an electronic document and records management

system. 
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

Media Interest

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

Discussions with reporters in Nevada, Utah, and New York concerning the Office of Inspector

General (OIG) report dismissing allegations about spent fuel cask quality. These reporters

wrote about the allegations at the outset, and they were given the web link to the OIG report.

Ongoing response to newspaper editorials concerning removal of physical protection

information from the Reactor Oversight Process web page.

Questions on preparations for a possible strike at Vermont Yankee.

Questions on Rep. Markey’s letter and Sen. Clinton’s press release concerning “dirty bombs”

and NRC activities to control sources under materials licenses.

Questions concerning the upcoming HBO documentary on Indian Point. 

Press Releases

Headquarters:

04-097 NRC Approves Request by Utah to Amend Its Agreement With Agency

(8/18)

Regions:

III-04-045 NRC Proposes $3,000 Fine Against Michigan Firm for Failing to Adequately

Secure Nuclear Gauge (8/20)

IV-04-035 NRC to Conduct Inspections at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

(8/20)
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-04-0140 8/2/04 Request of the State of Nevada to Begin the

Process for Obtaining Security Clearances

for Nevada Representatives

SRM on 04-0140 8/18/04 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 04-0140

8/18/04 (same)

2. Commission Voting

Record on 04-0127

8/17/04 Final Rule: Medical Use of Byproduct

Material - Minor Amendments: Extending

Expiration Date for Subpart J of Part 35

3. SECY-04-0102 6/22/04 Results of the Staff’s Evaluation of Potential

Doses to the Public from Material at the

Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control

Authority Site in Leechburg, Pennsylvania

Memoranda

M040818A 8/18/04 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session: I.

SECY-04-0092 - Tennessee Valley

Authority (Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 1,

Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 & 2,

Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 & 3),

Docket Nos. 50-390-CIVP; 50-327-CIVP;

50-328-CIVP, 50-259-CIVP; 50-260-CIVP;

50-296-CIVP; LBP-03-10 (6/26/03); II.

SECY-04-0137-Louisiana Energy Services,

L.P. (National Enrichment Center)
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

M040817A 8/17/04 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session:

(1) SECY-04-0105 - Private Fuel Storage

(Independent Spent Fuel Storage

Installation) Docket No. 72-22-ISFSI; (2)

SECY-04-0127 - Final Rule: Medical Use of

Byproduct Material - Minor Amendments:

Extending Expiration Date for Subpart J of

Part 35; (3) SECY-04-0142 - FirstEnergy

Nuclear Operating Co. (Davis-Besse

Nuclear Power Station, Unit 1); Petitioners’

Appeal of LBLP-04-11

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated August 13, 2004, provides NRC’s Strategic Plan for FY 2004-

2009.

2. Letter to Olene S. Walker, Governor of Utah, dated August 10, 2004, provides approval of

the proposed amendment to the Agreement requested by former Governor Michael Leavitt.

3. Letter to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, dated August 10, 2004, provides response to

letter concerning fine that was levied against the licensee of the Davis-Besse NPP.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, Subcommittee Meeting on Thermal-Hydraulic

Phenomena, notice of meeting scheduled for September 22-23, 2004.

2. Final Policy Statement on the Treatment of Environmental Justice Matters in NRC

Regulatory and Licensing Actions.

3. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, notice of 515th meeting (09/09-11/04). 
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region I

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

Vermont Yankee - Briefing of Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Panel (VSNAP)

On August 18, 2004, NRC’s engineering inspection team leader briefed members of the

VSNAP on the on-going engineering inspection. The briefing included an overview of the

inspection, the process for the selection of components and operator actions to be inspected,

and a general discussion of how issues would be documented. Panel members asked

questions regarding the team’s independence and expertise, whether the inspection would

cover certain issues (e.g., credit for containment over-pressure and plant reliability), and

potential impact on the inspection in case of a strike. Region I and Entergy management also

attended the briefing and responded to questions, as appropriate. 

North Carolina IMPEP Review

From August 16-20, 2004, an Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP)

review of the North Carolina Agreement State Program was conducted by staff from Region I,

Office of State and Tribal Programs, and representatives from the Commonwealth of

Massachusetts. This review focused on the State’s performance over the last four years and

the actions taken in response to recommendations made during the previous IMPEP reviews

conducted in September 2000. The review team presented its preliminary findings to North

Carolina State representatives after it concluded its on-site activities. 

Florida Bureau of Radiation Control Response to Hurricane Charley

In response to Hurricane Charley which hit the State of Florida beginning Friday, August 13,

2004, Region I staff contacted the State of Florida, Bureau of Radiation Control, to inquire if

assistance was needed to aid their staff and to assess damage to material licensees in Florida. 

Florida Bureau of Radiation Control staff reported that they had contacted all 26 major

licensees by August 16, 2004, within the affected counties to assess damage. No stormrelated damages were reported by these licensees. 
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region III

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

Point Beach - Meeting to Discuss Status of Performance Improvement Plan

On August 18, 2004, Region III staff met with Nuclear Management Company officials in

Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to discuss the status of activities under the company’s performance

improvement program and the associated NRC Confirmatory Action Letter regarding the Point

Beach Nuclear power plant.
August 20, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

San Onofre - Site Visit by California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Representatives

On August 16, 2004, two representatives from the CPUC visited the San Onofre Nuclear

Generating Station (SONGS), to obtain additional information regarding the licensee’s request

to replace steam generators in 2009.

During their visit, the CPUC representatives met with the NRC Senior Resident Inspector (SRI). 

The representatives were interested in obtaining a general understanding of NRC oversight for

steam generator replacement and the resident inspector’s role in daily plant oversight. 

Cooper - Public Meeting with Nebraska Public Power District

On August 18, 2004, the Regional Administrator and other members of the Region IV staff

conducted a public meeting with representatives of the Nebraska Public Power District officials

in the Region IV office. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the results of the licensee's

self-assessment of the effectiveness of the actions implemented at the Cooper Nuclear Station

in addressing the issues specified in NRC Confirmatory Action Letter, dated January 30, 2003. 

Fort Calhoun - Site Visit by South Dakota State Representatives

On August 18, 2004, representatives of the South Dakota Rural Electric Association visited the

Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station to observe how nuclear technology is being implemented in

Nebraska.
August 20, 2004 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 20, 2004

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 69

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Keeling 09/14/04

2247 RHOB

10:00 NRC, GAO Homeland Security: Monitoring

Nuclear Power Plant Security

Reps. ShNational Sand InternGovernm

Portner TBA

SD-124

TBA Markup FY2005 Energy and Water

Development Appropriations

Senators Energy anAppropria

Keeling TBA

345 CHOB

TBA Markup Homeland Security Authorization Reps. Co

Select CoSecurity

Note: The Senate and the House of Representatives are in recess until September 7.