INFORMATION REPORT

May 13, 2004 SECY-04-0080

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0080 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING MAY 7, 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
May 13, 2004 SECY-04-0080

For: The Commissioners

From: William M. Dean, Assistant for Operations,

Office of the EDO

Subject: SECY-04-0080 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING MAY 7, 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\Week507.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TKim:paa WMDean

05/13/04 05/17/04
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MAY 7, 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 *

ADM 10 Region II 21

CIO 11 Region III 22

CFO * Region IV *

HR 15 OEDO *

SBCR * OCA 24

OE *

*No input this week
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Integration of Commonwealth Edison’s Power Distribution System into PJM

Interconnection

Effective May 1, 2004, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland (PJM) Interconnection

began managing the flow of wholesale electricity over Commonwealth Edison’s

(ComEd’s) 5,000 plus miles of transmission lines and administering open, competitive

wholesale electricity trading markets. The integration of ComEd into PJM, which

increased the PJM grid by 20 percent, makes PJM the world’s largest grid operator,

meeting a peak demand of 87,000 megawatts. ComEd applied to Federal Energy

Regulatory Commission (FERC) in May 2002 to join PJM. FERC granted that request

in April 2003, and established May 1, 2004, as the integration date. As part of this

integration process, in March 2004, the North American Electric Reliability Council

(NERC) approved PJM’s reliability plans and processes for its operations in the

Northern Illinois control area. 

Vermont Yankee - Response to the Vermont Public Service Board Request

In a letter dated May 4, 2004, the NRC Chairman responsed to a request by the

Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) that the NRC conduct an independent engineering

assessment at Vermont Yankee as part of its review of the pending power uprate

application. The response states that the NRC has decided to conduct a detailed

engineering inspection that will be appropriate for addressing NRC’s oversight

responsibilities and is also responsive to the PSB’s concerns. Subsequent to receipt of

the PSB request, the NRC received numerous letters from Congressmen, local officials,

and members of the public in support of an independent assessment. The NRC

Chairman also responded to letters from interested Congressional stakeholders on May

4, 2004. Responses to the remaining letters are being developed. 

Meeting with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on PRA

Information and Application Interface

On April 30, 2004, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) staff along with

members of the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), accompanied Chairman

Diaz and a member of his staff to a meeting at NASA headquarters. The meeting

participants discussed current and future applications of Probabilistic Risk Assessment

(PRA) in each agency and how the two agencies may be able to support each other in

this area. The meeting participants agreed to collect and share pertinent information on

it’s accomplishments, establish a point of contact, and be prepared to set a date for the

next meeting, by the end of May 2004. As a first step, the NRC agreed to share it’s

handbook on "Effective Risk Communication, The NRC’s Guidelines for External Risk

Communication," NUREG/BR-0308, January 2004.

Completion of Operating Experience Task Force Plan
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

On April 29, 2004, the Division of Inspection Program Management staff completed

development of a plan for implementing the Reactor Operating Experience Task Force

Recommendations (Plan). This completes a milestone in the Operating Experience

Action Plan, which is one of four action plans of the overall response to the Davis

Besse Lessons Learned Task Force Report recommendations. The Plan provides for

implementing the 23 recommendations of the Operating Experience Task force through

substantial enhancement and definition of existing operating experience functions. The

implementation efforts will be managed through an interoffice Steering Committee

consisting of division level managers from NRR, RES, and the Office of the Chief

Information Officer (OCIO). 

Preparations for Brunswick OSART in 2005

On May 3, 2004, Miroslav Lipar and Francisco Paraman from the International Atomic

Energy Agency (IAEA) visited NRC headquarters to brief NRC senior management and

staff, as well as Region II and Office of International Program representatives, on the

Operational Safety Assessment Review Team (OSART) process that will be used to

assess the Brunswick Steam Electric Plant in May 2005. An OSART is a 3-week audit

conducted by a team of 12-15 international experts to assess nuclear power plant

operator performance in accordance with international standards to identify suggested

areas for improvement, or best practices that can be shared with other operating

organizations. The two IAEA representatives also visited the Brunswick plant on May

4-7, 2004 to make a similar presentation on the OSART process and conduct a two-day

workshop for the licensee on how to perform a self assessment in preparation for the

OSART.

Meeting with Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO)

On April 29, 2004, Division of Engineering staff met with representatives of the MISO at

their office in Carmel, Indiana. The purpose of the meeting was to understand the

MISO’s programs that will be in place this summer for assuring a reliable offsite electric

power supply to nuclear power stations.

The MISO serves as the reliability coordinator administering a peak load of 120

gigawatts covering 1.17 million square miles. This area ranges from Montana to the

Pennsylvania border and from Manitoba to Kentucky and is divided into Regional

Transmission Organizations (RTO). The control room at the Carmel office is equipped

with a live display system of all network (grid) connections of 230 kV lines and above,

and in some regions from 161kV level and higher. The RTOs enter into contracts with

the MISO for maintaining grid reliability within the RTO’s systems. The RTOs defer

operational decisions affecting their areas of jurisdiction to the MISO reliability

coordinator when the system cannot be managed within acceptable limits. While grid

reliability ensures power supply system availability, the nuclear stations can rely on this

power supply only if the voltages at the offsite power lines are within acceptable limits.

NERC has conducted audits at MISO to confirm the completion of prompt actions

directed to be completed by FERC to maintain power supply system availability. 

Although the RTOs attending the meeting were not aware of any binding contracts with
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

firm power (un-interruptible power) commitments for nuclear power stations,

representatives of some of the RTOs indicated that they have procedures in place to

provide adequate power supply to the nuclear power stations and to inform the nuclear

stations when power supplies are less than adequate.
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Meeting with Western Governors’ Association (WGA) - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

(WIPP) Transportation Technical Advisory Group

On April 29, 2004, Spent Fuel Project Office (SFPO) staff attended the semi-annual

meeting of the WGA-WIPP Transportation Technical Advisory Group. The group

advises the WGA on transportation projects related to the shipment of transuranic

waste to the WIPP. The SFPO staff gave a presentation on NRC’s recent rule change

and the effect of the rule change on NRC’s certification of transportation packages

(e.g., TRUPACT II and III). 

Public Meetings on Yucca Mountain Project

On May 3-5, 2004, Division of High Level Waste Repository Safety staff held a series of

public meetings with representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) in Las

Vegas, Nevada, regarding the DOE’s Yucca Mountain Project. Participants at these

meetings included representatives from the State of Nevada, local Counties, and

members of the public. NRC headquarters staff and Center for Nuclear Waste

Regulatory Analyses staff participated via video conferences from Rockville, Maryland,

and San Antonio, Texas, respectively.

On May 3, 2004, the meeting focused on the Project Performance Indicators, including

architecture, specific examples, and relationship to industry programs. On May 4,

2004, the meeting focused on the quality assurance (QA) program, including corrective

action program, revisions to the QA requirements, and software QA. On May 5, the

meeting focused on the results of an April 13, 2004, report, “U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission Staff Evaluation of U.S. Department of Energy Analysis Model Reports,

Process Controls, and Corrective Actions.” 
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Agreement on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Primärkreislauf (PKL) Project

On April 29, 2004, the Executive Director for Operations signed the international

agreement between the NRC and the OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). RES

forwarded this agreement to the OECD on May 3, 2004.

This Agreement defines the terms and conditions by which the NRC and 12 additional

participating countries of the OECD will establish cooperation on the PKL Project. This

project will investigate pressurized water reactor (PWR) safety issues relevant for

accident prevention and management. The work will be performed at the PKLVersuchsanlage primary coolant loop test facility in Germany. Ten experiments and

analyses are planned and will focus on the following: (1) boron dilution after small-break

loss-of-coolant accidents (S-B LOCAs), (2) loss of residual heat removal during midloop operation with a closed reactor coolant system with boron dilution, and (3) loss of

residual heat removal during mid-loop operation with an open reactor coolant system. 

This Agreement provides the framework for program management, experimental testing

to be conducted, and for the parameters to be investigated. The data and insights

gained from this project will enhance NRC’s understanding of boron dilution, transport

phenomena, and of mitigating strategies during a loss of residual heat removal

capabilities in mid-loop operation. In addition, these tests will provide results to improve

NRC’s TRACE and MELCOR analytical codes that are used to evaluate potential

transient and accident scenarios, assess generic safety issues, and address regulatory

and licensing issues for operating plants and for new designs. 

52nd Session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic

Radiation

RES staff participated in the 52nd session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on

the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in Vienna, Austria, from April 26-30, 2004. 

The Committee considered new information relevant for assessing sources of radiation,

and the health and environmental effects that result from exposure to these sources. 

Numerous comments were given to the Secretariat for consideration during the

preparation of the next set of advanced draft annexes (detailed technical documents)

that will be reviewed by the UNSCEAR during the 53rd Session in 2005. In addition,

several data collection questionnaires will be sent to UN Member States soliciting

source and exposure data. The NEA plans to share exposure data for nuclear power

plant workers collected through the Information System on Occupational Exposure

(ISOE) program. NRC is a sponsor of the ISOE program. Occupational exposure data

will also be solicited from the U.S. Department of Energy. Publication of the next

UNSCEAR report may occur as early as the end of 2006. The 53rd Session of the

UNSCEAR is scheduled to convene in Vienna, Austria from May 30 to June 3, 2005.
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

Meeting of the International Common-Cause Failure Data Exchange Project

On April 20-22, 2004, RES staff hosted the 19th International Common-Cause Failure

Data Exchange (ICDE) Steering Group meeting in San Francisco, California.

Participants included representatives from Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Japan,

Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States. Two other ICDE members,

Korea and Sweden, did not send participants and Slovakia participated as an observer. 

The Steering Group discussed the task to update data for six components (pumps,

motor-operated valves, check valves, emergency diesel generators, safety and relief

valves, and batteries) for which data have previously been collected and a summary

report has been issued. The group also finalized data collection details and schedules

for circuit breakers, control rod drive assemblies, and components associated with level

measurement. Published ICDE reports and data on common cause failures are

available to all NRC staff through the RES web pages. The next ICDE meeting is

scheduled for November 12-14, 2004, in Cologne, Germany.

Meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Committee on

Nuclear Risk Management

The ASME Committee on Nuclear Risk Management (CNRM) held its meeting on April

21, 2004. In conjunction with this meeting, the Subcommittees on Risk Technology and

Risk Applications met on April 20, and the Project Team (working group) on Addendum

B/Revision 1 to the ASME probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) standard met on April 19. 

CNRM agreed to work closely with the Project Team to assist in expediting the

schedule for Addendum B/Revision 1 to the standard to meet NRC’s schedule for

updating Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.200, which has been issued for trial use. New

standards being proposed for development by the CRNM include a PRA Generic Data

Base and Level 3 PRA. It was agreed that a structure for an integrated PRA standard

is needed before development of additional PRA standards. 

Meeting of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Risk Informed Standards Committee

The ANS Risk Informed Standards Committee (RISC) held its meeting on April 30,

2004. The meeting involved discussion on the need for and timing of the development

of a low power shutdown (LPSD) probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) standard. There was

an agreement by the majority of the Committee members that a LPSD standard

including a qualitative approach is needed, and that the technology needed to write the

standard is available. A motion was made for a vote to advise the Working Group to

proceed with the LPSD standard and for the scope to include the qualitative approach

with guidance for human reliability analysis, and to expand the treatment of screening

plant operating states. The motion was carried. The RISC also plans to closely monitor

the progress of the Working Group to ensure that the technical issues raised are

adequately addressed. In addition, the RISC plans to request the Working Group on

the Internal Fire PRA standard to shorten their schedule, if possible.
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Report to Congress on Abnormal Occurrences for Fiscal Year 2003

On May 4, 2004, NRC published its report to Congress on abnormal occurrences during

Fiscal Year 2003 in the Federal Register (69 FR 24688).

Contract Award

On May 5, 2004, a competitive fixed price contract No. NRC-10-04-402, was awarded

to Schreiber Translations Inc., to provide translation services for all NRC requirements. 

The contract is estimated at $209,937.85 for a five year period of performance,

inclusive of four one-year option periods. 
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

NRC Participation in Individual Presidential Priority Initiatives (PPIs) Re-Visited

Over the past several months, a rationalization of NRC’s involvement in the PPIs has

been completed, although periodic reviews will continue. At the end of Calendar Year

2003, NRC was participating in thirteen initiatives. Currently, NRC is participating in or

in an evaluation phase of fifteen initiatives (15 of 25). NRC no longer participate in EGrants, as NRC does not require a competitive grants process. The three new

initiatives that NRC is currently participating in or assessing are: USA Services -

provides a citizen support "help desk"; Business Gateway - provides centralized access

to government Forms; and, Geospatial One-Stop - provides extensive access to

geospatial information. The Federal Asset Sales initiative was also reviewed. As NRC

uses other agencies for this function, NRC will be an indirect participant in the Federal

Asset Sales initiative. In addition, NRC is also working with the Smart Buy program,

which focuses on leveraging the software buying power of the government.

Enterprise Architecture Readiness Contract Awarded

The Enterprise Architecture Readiness Assessment task has been awarded under the

GSA Management, Organizational and Business Improvement Services (MOBIS)

contract to High Performance Technologies, Inc., who teamed with MegaSystems. The

interviews of senior executives will begin in May. The assessment is expected to be

completed by July.

Technical Library Implements New Integrated Library System (ILS)

The Technical Library’s new library system "Endeavor Voyager" has been tested and

accepted, and is operational. During the month of April, the bibliographic, patron, and

circulation data was exported, loaded and reviewed. All loaded data have been

accepted and the system is now up and running. 

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

April 30 through May 6, 2004:

Civil Rights & Affirmative Employment Data Tracking &

Reporting System contract

FOIA/PA-2004-

0228

Hingham, MA, hazardous waste records FOIA/PA-2004-

0229

OIG case 04-09L, named individual FOIA/PA-2004-

0230

OIG case 03-63A, all records FOIA/PA-2004-

0231
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE G

OIG investigation report into allegations that NRC staff

pressured National Institute for Standards and Technology

(NIST) to analyze the 2001 Baltimore tunnel fire to support

regulatory standards

FOIA/PA-2004-

0232

Material License Tracking System (MLTS) database, all active

& retired facilities

FOIA/PA-2004-

0233
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Arrivals

Leroy Hardin IT Specialist ASLBP

Erica P. Henderson Student Clerk ADM

Michael D. Mangefrida IT Specialist (INFOSEC) NSIR

Chester Poslusny Consultant NMSS

Gabriel J. Taylor Student Engineer (Summer) NRR

Retirements

Wayne E. Scott Sr. Operations Engineer NRR

James E. Wigginton Senior Health Physicist NRR

Departures

Robert E. Uhrig Consultant ACRS
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Media Interest

The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) responded to significant media inquiries on the

following:

Entergy’s request for a power uprate at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.

Additional NRC studies on the reactor vessel head corrosion at the Davis-Besse

nuclear plant.

NRC’s announcement of Notice of Violation at Davis-Besse concerning containment

coatings and the reactor sump.

Other Public Affairs Items

OPA staff assisted at public meetings in Las Vegas (Yucca Mountain).

Press Releases

Headquarters:

04-052 NRC to Host Open House (Yucca Mountain) May 10 in Nevada (5/3)

04-053 Note to Editors: NRC Issues Information on Studies Related to the DavisBesse Reactor Head Corrosion (5/4) 

04-054 NRC Issues Review Standard for Early Site Permit Applications (5/4)

04-055 NRC Provides Update on Review Process for Vermont Yankee Power

Uprate Request (5/5)

Regions:

I-04-026 NRC Upgrades Inspection Team Looking into Worker Exposures at Puerto

Rico Irradiator Facility (5/4)

I-04-027 NRC Proposes $7,500 Fine Against New Jersey Firm for Failing to Maintain

Control of Nuclear Gauge (5/7)

II-04-037 NRC Staff to Hold Public Meeting with Southern Nuclear May 14 to Discuss

Farley Plant License Renewal Inspection (5/7)

II-04-038 NRC Schedules Regulatory Conference to Discuss Inspection Finding at

Brunswick Nuclear Plant (5/7)

III-04-030 NRC Davis-Besse Oversight Panel to Meet May 13 in Ohio (5/6)

III-04-031 Meeting to Discuss Results of Special Inspection at D.C. Cook (5/6)
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE M

III-04-032 NRC Begins Special Inspection of Shutdown at Dresden Nuclear Plant (5/6)
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-04-0029 5/5/04 Options for Full-Scale Spent Nuclear

Fuel Transportation Cask Testing Under

the Package Performance Study

Voting Record on

SECY-04-0029

5/5/04 (same subject)

2. Commissioner

McGaffigan’s vote on

SECY-99-279

2/15/00 Final Rule Amending the Fitness-forDuty Rule

Information Papers

1. SECY-04-0070 4/29/04 SECY-04-0070 Weekly Information

Report - Week Ending April 23, 2004

Memoranda

1. M040504A 5/4/04 Staff Requirements - Affirmation

Session: I. SECY-04-0066 - Dominion

Nuclear Connecticut (Millstone Nuclear

Power Station, Units 2 and 3) (Rejection

by the Secretary of Petition to Intervene

in License Renewal Proceeding as

Premature)

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Michael Dworkin, Vermont Public Service Board, dated May 4, 2004,

responds to request that NRC conduct an independent engineering assessment

as part of its review of the proposed power uprate at Vermont Yankee.

2. Letter to Congress, dated April 28, 2004, provides the March 2004 report on the

status of NRC’s licensing and regulatory duties and the status of Davis-Besse.

3. Letter to Congress, dated April 27, 2004, provides the FY 2003 Abnormal

Occurrence Report.

4. Letter to Congressman Markey, dated April 27, 2004, responds to request for the

declassification and release of documents associated with the Three Mile Island

accident.
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste, Meeting on Planning and Procedures

(05/25/04). 
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

Inspector Counterpart Meeting

On May 3-6, 2004, the Region II Inspector’s Counterpart meeting was held in the

Regional Office. On May 4, 2004, the Executive Director for Operations gave a

presentation on Regional Issues, and Commissioner Merrifield gave a presentation on

Agency Issues and Items of Priority. On May 5, 2004, the Deputy Director, NRR, gave

a presentation on NRR/Reactor Program Issues. 

National Radiological Emergency Response Conference

On May 3-5, 2004, the Region II State Liaison Officer attended the 14th Annual,

National Radiological Emergency Response Conference, in Phoenix, Arizona.
May 7, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region III

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

End-of-Cycle Performance Assessment Meetings

During the week of May 3, 2004, members of the regional staff held end-of-cycle performance

assessment meetings for the Palisades and LaSalle nuclear power plants. The meetings were

held in the vicinity of each of the plants.

Special Inspection - Dresden Unit 3 Loss of Offsite Power

On May 6, 2004, Region III began a special inspection at the Dresden Nuclear Power Station to

review the circumstances surrounding the May 5 loss of offsite power for Unit 3 and subsequent

reactor trip.
May 7, 2004 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 7, 2004

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 57

OCA

Contact

DATE &

PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Keeling 05/11

2322 RHOB

2:00 DOE DOE Nuclear Security (Open/Closed) Reps. Gre

Oversight Energy an

Long 05/13

2175 RHOB

1:00 TBA Federal Employees’ Compensation Act Reps. Nor

Workplace Education 

Portner and others

05/20SD-406

9:30 NRC Commissioners and

others

NRC Oversight Senators V

Clean Air, SafetyEnvironme