INFORMATION REPORT

July 22, 2004 SECY-04-0131

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0131 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JULY 16, 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 by Melinda Malloy Acting For/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Kim, OEDO
July 22, 2004 SECY-04-0131

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0131 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JULY 16, 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 by Melinda Malloy Acting For/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Kim, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\Week716.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TKim:paa WMDean mxm for

07/23/04 07/26/04
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING JULY 16, 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 11

RES * OIP *

NSIR 7 SECY 12

OGC * Region I 13

ADM 8 Region II 14

CIO 9 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 15

HR 10 OEDO *

SBCR * OCA 16

OE *

*No input this week
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Catawba - Hearing on License Amendment for Mixed Oxide Lead Test Assemblies

On July 14-15, 2004, staff from the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) and the Office

of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) testified as a panel before the Atomic Safety and

Licensing Board regarding the Duke Power Company’s proposed license amendment for

Catawba Units 1 and 2 to irradiate four mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel lead test assemblies (LTAs). 

The issue in contention concerns the impact of the MOX LTAs on the ability of the reactor to

safely shutdown and prevent unacceptable radiation releases in the event of a loss-of-coolant

accident. The purpose of the MOX LTAs is for the licensee to acquire data on MOX fuel

performance for use in future utilization of MOX fuel in a batch application. Utilization of MOX

fuel in commercial nuclear reactors is part of the Department of Energy program to dispose of

excess plutonium. The staff will continue to support the hearing process as findings are

developed. 

Nine Mile Point - Public Meeting on License Renewal Review

On July 8, 2004, NRR staff, supported by representatives from Region I and the Office of

General Counsel, conducted a Category 3 public meeting near the Nine Mile Point (NMP)

nuclear power plant in Fulton, New York, to discuss the NRC’s license renewal process. About

30 individuals attended the meeting. In general, the public questions were related to the license

renewal review process, the role of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS),

and the recently revised 10 CFR Part 2 hearing process. The meeting received media

attention, including local television coverage. 

Eighth NRC/ASME Symposium on Valve and Pump Testing

On July 12-14, 2004, NRC and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) jointly

sponsored the Eighth NRC/ASME Symposium on Pump and Valve Testing in Washington, DC. 

This biennial symposium provides a forum for exchanging information on technical and

regulatory issues associated with the inservice testing of safety-related pumps and valves in

nuclear power plants. The symposium also provides an opportunity to discuss improvements in

inservice testing methods that help to ensure the continued, reliable performance of pumps and

valves under design basis conditions. About 200 individuals, including participants from other

countries, attended, representing nuclear power plant licensees, consultants, valve and pump

vendors, and regulators. 
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Participation in Health Physics Society Annual Meeting

On July 12-15, 2004, staff members from the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety

participated in the 49th Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society (HPS), held in

Washington, DC. Staff participation included presenting a technical paper on extremity

monitoring; conducting presentations in the poster session on the International Atomic Energy

Agency’s Code of Conduct and the NRC’s General License Tracking System; supporting the

NRC’s recruiting booth for entry-level health physicists; and serving as a proctor for the Health

Physics Certification exam. The HPS meeting program covered topics such as public policy

issues, homeland security issues, internal/external dosimetry, instrumentation, waste

management, and decommissioning.

Meeting with Representative of Missouri Department of Natural Resources

On July 13, 2004, the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) staff met with

the Director and senior management of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources

(MDNR), in Jefferson City, Missouri. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the

Westinghouse-Hematite site phased Decommissioning Plan submitted to NRC on April 30,

2004. Staff described the NRC's license termination rule, and the decommissioning regulatory

process. A productive discussion of site cleanup issues followed. Both MDNR and NRC staff

reaffirmed their desire for continuing open communications between the two agencies. NRC

staff also visited the Westinghouse site in Hematite, Missouri.

Crow Butte Resources Plans to Expand In Situ Leach Operations

Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards staff has learned that Crow Butte Resources

(CBR) plans to expand its in situ leach (ISL) uranium extraction operations in Nebraska by

operating up to four satellite facilities. CBR estimates that it will submit a license amendment

application to NRC for the first satellite facility in May 2005, and an application for a second

satellite facility is targeted for 2006-2007. Depending on economics, applications could be

submitted to NRC for license amendments for two additional satellite facilities in the 2007-2010

time frame. Although a memorandum of understanding to defer active groundwater regulation

at ISLs may be executed with the State of Nebraska before the first license amendment is

submitted in 2005, NRC must prepare environmental assessments for each application.

Meeting with Louisiana Energy Services

On July 8, 2004, NRC staff met with representatives of Louisiana Energy Services (LES) to

discuss two issues related to the uranium enrichment plant proposed to be located in Eunice,

New Mexico. The first issue involved how to define Items Relied on for Safety (IROFS) for

geometrically safe components. The second issue involved how to separate the Integrated

Safety Analysis (ISA) summary from the application, in accordance with 10 CFR 70.65(b). At

the conclusion of the meeting, LES agreed to re-evaluate its approach for identifying IROFS for

geometrically safe components, and to assess how best to separate the ISA summary from the

application. LES stated that these actions may delay submission of the revised application,

previously scheduled for the end of July 2004.
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Issuance of Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) 2003-18, Supplement 1

On July 13, 2004, NRC issued the subject RIS entitled “Use of Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

99-01, Methodology for Development of Emergency Action Levels,” Revision 4. This RIS

(ADAMS Accession No. ML041550395) clarifies technical positions concerning the revision of

emergency action levels and documents information provided by NRC in an April 26, 2004,

public workshop on the same subject.

Southern Nuclear Company Common Emergency Operations Facility (EOF) Drill Observation

On July 14, 2004, Emergency Preparedness Directorate (EPD) staff members with assistance

from Region II and the resident inspectors observed a common EOF response drill. The

purpose of this drill was to demonstrate Southern Nuclear Company’s (SNC’s) ability to respond

to an emergency event at multiple sites utilizing the proposed common EOF. This included

demonstration of effective communication with the affected State and local emergency

management agencies as well as effective notification of the public/media. The State of

Georgia participated at the EOF and also staffed its Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The

State of Alabama staffed its Radiological Health Department and communicated with the

affected site and the EOF. 
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Electronic Maintenance and Submission of Information: Correction (AH33 - Part 2)

On July 12, 2004, a document correcting the final rule that clarified how and when licensees

and the public may use electronic means to communicate with the agency was published in the

Federal Register (69 FR 41749). The correction restores the proper addressee for the

submission of requests for action under 10 CFR 2.206. The correction became effective

July 12, 2004.

Contract Award

On July 9, 2004, a competitive, cost reimbursement type contract was awarded to Information

Systems Laboratories, Inc. This contract requires the contractor to perform detailed risk

analyses of events or conditions that have occurred during all phases of reactor operations. 

The period of performance is for 41 months at an estimated cost of $2,200,838. 
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

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

July 9 through July 15, 2004:

MLTS database FOIA/PA-2004-0293

Contract for Custodial Management Services, current contract price &

completed payments

FOIA/PA-2004-0294

Properties under Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Van

Ness Street, Wash. DC, 35 acres, any reports

FOIA/PA-2004-0295

Allegation NMSS-2003-A-0013 and OI investigation files FOIA/PA-2004-0296

Sen. John Edwards, all correspondence between NRC, Jan. 2002 -

present

FOIA/PA-2004-0297

OI report 3-2001-051 and all related exhibits FOIA/PA-2004-0298

OI report 3-2001-049 and all related exhibits FOIA/PA-2004-0299

Solicitation RS-HR-04-384, dollar amount of contract including

breakdown per line item

FOIA/PA-2004-0300
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Arrivals

Robert E. Einziger Sr. Materials Engineer NMSS

Chad Tancil Student Clerk (Summer) R-III

Rachel Woolwine Student Clerk (Summer) R-III
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Media Interest

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

The U.S. Court of Appeals ruling on Yucca Mountain, and the NRC’s License Support Network

for Yucca Mountain-related documentation.

The discovery of previously “missing” spent fuel segments at the Vermont Yankee plant.

The threatened strike at the Pilgrim plant, which was averted.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA staff assisted at public meetings regarding the Palo Verde, Davis-Besse, and Indian Point

power plants.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

04-085 NRC Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste to Meet July 20-22 in

Rockville, Maryland (7/14)

04-086 NRC Names Allen G. Croff to Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (7/15)

04-087 NRC Approves Power Uprate for Palisades (7/15)

Regions:

I-04-037 NRC Updates Public on Indian Point Spent Fuel Storage Plans (7/15)

III-04-042 NRC to Hold Public Meeting July 21 on Decommissioning Plans for

Thorium-Contaminated Sites near Bay City, Michigan (7/13)

III-04-043 NRC Special Inspection into Causes of Reactor Shutdown and Associated

Equipment Problems at Clinton (7/16)
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Information Papers

1. SECY-04-0116 7/13/04 SECY-04-0116 Weekly Information Report -

Week Ending July 2, 2004

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Sen. James Jeffords, Rep. Bernard Sanders, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, dated

July 8, 2004, concerns the NRC’s investigation of a fire in the main transformer area of

the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, In the Matter of U.S. Department of Energy (High

Level Waste Repository: Pre-Application Matters; Docket No. PAPO-00; ASLBP No. 04-

829-01-PAPO; July 9, 2004; ORDER (Initial Pre-License Application Phase Order).

2. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste Renewal Notice (period of two years). 
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region I

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Pilgrim Station - Ratification of a New Union Contract

On July 15, 2004, the members of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 369

voted to ratify a new union contract, thus averting a potential strike. The union represents

operations, maintenance, and clerical staff at Pilgrim Station. The new contract was ratified by

a vote of 208 to 28 and will remain in effect for four years. Entergy, the licensee for the Pilgrim

nuclear station, continues to negotiate a first contract with the professional-technical groups at

the site, who are represented by UWUA Locals 590 and 369-Technical.
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Site Tour at St. Lucie and Meeting with Florida Power & Light Company/FPL Energy Seabrook

On July 14, 2004, the Regional Administrator, Region II; Regional Administrator, Region I; and

the Region II Director, Division of Reactor Projects and Deputy Director, Division of Reactor

Safety; toured the St. Lucie facility in Jensen Beach, Florida. On the following day, the

management team participated in a Category 1 public meeting with Florida Power & Light

Company/FPL Energy senior managers to discuss the St. Lucie, Turkey Point, and Seabrook

Nuclear Power Plants. 
July 16, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

Palo Verde Augmented Inspection Team (AIT) Public Exit Meeting

On July 12, 2003, the Region IV Regional Administrator and the AIT leader held a public exit

meeting at the Estrella Community College in Goodyear, Arizona. The purpose of the meeting

was to present the AIT findings of the loss-of-offsite-power event at the Palo Verde Nuclear

Plant on June 14, 2004, and hold a question and answer session with the public. 

Approximately 60 individuals attended the meeting. 

Regional Administrator Visit to San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station

On July 13, 2004, the Regional Administrator conducted a site visit at the San Onofre Nuclear

Generating Station. The Regional Administrator toured the facility, which included the

decommissioning Unit 1 and the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation, and discussed

current issues with licensee management and the NRC resident inspectors.

Comanche Peak End-of-Cycle Meeting

On July 15, 2004, members of the Region IV staff met with representatives of the licensee to

discuss the Reactor Oversight Process and the annual assessment results for the Comanche

Peak Steam Electric Station for 2003. The meeting was held in Glen Rose, Texas. In addition

to licensee employees, the meeting was attended by one press representative, State and local

officials, and members of the public. 

Deputy Regional Administrator Visit to Wolf Creek Generating Station

On July 16, 2004, the Deputy Regional Administrator conducted a site visit at the Wolf Creek

Generating Station to tour the facility and to present operator license certificates to a group of

recently qualified plant operators. 
July 16, 2004 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 16, 2004

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 67

Portner TBA

SD-124

TBA Markup FY2005 Energy and Water

Development Appropriations

Senators Energy anAppropria

Keeling 07/19/04

345 CHOB

4:30 Markup Homeland Security Authorization Reps. Co

Select CoSecurity

Keeling 07/20/04

SD-342 

9:00 OPM, OMB, GAO, HHS,

DOJ, NASA

Federal Workforce Management Senators 

Oversight Managem and the DGovernm

Keeling 07/21/04

SD-342

10:00 Markup S. 2657, supplemental dental and

vision benefits for federalemployees, retirees, and theirdependents, S. 2409, continuedhealth benefits for certain federalemployees, S, 583, Reservists PaySecurity Act

Senators Governm

Combs 07/21/04

2154 RHOB

1:30 TBA Federal Government Management of

Information Technology

Reps. PuTechnoloIntergove CensusGovernm