INFORMATION REPORT

September 17, 2004 SECY-04-0166

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0166 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING SEPTEMBER 10, 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
September 17, 2004 SECY-04-0166

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0166 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING SEPTEMBER 10, 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.

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Kim, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\Week910.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TKim:paa WMDean

09/ /04 09/ /04
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 10, 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 3 OPA 8

RES 4 OIP *

NSIR 5 SECY 9

OGC * Region I *

ADM * Region II 11

CIO 6 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 12

HR 7 OEDO *

SBCR * OCA 13

OE *

*No input this week
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 2 - Issuance of Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact

Statement for License Renewal

On August 30, 2004, the NRC staff issued draft NUREG-1437, "Generic Environmental Impact

Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Supplement 19, Regarding Arkansas

Nuclear One, Unit 2," for public comment. This supplemental environmental impact statement

(SEIS) includes the staff’s preliminary analysis that considers and weighs the environmental

effects associated with the proposed license renewal, and mitigative measures available for

reducing or avoiding adverse impacts. A 75-day public comment period is scheduled to begin

on September 10, 2004. The staff has scheduled a public meeting on October 21, 2004, in

Russellville, Arkansas, to present its analyses and to accept public comments on the draft

SEIS. 

Browns Ferry - Public Meeting to Discuss Unit 1 Recovery Plan

On September 9, 2004, NRC senior management and staff from both headquarters and

Region II met with representatives from the Tennessee Valley Authority to discuss the status of

Browns Ferry Unit 1 recovery efforts and potential issues concerning the restart process. 

Browns Ferry Unit 1 had been shutdown since 1985. It is undergoing major construction work

to prepare for a projected restart in 2007.

Meeting with Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) on the Early Site Permit (ESP) Program

On September 9, 2004, the staff met with NEI in a public meeting to discuss several aspects of

the ESP program, including emergency planning, applicability of 10 CFR Part 21, “Reporting of

Defects and Noncompliance,” and inclusion of plant parameters. The staff stated that it plans

to develop additional guidance on the “major features” option for emergency planning

information to be provided at the ESP stage. The guidance will address whether and how

determinations made at the ESP stage regarding major features are treated at the combined

license stage in accordance with 10 CFR 52.39. The staff plans to inform NEI and the

applicants of the guidance by a letter and may also revise applicable guidance documents in

the future. 
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Meeting with Xcel Energy on Pathfinder Decommissioning

On August 31, 2004, NRC staff met with Xcel Energy at its Pathfinder facility in Sioux Falls,

South Dakota, to discuss its license amendment request to authorize decommissioning

activities. This meeting, preceded by a tour of the facility, provided NRC staff with an

opportunity to exchange information and address questions related to its ongoing review of the

Pathfinder decommissioning plan. The meeting was open to the public.

The meeting focused on (1) informing the public that NRC has received a license amendment

request to authorize decommissioning activities and a decommissioning plan from Xcel Energy;

(2) describing NRC’s decommissioning process and inspection program; (3) describing Xcel

Energy’s decommissioning plans and schedule; and (4) addressing questions and soliciting

public comments on Xcel Energy’s decommissioning plans. There were no public comments

on the proposed decommissioning activities.

Meeting with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Discuss the Use of Acute Exposure

Guidelines Levels (AEGLs)

On September 8, 2004, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards (FCSS)

met with EPA staff, at EPA’s offices. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the use of

AEGLs by licensees/applicants in demonstrating compliance with the requirements for

performing the Integrated Safety Analysis required by 10 CFR Part 70, “Domestic Licensing of

Special Nuclear Material.” The meeting was prompted by a member of the AEGL development

committee who submitted, to NRC, several issues regarding how an applicant proposed to use

AEGLs in its application to FCSS. During the meeting, FCSS staff discussed the performance

requirements contained in 10 CFR 70.61, and the guidance contained in NUREG-1520,

“Standard Review Plan for the Review of a License Application for a Fuel Cycle Facility,”

Chapter 3, Appendix A, “Example Procedure for Accident Sequence Evaluation,” vis-a-vis using

AEGLs.

As a result of the discussions, EPA staff indicated that the use of AEGLs, by NRC

licensees/applicants, for setting chemical consequence thresholds in their Integrated Safety

Assessment development for both workers and members of the public, is reasonable and

consistent with AEGL recommendations. 
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Collaborative Research Program Review Meeting on Cable Diagnostics

On August 30-31, 2004, as part of the ongoing collaborative research program with the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, and Rockwell Scientific, Office of Nuclear Regulatory

Research (RES) staff observed diagnostic tests on low-voltage instrumentation and control 

cables. The purpose of the tests was to evaluate the effectiveness of the broadband

impedance spectroscopy (BBIS) method to detect and locate thermal hot-spots in installed

cable systems in operating nuclear power plants. While the BBIS technique was developed by

FAA/Boeing for aircraft wiring, the RES staff is evaluating the technology for its applicability to

cables in nuclear plant environment. The preliminary evaluation indicates that the BBIS

technique looks promising for assessing the integrity of installed cable systems. The BBIS

technique is non-destructive, utilizes low-voltage signals, and has the capability to scan the

entire length of the cable system. The staff plans to continue to collaborate with FAA/Boeing

and to appropriately disseminate the research results to internal and external stakeholders. 

The outcome of the research results will be useful to the NRC staff in evaluating licensees’

aging management programs for cables.
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-II-04-008B, Florida Power Corporation - Region II Response to Hurricane Francis.

2. PNO-II-04-008C, Florida Power and Light and Progress Energy -Tropical Storm Frances.

3. PNO-IV-04-021A, High Mountain Inspection Service, Inc. - Updated Information on a

Potential Radiation Overexposure of a Radiographer.
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

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

September 3 through September 9, 2004:

Congressman Thomas “Tom” Allen Coburn, OK, all correspondence

between NRC, 1995-2001

FOIA/PA-2004-0354

Allegation re: Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, January 1985 to

December 1986, all records

FOIA/PA-2004-0355

Three Mile Island, 7-14-04, DOE letter to NRC with attachments re:

Unit 2 Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation

FOIA/PA-2004-0356

Nuclear Non-Proliferation, China (Referral by Ronald Reagan Library) FOIA/PA-2004-0357

Davis Besse, FENOC’s response to NRC Bulletin 2001-01, OIG

interviews, transcripts; OI interviews, transcripts; all documents re:

reactor pressure head degradation

FOIA/PA-2004-0358

Allegation re: Aberdeen Proving Ground, July 1985 through August

1987

FOIA/PA-2004-0359
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Arrivals

Todd Hilsmeier Reliability and Risk Engineer RES

Stacy M. Smith Student Engineer Co-op R-I

Departures

Amanda Hollander Summer Administrative Student OIG
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Media Interest

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

HBO’s documentary on the vulnerability of Indian Point to a terrorist attack.

Security at nuclear plants (9/11 anniversary).

The status of Florida nuclear plants following Hurricane Frances.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

04-107 NRC Releases York, Pa., Site for Unrestricted Use (9/7)

04-108 NRC Issues Third National Report for the Convention on Nuclear Safety (9/8)

04-109 NRC Seeks Public Comment on Decommissioning Plan for University of

Michigan Research Reactor (9/8)

04-110 NRC Unveils New Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response Web

Page (9/9)

Regions:

I-04-042 NRC Seeks Public Input on Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plant License Renewal (9/9)
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-04-0128 7/19/04 Amendment to Section 274b Agreement

with the State of Utah and Approval of

Alternative Groundwater Standards

SRM on 04-0128 8/4/04 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 04-0128

8/4/04 (same)

2. SECY-04-0111 7/1/04 Recommended Staff Actions Regarding

Agency Guidance in the Areas of Safety

Conscious Work Environment and Safety

Culture

SRM on 04-0111 8/30/04 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 04-0111

8/30/04 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-04-0154 8/24/04 Issuance of NRC Generic Letter 2004-XX,

“Potential Impact of Debris Blockage on

Emergency Recirculation During Design

Basis Accidents at Pressurized-Water

Reactors”

2. SECY-04-0163 9/8/04 SECY-04-0163 Weekly Information Report -

Week Ending August 27, 2004

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Tom Ridge, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, dated September 8,

2004, provides an update of actions the NRC has taken to continue enhancing security of

nuclear facilities and radioactive materials.

2. Letter to Sandra Galef, New York State Assembly, dated September 2, 2004, responds to

letter regarding the recent change in the NRC’s policy on the availability of certain

security information as initially reported by the media.
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

3. Letter to James H. Douglas, Governor of Vermont, dated September 1, 2004, responds

to specific request pertaining to the NRC’s engineering inspection currently being

performed at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station.

4. Letters to Senator Jeffords, Senator Leahy, and Representative Sanders, dated

September 1, 2004, responds to specific request pertaining to the NRC’s engineering

inspection currently being performed at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station.

5. Letter to Congressman Edward Markey, dated August 31, 2004, responds to questions

concerning the three missing irradiated spent fuel rod segments at the Humboldt Bay

Nuclear Power Station Unit 3.

6. Letter to Congress, dated August 31, 2004, provides the July 2004 report on the status of

NRC’s licensing and regulatory duties.

7. Letter to Congresswoman Nita Lowey, dated August 30, 2004, regarding Westchester

County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz and his request for NRC to meet with the County

Board’s Environmental Committee. 

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste Subcommittee Meeting on Planning and

Procedures, notice of meeting (9/24/04). 

2. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste, notice of 153rd meeting on September 22-23,

2004. 
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

Hurricane Frances

On September 3-7, 2004, Region II activated its Incident Response Center in Atlanta to monitor

and assist the nuclear power plants in Florida (Crystal River, St. Lucie, and Turkey Point) in

response to Hurricane Frances. Also, additional Region II staff members were dispatched to

the State’s Emergency Response Center in Tallahassee and to the three nuclear plants to

augment the resident inspectors. 
September 10, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

South Texas Project Electric Generating Station - NRC Senior Management Site Visit

On September 8, 2004, the Regional Administrator accompanied the Executive Director for

Operations on a tour of the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station. They also met

with the resident inspectors and licensee management representatives.
September 10, 2004 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 10, 2004

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 71

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Shane 09/13/04

Pittsburgh,PA

10:00 OPM and others Federal Employee Health System as

a Model for Improved Care

Reps. MuCivil ServGovernm

Keeling 09/14/04

2247 RHOB

10:00 NRC, GAO, NEI, USC, and

Riverkeeper

Homeland Security: MonitoringNuclear Power Plant Security

Reps. ShNational Sand InternGovernm

Keeling 09/14/04

2318 RHOB

2:00 TBA 9/11 Commission and the Course

Ahead

Reps. CoSelect CoSecurity

Shane 09/14/04

SD-G-50 

3:00 Markup FY2005 Transportation and Treasury

Appropriations

Senators Appropria

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