INFORMATION REPORT

March 28, 2005 SECY-05-0049

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-05-0049 - “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING MARCH 11, 2005”

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

Office of Information Services 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
March 28, 2005 SECY-05-0049

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-05-0049 - “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING MARCH 11, 2005”

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

Office of Information Services 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\week311.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TJKim:paa WMDean

03/25/05 03/28/05
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2005

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 18

NSIR 9 SECY 19

OGC * Region I *

ADM 10 Region II 21

OIS 11 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 23

HR 15 EDO *

SBCR * OCA 24

OE *

*No input this week
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Point Beach Nuclear Plant - Public Meetings to Discuss Draft Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal

On March 3, 2005, NRR staff and its contractors, supported by staff members from the Office

of General Counsel, Office of Public Affairs, and Region III, conducted two public meetings (two

identical sessions held at 1:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m., respectively) at the Fox Hills Convention

Center in Mishicot, Wisconsin. The purpose of the meetings was to solicit comments on the

draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) related to the license renewal

application for Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2. The draft SEIS was issued on

January 13, 2005. Attendees at the meetings included members of the public, representatives

of the State and local governments, and the local news media. The public comment period for

the draft SEIS ends on April 13, 2005. Upon conclusion of the comment period, the staff will

evaluate the comments received, revise the draft SEIS as appropriate, and will issue the final

SEIS.
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Staff Participates in Waste Management '05 Symposium

On February 27-March 3, 2005, staff from the Division of Waste Management and

Environmental Protection participated in the Waste Management '05 Symposium held in

Tucson, Arizona. The symposium was well attended, with several thousand participants from

the U.S. and abroad. NRC involvement in the symposium included: (a) participation on an

international panel on dismantlement and decommissioning; (b) participation in Program

Advisory Committee meetings; (c) participation in planning committee meetings for the

September 2005 International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive

Waste Management; (d) participation in a meeting with Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear, Spain's

commission for nuclear safety, on topics of mutual interest; and (e) presentation of several

technical papers dealing with the status of the decommissioning program, the status of the

Package Performance Study, and the recent revision to 10 CFR Part 71, to ensure alignment

with the International Atomic Energy Agency transportation standard. 
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Agreement Between the NRC and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM)

On March 4, 2005, the Executive Director for Operations signed the international Agreement

extending the Technical Exchange and Cooperation Arrangement between the NRC and

EURATOM. This Arrangement defines the terms and conditions that will enable the NRC and

EURATOM (represented by the Commission of the European Communities) to engage in a

broad exchange of technical information and to develop specific implementing agreements for

cooperation in the field of nuclear safety research on the basis of mutual benefit and

reasonable equity and reciprocity. This Agreement will become effective upon signature of both

parties and will remain in effect for a period of five years. 

NRC’s Internal Risk Communication Guidelines - NUREG/BR-0318

On March 11, 2005, the staff published the second set of agency-wide risk communication

guidelines, NUREG/BR-0318, “Effective Risk Communication - Guidelines for Internal Risk

Communication.” The first set of guidelines, NUREG/BR-0308, “Effective Risk Communication:

The NRC’s Guidelines for External Risk Communication,” which focused on risk communication

to external stakeholders, was issued in March 2004. The second set of guidelines is intended

to improve the staff’s ability to communicate risk insights and information within the agency. 

Meeting with OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)

During the week of March 7, 2005, RES staff met with the OECD [Organization for Economic

Co-operation and Development], NEA’s ad hoc Expert Group on Digital Instrumentation and

Controls (EGDIC). The purpose of the meeting was to draft a proposal to present research

recommendations that could decrease the gap between the needs for new research knowledge

and/or improved regulatory practices and current NEA activities. The proposal would also

recommend practical actions to be considered by the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear

Installations and the Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA). Activities outside the

NEA program of work also were taken into account to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort. 

The EGDIC will submit its draft proposal to the OECD/NEA by the end of March.
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Preliminary Notifications:

PNO-III-05-004, Clinton Power Station - SHUTDOWN FOR GREATER THAN 72 HOURS TO

REPAIR DAMAGED FEEDWATER EXTRACTION STEAM LINE.

New Reactor Licensing - Emergency Planning

On March 3-4, 2005, Division of Preparedness and Response/Emergency Preparedness

Directorate staff participated in Category 2 public meetings with the Nuclear Energy Institute

(NEI) and other stakeholders, regarding NRC consideration of Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

document NEI 04-01, “Draft Industry Guidelines for Combined License Applications Under 10

CFR Part 52.” The document is currently under development, and various Emergency

Preparedness related issues among other new reactor licensing issues will be addressed prior

to its endorsement by the staff.
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Proposed Rule and Draft Regulatory Guide - Post-Fire Operator Manual Actions

On March 7, 2005, NRC published a proposed rule (AH54- Part 50) and the supporting draft

regulatory guide in the Federal Register (70 FR 10901) that would amend its fire protection

regulations for nuclear power facilities. The proposed amendment would allow nuclear plant

licensees to use manual actions by plant operators as an alternative method to achieve hot

shutdown conditions in the event of fires in certain plant areas. The public comment period on

the proposed rule and the draft regulatory guide ends on May 23, 2005.
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

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

March 4 through March 10, 2005:

Bear Creek Uranium Co., 2515 Foothill Blvd., Rock Springs, WY, any

records

FOIA/PA-2005-0167

Oct. 21, 2004 letter from Alaska Dept. of Transportation & Public

Facilities (ADOT&PF) to NRC re: safety conscious work environment

(SCWE), Nov. 16, 2004 teleconference, NRC’s review of Sept. 30,

2004 long-term SCWE, NRC’s deliberations of ADOT&PF’s violation

of Confirmatory Order; & Inspection Report 030-07710/2004-002, all

records

FOIA/PA-2005-0168

NRC Contract 3397182, Sylvest Management System, basic contract

& statement of work

FOIA/PA-2005-0169

List of facilities with RAM in CT, MA, NY, full address, contact, RSO,

& type of license

FOIA/PA-2005-0170

NRC’s FY2006 Information Technology (IT) Budget submission,

Exhibit 52, long-term IT plans

FOIA/PA-2005-0171

Decommissioning plans - specific sites (non-reactor), post-shutdown

decommissioning activities reports - Rancho Seco, San Onofre, &

Humboldt Bay

FOIA/PA-2005-0172

Waterford license amendment request dated 6-20-04 to modify Tech.

Spec. 5.3.1 Fuel Assemblies & Tech. Spec. 6.9.1.11.1 Core

Operating Limits (W3F1-2004-0036)

FOIA/PA-2005-0173

Macromedia Flash, use within NRC through 3-8-05 FOIA/PA-2005-0174

Records on named individual after April 1973 FOIA/PA-2005-0175
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Arrivals

Iris Cutler Secretary (OA) OIS

Karen E. Pinkston Environmental Engineer (NSPDP) NMSS

Ayanna Rice IT Specialist OIS

Retirement

Judith K. Muszkiewicz Licensing Assistant NMSS
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Media Interest

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

Duke Power’s plan to use MOX [mixed oxide] fuel assemblies at the Catawba plant.

Claims that emissions from Millstone have contributed to cancer.

Annual assessments of nuclear power plants.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA staff participated in panel discussions and provided other support for the 17th annual

Regulatory Information Conference.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

05-044 NRC Seeks Public Input on Clinton Early Site Permit Application; Meeting

to be Held April 19 (3/8)

05-045 NRC Extends Review Schedule for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Plant

License Renewal Request (3/8)

05-046 NRC to Hold Public Meeting March 14 on Possible Combined License

Application (3/8)

05-047 NRC Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste to Meet March 15-17 in

Rockville, Maryland (3/11)

Regions:

I-05-010 NRC to Discuss 2004 Performance Assessment for Seabrook Nuclear

Power Plant (3/9)

I-05-011 NRC to Discuss 2004 Performance Assessment for Vermont Yankee

Nuclear Power Plant (3/9)

II-05-007 NRC to Discuss 2004 Performance at Catawba Nuclear Power Plant (3/11)
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE N

Office of International Programs (OIP)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Visit of Ukrainian Delegation to Discuss Assistance Program

A delegation from the State Nuclear Regulatory Committee of Ukraine (SNRCU), led by

Chairman Vadym Gryschenko, visited the NRC headquarters offices during the week of

February 28 to discuss progress in and plans for the NRC assistance program. NRC technical

staff and the Ukrainian delegation held discussions in the technical areas of particular interest

to the SNRCU. While in the U.S., the delegation met with representatives of the Departments

of State and Energy as well as with vendor representatives. At the end of the week, 

Mr. Gryschenko and Mr. Luis Reyes, the Executive Director for Operations, signed the

Memorantum of Meeting which documented the plans for the assistance program over the next

two years.

JAERI Representatives Visit to NRC to Discuss Emergency Preparedness & Response

On March 7, 2005, Mr. Toshimitsu Homma and Mr. Sohei Sato of JAERI [Japan Atomic Energy

Research Institute] visited the NRC headquarters offices and met with staff from the

Emergency Operations Center to discuss issues related to emergency preparedness and

response. The Japanese government is evaluating their emergency preparedness capabilities

and are surveying other similar programs for lessons learned.

Taiwan AEC Visit to NRC to Discuss Reactor Regulation Issues

On March 7, 2005, Mr. Hsiao-Chung Niu of Taiwan Atomic Energy Council (AEC), accompanied

by Mr. Shih-Kuei Chen of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative (TERCO), visited the

NRC headquarters and met with NRC staff to discuss various reactor safety issues including

fire protection requirements, ultrasonic flow measurement accuracies, quality controls for

commercial grade items, and containment sump performance.

Dr. Keiji Kanda, Director of Japan Energy Policy Institute Visits NRC

On March 7, 2005, Dr. Kanda, accompanied by Mr. Masaaki Nishijo of the Japanese Embassy, 

visited the NRC headquarters offices and met with Commissioner Lyons and the Director of the

Office of International Programs, to discuss matters related to NRC’s reactor design review and

licensing process.
March 11, 2005 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Document

1. Commission Voting

Record - SECY-05-0020

3/7/05 Final Rule: Medical Use of Byproduct

Material - Recognition of Specialty Boards

(RIN 3150-AH19)

Information Paper

1. SECY-05-0042 3/8/05 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

February 25, 2005

Memoranda

1. M050307A 3/7/05 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session: I.

SECY-05-0020 - Final Rule: Medical Use of

Byproduct Material - Recognition of

Specialty Boards (RIN 3150-AH19)

2. M050307A (Revised) 3/7/05 (same)

Federal Register Notices Issued:

1. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste, notice of 158th meeting (3/15-17/05). 

2. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, meeting of the Subcommittee on Plant

License Renewal, notice of meeting (4/6/05). 

3. Policy statement: NUREG-1600, NRC Enforcement Policy. 
March 11, 2005 APPENDIX P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

Oconee Nuclear Plant - Senior NRC Management Visit

On March 10-11, 2005, NRC’s Deputy Executive Director for Homeland Protection and

Preparedness, accompanied by the Deputy Director - Division of Reactor Safety in Region II,

visited the Oconee Nuclear Plant for a site tour and met with licensee management.
March 11, 2005 APPENDIX P

Region IV (RIV)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

River Bend Station - Management Change

The licensee announced that, effective April 4, 2005, Mr. Don Vinci, currently the Vice President

for Risk Management in Entergy’s New Orleans corporate office, will assume the duties of

General Manager, Plant Operations, at the River Bend Station. Mr. Tom Trepanier, the current

General Manager, Plant Operations, will assume the duties of Director, Entergy Continuous

Improvement. 
March 11, 2005 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending March 11, 2005

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 10

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Madden 03/15/05

2362B RHOB

10:00 DOE FY 2006 Energy Budget; Science,

Nuclear Energy and RenewableEnergy

Reps. Hobson/VEnergy and WaAppropriations

Shane 03/15/05

SD-226

10:00 State of Texas

Associated PressHeritage FoundationGeorge WashingtonUniversity

S 394 - Freedom of Information ActRevisions

Sen. Cornyn/FeTerrorism, TechJudiciary

Keeling 03/15/05

2360RHOB

10:00 Robert Bonner, Commissioner

U.S. Customs and BorderProtection

FY 2006 Budget, Department ofHomeland Security

Reps. Rogers/SHomeland SecuAppropriations

Keeling 03/15/05

210 CHOB

1:00 TBA Nuclear Terrorism: Protecting the

Homeland

Reps. Linder/LaNuclear and BioHomeland Secu

Madden 03/15/05

SD-124

2:00 DOE

Office of Energy Efficiencyand Renewable EnergyOffice of Science

FY2006 Budget for Energy andWater Development

Sen. Domenici/Energy and WaAppropriations

Combs 03/16/05

2362BRHOB

10:00 DOE FY 2006 Energy Budget; Nuclear

Waste Disposal & EnvironmentalManagement

Reps. Hobson/VEnergy and WaAppropriations
CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 10

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

March 11, 2005 

Shane 03/16/05

SD-342

11:00 TBA Markup S 494 - Federal Employee

Protection of Disclosures Act

Sen. Collins/LieHomeland Secu

Keeling TBD TBD TBA National Response Plan Reps. King/Pas

Emergency PreTechnologyHomeland SecuDevelopment ARep. Shuster/HEconomic DeveEmergency MaTransportation 

Shane 03/16/05

2203RHOB

2:00 Jim Wells, GAO

Guy Caruso, DOEPaul Portney, Resources forthe Future

Meeting the Challenge of theDemand for Energy

Reps. Issa/WatEnergy and ResGovernment Re

Keeling 03/18/05

2123RHOB

10:00 TBA Review security initiatives at

Department of Energy

Reps. WhitfieldOversight and IEnergy and Com

Combs Tentative for

April 7

TBD DOE, NRC Status of Yucca Mountain Senators Dome

Energy and Nat

Keeling Tentative for 

April/May

TBD Chairman Diaz, DOE, Exelon

CEO, IBEW rep, City Councilrep near Grand Gulf

DOE’s NP 2010 Program Senators Dome

Energy and Nat