INFORMATION REPORT

October 5, 2005 SECY-05-0179

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

SEPTEMBER 23, 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:

U. Shoop, OEDO
October 5, 2005 SECY-05-0179

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

SEPTEMBER 23, 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:

U. Shoop, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\week923.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

UShoop:paa WMDean

10/05/05 10/05/05
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 23, 2005

The Weekly Information Report is compiled by the Office of the EDO and includes highlights of

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: U. Shoop, OEDO by E-mail: USS@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 18

RES 8 OIP *

NSIR * SECY 19

OGC * Region I 20

ADM 10 Region II 21

OIS 11 Region III 22

CFO * Region IV 23

HR 15 EDO *

SBCR * OCA 24

OE *

*No input this week
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) Operating Committee Meeting

On September 14-15, 2005, the NRR staff met with NERC during the subject meeting in Dallas,

TX to continue discussions regarding development of grid reliability standards.

Meeting with Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

On September 21, 2005, the staff held a public meeting with NEI and other industry

representatives to discuss issues related to inspection, tests, analysis and acceptance criteria

(ITAAC) inspections for new reactors licensed under Part 52 of the Code of Federal

Regulations.

Mitigating Systems Performance Index (MSPI) Public Meeting

On September 21, 2005, the staff hosted the monthly MSPI public meeting at NRC

Headquarters. Meeting attendees discussed the staff's response to NEI’s letter dated July 27,

2005, which provided the industry's proposal for assuring the Probabilistic Risk Assessment

technical adequacy needed to implement the MSPI. 

Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Public Meeting

On September 22, 2005, the staff hosted the monthly ROP public meeting at NRC

Headquarters. Meeting participants discussed fire protection and other Significance

Determination Process issues, status updates on two Performance Indicator (PI) Task Forces,

discussion on improvements to other PIs, stakeholder comments on the ROP and cross-cutting

issues, Accident Sequence Precursor analysis program revisions, and PI Frequently Asked

Questions. 
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

High-Level Waste Staff Activities at Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant

On September 12-14, 2005, Headquarters and Region IV staff visited the Fort Calhoun Nuclear

Power Plant, near Omaha, NE. At the site, the staff observed tests conducted by the utility to

identify spent fuel assemblies with cladding defects and discussed equipment failure

experience at the Plant. This visit is part of the staff’s preparation to review a license

application for the Yucca Mountain Repository. 

Quarterly Management Meeting on Proposed High-Level Waste Repository

On September 15, 2005, the staff held the 3rd Quarterly Management Meeting between the

Department of Energy (DOE) and NRC at NRC Headquarters. The purpose of the meeting was

to discuss programmatic issues and progress related to the Yucca Mountain Project. Members

of the public and stakeholders attended the meeting. Meeting topics included updates on

NRC’s program, DOE’s program, and DOE’s quality assurance program.

Public Meeting on National Source Tracking

On September 20, 2005, the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety held a public

meeting on the proposed rule associated with the National Source Tracking in Houston, TX. 

This was the second of two public meetings on the proposed rule. Approximately 40 people

attended the meeting, with 8 individuals providing comments on the rule. A number of positive

comments were received, with individuals focusing on specific aspects of the rule or responding

to specific questions raised in the Federal Register notice. The issues that captured the most

interest were: (1) whether to require reporting of transfers of sources between temporary job

sites, and (2) whether to include Category 3 sources in the tracking system. 

Dairyland Power Cooperative - La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor Pressure Vessel

On September 20, 2005, representatives from Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) and

Duratek, Inc., presented a plan to NRC staff which outlined proposed transportation methods

for the disposal of the LaCrosse Reactor Pressure Vessel. The current plan calls for grouting

the vessel, placing it in a package, and transporting it to Barnwell, SC, for disposal. 
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

International Nuclear Graphite Specialists Meeting (INGSM-6) 

From September 18 to 24, 2005, staff participated in the subject meeting and the American

Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III Graphite

Core Components Codes and Standards Meeting. Information gained from the meetings will

support reviews of advanced gas cooled graphite reactor designs.

Meeting on the Risk-Informed In-Service Inspection (ISI) Methodologies (RISMET) Project

From September 22 to 23, staff participated in a planning meeting for the RISMET project. 

Objectives of the project are to compare RISMET with traditional ISI programs to achieve

optimization of various factors including risk, ALARA, and financial resources. 

Testing on Chemical Effects Head Loss 

The staff initiated confirmatory head loss testing at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to

determine if chemical reaction products that may form in a pressurized water reactor (PWR)

containment sump pool after a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) can cause sump screen

clogging. Two tests have been conducted to measure the head loss across a fibrous debris

bed on a sump screen and demonstrated that the debris bed created a significant pressure

drop. The Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation issued Information Notice 2005-26 on the test

results, available in ADAMS ML052590327. A public meeting will be held on September 30,

2005, to discuss the result implications for PWR containment sump emergency core cooling

recirculation.

Publication of NUREG/CR-6850, “EPRI/NRC-RES Fire PRA Methodology for Nuclear Power

Facilities”

The staff and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) jointly published the subject report. 

The report is available on the NRC website. This report provides data, documents state of the

art methods and tools, and serves as a handbook for performing fire PRA for a nuclear power

plant. These methods have been used to revise the fire protection Significance Determination

Process and currently support the development of the ANS fire risk standard, and the

implementation of the Risk-Informed, Performance-Based Fire Protection Rule endorsing

National Fire Protection Association 805, “Performance - Based Standard for Fire Protection for

Light Water Reactor Electric Generating Plants.” 
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Direct File Rule Amending the List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks

On September 20, 2005, the NRC published a direct final rule in the Federal Register (70 FR

55023) that amends the NUHOMS -32PT, -24PHB, and -24PTH entry in the list of approved

spent fuel storage casks (Amendment 8) (AH77 - Part 72). The rule modifies the cask design

to add a new spent fuel storage and transfer system. The direct final rule becomes effective

December 5, 2005.

Confirmation of Effective Date (AH75- Part 72) for a Direct Final Rule

On September 22, 2005, the NRC published a document in the Federal Register (70 FR 55513)

confirming the effective date of October 11, 2005, for a direct final rule that added Amendment

4 to the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) Number 1015. The amendment to the NAC

International Universal Multipurpose System (NAC-UMS) CoC modifies the cask design by

replacing the specific term “zircaloy” with the term “zircaloy alloy”, revises other definitions, adds

an alternate site-specific design basis earthquake analysis, and incorporates editorial and

administrative changes.

Contract Awards

On September 14, 2005, a competitive contract was awarded to Westinghouse Electric

Company, LLC for furnishing qualified personnel, materials, and services to develop, present,

and maintain the "Pressurized Water Reactor Maintenance Training Overview Course" for

NRC. The period of performance is for 5 years, from September 14, 2005, to September 13,

2010. The estimated cost of the contract is $342,884.

On September 16, 2005, a competitive fixed price contract was awarded to Scientech, Inc. The

Contractor will perform an assessment of NRC's Probabilistic Risk Assessment Program for

regulating commercial nuclear power plants. The total estimated cost is $200,972.00. The

period of performance is from September 14, 2005, to March 3, 2006.

On September 19, 2005, a non-competitive (8a) cost reimbursement contract no. NRC-04-05-

092, was awarded to Advanced Systems Technology and Management, Inc. The Contractor

will assess the TRAC/RELAP Advanced Computational Engine (TRACE) code against test data

whi ch represent Boiling Water Reactor thermal-hydraulic phenomena. The total estimated

cost is $350,072.02. The period of performance is from September 19, 2005, to September 18,

2007.

On September 19, 2005, a competitive task order was awarded to Information Systems

Laboratories, Inc., under the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Schedule for

technical support services entitled "Verification and Validation Test Suite for the TRACE Code." 

The estimated cost of this delivery order is $99,667.00. The period of performance is from

September 19, 2005, to December 31, 2005.
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act Requests Received During the Period of

September 16 through September 22, 2005:

Rohm & Haas Co. Experimental Farm, 923 Highland Road, Upper

Makefield Township, Bucks Co., PA, all records

FOIA/PA-2005-0353

Hi-Star Safety Analysis Report, Holtec Reports HI-951251, docket no.

71-9261

FOIA/PA-2005-0354

Organization chart, telephone book, & key personnel by positions

and/or offices

FOIA/PA-2005-0355

OI Reports 3-2003-034 & 3-2004-021 FOIA/PA-2005-0356

Geo-Design & Engineering Inc., Chantilly, VA, radioactive materials

license application for portable gauge use

FOIA/PA-2005-0357

Global Stone Detroit Lime Co., 125 S. Dix, Detroit, MI, license no. 21-

13259-0, all records

FOIA/PA-2005-0358

Exhibits & other documentation related to an OI Report FOIA/PA-2005-0359

St. Lucie safety inspection conducted Dec. 13-17, 1982, report nos.

50-335/82-46 & 50-389/82-75

FOIA/PA-2005-0360

St. Lucie safety inspection conducted Sept. 17-24, 1982, report nos.

50-335/82-33

FOIA/PA-2005-0361
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Arrival

OESTERLE, ERIC PROJECT MANAGER NRR

KING, MONIQUE CONSULTANT OIG

Departures

FOGG, JANE E. SECRETARY (OA) CSU
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

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

Preparations at nuclear plants in Texas and Louisiana as Hurricane Rita approached.

The discovery of a potential small leak from the Indian Point 2 spent fuel pool.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA assisted at a public meeting in Eureka, California, regarding a special inspection at

Humboldt Bay.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

05-131 NRC Raises Security Design Expectations for New Reactor Licensing Activities

(9/21)

Regions:

I-05-049 NRC Performing Special Inspection at Indian Point 2 Nuclear Plant; Small

Amount of Leakage from Spent Fuel Pool Area Under Review (9/20)

I-05-050 NRC Seeking Public Comment on Proposed Release of Land from Ginna

Nuclear Power Plant (9/21)

IV-05-036 NRC Dispatches Inspectors in Preparation for Hurricane Rita (9/21)
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-05-0120 7/6/05 Security Design Expectations for New

Reactor Licensing Activities

SRM on SECY-05- 0120 9/9/05 (same)

Voting Record on SECY-05-0120 9/9/05 (same)

2. SRM on SECY-05-0138 9/21/05 Risk-Informed and Performance-Based

Alternatives to the Single-Failure Criterion

Voting Record on SECY-05-0138 9/21/05 (same)

3. SRM on SECY-05-0156 9/22/05 United States Nuclear Regulatory

Commission Participation in the

Organization for Economic Cooperation

and Development Halden Reactor Project

During 2006-2008

Voting Record on SECY-05-0156 9/22/05 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-05-0158 8/31/05 Periodic Assessment of the Activities of

the Committee to Review Generic

Requirements (CRGR)

2. SECY-05-0165 9/16/05 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

September 9, 2005

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congressman Jim Saxton, dated September 14, 2005, responds to letter requesting

that NRC provide a comprehensive and exhaustive review of the license renewal application

for the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

2. Letter to J. B. Beasley, Jr., Southern Nuclear Operating Company, concerns the Vogtle

Electric Generating Plant site.

3. Letter to Congressman Robert A. Andrews, dated September 13, 2005, responds to letter

concerning the Hope Creek Generating Station.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, notice of 526th meeting (10/6-8/05). 
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region I (RI)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Predecisional Enforcement Conference with Lancaster General Hospital

On September 16, 2005, an open predecisional enforcement conference was held with

Lancaster General Hospital at the Region I office, to discuss three apparent violations identified

during a routine NRC inspection conducted on October 21, 2004. The violations occurred as a

result of equipment failure during a Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment conducted on

September 30, 2003. At the conference, the licensee described its corrective actions, including

the intent to send the equipment that failed to the manufacturer for evaluation.

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Representatives Visit Salem/Hope Creek Site

On September 23, 2005, representatives of GAO visited the Salem/Hope Creek site for

discussions with the Resident Inspectors and the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)

Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer, as part of an ongoing audit of the Reactor

Oversight Program (ROP). The Resident Inspectors explained how they implement the ROP

and discussed their involvement in the ROP deviation for heightened oversight of the

Salem/Hope Creek site.
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Honeywell Management Meeting

On September 20, 2005, representatives from Honeywell International, Inc., attended a

management meeting at the Regional Office to discuss the status of the Honeywell Performance

Improvement Plan.
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region III (RIII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Participation in D. C. Cook Emergency Preparedness (EP) Exercise

On September 20, 2005, Region III participated in a periodic EP exercise involving the D. C.

Cook Nuclear Power Station in Bridgman, Michigan.

Region III Management Visits to Quad Cities and Duane Arnold facilities

The Deputy Regional Administrator conducted routine site visits to the Quad Cities Nuclear

Power Plant on September 20, 2005, and the Duane Arnold Energy Center on September 21,

2005. The purpose of these management visits include plant tours for first-hand observation of

plant conditions and meetings with resident inspectors and licensee management to discuss

plant status and recent performance.

Region III Participation in State of Missouri Meeting on Westinghouse Fuel Facility

On September 22, 2005, staff members from RIII, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and

Safeguards, and the Office of the General Counsel participated in a public meeting in Hematite,

Missouri, with the State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the

meeting was to inform the public about a proposed consent decree between the State of

Missouri and Westinghouse regarding the remedial investigation and contamination removal

activities involving materials under state jurisdiction at the Westinghouse Hematite fuel

processing facility. The facility is in decommissioning status.

Proposed Civil Penalty Against St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Indiana

On September 23, 3005, Region III issued a Notice of Violation and Proposed $19,200 Civil

Penalty to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Indiana, for violations associated

with five instances of patients receiving unintended radiation exposure to the legs during

radiation therapy for cervical cancer in 2004.
September 23, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV (RIV)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Management Change

On September 22, 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) announced that Mr. Gregg Overbeck,

Senior Vice President Nuclear, at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station will retire effective

immediately. Mr. Jim Levine, Executive Vice President, APS Generation, will fill the Senior Vice

President Nuclear position while retaining his current responsibilities. 
September 23, 2005 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 23, 2005

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 32

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Shane 09/27/05

SD-342

10:00 OPM, GAO, Commerce,

NIST, NTEU and others

Alternative Personnel Systems:Assessing Progress in the FederalGovernment

Senators Oversight Managem And thHomeland  Affairs

Shane 09/27/05

2247 RHOB

2:00 TBA H.R. 3276 - Government

Reorganization and Improvement ofPerformance Act, H.R. 3277 -Federal Agency PerformanceReview and Sunset Act

Reps. PoFederal WOrganizaGovernm

Keeling 09/29/05

SD-419

9:30 Warren Stern, State Dept. Convention on Supplementary

Compensation for Nuclear Damage

Senators Foreign R

Combs 10/06/05

SD-406

9:30 EPA, FEMA, NRC, Fish

and Wildlife, GSA, FHA

Hurricane Katrina Disaster Senators 

Environm

Madden TBA TBA Conference FY 2006 Energy and Water

Development Appropriations

House/SeCommitte