INFORMATION REPORT

March 8, 2005 SECY-05-0042

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-05-0042 - “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING FEBRUARY 25, 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 8, 2005 SECY-05-0042

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-05-0042 - “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING FEBRUARY 25, 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\week225.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TJKim:paa WMDean

03/05/05 03/08/05
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 25, 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 3 OPA 9

RES * OIP 10

NSIR 5 SECY 11

OGC * Region I 12

ADM 6 Region II 13

OIS 7 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 14

HR 8 EDO *

SBCR * OCA 15

OE *

*No input this week
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Public Meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the North Anna Early Site

Permit (ESP) Application

On February 17, 2005, NRR staff, assisted by its contractor, Pacific Northwest National

Laboratory, and staff members from the Office of General Counsel, Office of Public Affairs, and

Region II held a public meeting to solicit comments on the staff’s draft environmental impact

statement (DEIS) associated with the North Anna ESP application. The DEIS was issued on

December 2, 2004, and the public comment period for the DEIS ends on March 1, 2005. 

Approximately 300 people attended the meeting, including members of the public, the licensee,

local government representatives, and the local news media. A number of comments and

questions were received during the meeting regarding nuclear security, potential effect on Lake

Anna water temperature, alternative energy sources, and radiological effluent releases. At the

conclusion of the comment period, the staff will evaluate the comments received and revise the

DEIS as appropriate. The staff’s project schedule calls for issuance of the final Environmental

Impact Statement in August 2005.

Electrical Grid Reliability Workshop

On February 16 and 17, 2005, the Deputy Executive Director for Reactor Programs and other

staff members attended the subject workshop sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI),

Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and

North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Deputy Executive

Director for Reactor Programs presented the NRC’s perspective regarding electrical grid

reliability to an audience of nuclear plant operators, transmission system operators,

independent system operators, industry consultants, NEI, INPO, EPRI, and NERC. The main

theme of the workshop involved enhancing communications between nuclear power plant

operators and grid operators to support both nuclear safety and grid reliability. 

Public Meeting with Three Mile Island, Unit 1

On February 16-17, 2005, NRR staff met with representatives from Exelon in a public meeting

to discuss the licensee’s steam generator tube inspection and flaw evaluation methodology for

Three Mile Island (TMI), Unit 1, which is currently under staff review. The discussions centered

on open issues with the licensee’s acceptance criteria related to flaw indications located in the

expanded portion of the tube within the hot-leg tubesheet. Two of the major outstanding issues

pertain to the adequacy of the assumptions and inputs to the thermal hydraulic model, and

whether Exelon has selected the most limiting parameters for assessing the structural and

leakage integrity of the tubing in accident scenarios. These issues must be resolved before

Exelon can adopt the new steam generator technical specifications.
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Probabilistic Volcanic Hazard Analysis Update Meeting

On February 15-18, 2005, staff from the Division of High-Level Waste Repository Safety and

the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses attended “Workshop-2" of the DOE’s

“Probabilistic Volcanic Hazard Analysis Expert Elicitation Meeting.” The staff observed the

process employed by DOE, in its expert elicitation, to update its Probabilistic Volcanic Hazard

Assessment (PVHA). The primary purpose of Workshop-2 was to discuss alternative

approaches to volcanic hazard analysis. Presentations and discussions covered the following

areas: (1) updating the analysis of the recent aeromagnetic survey of the Yucca Mountain

region; (2) planned drilling of selected anomalies which will begin in March/April 2005; (3)

various geophysic surveys and studies conducted in the Yucca Mountain vicinity; (4) interpreted

geology of the Yucca Mountain Region; and (5) various models used worldwide to develop

hazard assessments. The results are anticipated to be used by DOE in its potential license

application for a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. To date, vulcanism is

calculated to be of dominant risk significance. The staff will continue to observe DOE’s ongoing

efforts to update its PVHA.

NRC/DOE Quarterly Management Meeting on High-Level Waste Repository

On February 17, 2005, NRC senior management representatives met with representatives from

DOE in a public meeting, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss

management issues and progress regarding DOE’s potential license application for a geologic

repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Staff members from the Center for Nuclear Waste

Regulatory Analyses in San Antonio, Texas, and the NRC Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland

participated in the meeting via video and audio connections to the meeting facility. 

Meeting with Duratek About Transport of Uranium Hexafluoride in the Model

No. UX-30 Package

On February 22, 2005, staff from the Spent Fuel Project Office met with representatives from

Duratek, Inc., on the subject issue. The discussions focused on the evaluations and analyses

undertaken to demonstrate that the UX-30 package meets the performance requirements in

10 CFR Part 71. The application for approval of the shipments is scheduled to be submitted by

mid-April 2005.

Joint Convention Executive Steering Committee Meeting

On February 22, 2005, a meeting of the interagency Executive Steering Committee for the Joint

Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste

Management was held at the DOE Forrestal Building in Washington, D.C. Representatives

from NRC, DOE, and the Department of State participated.

Discussion topics included: (1) the schedule leading up to the May 2006 Meeting of the

Contracting Parties to review the national reports; (2) the coverage strategy for the review
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE B

meeting; and (3) the Morocco Regional Workshop for promoting the ratification Joint

Convention by African Nations. Additionally, the Department of State requested DOE and NRC

to provide talking points on the Joint Convention, by the beginning of March, for upcoming

venues, such as the G-8 meeting.

Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA) Workshop

On February 22, 2005, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards and the

Region II Division of Fuel Facility Inspection conducted the subject workshop at NRC

Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. Attendees included the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

and industry representatives and the members of the public. The purpose of this Workshop

was to discuss ISA-related issues for nuclear fuel cycle facilities under 10 CFR Part 70,

Subpart H. NRC staff made presentations on the inspection plans for Subpart H

implementation, licensing reviews of fuel cycle licensees’ ISA summaries and annual change

submittals, and draft Interim Staff Guidance documents on natural phenomena hazards,

qualitative evaluation of likelihood, and justification for minimum margin of subcriticality. NEI

and industry representatives presented comments on industry’s assessment of Subpart H

implementation, including successes, current concerns, and future expectations. 
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Preliminary Notifications:

1. PNO-IV-05-005, Pacific Gas and Electric Company - NOTIFICATION OF MISSING

IN-CORE DETECTORS AT HUMBOLDT BAY.

2. PNO-III-05-003, Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant - SHUTDOWN IN EXCESS OF

72 HOURS DUE TO AUXILIARY FEEDWATER SYSTEM DECLARED INOPERABLE

DUE TO HIGH ENERGY LINE BREAK CONCERNS. 
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Revision of Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for FY 2005 (AH61 - Parts 170 and 171)

On February 22, 2005, a proposed rule to amend the licensing, inspection, and annual fees

charged to the Commission’s applicants and licensees was published in the Federal Register

(70 FR 8678). The proposed rule is intended to ensure compliance with the Omnibus Budget

and Reconciliation Act of 1990, as amended. The Act mandates that the NRC recover

approximately 90 percent of its budget authority in Fiscal Year 2005, less amounts appropriated

from the Nuclear Waste Fund. The amount to be recovered for FY 2005 is approximately

$540.7 million. The comment period on the proposed rule closes March 24, 2005.

Broadening Scope of Access Authorization and Facility Security Clearance Regulations:

Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule (AH52 - Parts 25 and 95)

On February 24, 2004 (70 FR 8921), the NRC withdrew a direct final rule that was published on

December 15, 2004 (69 FR 74949). The direct final rule would have made two clarifying

amendments. First, the direct final rule would have expanded the scope of the regulations

applicable to persons who may require access to classified information to include persons who

may need access in connection with licensing and regulatory activities under the regulations

that govern the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in geologic repositories. Second, the

direct final rule would also have expanded the scope of the regulations applicable to procedures

for obtaining facility security clearances to include persons who may need to sue, process,

store, reproduce, transmit, transport, or handle NRC classified information in connection with

licensing and regulatory activities under the regulations that govern the disposal of high-level

radioactive waste in geologic repositories. The direct final rule was withdrawn in response to a

significant, adverse comment. A subsequent final rule will be issued that responds to

comments received on a companion proposed rule that was published with the direct final rule. 
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

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

February 18 through February 24, 2005:

Department of Energy’s Safety Analysis Rreport dated 3-31-98,

docket 71-9098

FOIA/PA-2005-0148

North Anna, radiological impacts addressed in chapter 5 of NUREG1811, Draft Environmental Impact Statement for an Early Site Permit,

all records re: independent evaluations or confirmatory analyses

FOIA/PA-2005-0149

OI Investigation, re: Hershey Medical Center, Nuclear Medicine Dept.,

May 2004, outcome of investigation

FOIA/PA-2005-0150

Commission’s part in the process & determination in neutralizing a

hijacked airline carrying hazardous nuclear material

FOIA/PA-2005-0151

OIG report re: Under reporting of FY03 financial statements because

of a deficiency in license fee billing system

FOIA/PA-2005-0152

NRC Contract 2600307, Sections B, C, H, J, L & M, & modifications FOIA/PA-2005-0153

Seismograph charts for underground tests performed in the 1960s &

1970s

FOIA/PA-2005-0154
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Arrivals

Kathleen Clayton Secretary (OA) RES

Jane Fogg Secretary (OA) HR

Natreon J. Jordan Nuclear Process Engineer (Criticality) NMSS

Paul Michalak Hydrogeologist NMSS

Retirement

James H. Myers Health Physicist OSTP

Departures

William H. Lovell, Jr Chief, Planning Team OCFO

David N. Orrik Consultant NSIR
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Media Interest

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

The Atomic Safety & Licensing Board’s ruling in the Private Fuel Storage, LLC, hearing.

The NRC’s continuing review of its online documents library for sensitive information.

Duke Power’s indication of interest in building a new nuclear plant in the Carolinas.

Pacific Gas &Electric’s report on its search for missing in-core detectors at Humboldt Bay.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

05-032 NRC Proposes to Amend Licensing, Inspection, and Annual Fees Rule

(2/22)

05-033 NRC Lifts Immediate Effectiveness of Order Suspending License of Safety

Light (2/22)

05-034 NRC Licensing Board Finds in Favor of Company in PFS Case; Decision

Now Goes to Commission (2/24)

05-035 NRC Invites the Public to Submit Nominations for the Advisory Committee

on Reactor Safeguards (2/25)

05-036 NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet March 3-5 in

Rockville, Maryland (2/25)

05-037 NRC Issues Licenses Allowing Westinghouse to Export Nuclear Reactor

Equipment and Fuel to China (2/25)

Regions:

I-05-008 NRC, Company to Discuss License Renewal Inspection Conducted at Nine

Mile Point Nuclear Power Plant (2/23)

III-05-006 NRC Seeks Public Input on Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed

Point Beach Nuclear Plant License Renewal (2/24)
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE N

Office of International Programs (OIP)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

NRC-MOST/KINS Second Bilateral Regulatory Information Exchange Meeting Held at NRC

On February 22-23, 2005, the second annual Bilateral Regulatory Information Exchange

Meeting was held at NRC headquarters in Rockville, MD, between the NRC and representatives

from the South Korean government. The eight-person delegation from South Korea consisted

of representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Korean

Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS). The discussions centered on issues relating to probabilistic

safety assessments, license renewal, reactor oversight process, spent fuel management and

transportation standards. The third Bilateral is scheduled to occur in April 2006.
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-05-0029 2/7/05 Use of the NRC Public Web Site for

Dissemination of the NRC Enforcement

Policy

2. SRM on SECY-04-0236 2/23/05 Southern Nuclear Operating Company’s

Proposal to Establish a Common

Emergency Operating Facility at its

Corporate Headquarters

Voting Record on SECY04-02362/23/05 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-05-0037 2/23/05 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

February 11, 2005

Memoranda

1. M050215 2/25/05 Staff Requirements - Briefing on NMSS

Programs, Performance, and Plans

2. M050222B 2/22/05 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session: a. 

COMSECY-05-0009 - Safety Light

Corporation (Materials Licensing

Suspension)

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congressman Edward Markey and Congressman John Dingell, dated 

February 16, 2005, concerning ongoing rulemaking efforts related to the revision of

current fire protection regulations.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes, notice of meeting (04/20-21/05).

2. Establishment of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, Dominion Nuclear Connecticut

(Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Units 2 and 3), Docket No. 50-336 and 50-423,

ASLBP No. 05-837-01-LR. 
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region I (RI)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Millstone Unit 2 - Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI)

On February 19, 2005, the licensee completed first loading of spent fuel into the ISFSI. NRC

inspectors observed the licensee’s loading activities. The licensee, Dominion Nuclear

Connecticut, employs the Transnuclear NUHOMS-32PT Horizontal Modular dry cask storage

system as the storage system for the spent fuel. 

Meeting with New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection Representatives

On February 25, 2005, Region I and the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation staff met with 

Dr. Jill Lipoti and Mr. Kent Tosch of the New Jersey State Department of Environmental

Protection. The discussion topics included: (1) interagency communications; (2) the 1987

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NRC and NJ; (3) performance issues at

the Oyster Creek, Salem, and Hope Creek Nuclear Stations; (4) NJ state observations and

concerns regarding implementation of the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process; and (5) questions

about the Oyster Creek license renewal exemption approval.
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Shearon Harris - Senior NRC Management Visit

On February 24, 2005, the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) accompanied

by the Deputy Director, Division of Reactor Projects from Region II visited the Shearon Harris

nuclear power plant in North Carolina for a plant tour and meeting with licensee officials. On

the following day, the Director of NRR participated in a meeting with Progress Energy Officials

in Raleigh, NC, to discuss the upcoming Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) inspection

at the Brunswick nuclear plant in May 2005. OSART inspections are sponsored by the 

International Atomic Energy Agency to promote the continuous development of operational

safety within all Member States by in-depth review of nuclear power plant operational safety

performance and by the dissemination of information on good practices.
February 25, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV (RIV)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

Public Meeting with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)

On February 24, 2005, the Director, Division of Reactor Safety held a public meeting with

NPPD officials at the Region IV offices in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of the meeting was to

discuss fidelity issues with Cooper Nuclear Station’s control room simulator. NPPD

representatives provided a presentation covering simulator testing and work management,

simulator training, and the plans for going forward. 
February 25, 2005 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending February 25, 2005

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 8

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Keeling 03/02/05

SD-138

10:30 DHS FY 2006 Homeland Security

Appropriations

Senators Homeland Appropria

Madden 03/03/05

SD-366

10:00 DOE FY 2006 Energy Budget Senators 

Energy a

Combs Tentative for

Week ofMarch 7

TBD DOE Funding for Yucca Mountain Reps. Ba

Energy a

Madden 03/15/05

2362BRHOB

10:00 DOE FY 2006 Energy Budget; Science,

Nuclear Energy and RenewableEnergy

Reps. HoEnergy aAppropria

Combs Tentative for

mid March

TBD DOE, NRC Status of Yucca Mountain Senators 

Energy a

Keeling Tentative for 

April

TBD Chairman Diaz, DOE,

Exelon CEO, IBEW rep,City Council rep nearGrand Gulf

DOE’s NP 2010 Program Senators 

Energy a