INFORMATION REPORT

June 30, 2005 SECY-05-0114

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-05-0114 - “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JUNE 17, 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
June 30, 2005 SECY-05-0114

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-05-0114 - “WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JUNE 17, 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\week617.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

TJKim:paa WMDean

06/29/05 06/30/05
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING JUNE 17, , 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 8

RES 4 OIP *

NSIR * SECY 9

OGC * Region I 10

ADM 5 Region II *

OIS 6 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 11

HR 7 EDO *

SBCR * OCA 12

OE *

*No input this week
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

Nine Mile Point - Public Meeting on Status of License Renewal

On June 9, 2005, representatives from the Constellation Energy Group (CEG) met with NRR

staff to discuss the status of CEG’s effort to “recover the quality” of the Nine Mile Point (NMP)

license renewal application (LRA). By letter dated March 3, 2005, CEG had requested a 90-day

grace period to address the quality issues identified during the course of the NRC staff’s review

and inspection of the LRA submitted in May 2004. CEG described its plan for updating the LRA

to address the staff’s requests for additional information (RAIs). In addressing the RAIs, the

applicant identified 14 additional systems, that were not identified in the original LRA, to be

within the scope of license renewal. CEG plans to submit an updated LRA by July 15, 2005.
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

DOE Savannah River Site - Public Meeting Regarding Waste Cleanup

On June 8, 2005, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection staff met with

representatives of the Department of Energy (DOE) to discuss the NRC staff’s Requests for

Additional Information pertaining to the DOE’s draft “Section 3116 determination” for the

disposal of separated, solidified, low-activity salt waste at the Savannah River Site near Aiken,

South Carolina. Section 3116 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for

Fiscal Year 2005 authorizes DOE, in consultation with NRC, to determine that certain waste

from reprocessing is not high-level waste and that it may instead be disposed of as low-level

waste if it meets the provisions set forth in Section 3116. Representatives of the State of South

Carolina and the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board also attended the meeting.

Quarterly Meeting of Interagency Steering Committee on Radiation Standards (ISCORS)

On June 14, 2005, the subject meeting was held at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

headquarters offices in Washington, DC. Updates on the progress of several activities were

presented including: (1) development of the “Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Assessment of

Materials and Equipment” (MARSAME) guidance; (2) protective action guide (PAG)

development for radiological dispersion devices and improvised nuclear devices; and (3) EPA

recovery phase PAG development. In addition, guidance planning was discussed for personal

security screening systems, including back-scatter and transmission uses, public and worker

exposures, and training. Recommendations were discussed regarding an update to the

existing Federal guidance on medical x-ray systems to address increased exposures from new

digital imaging, and potentially addressing trends toward increased exposures via (1) combined

use of medical radiation modalities, and (2) non-medical exposures from radiation scans of

asymptomatic patients (including children) for general health evaluations and legal evidence of

abuse. The next meeting will be a public meeting, to be hosted at the NRC headquarters

offices in Rockville, Maryland, on September 1, 2005.
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

Publication of NUREG/CR-6876, “Risk-Informed Assessment of Degraded Buried Piping

Systems in Nuclear Power Plants”

On June 6, 2005, staff published the subject NUREG/CR which documents the research

conducted to assess the effect of age-related degradation on buried piping systems in nuclear

power plants, including the most common aging effects observed in buried piping -- general wall

thinning and localized loss of material/pitting. The scope of this research project included the

development of a methodology to assess the failure probability of buried piping as a result of

various input loads, a time-dependent methodology to assess the effect of degraded buried

piping on plant risk, and the degradation acceptance criteria for buried piping. The

methodologies presented in this report provide tools to help the NRC staff make a quick,

independent assessment to determine whether the identified degradation has the potential for

an immediate, significant effect on plant risk.
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending June 17, 2005

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

On June 10, 2005, NRC issued a correction (70 FR 33819), addressing minor typographical

and printing errors, to a previously published final rule (70 FR 30526; dated May 26, 2005) that

amends the licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to the Commission’s applicants and

licensees. The final rule becomes effective July 25, 2005.

Public Records (AH12 - Part 9)

On June 14, 2005, a final rule that amends the regulations concerning availability of agency

records under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act was published in the Federal

Register (70 FR 34303). The final rule establishes procedures under which the NRC provides

predisclosure information to submitters of confidential business or commercial information. The

final rule becomes effective July 14, 2005.

Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-20-26)

On June 15, 2005, a notice requesting public comment on a petition for rulemaking was

published in the Federal Register (PRM-20-26;70 FR 34699). The petitioner requests that NRC

amend its regulations pertaining to exposure and environmental limits of heavy metal

radionuclides. The comment period for this action closes August 29, 2005.

Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-54-2)

On June 15, 2005, a notice requesting public comment on a petition for rulemaking was

published in the Federal Register (PRM-54-2;70 FR 34700). The petitioner, an elected official

representing Westchester County, New York, requests that NRC amend its regulations for

license renewal. The comment period for this action closes August 29, 2005.
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

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

June 10 through June 16, 2005:

Industrial irradiator accident, Maryland, 1991, 1 injury FOIA/PA-2005-0263

Site decommissioning, Route 46, Borough of Teterboro, Bergen, NJ,

Block 202, Lots 1 thru 4, owned by Honeywell & Quest Diagnostics,

all records

FOIA/PA-2005-0264

OI Report 1-2003-045, report only FOIA/PA-2005-0265

MLTS information on 502 W. Office Center Drive, Ft. Washington,

Montgomery Co., PA 19034

FOIA/PA-2005-0266

Collective bargaining agreement between NRC & NTEU, number of

employees in bargaining unit with names, grades, etc, organization

chart, employee handbook, administrative grievances, MSPB

appeals, & EEO complaints in past 18 months

FOIA/PA-2005-0267

OI Reports 3-2004-019 & 3-2004-005 FOIA/PA-2005-0268

Quest Diagnostics of Missouri LLC, 2320 Schuetz Rd., St. Louis, MO

63146, license no. 24-25941-01, status of site re: unrestricted use

FOIA/PA-2005-0269

Engelhard Industries, Plainville, MA, documents pertaining to

cleanup, Docket No. 070-00139

FOIA/PA-2005-0270

SECY 78-536 re: proposed rule to remove 10 CFR 20.304, published

12-4-78

FOIA/PA-2005-0271
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

Arrivals

Michael C. Alderman Student Management Analyst (Summer) OCFO

Matthew A. Bartlett Health Physicist (NSPDP) NMSS

Terry L. Johnson Consultant NMSS

Paul Kollath-Romano Student Engineer (Summer) NRR

Leah Spradley Student Engineer (Summer) ACRS

Departure

Douglas Dodge Security Specialist NSIR
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

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

The article in this week’s TIME magazine on nuclear plant security.

The feasibility study for Westchester County’s closure of Indian Point.

Hope Creek’s return to service early this week and subsequent shutdown because of a steam

leak.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA provided support at the annual assessment meeting held June 13 for the Dresden nuclear

plant.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

05-092 NRC Issues Final Environmental, Safety Evaluation Reports for Proposed

Enrichment Plant in New Mexico (6/15)

05-093 NRC Issues Safety Evaluation Report for North Anna Early Site Permit

Application (6/17)

Regions:

I-05-034 NRC, N.J. Company to Discuss Apparent Violations Involving Gauge (6/16)

III-05-031 NRC to Meet June 22 with Westinghouse Electric Co. to Discuss Apparent

Violations at Hematite, Mo., Facility (6/16)

IV-05-026 NRC Names New Senior Resident Inspector at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant

(6/17)
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Document

1. SECY-05-0097 06/01/05 Options for Permitting Visitors of Hospitalized

Patients to Receive Doses in Excess of Currently

Permitted Levels

Information Papers

1. SECY-05-0098 06/02/05 Status Report on Power Uprates

2. SECY-05-0103 06/10/05 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending May 27,

2005

3. SECY-05-0105 06/14/05 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending June 3,

2005

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks, dated June 10, 2005,

responds to request for additional information on the disposal of low-activity radioactive

waste and the conditions under which this waste may be disposed of at a facility not

licensed by NRC.

2. Letter to Congressman Eliot L. Engel, dated June 10, 2005, responds to letter regarding

the recent testing of the Hemyc fire barrier system.

3. Letter to Congress, dated June 10, 2005, provides the April 2005 monthly report on the

status of NRC’s licensing and other regulatory activities.

4. Letter to Congressman Fred Upton, dated June 8, 2005, responds to letter expressing

strong support for the application from Nuclear Management Company, LLC, to extend

the operating license for the Palisades Nuclear Plant.

5. Letter to Mr. Dan G. Blair, OPM, dated June 7, 2005, advises of the appointment of

James McDermott to serve as Acting Chief Human Capital Officer at the NRC.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, Subcommittee Meeting on Planning and

Procedures, notice of meeting (7/5/05).

2. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, notice of meeting (7/6-8/05). 
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region I (RI)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

Seabrook - Florida Power and Light (FPL) Management Changes

On June 17, 2005, FPL announced several management changes. Mr. Mark Warner, current

FPL Seabrook Site Vice-President, has accepted the position of Vice President of Nuclear

Operations Support at the FPL Corporate Headquarters, reporting to Mr. Art Stall, Senior VicePresident Nuclear Division. Mr. Gene St. Pierre, current Plant Manager, is promoted to

Seabrook Site Vice-President. Mr. Mike Kiley, current Operations Manager, is promoted to

Plant General Manager, reporting to Mr. St. Pierre. 
June 17, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV (RIV)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station - Site Visit by Regional Administrator

On June 14, 2005, the Regional Administrator visited the San Onofre Nuclear Generating

Station to tour the site with the resident inspectors, discuss site security enhancements, and

meet with licensee senior management to discuss items of interest.

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station - Site Visit by NRC’s Executive Director for Operations

On June 15, 2005, the Executive Director for Operations and the Regional Administrator visited

the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station to tour the site with the resident inspectors, discuss

site security enhancements, and meet with licensee senior management to discuss items of

interest.
June 17, 2005 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 17, 2005

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 24

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Madden 06/22/05

2247RHOB

2:00 TBA Hearing on "The Evolution of Federal

Financial Management - A Review ofthe Need to Consolidate, Simplify,and Streamline"

Reps PlaGovernm and AccoGovernm

Shane 06/23/05

SD-430

10:00 TBA Family and Medical Leave Act

(PL 103-3)

Senators Health, E Pensions

Combs TBA

SD-366

TBA DOE, NRC Status of Yucca Mountain Senators 

Energy a

Combs April 13

2247RHOBPostponed

10:00 TBA Yucca Mountain Project: Digging for

the Truth

Reps PorFederal W OrganizaGovernm