INFORMATION REPORT

September 26, 2005 SECY-05-0171

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

SEPTEMBER 16, 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
September 26, 2005 SECY-05-0171

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

SEPTEMBER 16, 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\week916.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

UShoop:paa WMDean

09/26/05 09/27/05
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 16, 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 9 SECY 19

OGC * Region I 20

ADM 10 Region II *

OIS 11 Region III *

CFO * Region IV 23

HR 15 EDO *

SBCR 16 OCA 24

OE *

*No input this week
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Operation Above the Licensed Power Limit

On September 12, 2005, NRC staff was informed by Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, LLC

that both units had been operating above their current licensed operating limit of 2700

Megawatts thermal as a result of a Crossflow system error which underestimated the feedwater

flow rates. The licensee detected the error through lithium tracer tests and subsequently

reduced power to account for the error. The licensee began using the Crossflow system in July

2003. Use of this system does not require NRC approval. The Crossflow system was designed

to provide a more accurate measure of flow rates, reducing the uncertainty in the plant

instrumentation measurement. The licensee used the Crossflow data to determine a correction

factor for each of the feedwater flow venturi measurements in the plant computer which is used

to calculate reactor power. On September 13, 2005, the licensee identified that it had been

limiting the maximum applied correction factor. Preliminary estimates indicate that the units

were operating between 0.6 and 1.1 percent above their licensed power limit. The licensee

continues to investigate this issue and the staff will monitor the licensee actions. 

River Bend - Issuance Of An Exigent Technical Specification Amendment

On September 15, 2005, the NRC issued an exigent amendment to the River Bend Technical

Specifications (TS). The TS amendment corrects certain requirements for the loss of power

(LOP) instrumentation that were inadvertently introduced in the TS in 1995 when the BWR/6

Standard TS (STS) were adopted. The STS includes instrumentation testing that is impractical

to implement with the current plant configuration. The amendment revises the number of

required channels per division for the LOP time delay functions and deletes the requirement to

perform a monthly Channel Function Test on certain LOP time delay functions on a one-time

basis. The TS change will be applicable through June 1, 2006. 

Meeting on Implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005

On September 12, 2005, NRR and the Office of the General Counsel staff met with

representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) to discuss provisions of the Energy

Policy Act of 2005 which direct DOE to develop a standby support program for up to six entities

who apply for a Combined Operating License (COL) under 10 CFR Part 52. The program will

create an insurance fund which will pay unexpected licensee costs incurred from a regulatory or

litigation delay in the COL process that is beyond the licensees control. The NRC staff provided

DOE with an overview of the Part 52 combined license process. DOE discussed the anticipated

timeline for rulemaking to implement the legislation and requested NRR staff participation in a

future DOE public workshop on the rulemaking. 
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Quarterly Management Meeting with USEC Inc.

On September 13, 2005, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, the

Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, and the Office of the General

Counsel met with USEC Inc. (USEC) to discuss the status and schedule of NRC’s review of

USEC’s license application for the American Centrifuge Plant dated August 23, 2004. Issues

discussed include the status of NRC’s safety, safeguards, and environmental reviews. A public

meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be held in Piketon, Ohio, on

September 29, 2005. NRC indicated that the Environmental Impact Statement remains on a

20-month review schedule (expected publication in April 2006) while its Safety Evaluation

Report remains on an 18-month review schedule (expected publication in February 2006).

Westinghouse Electric Company License Renewal Meeting

On September 12, 2005, the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards staff participated in

an open meeting with Westinghouse staff to discuss the submittal of a revised license renewal

application for the Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility. Westinghouse withdrew the original

application in May 2005, after the staff determined that it did not adequately address the

requirements of 10 CFR Part 70. The current license expires on November 30, 2005. 

Westinghouse intends to submit a revised application by October 31, 2005. 
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Federal Agencies Comment on the National Academies BEIR VII Report

On September 12, 2005, staff discussed the NRC’s plans to review the National Academies

report on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VII), at a meeting of the National

Academies’ Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board. Representatives from the Environmental

Protection Agency and the Department of Energy (DOE) attended the meeting. 

International Atomic Energy Agency Research (IAEA) Coordination Meeting on Evaluation of

High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors

From September 5-9, 2005, staff attended the subject meeting in Vienna, Austria. Information

gained from the meeting will support technical reviews of Next Generation Nuclear Plants and

future HTGR infrastructure activities. 
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE D

Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-II-05-006, Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, REGION II RESPONSE TO 

HURRICANE OPHELIA

2. PNO-II-05-006A, Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, REGION II RESPONSE TO

 HURRICANE OPHELIA

3. PNO-III-05-013, Braidwood Station, Exelon Nuclear Exelon Generation Company, LLC,

FORCED OUTAGE DUE TO REACTOR COOLANT PUMP LEAK-OFF IN EXCESS OF

VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-54-3) from Joseph Scarpelli, Mayor of Brick

Township, NJ

On September 14, 2005, the NRC published a notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 54310)

announcing the receipt of the subject petition for rulemaking. The petitioner requests that the

NRC amend regulations pertaining to a renewed nuclear power plant operating license. The

petitioner believes that a renewed operating license should only be granted after a plant

demonstrates compliance with all regulatory requirements that are applicable for a new plant

operating license. The comment period for this action closes November 28, 2005.

Contract Awards

On September 13, 2005, a competitive delivery order was awarded under the General Service

Administration's Federal Supply Schedule to Bert W. Smith Jr. and Company. The contractor

will conduct "Internal Control Reviews" for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The period

of performance is for 2.5 years. The estimated cost of the delivery order is $402,978.83.
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

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

September 9 through September 15, 2005:

Copy of inventory of classified AEC records still held by NRC (not

transmitted to NARA)

FOIA/PA-2005-0348

Employment records, compensation claims, medical records &

transcripts for named individual, all records

FOIA/PA-2005-0349

Contract NRC-09-05-320, all records FOIA/PA-2005-0350

OI report 4-2004-006 FOIA/PA-2005-0351

Purchase Card holders FOIA/PA-2005-0352
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Arrival

GWO, JIN-PING SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE ANALYST NMSS

HAYS, MYRA L. DIRECTOR, DIV OF RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

R-IV

HUANG, EUGENE E. REACTOR ENGINEER (NSPDP) R-I

HUTH, VIRGINIA A. DIV DEP DIR, BUS PROC IMPROVE AND

APP DIV

OIS

KLUMP, MARY KENDRA GENERAL SCIENTIST NRR

PARILLO, JOHN HEALTH PHYSICIST NRR

REEVES, ROSEMARY B. MECHANICAL ENGINEER NMSS

YOUNG, SHEENA M. SECRETARY (OA) CSU

Departures

HUNTSINGER, EDWARD A. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR OI

KING, ADRIENNE LESTER FUEL FACILITIES INSPECTOR R-II

MCKINNEY, URSULA G. CONSULTANT OIS

SHARMA, BHAWANA SR CONTRACT SPECIALIST ADM
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE J

Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Dress for Success Seminar

On September 13, 2005, the Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR) sponsored a

“Dress for Success” seminar. Ms. Theresa Brito, an Image Consultant from Nordstrom Stores,

Bethesda, Maryland, and several of her associates were on hand to discuss and demonstrate

some of the latest fashion in business attire. 
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

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

The Commission’s decision to authorize a license for Private Fuel Storage.

The condition of the warning sirens at Indian Point.

NRC’s effort to coordinate control of radioactive materials with Agreement States.

NRC’s new study on how spent fuel transportation casks might fare in a Baltimore Tunnel fire

situation.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA staff facilitated a technical briefing for reporters on the Baltimore Tunnel fire study and its

implications for future transportation of spent fuel.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

05-128 NRC Announces Opportunity for Hearing on Application to Renew Operating

License for Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant (9/12)

05-129 NRC Ranks No. 3 in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government (9/14)

05-130 NRC Issues Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Proposed Enrichment

Plant in Ohio, Announces Public Meeting (9/14)

Regions:

I-05-047 NRC Proposes $3,250 Fine for Va. Firm for Improper Gauge Transfers (9/12)

I-05-048 NRC Officials to Meet with Officials from Pa. Hospital to Discuss Apparent

Violation of Requirements (9/15)

IV-05-034 NRC to Hold Public Meeting in Houston on Proposed National Source Tracking

System (9/12)

IV-05-035 NRC to Meet with the Public to Discuss Results of Humboldt Bay Nuclear Plant

Special Inspection (9/12)
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-05-0156 8/29/05 USNRC Participation in the Organization for

Economic Cooperation and Development

Halden Reactor Project During 2006-2008

2. SRM-SECY-05-0130 9/14/05 Policy Issues Related to New Plant

Licensing and Status of the TechnologyNeutral Framework for New Plant Licensing

Voting Record on SECY05-01309/14/05 (same)

3. COMSECY-05-0036 8/11/05 Evaluation of Agreement State

Implementation of the Generally Licensed

Device Amendment

SRM on COMSECY-05-

0036

9/16/05 (same)

Voting Record on 05-0036 9/16/05 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-05-0163 9/9/05 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

September 2, 2005

Memoranda

1. SRM-M050816B 8/22/05 Discussion of Security Issues

(OAS/CRCPD)

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated September 8, 2005, provides NRC’s monthly report for July 2005

on the status of its licensing and other regulatory activities.

2. Letter to Agreement State Governors, Federal Agencies, and Congress, dated

September 2, 2005, concerns increased controls for radioactive material licensees

processing radioactive sources containing quantities of concern.
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE O

3. Letter to Congressman Markey, Congressman Tierney, Congressman Meehan, dated

August 26, 2005, responds to letter regarding security at Florida Power and Light’s

Seabrook Station.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), Joint Meeting of the Subcommittees

on Plant License Renewal and on Plant Operations, notice of meeting (9/21/05). 

2. Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes, notice of meeting (10/25-26/05).

3. ACRS Subcommittee Meeting on Planning and Procedures, notice of meeting (10/5/05).

4. ACRS Subcommittee Meeting on Plant-License Renewal, notice of meeting (10/5/05
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region I (RI)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Audit Meeting at the Region I Office

On September 13, 2005, Region I staff and management met with representatives of GAO in

the Region I office as part of the GAO audit of the Reactor Oversight Program (ROP). Topics

discussed include implementation of the ROP, the Significance Determination Process, and

deviations to the ROP. The current deviation for heightened oversight of the Salem/Hope

Creek site was used for illustration.

Regional Utilities Group (RUG) Meeting

On September 14, 2005, Region I staff participated in a Regional Utilities Group meeting. The

purpose of the meeting was to discuss ROP implementation including the significance

determination process, cross cutting issues, emergency preparedness, and security. The

meeting was attended by fourteen utility representatives and two NRC staff members. On

September 15, 2005, the Region I Senior Risk Analysts (SRAs) conducted a workshop on

Manual Chapter 0609, “Significance Determination Process” and Management Directive 8.3,

“NRC Incident Investigation Program.”

Maryland Outreach Meeting

On September 15, 2005, the Regional Administrator and staff met with senior Maryland

emergency response personnel in preparation for the scheduled September 27 Calvert Cliffs

exercise. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information on expected team

interactions.
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region III (RIII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

NRC Issued a Final White Finding to Kewaunee Plant

On September, 2005, NRC issued a white finding and notice of violation to the Kewaunee

Nuclear Plant located in Kewaunee, WI. The finding resulted from a flaw in the AFW system

design which would not have protected the pumps from air ingress and subsequent cavitation

during seismic events.

FirstEnergy Paid $5.45 Million Civil Penalty for Violations at the Davis-Besse Plant

On September 14, 2005, FirstEnergy paid a $5.45 million fine levied by the NRC in April for the

utility’s actions that led to the reactor vessel head degradation discovered at the Davis-Besse

Nuclear Plant in 2002 and for providing the NRC with inaccurate information about the condition

of the reactor vessel head prior to the discovery of the corrosion.
September 16, 2005 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV (RIV)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

Chairman Diaz' visit to San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station

On September 10, Chairman Diaz visited the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station. The

NRC Resident Inspectors accompanied the Chairman during a licensee conducted tour of the

facility, which focused on emergency planning and security enhancements.

Public Meeting with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

On September 15, Region IV staff held a public meeting with representatives of PG&E in

Eureka, California. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the results from NRC's

inspection of the circumstances surrounding the licensee identified, loss of special nuclear

material from the Humboldt Bay spent fuel pool inventory. Approximately 30 individuals

attended the meeting, including local media coverage. On September 16, the Eureka Times

Standard published an article on the meeting.
September 16, 2005 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 16, 2005

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 31

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Keeling 09/22/05

SD-406

2:30 Ed McGaffigan, Jr. Confirmation hearing for Ed

McGaffigan, Jr. to be NRCCommissioner 

Senators Environm

Madden TBA TBA Conference FY 2006 Energy and Water

Development Appropriations

House/SeCommitte