INFORMATION REPORT

October 11, 2006 SECY-06-0209

For: The Commissioners

From: Michael R. Johnson, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

SEPTEMBER 29, 2006

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

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards/

Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste S*

*No input this week.

/RA/

Michael R. Johnson 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

R. Taylor, OEDO
October 11, 2006 SECY-06-0209

For: The Commissioners

From: Michael R. Johnson, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

SEPTEMBER 29, 2006

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

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards/

Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste S*

*No input this week.

/RA/

Michael R. Johnson

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

R. Taylor, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\week929.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

RTaylor:paa MRJohnson

10/12/06 10/13/06
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 29, 2006

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: R. Taylor, OEDO by E-mail: rxt2@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 *

NSIR * 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 * ACRS/ACNW *

*No input this week
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

NRC Staff Visit to Component & Controls, Inc. (CCI) Test Facility in Switzerland

During September 19-21, 2006, NRR and Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards staff,

observed sump strainer coatings transport related testing at CCI in Winterthur, Switzerland. 

CCI is one of five vendors providing sump strainers for licensees that are performing strainer

modifications in response to Generic Safety Issue (GSI) 191, “Assessment of Debris

Accumulation on PWR Sump Performance.” CCI provided multiple presentations and

laboratory demonstrations related to head loss, chemical effects, and downstream testing in

support of the licensees' GSI-191 evaluations.

NRC License Renewal Management Meeting with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) License

Renewal Working Group

On September 26, 2006, NRR management and staff met with the NEI License Renewal

Working Group and industry representatives to discuss generic license renewal topics and

license renewal process improvements. NEI representatives discussed their agreement with

recent staff proposals improving review efficiencies, obtaining accurate NRC and contractor

costs for budgeting, and crediting current programs for license renewal. NEI also provided an

updated status of 2006 applications for Wolf Creek and Shearon Harris. In addition, NEI

requested the status of the NRC staff review of a white paper they provided on removing the

Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL) XI.E6 aging management program on electrical cable

connections from the GALL Report. Staff responded that a working group is being formed to

discuss the issue, and that it would treat the proposal as an industry proposed Interim Staff

Guidance. NRR management provided an update to NEI on the transition schedule for the

reorganization to the new Office of New Reactors.

North Anna Early Site Permit (ESP)

On September 28, 2006, the staff issued to Dominion Nuclear North Anna, LLC a revised

Supplement 1 to the Final Safety Evaluation Report for the North Anna ESP application. This

supplement reflects the staff’s review of Revision 9 of the ESP application, which addressed

ensuring tritium concentrations in liquid effluent released are below regulatory limits. A review

by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards is pending.

Risk-Informed Technical Specifications (TS) Initiative 5B

On September 28, 2006, the NRC staff issued a final safety evaluation in connection with

industry guidance document NEI 04-10, Rev. 0, "Risk-Informed Technical Specifications

Initiative 5B, Risk-Informed Method for Control of Surveillance Frequencies." On the same day,

the staff issued license amendments for Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, approving

relocation of surveillance test intervals of various TS surveillance requirements to a new,

licensee-controlled document, the Surveillance Frequency Control Program. This amendment

application was submitted by Exelon on June 11, 2004 as a pilot submittal in support of

Initiative 5b.
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

International High-Level Waste (HLW) Workshop in Japan

On September 12-15, 2006, Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses (CNWA) staff

participated in a HLW workshop on design confirmation and demonstration of the integration of

engineered barrier systems in the safety case. In cooperation with the European Commission,

the workshop was organized by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic

Cooperation and Development. This was the fourth workshop in a series of four. The

workshop specifically considered the strategy, approaches, and methods, for confirming and

demonstrating the design of engineered barrier systems, in terms of key constraints and

requirements, which include long-term safety, engineering practicality, and quality assurance. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and organizations from Japan, Belgium, Finland,

France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan also participated. 

Proceedings, summarizing all four workshops, will be published in the spring of 2007.

Corrosion Workshop on HLW

On September 25-26, 2006, staff participated in a Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

(NWTRB) Workshop on Localized Corrosion of Alloy 22 in Yucca Mountain Environments, in

Las Vegas, Nevada. The purpose of the workshop was to present and discuss data, analyses,

studies, and models of localized corrosion of Alloy 22 in aqueous environments, that could exist

in a potential repository at Yucca Mountain. Staff from NRC and CNWRA made presentations,

along with contractors for DOE, the Electric Power Research Institute, State of Nevada, and

Nye County. The issues discussed include evolution of Yucca Mountain Environments,

localized corrosion testings, localized corrosion modeling, dust/salt deliquescence, and

consequence of localized corrosion. As a result of the workshop, the importance of general

corrosion was also recognized.

Volcanic Hazard Workshop on HLW

From September 26-27, 2006, staff observed Workshop 3 of DOE’s Probabilistic Volcanic

Hazard Assessment Update program, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The purpose of this workshop 

for DOE’s Expert Panel on Volcanism is to provide individual preliminary assessments for group

discussions. After completion of the panel’s assessment (anticipated in 2007), DOE will

produce a report updating the projected probability of volcanic activity intercepting the proposed

repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. DOE will use this report in support of a planned license

application for the proposed Yucca Mountain Repository.

Board Meeting on HLW Safety Case and Meeting with State of Nevada

On September 27, 2006, staff attended a public meeting of the NWTRB, in Amargosa Valley,

Nevada. The meeting was part of DOE’s efforts to develop and articulate a safety case for a

proposed geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. During the meeting day, NRC staff

met with representatives of affected units of local government and other stakeholders attending

this meeting.
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Chemical Consequence Levels at the Proposed Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF)

On August 25, 2006, the Director, NMSS, issued a decision on a Differing Professional Opinion

(DPO) involving chemical consequence levels at the proposed MFFF (DPO-2005-005). On

June 21, 2005, an NRC employee submitted a DPO that focused on chemical consequences

from some potential events at the proposed MFFF, the applicant’s proposed mitigative

strategies for such events, using limits based on Temporary Emergency Exposure Limits

(TEELs) from DOE, and whether the NRC staff’s position accepting the use of TEELs would

endorse limits that do not provide adequate assurance of safety.

On April 4, 2006, an Ad Hoc Review Panel provided the results of its independent review to the

Director, NMSS. The Panel concluded that there is no basis for reversing the NRC position on

the use of TEELs, chemical consequence limits do not need to be reopened, and the applicant

need not submit additional information on the docket regarding the use of TEELs. The Panel

also concluded that establishment of an expert NRC panel to develop values to be substituted

for the TEEL values is not justified, and that a rulemaking process to promulgate NRC’s own

chemical consequence limits would not be cost-effective, based on safety considerations. 

However, the Panel recommended that a review of chemical consequence limits be conducted

before the issuance of the operating license.

Based on a review of the Panel’s report, the Director, NMSS, agreed with, and adopted, most of

the Panel recommendations. However, he did not agree with, and did not adopt, the

recommendation that a review of chemical consequence limits should be conducted before the

issuance of the operating license. He noted that NRC had already reviewed and approved the

TEEL values as the design bases of the principal structures, systems, and components, and

stated that to reopen that review, after NRC had already approved the final design bases,

without some supporting contrary safety finding, would constitute an inconsistent and unstable

regulatory approach, contrary to NRC’s principles of good regulation.

Solvent Flammability Limits at the Proposed MFFF

On August 25, 2006, the Director, NMSS, issued a decision on a DPO involving solvent

flammability limits at the proposed MFFF (DPO-2005-009). On September 23, 2005, an NRC

employee submitted a DPO that focused on the applicant’s proposed approach to the use of

controls to reduce the likelihood of solvent-fire explosion events at the proposed MFFF, and

whether the NRC staff’s position accepting the applicant’s approach would provide adequate

assurances of safety, as well as a concern that the staff did not contact the National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA) 69 Committee for clarification of the NFPA 69 code.

On June 2, 2006, an Ad Hoc Review Panel provided the results of its independent review to the

Director, NMSS. The Panel concluded that the DPO did not raise any safety concerns that

have technical or legal implications for the staff’s approval of the Construction Authorization

Request (CAR). The Panel noted that the applicant made the business decision to proceed

with the two-step licensing process, knowing the associated uncertainties and potential risks. 

The Panel concluded that the staff’s approval of the CAR was in accordance with relevant

regulations for the two-step licensing process, and is therefore consistent with the regulatory

framework, and is not precedent-setting. The Panel recommended that, if the staff finds the

applicant’s safety strategies and controls ineffective during the operating licensing phase, the
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

staff should consider appropriate Agency regulatory processes, such as backfit, to ensure the

protection of public health and safety. With respect to the consultation with the NFPA

Committee for code clarification, the Panel determined that the NMSS staff, based on

professional expertise and experience, has the authority to evaluate and make determinations

on appropriate code application during the review process. Therefore, the Panel did not

recommend any additional action.

Based on a review of the Panel’s report, the Director, NMSS, agreed with, and adopted, the

Panel’s recommendations, subject to the clarification that, with regard to the backfit process, if

the staff becomes aware of the need for significant changes to safety strategies and controls, or

other issues that would call into question its conclusions in the CAR, during the operating

licensing phase, this new information would be reviewed at that time, consistent with backfit

requirements, to the extent they are applicable.
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

Implementing Agreements Between the NRC and the Technical Research Center of Finland

(VTT) and the Korea Institute for Nuclear Safety (KINS) in the Area of Non-Destructive

Examination (NDE) for Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) in Nickel Base

Materials and Dissimilar Metal Welds

On September 20, 2006, the Executive Director for Operations (EDO) signed the subject

Implementing Agreements which define the terms and conditions by which the NRC and VTT,

and NRC and KINS, will cooperate in the area of non-destructive examination technology

research. The NRC, KINS, and VTT (with its technical partner, Helsinki University of

Technology) will participate in these cooperative research programs on the basis of mutual

benefit and reasonable equity and reciprocity. Both VTT’s and KINS’ contributions will consist

of in-kind contributions of research results with total value of approximately $400K each. A goal

of the cooperative research is to assess the reliability of existing and emerging NDE techniques

to address the problem of PWSCC. This program will allow the NRC to improve the quality and

regulatory effectiveness of standards covering in-service inspections for structural integrity. 

These Implementing Agreements entered into force upon signature and will remain in effect

through December 2007 with VTT, and December 2009 with KINS.

Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (ACNW) Ground-Water Monitoring Meeting

On September 19-20, 2006, staff supported the subject meeting which addressed the role of

ground-water contamination modeling and monitoring programs in licensing, the evaluation of

case studies of radionuclide releases, field experience and insights, and opportunities for

integrating ground-water modeling and monitoring. Presenters included staff from the NRC and

its contractors, scientists and engineers from a Department of Energy National Laboratory,

investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey,

members of academia, and representatives from the nuclear industry. Insights and information

obtained from the meeting will be utilized by the inter-office Technical Advisory Group on

ground-water and performance monitoring, and incorporated into RES’s research to develop

and test an integrated ground-water monitoring strategy for nuclear facilities.

Standardized Plan Analysis Risk (SPAR) External Events Models and Handbooks

During the week of September 25, 2006, staff completed a set of SPAR external event models

and handbooks as a part of the Risk Assessment Standardization Project. Events include fires,

seismic events, high winds, flooding, and other external events. The models and handbooks

have been made available for trial use by NRC analysts for the Significance Determination

Process, the Accident Sequence Precursor Program, and similar event risk analyses. These

products were developed by RES in response to an Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation user

need. 
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE C

International Conference on Safety and Reliability for Managing Risk (ESREL 2006)

On September 18-21, 2006, staff chaired sessions and presented a paper at the subject

conference in Estoril, Portugal. Conference topics included advanced methods and tools for

performing Probabilistic Safety Assessments, discussions of the path forward in challenging

areas (e.g., human reliability analysis, advanced computational methods), and lessons learned

from applications.
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending September 29, 2006

Occupational Dose Records, Labeling Containers, and the Total Effective Dose Equivalent

(AH40 - Parts 19, 20, and 50) 

On September 22, 2006, the NRC published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (71 FR

55382) that would make several amendments to the regulations pertaining to radiation

protection. The proposed rule would limit the routine reporting of annual doses to workers to

those whose annual dose exceeds a specific threshold, amend the definition of the total

effective dose equivalent to be consistent with current Commission policy, modify the labeling

requirements for certain containers, and remove the requirement that licensees obtain

cumulative exposure records for workers unless the individuals are authorized to receive a

planned special exposure. The comment period for this action closes December 6, 2006.

Facility Change Process Involving Items Relied on for Safety (AH96 - Part 70)

On September 27, 2006, the NRC published a direct final rule in the Federal Register (71 FR

56344) that clarifies a requirement pertaining to facility change processes involving items relied

on for safety. This action clarifies that if an item relied on for safety is not needed to meet

specified performance requirements, the licensee may remove or replace it without NRC staff

approval. The direct final rule becomes effective December 11, 2006.

On September 27, 2006, the NRC published the companion proposed rule to this direct final

rule in the Federal Register (71 FR 56413). The comment period closes October 27, 2006.

Lanmark Technology, Inc.

On September 22, 2006, an 8(a) set-aside contract, no. NRC-38-06-401, was awarded to

Lanmark Technology, Inc. The Contractor is required to provide maintenance of official

personnel records on-site at NRC Headquarters. The period of performance is one year base

period, with four one-year options. The total estimated price is approximately $600,000,

including all options. 
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

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

of September 21 through September 28, 2006:

Security clearance reviews or updates on named individual FOIA/PA-2006-0315

Tennessee Valley Authority Phosphate Branch, Muscle Shoals, AL

(1941 - present), documentation on general construction of facility,

manufacturers of furnaces, pumps, valves, etc.

FOIA/PA-2006-0316

PRAB-02-01, “Assessment of [Boiling Water Reactor] BWR Main

Stream Line Release Consequences,” referenced in NUREG-1765 &

Inspection Manual Chapter 0609H

FOIA/PA-2006-0317

Procurement card holders & approving officials FOIA/PA-2006-0318

Office of Inspector General Reports 0670-IG & 0566-IG FOIA/PA-2006-0319

Safety Light Corporation, documents re: Sealed Source Device

Registrations NR-0579-D-101-G & NR-0579-D-112-G

FOIA/PA-2006-0320
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

Arrivals

BALARABE, SARAH A. SECRETARY (OA) NRR

BARCLIFT, TIFFANY HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT (OA) HR

BIERNIK, JAMES B. TRAINING PROGRAM SPECIALIST HR

BLACK, DARWANA N. SECRETARY (OA) OGC

CALVO, ANTONY IT SPECIALIST RES

COURSEY, MICHAEL S. GENERAL ENGINEER/PHYSICAL

SCIENTIST

RII

CULPEPPER, MICHAEL V. HUMAN CAPITAL PROGRAM MANAGER HR

DUFFEY, GERARD J. PROGRAM ANALYST RI

FELTS, RUSSELL N. SECURITY RISK ANALYST NSIR

HAMM, MATTHEW MECHANICAL ENG/REACTOR ENG. NRR

HOLSTON, COLEDA SECRETARY (OA) NMSS

MOY, ROMENA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST ADM

PATEL, PRAVIN STRUCTURAL ENGINEER NRR

PIRTLE, GARY L. CONSULTANT NSIR

RAZO, JASON M. HEALTH PHYSICIST (NSPDP) RIV

REBER, ERIC H. SECURITY SPECIALIST NSIR

ROACH, EDWARD H. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

SPECIALIST

NSIR

ROBINSON, PONLEARASMEY SECRETARY (OA) NRR

SHARPE, MICHELE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

(NSPDP

ADM

SPRINGER, MICHAEL L. CONSULTANT ADM

STUYVENBERG, ANDREW GENERAL SCIENTIST NRR

WADE, SHANTECE M. SECRETARY (OA) NMSS
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

Retirement

PARK, EDNA S. CHIEF, PAYMENT, POL AND OBLIG

TEAM

CFO

SAVIO, RICHARD P. SR TECH ADV TO THE EXECUTIVE DIR ACRS

VORA, JITENDRA P. SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER RES

WEDDLE, DAVID E. MAIL SERVICES ASSISTANT ADM

Departure

CADOUX, CLAUDE G. CONSULTANT NSIR

CRLENJAK, RICHARD V. CONSULTANT NRR

DELLA GRECA, ANIELLO L. CONSULTANT NRR

DIPALO, ANTHONY J. CONSULTANT NSIR

FORD, F. P. CONSULTANT ACRS

HOLBROOK, BOBBY L. CONSULTANT RII

HOLLAND, WILLIAM E. CONSULTANT NRR

JOHNSON, JON R. CONSULTANT NRR

JORDAN, MICHAEL J. CONSULTANT NRR

KEETON, JACK M. CONSULTANT NRR

PARKER, MICHAEL E. CONSULTANT NRR

SCHENTER, ROBERT E. CONSULTANT NMSS

WATSON, EVELYN E. CONSULTANT NMSS

WILLIAMS, JULIAN H. CONSULTANT NRR
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

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

The condition of Oyster Creek’s drywall liner.

Opposition by New Jersey officials to a decommissioning plan submitted by Shieldalloy.

Other Public Affairs Items:

Region I OPA, with staff support, conducted a media workshop in Massachusetts for reporters

who cover the nuclear power industry.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

06-118 NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet October 4-6 in

Rockville, Maryland (9/27)

06-119 NRC Receives Operating License Application for Proposed Mixed-Oxide Fuel

Fabrication Facility in South Carolina (9/27)

Regions:

II-06-039 NRC Schedules Regulatory Conference to Discuss Harris Nuclear Plant

Concern (9/29)

IV-06-021 NRC Issues Order Barring Individual from Involvement in NRC-Licensed

Activities (9/25)
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-06-0195 09/11/06 Transition Plan for the Regulation of Certain

Byproduct Materials Mandated by the

Energy Policy Act of 2005

2. SRM-SECY-06-0186 09/26/06 Increasing Licensing Terms for Certain Fuel

Cycle Facilities

Commission Voting

Record on 06-0186

09/26/06 (same)

Information Papers

- SECY-06-0202 09/26/06 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

September 15, 2006

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Notice of Reconstitution, United States Enrichment Company, Inc. (American Centrifuge

Plant).

2. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, procedures for meetings.

3. Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes, notice of meeting (10/24/06).
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

V.C. Summer Public Meeting

On September 27, 2006, representatives from South Carolina Electric & Gas Company

attended a public meeting in the Regional Office. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss

planned activities associated with the Fall 2006 refueling outage at the V. C. Summer Nuclear

Station.
September 29, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV (RIV)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

Waterford-3 and Source Production and Equipment Company

On September 27-28, Commissioner Lyons and Region IV staff met with representatives of the

St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center, the Waterford-3 nuclear power plant, and the

source Production and Equipment Company located near New Orleans, LA. The

Commissioner toured each facility and discussed facility status with the representatives.
September 29, 2006 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 29, 2006

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 35

 OCA

Contact

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TIME COMMITTEE SUBJECT 

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Nuclear NonproliferationTreaty and steps to strengthenthe nonproliferation regime

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