INFORMATION REPORT

November 22, 2006 SECY-06-0229

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

NOVEMBER 3, 2006

Contents Enclosure

Nuclear Reactor Regulation A

New Reactors B

Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards C*

Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs D

Nuclear Regulatory Research E*

Nuclear Security and Incident Response F

Administration G

Information Services H

Chief Financial Officer I*

Human Resources J

Small Business and Civil Rights K*

Enforcement L*

Public Affairs M

International Programs N*

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:

L. Rakovan, OEDO
November 22, 2006 SECY-06-0229

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

NOVEMBER 3, 2006

Contents Enclosure

Nuclear Reactor Regulation A

New Reactors B

Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards C*

Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs D

Nuclear Regulatory Research E*

Nuclear Security and Incident Response F

Administration G

Information Services H

Chief Financial Officer I*

Human Resources J

Small Business and Civil Rights K*

Enforcement L*

Public Affairs M

International Programs N*

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:

L. Rakovan, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

EDO R/F

AO R/F Document Name: C:\WIR\week1103.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

LRakovan:paa MRJohnson

11/22/06 11/22/06
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 3, 2006

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: L. Rakovan, OEDO by E-mail: LJR2@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 OE *

NRO 3 OPA 17

NMSS * OIP *

FSME 6 SECY 19

RES * Region I *

NSIR 10 Region II 21

ADM 11 Region III *

OIS 12 Region IV *

CFO * EDO *

HR 16 OCA *

SBCR * ACRS/ACNW *

*No input this week
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Meeting with Industry on Inspection of Dissimilar Metal Butt Welds

On October 25, 2006, the staff met with representatives of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI),

the Materials Reliability Program (MRP), and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to

discuss Materials Reliability Program -139, “Primary System Piping Butt Weld Inspection and

Flaw Evaluation Guideline.” This document contains the industry guidelines for volumetric and

visual inspection of dissimilar metal butt welds in pressurized water reactor primary system

piping. Industry representatives presented their proposed resolutions of NRC staff comments

on MRP-139, including a proposal to inspect small bore piping butt welds at pressurizer and hot

leg temperatures and in emergency core cooling system piping. The MRP plans to issue a

revision to MRP-139 early in 2007.

Meeting with Southern Nuclear Operating Company

October 31, 2006, the staff conducted a public meeting with the Southern Nuclear Operating

Company, concerning a technical specifications change for the Containment Personnel Hatch

at their Farley nuclear facility. The licensee is considering submitting an amendment changing

the requirement for one door in each personnel air lock to be "closed" to "is capable of being

closed" during refueling operations. The meeting discussed the regulatory basis and a related

previously approved Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) 68, the licensee’s analytical

approach in determining the Control Room personnel dose, and the amendment submittal

schedule which is expected to be in the early part of next year.

Meeting with Nuclear Energy Institute

On November 1, 2006, the staff conducted a public meeting with the NEI, industry

representatives, and members of the public to review and discuss preliminary revisions being

considered by the staff to the Public Radiation Safety Significance Determination Process,

which is part of the Reactor Oversight Process used to assess the significance of findings

related to radiological releases from nuclear power plants. The staff is evaluating the Public

Radiation Safety Significance Determination process as part of the agency response to recent

ground water contamination events at power plants to determine if improvements should be

made to the process to enhance the ability to evaluate the significance of these events. 

Comments received from the public and industry during this meeting will be considered by the

staff as part of the procedure revision process.

Staff Issues Renewed Facility Operating Licenses for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Units 1

and 2

On October 31, 2006, the staff issued Renewed Facility Operating Licenses for the Nine Mile

Point Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2 (NMPNS) for an additional 20 year term. The issuance of

NMPNS renewed licenses is based on the staff review and audit of the applicant’s license

renewal application. The applications were submitted to the NRC by letter dated May 26, 2004,

as supplemented by letters submitted through April 21, 2006. NMPNS is located approximately
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

five miles north-northeast of the City of Oswego, New York. The renewed license for NMPNS

Unit 1 will expire at midnight August 22, 2029, and the renewed license for NMPNS Unit 2 will

expire at midnight October 31, 2046. A Federal Register Notice will be published and a press

release will be issued to inform the public of this event.

NEI brief to the Commission on Generic Safety Issue (GSI)-191

On October 25, 2006, the staff and the NEI briefed the Commission on the status of GSI-191,

Pressurized Water Reactor Sump Clogging. The NEI representatives discussed actions that

the industry has taken to address this GSI and presented a number of photographs of typical

new strainer installations. The staff discussed the background of the GSI and the current

status of resolution, noted remaining issues and challenges, and highlighted the chemical

effects issue as being the most challenging remaining aspect of GSI-191 review. The staff

continues to expect all licensees to provide information by the end of 2007 to demonstrate that

they will have fully addressed this GSI. 
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Office of New Reactors (NRO)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

NRC Public Meeting with AREVA on U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor (US EPR)

On October 24 and 25, 2006, NRC staff hosted two public meetings with AREVA

representatives regarding the US EPR standard design. The meeting topics included AREVA’s

intended approach for the probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) portion of the US EPR standard

design, the unique design features of the US EPR, and the containment design basis. The

unique design features discussed included a description of the four redundant safety trains for

emergency core cooling, the incore neutron measuring system, the heavy neutron reflector,

control rod drive mechanism housing, pressurizer pressure control, main steam relief train, and

the medium head safety injection.

Public Meeting on 10 CFR Part 52 Supplemental Proposed Rule on Limited Work

Authorizations

On November 1, 2006, NRC staff held a public meeting to answer stakeholder questions about

the supplemental proposed rule for 10 CFR Part 52, "Early Site Permits; Standard Design

Certifications; and Combined Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants." The supplement addresses

proposed changes related to issuance of limited work authorizations (LWAs) for construction

related to new nuclear power plants. On October 17, 2006, the supplemental proposed rule

was published for comment in the Federal Register (71 FR 61330). During the meeting, the

staff answered stakeholder questions about the supplemental proposed rule. Topics of

discussion included the supplemental proposed rule’s revised definition of “construction,” and

the proposed allowance for a phased application process when an applicant is seeking an LWA

in advance of a construction permit or combined license. The public comment period for the

supplemental proposed rule closes on November 16, 2006.
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE D

Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs (FSME)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance (NUREG-1757) Update

The staff published a revised NUREG-1757, “Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance,” which

provides guidance for planning and implementing license termination under the License

Termination Rule (10 CFR Part 20, Subpart E). The revisions to Volumes 1 and 2 of this

NUREG series address issues related to implementation of the License Termination Rule. The

first volume, “Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance: Decommissioning Process for

Materials Licensees” (NUREG-1757, Vol. 1, Rev. 2), provides guidance for planning and

implementing the termination of materials licenses. The second volume, “Consolidated

Decommissioning Guidance: Characterization, Survey, and Determination of Radiological

Criteria” (NUREG-1757, Vol. 2, Rev. 1), provides guidance for compliance with the radiological

criteria for termination of licenses. The revised Volumes 1 and 2 address public comments

received on NUREG-1757, Draft Supplement 1, which was published for public comment in

September 2005. All three volumes of NUREG-1757 are available at

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1757.
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-IV-06-013, Entergy Operations, Inc., - ALERT AT ARKANSAS NUCLEAR ONE,

UNIT 2

2. PNO-IV-06-13A, Entergy Operations, Inc., - UPDATE - TERMINATION OF ALERT AT

ARKANSAS NUCLEAR ONE, UNIT 2

3. PNO-II-06-005, Brunswick Steam Electric Plant - UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE

TO LOSS OF OFFSITE POWER TO UNIT 2 4kV EMERGENCY BUSES
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Incorporation by Reference of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and

Pressure Vessel Code Cases (AH80 - Part 50)

On November 2, 2006, the NRC published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (71 FR

62942) that would incorporate by reference the latest revision of regulatory guides that address

NRC’s review and approval of the ASME Code cases. The proposed rule would allow licensees

to use the Code cases listed in these regulatory guides as alternatives to requirements in the

ASME Boiler and Pressure Code pertaining to the construction and inservice inspection of

nuclear power plant components. The comment period on this action closes January 10, 2007.

Protection of Safeguards Information (AH57 - Parts 2, 30, 40, 50, 52, 60, 63, 70, 71, 72, 73, 76,

and 150)

On October 31, 2006, the NRC published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (71 FR

64004) that would amend its regulations to protect safeguards information from inadvertent

release and unauthorized disclosure which might compromise the security of nuclear facilities

and materials. The proposed amendments would affect certain licensees, information, and

materials not currently specified in the regulations, but which are within the scope of

Commission authority under the Atomic Energy Act. The comment period for this action closes

January 2, 2007.

Massachusetts Attorney General; Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-51-10)

On November 1, 2006, the NRC published a document in the Federal Register (71 FR 64169)

that announces the receipt of a petition for rulemaking submitted by Diane Curran on behalf of

the Massachusetts Attorney General (PRM-51-10). The petitioner requests that the NRC 

revoke certain regulations in their entirety, and revoke other regulations to the extent that these

regulations, in the petitioner's view, state, imply, or assume that the environmental impacts of

storing spent nuclear fuel in high-density pools are not significant; issue a generic determination

to clarify that the environmental impacts of high-density pool storage of spent fuel will be

considered significant; and require that any NRC licensing decision concerning high-density

pool storage of spent nuclear fuel be accompanied by an environmental impact statement that

addresses the environmental impacts of this storage and alternatives for avoiding or mitigating

any environmental impacts. The comment period on this action closes January 16, 2007.

E. Russell Ritenour, PhD.; Receipt fo Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-35-20)

On November 1, 2006, the NRC published a document in the Federal Register (71 FR 64168)

that announces the receipt of a petition for rulemaking submitted by E. Russell Ritenour on

behalf of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (PRM-35-20). The petitioner

requests that the NRC amend its regulations for the medical use of byproduct material to revise

what it calls the “grandfather” provision to recognize individual diplomats of certifying boards

that were named in the regulations before October 25, 2005. The comment period on this

action closes January 16, 2007.
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE H

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Approval for Infrastructure Services and Support Contract (ISSC) Modifications

The Infrastructure and Computer Operations Division (ICOD) received approval to seek

contract modifications to support an acquisition for the Infrastructure Services and Support

contract. The modifications will include the additional support necessary for the transition of the

Microsoft Office Suite to the new agency standard, the support and maintenance for expanded

use of Blackberry devices, security enhancements to the agency’s IT infrastructure, and

additional equipment required to support agency growth due to new reactor licensing.

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

of October 27 through November 2, 2006:

Draft decommissioning plan for Hematite Facility, Revision 3,

submitted by Westinghouse Electric Co. LLC to NRC, June 2006 &

copies of all documents related to decommissioning funding

assurance fro Hematite, MO facility

FOIA/PA-2007-0023

SK1 officer information including name, address, phone number,

agency name & e-mail address

FOIA/PA-2007-0024

Distinguished Service Awards recipients, summary of ratings for

2006, 2005, & 2004, number of O’s, E’s, & FS’s

FOIA/PA-2007-0025

Allegation RIII-2004-A-0113, entire OI file FOIA/PA-2007-0026

Safety & security of nuclear materials in Russia, documents dated

between 1-1-92 & 1-1-95 - Referral by the Department of State

FOIA/PA-2007-0027

Invention of “Virtual Tour,” involvement; association to ISP Enter.net;

people of Allentown, PA

FOIA/PA-2007-0028
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE J

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Arrivals

BASAVARAJU, CHAKRAPANI MECHANICAL ENGINEER NRR

BURNETT, WILLIAM ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE ASLBP

CLARK, MICHAEL ATTORNEY OGC

EINBERG, CHRISTIAN SR. PROJECT MANAGER FSME

SCHAFFER, STEVEN HEALTH PHYSICIST NRR

WALSH, J. REACTOR TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR HR

Retirement

BARBER, BETSY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

SPECIALIST

OI

ESSIG, THOMAS CHIEF, MATERIALS SFTY & INSP BR NMSS

Departure

NOLAN, MARK BRANCH CHIEF NRR

PORTER, RUTH STUDENT LAW CLERK OGC
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

The OPA received significant media inquiries on the following:

The Nine Mile Point license renewal.

New reactor licensing, and the NRC’s new Atlanta office to oversee construction of new

reactors.

Other Public Affairs Items:

Chairman Klein was interviewed by the Atlanta Journal & Constitution and held a press

conference at Browns Ferry.

Commissioner Merrifield was interviewed by Bloomberg News and Exchange Monitor

Publications.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

06-136 NRC Revises and Issues for Comment Proposed Rule on Safeguards

Information (10/31)

06-137 NRC Renews Operating Licenses for Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 for an

Additional 20 Years (10/31)

06-138 NRC Announces Opportunity to Request a Hearing on License Renewal

Application for Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant (10/31)

06-139 NRC Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste to Meet in Rockville, Maryland,

Nov. 13-16 (11/1)

06-140 NRC to Hold Two Public Meetings on Proposed Changes to Nuclear Power

Plant Security Requirements (11/3)

Regions:

I-06-057 NRC to Meet with New Jersey Hospital Officials to Discuss Apparent Violation

(11/1)

IV-06-023 NRC Monitors Alert at Arkansas Nuclear One (10/30)

IV-06-024 NRC to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss Rancho Seco License Termination

Plan (10/31)
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. COMSECY-06-0050 10/05/06 Response to OIG Audit of NRC’s Process

for Releasing Commission Decision

Documents (OIG-06-A-22)

SRM on 06-0050 10/30/06 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 06-0050

10/30/06 (same)

2. Cmr. Jaczko’s Vote on

SECY-05-0233

02/09/06 Plan for Developing State-of-the-Art Reactor

Consequence Analyses

3. SECY-06-0220 10/31/06 Final Rule to Update 10 CFR Part 52,

“Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for

Nuclear Power Plants” (RIN AG24)

4. COMSECY-06-0044 09/07/06 Streamlining Chairman Review Process and

Enhancing Contract Oversight

SRM on 06-0044 11/02/06 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 06-0044

11/02/06 (same)

5. SECY-06-0212 10/17/06 Preparation of Annual Reports on

Radioactive Materials Released in Gaseous

and Liquid Effluents and in Solid Wastes

Shipped for Disposal by Commercial

Nuclear Power Plants

Information Papers

1. SECY-06-0211 10/17/06 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

October 6, 2006

2. SECY-06-0214 10/25/06 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

October 13, 2006

3. SECY-06-0215 10/26/06 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

October 20, 2006
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, Subcommittee Meeting on Future Plant

Designs, notice of meeting (11/30/06).

2. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (ACNW), Meeting on Planning and Procedures,

notice of meeting (11/13/06). 

3. ACNW, notice of 174th meeting (11/13-16/06). 

4. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB), Notice of Opportunity to Make Oral or

Written Limited Appearance Statements, USEC, Inc. (American Centrifuge Plant).

5. ASLB, Revised Notice of Hearing, System Energy Resources, Inc. (Early Site Permit for

Grand Gulf Site). 

6. 10 CFR Parts 20 and 32, RIN: 3150-AH48, National Source Tracking of Sealed Sources,

Final rule.

7. Notice of Appointment of Adjudicatory Employees, HYDRO Resources, Inc.
November 3, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 3, 2006

Chairman Visits Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant

On October 30-31, 2006, Chairman Klein, accompanied by the EDO and Region II

Administrator, visited the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Huntsville, AL, for a site tour and met 

with licensee management. 

2006 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations CEO Conference 

On November 1-2, 2006, Chairman Klein, accompanied by the EDO and Region II

Administrator, attended the 2006 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations CEO Conference in

Atlanta, GA.