INFORMATION REPORT

November 30, 2006 SECY-06-0235

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

NOVEMBER 17, 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 30, 2006 SECY-06-0235

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

NOVEMBER 17, 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\week1117.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

LRakovan:paa MRJohnson

11/30/06 11/30/06
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 17, 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 18

NMSS 4 OIP *

FSME 6 SECY 19

RES 7 Region I *

NSIR 10 Region II *

ADM 11 Region III *

OIS 12 Region IV *

CFO * EDO *

HR 16 OCA *

SBCR * ACRS/ACNW *

*No input this week
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Meeting with the Electric Power Research Institute on the Performance Demonstration Initiative

Program

On November 7-8, 2006, the staff participated in a semi-annual public meeting with

representatives from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) - Performance

Demonstration Initiative (PDI) program. PDI is a nuclear power industry initiative established to

develop and administer the qualification requirements of Appendix VIII, “Performance

Demonstration for Ultrasonic Examination Systems,” Section XI of the American Society of

Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and to develop and

administer demonstrations and qualifications of ultrasonic examinations associated with other

EPRI programs. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss PDI’s progress in implementing

selected aspects of Appendix VIII’s performance demonstrations and ASME Code actions

affecting nondestructive examinations of stainless steel welds, dissimilar metal welds, and

polyethylene butt fused joints. The meeting provided a forum to exchange information and to

discuss issues of mutual interest.

Participation in Panel Discussion at the American Nuclear Society

On November 14, 2006, the staff chaired and participated in a panel discussion at the American

Nuclear Society winter meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The topic of the panel was

Regulatory Challenges and Approaches to Advanced Systems. Staff also participated in the

executive committee meeting of the American Nuclear Society Human Factors Division and in

the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Subcommittee on Human Factors, Control

Facilities, and Reliability.

Diablo Canyon - Digital Upgrade Public Meeting

On November 6, 2006, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) met with the staff to discuss

its digital upgrade project at Diablo Canyon. PG&E proposes to replace the analog-process

protection system with a solid-state protection system. This was the second meeting with the

licensee on this proposed project. PG&E proposes to use the same platform for the control

systems. This will be a first-of-a-kind request by the industry. The staff noted that this would

be a complex review, and it would be dependent on the completeness of the licensee’s

submittals. The licensee proposed to submit the topical report in early 2007 with the

amendment request to follow in 2008.

Hope Creek Extended Power Uprate - Public Meeting

On November 13 and 14, 2006, the staff conducted a meeting with PSEG Nuclear LLC to

discuss the technical aspects of the extended power uprate for the Hope Creek Generating

Station. The licensee proposed to increase the maximum power level from 3339 megawatts

thermal (MWth) to 3952 MWth, an increase of approximately 15%. The State regulator and

members of the public attended by teleconference. 
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

The licensee met with the various technical reviewers to discuss the content of the application

and answered staff questions. The technical staff received clarification on numerous items and

requested additional information in several areas.

Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant - 10 CFR 2.206 Petition Public Meeting

On November 13, 2006, a public meeting was held at NRC Headquarters with representatives

from North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, Nuclear Information and

Resource Services, and the Union of Concerned Scientists to discuss a 10 CFR 2.206 Petition

concerning recurring fire protection issues at Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant (Harris) in

North Carolina. Several local townships, mayoral and council officials joined in by

teleconference. These local officials were not part of the original petition but have since passed

resolutions in support of the petition. The petitioners presented information in support of their

request to revoke the Harris Operating License or to impose maximum fines for each fire

violation until the plant comes into compliance. The petitioners expressed concerns regarding

the licensee’s longstanding fire safety violations, the licensee’s long term use of compensatory

measures, the implications of cumulative risk associated with the noncompliances, and the

NRC’s use of enforcement discretion as prolonging noncompliances. The petitioners have also

made requests for open and public proceedings with NRC, Progress Energy, and external

stakeholders in the vicinity of the Harris plant. A Petition Review Board meeting was held

immediately following the public meeting. During the meeting the decision was made to accept

the petition for review. The attorney for the petitioners was notified on November 14, 2006, and

an acknowledgment letter will be sent on or before December 6, 2006.
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Office of New Reactors (NRO)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Plant Vogtle Early Site Permit (ESP) Alternate Site Visits

On November 6-9, 2006, NRC staff and contractors conducted site visits to Plant Hatch in

Baxley, GA; Plant Farley in Dothan, AL; and the Barton Site in Clanton, AL in support of the

Plant Vogtle Early Site Permit application. These sites were designated by the applicant,

Southern Nuclear, as the alternatives as required by NEPA. The site visits were held by the

staff to determine if any of the alternate sites are obviously superior to Plant Vogtle.

Westinghouse AP1000 Visit, Monroeville, PA

On November 7-9, NRC staff and contractors visited Westinghouse's engineering and simulator

facilities in Monroeville, PA. The staff participated in a meeting to discuss Human Factors

Engineering issues, and familiarized themselves with Westinghouse's AP1000 control room and

simulator design. Portions of the meeting were public, but no members of the public were in

attendance.

NUREG-1835, Supplement 1

On November 13, 2006, the staff issued Supplement 1 to NUREG-1835, Safety Evaluation

Report for North Anna early site permit Site ahead of schedule. The Environmental Impact

Statement is on schedule to be issued on December 29, 2006.
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Meeting with USEC, Inc. Regarding Information Technology and Transport of Classified Matter

On November 9, 2006, staff from NMSS, Office of the General Counsel, the Office Nuclear

Security and Incident Response, and the Office Chief Information Officer held a closed meeting

with representatives from USEC, Inc. to discuss information technology and the transportation

security plan for the transport of classified matter. USEC, Inc. staff discussed its plans to

establish a classified computer network in Piketon, Ohio, for the Lead Cascade that would

connect with facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Various issues were discussed, including

which agency would be the designated approving authority. Staff committed to discuss this

issue with the U.S. Department of Energy and get back to USEC, Inc. With respect to transport

of classified matter, staff provided feedback on a draft procedure USEC, Inc. plans to use. 

USEC, Inc. agreed to consider some issues and to make corresponding changes to its security

plan.

U.S. Department of Energy High-Level Waste Scoping Meetings

During the week of October 30th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) held public scoping

meetings on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed

Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain and the EIS for a Supplemental Rail Corridor and Rail

Alignment to transport high-level waste to a repository at Yucca Mountain. The NRC and the

Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses staff attended scoping meetings that were held

in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Nevada, and Amargosa Valley, Nevada. At these meetings,

DOE provided general information on plans for transport, aging, and disposal canisters, and on

surface facilities, subsurface designs, and waste package transport/emplacement at Yucca

Mountain. 

Technical Exchange on High-Level Waste Pre-Closure Concerns

From November 7-9, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the NRC and DOE staff held a public

technical exchange on topics related to pre-closure safety analysis for the proposed Yucca

Mountain Repository. Topics discussed included: (1) aircraft hazards; (2) source terms and

consequence; (3) reliability and human reliability analysis; (4) technical specifications;

(5) training; and (6) pre-closure criticality. DOE presented its license application requirements

mapping. The meeting was attended and comments were received from representatives from

the State of Nevada, Nuclear Energy Institute, and Electric Power Research Institute, and

interested members of the public.

Meeting with Croft Associates

On November 13, 2006, the staff met with representatives from Croft Associates and University

of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) to discuss the proposed applications for Certificates of

Compliance for two Type B(U) packages. The application will propose a lightly shielded and a

heavily shielded transport package for isotopes for medical use. MURR will be the primary user

for the new packages. Staff discussed the needs for a complete application and requirements
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE C

for package testing. Staff also discussed the requirement for Croft Associates to obtain an

approval for its Quality Assurance program. The package application will likely be submitted for

the NRC review late in fiscal year 2007.
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE D

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

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Final Rule: National Source Tracking of Sealed Sources

On November 8, 2006, the final rule "National Source Tracking of Sealed Sources" (71 FR

65686) was published in the Federal Register. This final rule amends Parts 20 and 32 to

implement a National Source Tracking System (NSTS) for certain sealed sources. Licensees

will be required to report manufacture, transfer, receipt, disassembly, and disposal of these

sealed sources to the NSTS. Licensees will also be required to provide their initial inventories

of nationally tracked sources to the NSTS and annually reconcile the information in the system

with their actual inventories. In addition, manufacturers will be required to assign a unique

serial number to each nationally tracked source. The final rule is effective on February 6, 2007. 

Public Meeting on Rancho Seco License Termination Plan

On November 14, 2006, staff from FSME and Region IV held a public meeting in Rancho

Cordero, California to discuss and accept public comments on the Rancho Seco License

Termination Plan (LTP). The staff presented the LTP review and inspection processes while

the licensee presented its plan for decommissioning the reactor site. Following the formal

presentations public comments were solicited. No public comments were received. 
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE E

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Association Vincotte Nuclear 9th Technical Meeting on Experiences with Risk-based Precursor

Analysis

On November 10-11, 2006, RES staff participated in the subject meeting, presenting results

from the NRC's Accident Sequence Precursor (ASP) program and exchanging insights, results,

and methods from precursor programs of attending nations. Information such as specific ASP

and probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) modeling techniques and results, insights and lessons

learned, and other issues of interest that were encountered during the precursor analysis of

operating experience were shared. Staff level contact was made with risk-based precursor

analysts from Belgium, France, Spain, Finland, and Germany.

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Management Meeting

On November 6, 2006, RES management and staff met with management and principal

investigators from ANL to be briefed on ongoing NRC research programs at ANL and to tour

laboratory facilities. ANL also discussed the work being performed for the Department of

Energy on the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative/Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.

Open Public Comment Period for High Priority Regulatory Guides

On November 9, 2006, the RES staff posted to the NRC website for public comment the last

two of the high priority Regulatory Guides (RGs) needed to support new reactor licensing. Of

the 31 high priority RGs identified as needing to be completed by March 2007, three have been

completed, the public comment period has closed for five, and the remaining 23 are now

available for public comment. The end of the public comment period for each of the 23 RGs

varies, but the comment period for these last two ends on December 24, 2006. The staff plans

to conduct a public meeting around the beginning of December to discuss the proposed

revisions to selected RGs. The meeting date, location and agenda will be posted to the NRC’s

website as soon as the information is available.

Second Meeting of the European Commission Joint Research Centre/Nuclear Energy Agency

Benchmark Study Entitled “Risk Informed In-Service Inspection Methodologies (RISMET) -

Scoping Study”

On November 7-8, 2006, the NRC hosted the subject meeting, attended by representatives

from foreign regulatory agencies and research organizations and from the U.S. nuclear

industry. The first objective of the benchmark study is to compare the risk-informed inservice

inspection approaches currently in use in the U.S. and in Europe for selected nuclear power

plant systems. The second primary objective of the study is to assess the inspection programs

in use relative to issues such as sites selected for inspection, probability of detection, radiation

dose to workers, risk reduction achieved, and treatment of uncertainties. The next meeting is

tentatively scheduled for April 2007. 
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-IV-06-015, Nebraska Public Power District - SMALL FIRE AND NOTIFICATION OF

UNUSUAL EVENT AT COOPER NUCLEAR STATION

2. PNO-III-06-022, Kewaunee/Dominion Energy - KEWAUNEE REACTOR SHUTDOWN

AND START UP

3. PNO-I-06-013, Princeton University - LEAKING STRONTIUM-90 PLATED SOURCE

IDENTIFIED AT UNIVERSITY
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Criticality Control of Fuel Within Dry Storage Casks or Transportation Packages in a Spent Fuel

Pool (AH95 - Part 50)

On November 16, 2006, the NRC published a direct final rule in the Federal Register (71 FR

66648), that amends its regulations so that requirements applicable to criticality control for

spent fuel pool storage racks no longer apply to the fuel within a spent fuel transportation

package or storage cask when a package or cask is in a spent fuel pool. These packages and

casks are subject to separate criticality control requirements. This amendment is needed to

avoid having two different sets of criticality control requirements for fuel within a package or

cask in a spent fuel pool. The direct final rule becomes effective January 30, 2007. On

November 16, 2006, the NRC published the companion proposed rule to this direct final rule in

the Federal Register (71 FR 66705). The comment period closes December 18, 2006.
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE H

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

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

of November 10 through November 16, 2006:

Nuclear Metals, 2229 Main Street, Concord, MA, on site review of all

records

FOIA/PA-2007-0034

NRC License 21-32586-01, Cardiology Group of Lansing, MI FOIA/PA-2007-0035

OI documents re: OI Special Agents (SA) that have been deputized,

blanket deputation, request to be deputized & responses, physical

exams prescribed & procedures if OI SA fails to meet requirements

FOIA/PA-2007-0036
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE J

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Arrivals

GREENE, LATOSHA SECRETARY (OA) CFO

HART, CAROL SECRETARY (OA) NRR

KHODORKOVSKY, BELLA SECRETARY (OA) NRR

PRIESTER, MARQUITA IT SPECIALIST (COOP) R-II
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

The OPA received significant media inquiries on the following:

Progress Energy’s announcement that it had applied to renew the license for the Shearon

Harris plant.

NRC’s public meeting with the Department of Energy regarding Incidental Waste reviews.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA assisted as Commissioner Jaczko visited the Shieldalloy decommissioning site in New

Jersey and met with state and local officials.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

06-143 NRC Announces Opportunity to Request a Hearing on Decommissioning Plan

for Shieldalloy Metallurgical Corp. (11/17)

Regions:

I-06-059 New NRC Resident Inspector Assigned to Millstone Nuclear Plant (11/15)

IV-06-025 NRC to Hold Regulatory Conference with Arizona Public Service Co. on Palo

Verde Nuclear Generating Station (11/16)
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending November 17, 2006

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-06-0219 10/30/06 Final Rulemaking to Revise 10 CFR 73.1,

Design Basis Threat (DBT) Requirements

2. COMGBJ-06-0006 11/01/06 Improving the Awareness and Response to

Unplanned Releases

SRM on 06-0006 11/15/06 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 06-0006

11/15/06 (same)

3. SRM on SECY-06-0212 11/15/06 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

Commission Voting

Record on 06-0212

11/15/06 (same)

4. SRM on SECY-06-0187 11/16/06 Semiannual Update of the Status of New

Reactor Licensing Activities and Future

Planning for New Reactors

Commission Voting

Record on 06-0187

11/16/06 (same)

5. SRM-SECY-06-0212 11/15/06 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

Commission Voting

Record on SECY-06-

0212

11/15/06 (same)
November 17, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

6. COMSECY-06-0052 10/20/06 Status of Browns Ferry Unit 1 Recovery

Project

SRM on COMSECY-06-

0052

11/15/06 (same)

Voting Record on

COMSECY-06-0052

11/15/06 (same)

Memoranda

1. M061109B 11/13/06 Staff Requirements - Briefing of Draft Final

Rule - Part 52 (Early Site Permits/Standard

Design Certifications/Combined Licenses)

2. M061025C 11/16/06 Staff Requirements - Briefing on Resolution

of GSI-191, Assessment of Debris

Accumulation on PWR Sump Performance

Federal Register Notices Issued

- Petition for Rulemaking; Notice of Receipt, 10 CFR Part 51, Docket No. PRM-51-11, Sally

Shaw; Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking.