INFORMATION REPORT

April 28, 2006 SECY-06-0096

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

APRIL 21, 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/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

L. Rakovan, OEDO
April 28, 2006 SECY-06-0096

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

APRIL 21, 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/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

L. Rakovan, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\week421.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

LRakovan:paa WMDean

04/28/06 04/28/06
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING APRIL 21, 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 STP *

NMSS 4 OPA 18

RES * OIP *

NSIR * SECY 19

OGC * Region I *

ADM 10 Region II 21

OIS 11 Region III 22

CFO * Region IV *

HR 15 EDO *

SBCR * OCA 24

OE * ACRS/ACNW 25

*No input this week
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

Mitigating Systems Performance Index and Reactor Oversight Process Combined Meeting

On April 20, 2006, a Mitigating Systems Performance Index (MSPI) and Reactor Oversight

Process (ROP) combined public meeting was held at NRC Headquarters. Meeting attendees

discussed the status of full implementation of the MSPI, Consolidated Data Entry training, and

resident inspector MSPI training issues. Meeting participants also discussed draft Significant

Determination Process and inspection procedure revisions, safety culture issues, non-sensitive

ROP security issues, performance indicator program improvement initiatives, and open and

new performance indicator frequently asked questions.

Staff Issues Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, Units 1 and 2 License Renewal Final

Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

On April 17, 2006, the staff issued the Final Supplement 25 to NUREG-1437, “Generic

Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants,” regarding Brunswick

Steam Electric Plant, Units 1 and 2. The supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS)

represents the completion of the staff’s environmental review of the license renewal application

submitted by Carolina Power & Light Company (CP&L), now doing business as Progress

Energy Carolinas, Inc. The report contains the NRC’s finding that there are no environmental

impacts that would preclude license renewal for an additional 20 years of operation. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue the Notice of Availability of the

final SEIS in the April 28, 2006, Federal Register. The NRC can then proceed with the renewal

actions after a 30-day period expires (May 28, 2006), provided that no Federal agency refers

matters in dispute in the final SEIS to the Council on Environmental Quality.

NRR and Division of New Reactor Licensing Reorganization

A reorganization of Divisions within NRR became effective on April 16, 2006. The

organizational changes mostly impacted the Division of New Reactor Licensing (DNRL), which

increased from two to five branches. The changes are consistent with the goals of NRR’s

October 2005 reorganization to prepare the office for the increase in new reactor licensing

workload and allow for an increase in the first-line supervisory oversight. These organizational

changes reflect the growth in anticipated new reactor applications and begin to align the

organization towards a design centered review approach. It is expected that additional

organizational changes will be needed in the future, consistent with evolving new reactor

licensing activities. 

Public Meeting on the Proposed Rule to Amend 10 CFR Part 52

On April 18, 2006, the NRC staff held a public meeting to discuss issues associated with the

proposed rule to amend 10 CFR Part 52, “Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear

Power Plants,” which was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2006 (71 FR 12781). 

Over 40 representatives from the Nuclear Energy Institute, nuclear power plant licensees,
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

vendors, law firms representing nuclear power reactor licensees, and NRC staff attended the

meeting. The two main topics of discussion were: (1) alternatives to the proposed change

criteria for design certification severe accident design features; and (2) proposals to amend

requirements related to NRC’s authorization of limited work activities as described in Section

50.10(e). Stakeholders were encouraged to submit written comments on these issues in

response to the proposed rule notice or in another form where proposals went beyond issues

addressed in the rule.

Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses Presentation to NRC Staff

On April 19, 2006, the staff hosted a presentation by the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory

Analyses (CNWRA) to understand its capabilities and potential support functions for future NRR

activities. This was a follow-up meeting to the one held on February 15, 2006. Discussions

concentrated on the long-term ongoing needs of NRR and how CNWRA may fit into that

paradigm. CNWRA and staff are considering expanding the CNWRA charter to include support

of reactor activities.

Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) Design Certification Quality Assurance

Follow-up Inspection and Reliability Assurance Program Discussions

From April 11-13, 2006, the staff conducted an ESBWR quality assurance follow-up inspection

at the General Electric Nuclear Energy (GENE) facilities in Wilmington, NC. An inspection

report will be issued shortly. The staff previously conducted an inspection the week of

November 15, 2005. The staff discussed the Reliability Assurance Program for the ESBWR

with the GENE staff, and requests for additional information will be provided as part of the

ESBWR design certification review.
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

Meeting with Transnuclear

On April 19, 2006, the staff met with representatives of Transnuclear (TN), Inc., to discuss

transportability of TN-40 metal storage casks used for storage of spent nuclear fuel at the

Prairie Island nuclear station. There were discussions on TN's proposed plan for testing the

impact limiters and on the use of burnup credit in satisfying the criticality requirements under

transportation conditions. TN presented its methodology and the results of its analyses. TN is

planning to submit its application in June 2006.
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending April 21, 2006

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Fuel Solutions Revision (Amendment 4) (AH786

Part 72)

On April 18, 2006, the NRC published a direct final rule in the Federal Register (71 FR 19806)

that amends the Fuel Solutions entry in the list of approved spent fuel storage casks

(Amendment 4) (AH86 - Part 72). This action modifies the cask design to permit longer

surveillance intervals for casks with heat loads lower than the design basis heat load and permit

visual inspection of the cask vent screens or measurement of the cask liner temperature to

satisfy periodic monitoring requirements. The direct final rule becomes effective July 3, 2006.

On April 18, 2006, the NRC published the companion proposed rule to this direct final rule in

the Federal Register (71 FR 119831). The comment period closes May 18, 2006.

Implementation of the Nuclear Export and Import Provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005

On April 20, 2006, the NRC published a final rule in the Federal Register (71 FR 20336) that

implements the nuclear export and import provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The final

rule facilitates exports to specific countries of high-enriched uranium for medical isotope

production in reactors that are using low-enriched uranium or have agreed to convert to lowenriched uranium. The final rule also revises the definition of byproduct material and requires

specific licenses for the export and import of Radium-226 that meet IAEA threshold values. 

The final rule becomes effective August 7, 2006.
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

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

April 14 through April 20, 2006:

OI report & transcript re: investigation of allegation of discrimination

by Exelon against named individual

FOIA/PA-2006-0177

OI Report 3-2004-012, all records FOIA/PA-2006-0178

Indian Point 3, flooding or leakage re: the CVCS & WHUT tank areas,

from 1980 to 4-14-06, all records

FOIA/PA-2006-0179

Fixed gauge licensees in RIV jurisdiction (program code 03120 in

MLTS database)

FOIA/PA-2006-0180

Safety visit to Lipman Hall 002, Rutgers Univ. within last 2 weeks re:

radioactive iodine incident; credentials of named NRC employees

FOIA/PA-2006-0181

Companies administering radiological services, 50 states FOIA/PA-2006-0182

Debate in Bush administration on the Baltics, Aug/Sept 1991;

recognition of Ukraine; future relationship of the U.S. with Soviet

Union (Referral by George Bush Library)

FOIA/PA-2006-0183

Beaver Valley Power Plant, incident re: duffel bag with cash found in

arriving tractor trailer, 4/18/06, all records

FOIA/PA-2006-0184
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

Arrival

CADOUX, CLAUDE CONSULTANT NSIR

FORDER, GAY DAWN SECRETARY ADM

Departures

CAHILL, STEPHEN J BRANCH CHIEF R-II
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

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

The 20th anniversary of Chernobyl.

NRC’s special inspection at Palisades.

License renewal reviews at Vermont Yankee and Oyster Creek.

Discovery of a trunk full of money in a truck entering Beaver Valley.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA assisted Chairman Diaz in his visit to Turkey Point, including a press conference and

several media interviews.

OPA staff assisted at various end-of-cycle meetings for nuclear plants, and public meetings

regarding license renewal at Oyster Creek.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

06-055 NRC, FERC Commissioners to Discuss Grid Reliability April 24 in Washington

(4/17)

06-056 NRC Finds No Significant Environmental Impacts from Extended Operation of

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, Units 1 and 2 (4/18)

06-057 NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet May 4-5 in Rockville,

Maryland (4/19)

Regions:

I-06-024 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance Assessment for Oyster Creek Nuclear

Power Plant (4/17)

I-06-025 NRC Proposes $3,250 Civil Penalty Against Firm in Puerto Rico for Loss of

Portable Nuclear Gauge (4/18)

I-06-026 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance Assessment for Nine Mile Point Nuclear

Power Plant (4/19)

I-06-027 NRC and Pennsylvania Company, GeoMechanics, to Discuss Apparent

Violations Involving Nuclear Gauge (4/19)
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE M

I-06-028 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance Assessment for Peach Bottom Nuclear

Power Plant (4/21)

II-06-022 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance at Oconee Nuclear Plant (4/17)

II-06-023 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance at McGuire Nuclear Plant (4/17)

II-06-024 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance at Catawba Nuclear Plant (4/17)

II-06-025 Media Advisory: NRC Chairman to Visit Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant April

21 (4/17)

II-06-026 NRC to Discuss Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 1 Restart and 2005

Performance of Units 2 and 3 (4/21)

III-06-017 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance Assessment for Dresden Nuclear Power

Plant (4/19)

III-06-018 NRC Begins Special Inspection at Palisades Nuclear Plant (4/20)
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-06-0075 3/31/06 Transfer of Mississippi to NRC Region IV

2. SECY-06-0080 4/6/06 Final Rule: National Source Tracking of

Sealed Sources (RIN 3150-AH48)

3. SRM on SECY-06-0053 4/20/06 Package Performance Study Status Report

Voting Record on

SECY-06-0053

4/20/06 (same)

4. SRM on SECY-06-0041 4/21/06 Proposed Strategy to Support

Implementation of the New-Reactor

Construction Inspection Program

 Voting Record on

 SECY-06-0041

4/21/06 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-06-0078 3/31/06 Status of Resolution of GSI-191,

“Assessment of [Effect of] Debris

Accumulation on PWR Sump Performance”

2. SECY-06-0074 3/31/06 Reactor Oversight Process SelfAssessment for Calendar Year 2005

3. SECY-06-0076 3/31/06 FY 2005 Results of the Industry Trends

Program for Operating Power Reactors and

Status of the Ongoing Development of the

Program

4. SECY-06-0088 4/17/06 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

April 7, 2006

Memoranda

- M060315A 4/20/06 Briefing on NSIR Programs, Performance,

and Plans
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated April 12, 2006, provides a summary of actions taken by the

NRC in response to recommendations contained in various GAO reports that address

NRC activities.

2. Letter to Congressman Eliot Engel, dated April 10, expresses appreciations for

discussion about security at nuclear power plants.

3. Letter to Congress, dated April 10, 2006, provides the final report by NRC’s 2005

Hurricane Season Lessons Learned Task Force.
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

Chairman Nils J. Diaz Visits the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant

On April 21, 2006, Chairman Diaz and staff, accompanied by Regional management, visited the

Turkey Point Nuclear Plant for a site tour, meeting with licensee management and held a press

conference.

Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Annual Assessment Meetings

During the week of April 17-21, 2006, the Regional Office held the NRC ROP Annual

Assessment Meetings for the North Anna, H. B. Robinson, St. Lucie, Joseph M. Farley and

Surry Nuclear Power Plants. The meetings were held at or near the nuclear plants and were

open to the public. 
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region III (RIII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

Senator Durbin Visits Braidwood

On April 18, 2006, Senator Dick Durbin (IL) visited the Braidwood Nuclear Power Station

viewing the circulating water discharge line where past tritium leaks occurred and then meeting

with local officials and residents in nearby Godley, IL. Regional management and staff

accompanied the senator.

Special Inspection at Palisades

On April 20, 2006, the staff began a special inspection at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant to

review the circumstances surrounding an incident in which a storage container of previously

used in-core neutron detectors, being manipulated under water in the refueling area, rose

unexpected to the surface. Six workers in the area received radiation doses with the highest

dose being less than 50 millirems. 

Commission McGaffigan Visits Davis-Besse

On April 21, 2006, Commissioner Edward McGaffigan visited the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power

Plant, meeting with the NRC resident inspectors and with licensee management, and touring

the facility. Regional management accompanied the Commissioner on the visit.
April 21, 2006 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 15

 OCAContact

 DATE & PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Combs April TBA DOE Status of Yucca Mountain license

application

Senators Energy a

Combs 04/25/06

2154 RHOB

2:00 NRC, GAO, DOE/OCRWM,

DOE/IG, Bechtel

Yucca Mountain Project: PersistentManagement and Quality Assurance

Reps. PoFederal WOrganizaGovernm

Shane 05/22/06

TBA

TBA NRC, DOE, and others New Nuclear Power Plants Senators 

Energy a

Shane late May

TBA

TBA TBA New Nuclear Power Plants Reps. Ba

Energy a

Shane 06/22/06

TBA

9:30 NRC, GAO, NEI, Public

Interest Groups

GAO Report on Reactor OversightProcess

Senators Clean Air

Nuclear SEnvironm

The Senate and House are in recess until April 24.
April 21, 2006 ENCLOSURE S

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS)/

Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (ACNW)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 21, 2006

As a result of its 531th meeting (April 6-8, 2006), the ACRS issued letters and reports on

the following subjects. 

Date

April 19, 2006 Response to Your March 29, 2006 Letter Regarding Standard

Review Plan, Section 14.2.1, “Generic Guidelines for Extended

Power Uprate Testing Programs”

April 20, 2006 Draft Final Regulatory Guide 1.205, “Risk-Informed, PerformanceBased Fire Protection for Existing Light-Water Nuclear Power

Plants”