INFORMATION REPORT

May 25, 2007 SECY-07-0085

For: The Commissioners

From: Vonna L. Ordaz, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

MAY 4, 2007

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

*No input this week.

/RA/

Vonna L. Ordaz 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

U. Shoop, OEDO
May 25, 2007 SECY-07-0085

For: The Commissioners

From: Vonna L. Ordaz, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

MAY 4, 2007

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

*No input this week.

/RA/

Vonna L. Ordaz

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

U. Shoop, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

EDO R/F

AO R/F Document Name: C:\WIR\week504.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

UShoop:paa VLOrdaz

05/25/07 05/29/07
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MAY 4, 2007

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 OE *

NRO 3 OPA 18

NMSS 4 OIP *

FSME 6 SECY 19

RES 7 Region I 

NSIR * Region II 21

ADM 11 Region III *

OIS 12 Region IV 23

CFO * EDO 22

HR 16 OCA 24

SBCR *

*No input this week
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Meeting with the Industry on Pressurizer Dissimilar Metal Welds Advanced Fracture Mechanics

Analyses

On May 4, 2007, staff members from the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) and the

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), and an RES contractor (EMCC) met with Electric

Power Research Institute (EPRI), EPRI’s contractor (Dominion Engineering), and members of

EPRI’s expert panel. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss weld residual stress

distributions proposed for use in industry’s advanced fracture mechanics analyses. These

analyses are being performed to address the staff’s concerns with the potential for extensive

primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) in pressurizer dissimilar metal welds. 

Dominion Engineering and EMCC representatives presented the results of previous studies in

the area of weld residual stress analysis. Discussions were held on nozzle weld configurations,

welding repair histories, and welding residual stress analyses that should be performed for the

surge line, safety and relief line, and the spray line nozzle welds. These analyses will be

performed to characterize the weld residual stresses from potential construction and welding

repair conditions. Additional discussions will be held during a public meeting scheduled for May

8, 2007.

License Renewal Application for Indian Point Energy Center, Units 2 and 3

On April 30, 2007, the staff received an application from Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.,

requesting the renewal of the operating licenses for Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC), Unit 2

and Unit 3. IPEC Units 2 and 3 are 4-loop pressurized water reactors designed by

Westinghouse Electric with current operating licenses that expire at midnight on September 28,

2013, and December 12, 2015, respectively. The license renewal application was submitted

pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 51 and 54, and requests an additional 20 years beyond the current

40-year terms. The staff has commenced its acceptability review to determine whether the

application has sufficient information for docketing. If found acceptable for docketing, the staff

plans to hold a public information session and environmental scoping meeting near the site

towards the end of July 2007.

Public Meeting on Status of Topical Report on Flow Measurement Accuracy

On May 1, 2007, a public meeting was held between the NRC staff and representatives from

Westinghouse regarding a Draft Safety Evaluation which proposes to suspend approval of

Topical Report CENPD-397-P, Rev 01-P, "Improved Flow Measurement Accuracy Using

CROSSFLOW Ultrasonic Flow Measurement Technology." The status of this topical report

may impact a number of licensees who intend to use this technology for either Measurement

Uncertainty Recapture (MUR) power uprates, or 10 CFR 50.59 evaluations to support power

recovery. Westinghouse provided its comments on the Draft Safety Evaluation and discussed

path-forward options with the NRC. These options include submittal of another revision to the

Topical Report, or plant-specific analyses associated with a License Amendment Request.
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE A

Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC) Audit at Southern Testing Services

From April 23 - 27, 2007, staff observed the performance of a NUPIC audit conducted at

Southern Testing Services (STS) in Knoxville, Tennessee. STS supplies seismic qualification

testing, commercial-grade dedication services, and nuclear qualified products. The purpose of

the observation was to assess the NUPIC quality assurance audit process used for approving

suppliers of safety-related and commercial-grade dedicated components to the nuclear

industry. The staff also provided clarification on issues related to NRC regulations, including 10

CFR Part 21, “Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance.”

Measurement Uncertainty Recapture for Crystal River Unit 3

On April 25, 2007, Progress Energy requested a measurement uncertainty recapture (MUR)

power uprate for Crystal River Unit 3. The licensee proposed to increase power from 2568 to

2609 MWth, an increase of 41 MWth, by using the Caldon Leading Edge Flowmeter Checkplus

system to achieve a power measurement unceratinty of 0.4%. The licensee developed the

application using the guidance in NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2002-03, “Guidance on the

Content of Measurement Uncertainty Recapture Power Uprate Applications,” dated January 31,

2002, and has requested approval by November 15, 2007, to support implementation during a

fall 2007 refueling outage.
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE B

Office of New Reactors (NRO)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

International Cooperation with Japan on New Reactor Construction

On April 23, 2007, staff and management met with representatives of the Inspection Affairs

Division of the Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization (JNES) at JNES Headquarters in

Tokyo. Discussions focused on regulatory oversight of vendor, fabrication and reactor

construction activities and other areas of mutual interest. NRO staff also visited the Tomari

Nuclear Power Station in Hokkaido, Japan in order to observe ongoing construction, quality

controls and inspection activities for Unit 3. The NRC representatives met with the General

Manager of the site operated by Hokkaido Electric Power Company (HEPC), as well as

Mitsubishi representatives constructing Unit 3. Unit 3 will feature the first all-digital reactor

control room and is scheduled to begin operation in 2009. HEPC and NRC representatives

discussed areas for potential future interaction with respect to the advanced control room and

the reactor operator training program for all-digital control systems. 

Staff visits proposed site for new reactor construction

During the week of April 23, NRO and Region II management toured the Levy County, Florida

site where Progress Energy is considering building two AP-1000 units. The staff anticipates

receiving a combined license application in mid-2008. This is the first green field site that the

staff has toured.
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Issuance of Orders Imposing Requirements for Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records

Checks for Unescorted Access to Radioactive Material or Other Property

On April 30, 2007, the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards signed, and issued,

immediately effective orders to fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders, implementing

Section 652 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Section 652 amended the fingerprinting

requirements provided in Section 149 of the Atomic Energy Act, and requires fingerprinting

before anyone is given unescorted access to radioactive material, or other property, determined

by the Commission to be of such significance to public health and safety, or common defense

and security, as to warrant fingerprinting. Section 149, as amended, also requires a Federal

Bureau of Investigation identification and criminal history records check based on the

fingerprints. Licensees and certificate holders have 20 days to respond to the Orders, and 90

days to submit fingerprint cards.
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE D

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

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Monitoring Visit and Public Meeting Regarding Disposal of Incidental Waste at the Idaho

National Laboratory

On April 24-25, 2007, staff conducted its first monitoring visit at the U.S. Department of

Energy’s (DOE’s) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Tank Farm Facility, consistent with the

responsibility assigned to NRC under the Ronald Reagan National Defense Authorization Act

for FY 2005 (NDAA). This visit was primarily focused on tank grouting activities and the DOE

program to protect workers and the public from radiation exposure during tank closure

operations. On April 25, staff also hosted a public meeting to explain NRC’s activities at the INL

site related to implementation of the NDAA. 
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE E

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Results of Armored Electric Cable Fire Damage and Circuit Failure Tests Conducted by Duke

Energy Corporation

In 2006, Duke Energy completed a series of tests similar to tests recently completed by the

NRC-sponsored Cable Response to Live Fire (CAROLFIRE) project at Sandia National

Laboratories. A staff member witnessed the tests, received and analyzed the Duke Energy test

data, and prepared a report. Since the Duke Energy test data are considered proprietary, a

redacted (non-proprietary) version of the report was made publicly available on April 30, 2007. 

The results of both the CAROLFIRE and the Duke Energy tests will be used by the NRC and

the industry to determine the risk resulting from potential circuit failures caused by fire damage

to associated electric cables in nuclear power plants. 

Meeting on Next Generation Nuclear Plants (NGNP) Licensing Strategy Development

On May 1, 2007, Department of Energy and NRC members of the working group involved in

developing the licensing strategy for the NGNP project met to discuss progress made in

developing the licensing strategy and related documentation. The group discussed preliminary

evaluation of various potential licensing approaches in order to identify two primary options,

both in compliance with the language of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The next working group

meeting is scheduled on May 23, 2007.

Third Phenomena Identification and Ranking Technique (PIRT) Meeting on Next Generation

Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Thermofluidics and Accident Analysis

On May 1-3, 2007, the staff conducted the subject meeting to rank safety-relevant NGNP

phenomena for importance and assess the knowledge base of these phenomena. The

neutronics phenomena related to NGNP was also discussed.
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the State of Washington, Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking

(PRM-71-13) 

On April 27, 2007, the NRC published a document in the Federal Register (72 FR 20962) that

requests comment on a petition for rulemaking submitted by Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of

the State of Washington (PRM-71-13). The petitioner requests an amendment to the

regulations that adopt the use of global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking as a national

requirement for mobile or portable uses of highly radioactive sources. The comment period for

this action closes July 11, 2007. 
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE H

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

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

of April 27 through May 3, 2007:

Clinton site emergency plan, two letters from utility dated June 30,

2006 and December 19, 2006, re: NRC’s safety evaluation

FOIA/PA-2007-0187

NRC’s Oversight of Davis-Besse Boric Acid Leak and Corrosion

during April 2000 Refueling Outage, case no. 03-02S, and all records

generated by the OIG

FOIA/PA-2007-0188

Report “Review and Analysis of the Davis-Besse March 2002 Reactor

Pressure Vessel Head Wastage Event,” all communications between

NRC and First Energy Nuclear Operating Company, Nuclear Energy

Institute, NEIL and Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, re: report

FOIA/PA-2007-0189

Charleston Air Force Base, Charleston Co., SC, companies currently

holding radioactive material licenses/permits in named cities

FOIA/PA-2007-0190

Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks/Cass Co., ND, companies

currently holding radioactive material licenses/permits in named cities

FOIA/PA-2007-0191

Background investigation, 2006, on named individual - Referral by

OPM

FOIA/PA-2007-0192

Uranium Resources Inc and/or Hydro Resources Inc., list of denied

material or operating licenses; list of source material license allowing

the possession of uranium by HRI

FOIA/PA-2007-0193
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE J

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Arrivals

CALVO, JOSE SR. PROJECT MANAGER NRO

COMBS, THOMAS CONSULTANT OCA

DANIELS, CHRISTIAN SECRETARY (OA) NMSS

THROM, EDWARD SR. REACTOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER NRR

Retirement

CALVO, JOSE DEP DIR, DIV OF NEW REAC LICENSING NRO

COMBS, THOMAS SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL LIASON OFFICER OCA

LOOS, ROGER SENIOR SYSTEMS ACCOUNTANT CFO

MARCY, CYNTHIA CHIEF, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CENTER ADM

MEYER, RALPH SR TECH ADV FOR CORE PERFORMANCE AND 

FUEL BEHAVIOR

RES

NERSES, VICTOR SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER NRR

STOVER, ROLAND BUDGET ANALYST CFO

WILSON, JOHN IT SPECIALIST OIS

Departure

BANERJEE, RONNIE STUDENT HR SPECIALIST RI

YOUSEFIAN, NARBETH STUDENT INTERN OIS
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

OPA received significant media inquiries on the following:

Aircraft and new reactor design assessments.

Abnormal occurrences report to Congress that made public the March 2006 spill of highenriched uranium and potential criticality at Nuclear Fuel Services, previously considered

sensitive.

Oyster Creek relicensing hearings.

Exponent Davis-Besse Report and the 2.206 Petition.

Inquiry from the Washington Post regarding potential COL application at Calvert Cliffs.

Indian Point license renewal and questions on recent tritium leak at site.

Research reactor fingerprinting order issued.

R.E. Ginna nuclear plant change in performance indicator from "green" to "yellow."

Other Public Affairs Items:

Fox News NY interviewed Sam Collins for a segment on safety of nuclear power plants and

relicensing the Indian Point plant.

OPA wrote a letter to the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, pointing out two studies on the

Baltimore and Caldecott tunnel fire studies that showed spent fuel casks would withstand

prolonged, high-temperature fires in light of this week’s truck fire and highway collapse in

Oakland.

Federal Times interview of NRO Director Bill Borchardt. 

Press Releases

Headquarters:

07-054 NRC Names Darren Ash as Chief Information Officer and Deputy Executive

Director for Information Services (4/30)

07-055 NRC Issues Security Order to Research and Test Reactors (5/1)

 

07-056 License Renewal Application for Indian Point Nuclear Plant Available for Public

Inspection (5/2)
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE M

07-057 NRC Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste to Meet in Rockville, Maryland,

May 16-17 (5/3)

Regions:

I-07-024 NRC Proposes $3,250 Fine for Englewood, NJ., Hospital (4/30)

I-07-025 NRC to Discuss 2006 Assessment for Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant at Public

Meeting in Brattleboro, Vt., on May 14 (5/4)

I-07-026 R.E. Ginna Nuclear Plant to Receive Additional NRC Oversight (5/4)

II-07-028 NRC Begins Special Inspection at Farley Nuclear Plant (4/30)

III-07-017 NRC to Hold Public Meeting May 8 on Cross-Cutting Issues at the Kewaunee

Plant (5/3)

III-07-018 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance Assessment for Clinton Nuclear Power Plant

(5/4)

III-07-019 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance Assessment for Byron Nuclear Power Plant

(5/4)

IV-07-012 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant(4/30) 

IV-07-013 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant (5/2)
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SECY-07-0037 2/22/07 Report to Congress on Abnormal

Occurrences: Fiscal Year 2006

SRM-SECY-07-0037 4/5/07 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 07-0037

4/5/07 (same)

Information Papers

- SECY-07-0075 4/30/07 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

April 20, 2007

Memoranda

- M070417C 4/30/07 Staff Requirements - Briefing on RES

Programs, Performance, and Plans

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated April 27, 2007, provides the “Report to Congress on Abnormal

Occurrences: Fiscal Year 2006" (NUREG-0090, Vol. 29).

2. Letter to Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education, dated April 25, 2007, provides

NRC’s FY 2006 Annual Performance Report on Executive Agency Actions to Assist Tribal

Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

3. Letter to Li Ganjie, People’s Republic of China, dated April 25, 2007, concerning

furthering the cooperative relationship between the National Nuclear Safety

Administration and the NRC.

4. Letter to Yasutaka Moriguchi, Japan, dated April 24, 2007, extends appreciation for

meeting during recent trip to Japan.

5. Letter to Congress, dated April 23, 2007, expresses appreciation for commitment to

funding NRC’s increased hiring efforts.

6. Letter to Michael Chertoff, Secretary of DHS, dated April 23, 2007, responds to letter

requesting that the Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force reevaluate the

list of radioactive sources that warrant enhanced security and protection. 
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE O

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, Designation of Presiding Officer, Consumers

Energy Company, Nuclear management company, LLC, Entergy Nuclear Palisades, LLC,

and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Palisades Nuclear Power Plant). 

2. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste, revised 179th notice of meeting (5/16-17/2007).

3. Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes: Meeting Notice (6/12-13/2007). 

4. ACRS Subcommittee Meeting on Thermal-Hydraulic Phenomena: Meeting Notice (05/24-

25/2007).
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Virgil C. Summer Public Meeting

On May 2, 2007, representatives from South Carolina Electric & Gas Company attended a

public meeting for the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station in the Region II Office. The purpose of

the meeting was to discuss the Fall 2006 refueling outage at the site.
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE P

Region IV (RIV)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

Facility Tours by Commissioner Merrifield

On May 1-3, 2007, Commissioner Merrifield visited a division of Energy Solutions, which

specializes in low level waste disposal, near Clive, Utah; toured the San Onofre Nuclear

Generating Station, met with plant management and the resident inspectors, as well as

addressed the plant staff; and visited Western Zirconium, a producer of zirconium products for

the nuclear industry, near Ogden, Utah. 

Columbia Generating Station Annual Assessment Meeting

On May 1, 2007, the NRC conducted a public meeting near the Columbia Generating Station. 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss licensee performance for calender year 2006. A

few members of the public attended the meeting. There was no press in attendance. A

representative for U.S. Congressmen Doc Hastings also attended the meeting.
May 4, 2007 ENCLOSURE Q

Office of the Executive Director for Operations (EDO)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

DPO-2006-004: Issuance of Differing Professional Opinion (DPO) Appeal 

on the Davis Besse Reply to a Notice of Violation

On May 3, 2007, the Executive Director for Operations (EDO) issued a decision on an appeal to

a December 18, 2006, decision made by the Director of the Office of Enforcement (OE). The

appeal was related to an NRC employee submitted DPO, dated May 5, 2006, on the accuracy

of the September 14, 2005, FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company’s (FENOC) response to

the NRC ‘s Notice of Violation (NOV). The original DPO contended that the FENOC submittal

was incomplete and inaccurate and should have been a cited violation of 10 CFR 50.9

“Completeness and Accuracy of Information.” The DPO raised concerns with the agency’s

decision that the FENOC statement was not material and therefore, not a violation, and the

agency’s lack of regulatory action.

On receipt of the DPO appeal, the EDO reviewed relevant documents, met with the DPO Panel,

conferred with OGC, and met with the DPO submitter. The DPO submitter identified several

administrative deficiencies in the appeal, which OE will address in the OE annual program

review. The technical concerns addressed the NRC decision not to issue a violation based on

the inaccurate statements in the FENOC submittal. After careful review and deliberation the

EDO concluded that the actions taken by staff in response to the DPO are adequate. The EDO

agreed with the DPO Panel decision that based on the staff’s prior understanding of the factual

backdrop which attended FENOC’s submittal that no additional 10 CFR 50.9 violation occurred. 

Additionally, the EDO verified that the Panel’s recommendation, to release the initial

correspondence from FENOC’s general counsel addressing FENOC’s submittal, publically, was

carried out. 

As such, the EDO finds there is no need to reopen the DPO on the “Davis Besse Reply to a

Notice of Violation.” The EDO also recognized the efforts of the submitter in raising the issues

and concerns, and the contribution of the employee in ensuring the agency’s safety goals are

achieved. 
May 4, 2007 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending May 4, 2007

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS SCHEDULE, NO. 14

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