INFORMATION REPORT

September 14, 2006 SECY-06-0197

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

SEPTEMBER 1, 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:

U. Shoop, OEDO
September 14, 2006 SECY-06-0197

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

SEPTEMBER 1, 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.

Michael R. Johnson

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

U. Shoop, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\week901.wpd

OEDO AO/OEDO

U. Shoop:paa MRJohnson

09/13/06 9/18/06
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 1, 2006

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 STP *

NMSS 4 OPA 17

RES 8 OIP 18

NSIR * SECY 19

OGC * Region I *

ADM 10 Region II 21

OIS 11 Region III *

CFO * Region IV *

HR 15 EDO *

SBCR * OCA *

OE * ACRS/ACNW *

*No input this week
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Limited Appearance and Site Visit 

On August 28, 2006, the Atomic Safety And Licensing Board (ASLB) held a limited appearance

session in Port Gibson, Mississippi. This is the same board that will hold the mandatory hearing

for the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit (ESP). The limited appearance session allowed interested

parties to make statements and to provide documents to the Board for consideration in their

deliberations. City and County officials and representatives of various groups including Public

Citizen and the local Chamber of Commerce provided statements.

On August 29, 2006, the ASLB members toured the Grand Gulf ESP site along with members

of the NRR staff. The tour concentrated on site features relevant to meteorology and

hydrology.
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Technology Regarding Transportation Packages for Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) Fresh Fuel

and Irradiated Fuel Rods Meeting

On August 30, 2006, NMSS staff met with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Packaging

Technology to discuss transportation packages for ATR fresh fuel and for irradiated fuel rods. 

DOE plans to request an amendment to the TN-FSV spent fuel cask (Certificate of Compliance

No. 9253) to include a canister for up to four irradiated fuel rods. The rods will be shipped

within an inner shielded canister. DOE plans to submit a request for the amendment in early

2007. DOE also presented plans for a new package design for the transport of unirradiated

ATR fuel elements by truck. The meeting focused on the conceptual design and plans for

engineering tests. DOE plans to submit an application for package approval in June 2007.

Meeting with NUKEM Regarding New Transport Package for Radioactive Waste

On August 29, 2006, NMSS staff met with representatives from the NUKEM Corporation to

discuss the structural features of a cask design and the analytical approach that will be utilized

to demonstrate compliance with the regulations. The cask is designed for the transport of solid

low level waste. The proposed cask design for the Model No. 10-165B incorporates improved

safety features and will replace the Model No. 10-145B when it’s Certificate of Compliance

expires on October 1, 2008. NUKEM Corporation will likely submit the application for the Model

No. 10-165B to NRC for review in January 2007. 

High-Level Waste Technical Exchange on Yucca Mountain Design Changes

On August 29, 2006, NRC and DOE staff held a technical exchange in Las Vegas, NV, on

“Design Changes Approved Through DOE’s Critical Decision-1 Process.” NRC presented

information on regulatory requirements for transportation, storage, aging, and disposal of

commercial spent nuclear fuel, under 10 CFR Parts 63, 71, and 72. DOE presented the

changes to their facility designs and pre-closure operations at the proposed high-level waste

repository at Yucca Mountain, that were recently approved through their Critical Decision-1

process. The exchange was also attended by representatives from the State of Nevada and

interested members of the public.

NRC Assumes Regulatory Oversight of United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) Inc.’s

American Centrifuge Lead Cascade Facility

On August 25, 2006, NRC assumed regulatory oversight of USEC Inc.’s American Centrifuge

Lead Cascade Facility (Lead Cascade) from DOE in accordance with the March 24, 2004,

Memorandum of Understanding entitled “Cooperation Regarding the Gas Centrifuge Lead

Cascade Facilities at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant,” between NRC and DOE. On

February 24, 2004, pursuant to 10 CFR Part 70, NRC issued Materials License SNM-7003 to

USEC Inc. to possess and use for up to five years, source and special nuclear material at the

Lead Cascade at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant site in Piketon, Ohio. The Lead

Cascade, which is a gas centrifuge uranium enrichment test and demonstration facility, will
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

consist of up to 240 centrifuges. Transition of regulatory oversight of the Lead Cascade from

DOE to NRC authorizes USEC Inc. to introduce uranium hexaflouride into the Lead Cascade.

Meeting with American Water Works Association (AWWA)

On August 24, 2006, staff from NMSS met with representatives of AWWA to discuss NRC’s

proposed rulemaking to develop a new general license specific to drinking water treatment

facilities that concentrate uranium above 0.05 percent by weight. Meeting attendees included

representatives of AWWA (industry representatives and state regulators); U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA); and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators

(ASDWA). NRC staff provided background on applicable NRC regulations; the status of

development of a generic communication to States and water treatment facilities; and the status

of development of a new general license applicable to water treatment facilities. Although

AWWA noted its appreciation of NRC’s attempts to reduce the regulatory burden on water

treatment facilities, there are still concerns about potential costs associated with the limited

opportunities for disposal of any concentrated uranium as source material. AWWA and

ASDWA also offered to help notify their members of NRC’s requirements and upcoming

activities and to provide information, as needed, to support NRC’s regulatory efforts.

Public Meeting for the Naturally Occurring and Accelerator Produced Radioactive Materials

(NARM) Rulemaking

On August 22, 2006, staff from NMSS held a public meeting in Las Vegas, NV, to solicit

comments on the proposed rule: “Requirements for the Expanded Definition of Byproduct

Material” (also known as the NARM rulemaking). The proposed rule was published in the

Federal Register (71 FR 42952; July 28, 2006) for a 45-day public comment period, which

ended on September 11, 2006. Attendees included representatives from the Council on

Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals (CORAR); the American Association of Physicists in

Medicine (AAPM); PETNET Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; the Health Physics Society (HPS); the

American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology; the Organization of Agreement

States; the State of Nevada; EPA; Lincoln County, NV; and members of the public. HPS,

CORAR, AAMP, and PETNET presented their preliminary comments on the proposed rule. In

general, these organizations stated that the NRC staff had appropriately implemented the intent

of the Energy Policy Act. 

Examples of comments received on the proposed rule included: specific values should be

included in the rule for the annual limit on intake (or ALI) and derived air concentration (or DAC)

for nitrogen-13 and oxygen-15; an additional grandfathering provision is needed for Part 30

cyclotron operators and engineers; small self-contained cyclotrons should be exempted from

the financial assurance requirements; further clarification is needed on certain terms used in the

rule; and clarification of the intent of the proposed rule is needed. The representative of

PETNET also stated that a higher compatibility category should be considered to ensure a

higher degree of consistency among States.
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Design Methods Workshop

On August 22-23, 2006, staff participated in a NGNP Design Methods workshop in Salt Lake

City, Utah, hosted by the Idaho National Laboratory and U.S. Department of Energy. The

workshop was attended by representatives from national laboratories, universities, and gas

reactor technology vendors. The attendees provided comments on the proposed NGNP design

methods using a unique computer-based group facilitation software. NRC staff provided

informal comments on the proposed NGNP computer code validation and verification

procedures with respect to guidance set forth in Regulatory Guide 1.203, “Transient and

Accident Analysis Methods.” The comments were well received and will help to support future

NGNP pre-application and design certification activities. 

Hemyc MT 3-hour Electrical Raceway Fire Barrier System (ERFBS) Testing

On August 24, 2006, an NRC staff member witnessed Duke Power's testing of Hemyc MT

3-hour ERFBS at Omega Point Laboratories, San Antonio TX. The test consisted of

plant-specific configurations and included up-grades to existing plant specific installations. The

test lab also conducted Megger testing of cables protected by the MT ERFBS to determine if

the cables remained functional despite exceeding allowable temperatures. RES was provided

the raw test data and is in the process of reviewing and analyzing it. RES is also reviewing the

tested configurations, and installation methods of the ERFBS. RES will prepare a letter report

of their findings to support NRC fire protection resolution efforts.

Implementing Agreement Between the USNRC and the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté

Nucléaire (IRSN) of France Regarding the Phebus Source Term Separate Effects Test

Program

On August 24, 2006, the Executive Director for Operations signed the subject Implementing

Agreement. Participation in the program will provide NRC access to data and knowledge

insights on air ingress and fission product chemistry, fission product release from high burnup

and mixed oxide fuel, iodine chemistry, and control rod oxidation and degradation. Upon

signature, this Implementing Agreement will remain in effect for a period of five years.
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Secure Transfer of Nuclear Materials (AH90 - Part73)

On August 30, 2006, the NRC published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (71 FR 51534)

that would amend its requirements for the secure transfer of nuclear materials as required by

Section 656 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The proposed rule would identify certain

licensees as appropriate exceptions to the provisions requiring security background checks

consistent with protecting public health and safety and common defense and security. The

comment period for this action closes September 29, 2006. 

Terrence O. Hee, Ion Technology, Inc.; Denial of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-40-29)

On August 31, 2006, the NRC published a document in the Federal Register (71 FR 51786)

that denies a petition for rulemaking submitted by Terrence O. Hee, Ion Technology, Inc. 

(PRM-40-29). The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations regarding

unimportant quantities of source material to exempt end users of a catalytic device containing

thorium from NRC’s licensing requirements. The petition was denied because the petitioner did

not submit information of the scope and depth for the NRC to determine that public health and

safety, and the environment, would be protected if this product was distributed to persons

exempt from licensing requirements. 
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

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

August 25 through August 31, 2006:

NRC materials license no. 37-01548-01 FOIA/PA-2006-0284

NUREG/BR-0150, most recent volume or revision FOIA/PA-2006-0285

Independent review by SEI, re: NRC Certification & Accreditation

(C&A) process within the Information Systems Security Program

(ISSP)

FOIA/PA-2006-0286

American Radiology Services Inc., 7 West Ridgely Road, Timonium,

MD 21093, licensed to utilize or store radioactive materials

FOIA/PA-2006-0287

OIG Case 06-63 FOIA/PA-2006-0288

Horizon Lonestar, records, report or investigations concerning

radiation exposure occurring on or about April 20, 2006

FOIA/PA-2006-0289

Vermont Yankee nuclear power station PDP-8 computer (1967-1972),

documents re: schematics, manuals, purchase order

FOIA/PA-2006-0290
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Arrival

ABDEL-KHALIK, SAID I. ACRS MEMBER ACRS

ADLER, JAMES E. LEGAL INTERN OGC

ALLEN, TAMI T. HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST HR

ALLSTON, DENNIS SECURITY SPECIALIST NSIR

ARORA, SAM MECHANICAL ENGINEER NRR

BARKMAN, MOLLY L. LEGAL INTERN OGC

BOLLOCK, DOUGLAS R. REACTOR ENGINEER RIV

BROWN, WANDA SECRETARY (OA) NSIR

BUDZYNSKI, JOHN T. REACTOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER NRR

CHAMBERS, MICHAEL L. REACTOR ENGINEER RIV

CORRADINI, MICHAEL L. ACRS MEMBER ACRS

CURATOLA, ANDREA L. LEGAL INTERN OGC

DICKMAN, PAUL T. EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COMM

DOZIER, TAMSEN S. PROJECT MANAGER NRR

GETTYS, EVELYN PROJECT MANAGER NRR

KAMMERER, ANN GEOPHYSICIST RES

KONOVITZ, LORI S. CONTRACT POLICY ANALYST ADM

KORTH, KELLY J. PROJECT ENGINEER (RI DEVEL.

PROGRAM)

RII

LEEDOM, JAMES CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

(NSPDP)

ADM

LIOTTA, PHILIP L. HEALTH PHYSICIST NMSS

MARTIN, JODY C. LEGAL INTERN OGC

MEGHANI, VIJAY L. REACTOR INSPECTOR RIII

MORRISON, JENNIE L. HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT RIV
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

Arrival

MURPHY, VICKIE SECRETARY RES

OGLESBY, JR., JOHN HAIL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR OI

PESSIN, ANDREW ATTORNEY OGC

PRATT, NICOLE A. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

(NSPDP)

ADM

RAJANI, JANAK IT SPEC (SYS ANALYSIS) NRR

RICKS, OLIVIA S. SECRETARY (OA) NRR

RIVERS, JOSEPH D. SENIOR LEVEL ADVISOR ON SECURITY NSIR

STREIT, KATHERINE N. GENERAL ENGINEER (NSPDP) NRR

STROSNIDER, SUZANNE D. IT SPEC (SYS ANALYSIS) NRR

TANEJA, DINESH INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL

ENGINEER

RES

TUCCI, CHRISTINE A. SECRETARY (OA) NRR

WHALEY, SHEENA NUCLEAR ENGINEER NMSS

XIE, BILL J. CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS ASST OCA

Retirements

BECKNER, WILLIAM D. PROG DIR, NEW, RES & TEST REACTORS NRR

LEACH, ELLA L. SECRETARY (OA) OIS

MADEDA, TERRY J. SR PHYSICAL SECURITY INSP RIII

RAMMLING, GEORGANNA FREEDOM OF INFO. & PRIVACY

SPECIALIST

OIS

SINGH, AMARJIT SENIOR RELIABLITY AND RISK ENGINEER RES

Departures

BROWN, NICOLE LOIS STUDENT CLERK ACRS

DALZELL, JENNIFER L. STUDENT ENGINEER RIII

DICKINSON, LYNN ANN OFFICE SERVICES ASSISTANT RIV

ENGEL, BETHANY L. LEGAL INTERN ASLBP

KALKMAN, ADAM STUDENT CLERK OI
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

Departures

KING, MONIQUE L. CONSULTANT OIG

LEMONCELLI, MAURI T. ATTORNEY OGC

PROCTER, CANDACE N. STUDENT ENGINEER RIII

VOSS, PATRICIA J. STUDENT ENGINEER RIII
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

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

Chairman Klein’s comments on new reactor licensing and proposed interim storage of spent

nuclear fuel and postponement of a meeting with the Department of Energy on NRC’s standard

review plan for waste determinations until the meeting can be public.

Continuing reports of tritium in groundwater near nuclear power plants.

TXU’s plans to construct new reactors in Texas.

A report by the Physicians for Social Responsibility on the dangers of radiological terrorism.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA assisted the Chairman in conducting a media briefing sponsored by Platts.

Commissioner McGaffigan was interviewed by Platts regarding the Physicians for Social

Responsibility report.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

06-105 NRC Issues Mid-Cycle Assessments for All U.S. Nuclear Plants (9/1)

Regions:

I-06-048 NRC to Discuss Proposed Termination of License for Nuclear Materials Site in

Manchester Township, N.J., on Sept. 8th (8/28)

I-06-049 Atomic Safety & Licensing Board Evidentiary Hearing on Vermont Yankee

Power Uprate Scheduled for Sept. 13-15 in Newfane, Vt. (8/31)
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE N

Office of International Programs (OIP)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Staff Issues Export License for Security Equipment for Iraq

On September 1, 2006, the Office of International Programs issued an export license

(XB001310) to Science Applications International Corporation authorizing the export of Co-60

sealed sources, contained in mobile Vehicle and Cargo II Inspection System vehicles, to the

Iraqi government. The equipment allows for unintrusive inspection of vehicles.
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SRM-SECY-06-0117 8/2/06 Termination of Nuclear Regulatory

Commission License for the Heritage

Minerals Inc. Site in Manchester Township,

New Jersey

Commission Voting

Record on 06-0117

8/2/06 (same)

2. COMGBJ-06-0005 8/10/06 Use of Unshielded Transfer Casks in Spent

Fuel Movement

SRM on COMGBJ-06-

0005

8/31/06 (same)

Voting Record on

COMGBJ-06-0005

8/31/06 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-06-0183 8/16/06 Minority Serving Institutions Program

2. SECY-06-0190 8/31/06 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

August 11, 2006

Commission Correspondence

- Letters to Michael Chertoff, Secretary, DHS, dated August 28, 2006, provides an update

of NRC's accomplishments that have enhanced the security and emergency

preparedness programs for NRC-licensed nuclear facilities and materials.

Federal Register Notices Issued

- Notice of Reconstitution, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Pilgrim Nuclear Power

Station), Docket No. 50-293-LR, ASLBP No. 06-848-02-LR.
September 1, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending September 1, 2006

Monitoring of Tropical Storm Ernesto

During the week of August 28 - September 1, 2006, Region II responded to Tropical Storm

Ernesto. At the Turkey Point plant, regional inspectors assisted the resident inspectors in

providing round-the-clock site coverage. The inspectors verified plant status and equipment

readiness before the projected landfall. The licensee reduced power at both Turkey Point units

in preparation for the storm. The St. Lucie resident inspectors were augmented with a regional

inspector. Three regional staff monitored licensee and state of Florida activities at the FP&L

Emergency Operations Facility and State Emergency Operations Center respectively. The

Region II Incident Response Center was staffed and periodic updates were issued. 

Neither site was significantly impacted by the storm. In anticipation of potential impact at the

Brunswick plant, the resident inspector verified licensee readiness for potential severe weather

and maintained site coverage. Brunswick was also not significantly impacted by the storm.