INFORMATION REPORT

August 17, 2007 SECY-07-0139

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

AUGUST 10, 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:

J. Raber, OEDO
August 17, 2007 SECY-07-0139

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

AUGUST 10, 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:

J. Raber, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

EDO R/F

AO R/F Document Name: C:\WIR\week817.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

J. Raber VLOrdaz

8/16/07 8/17/07
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING AUGUST 10, 2007

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: J. Raber, OEDO by E-mail: hjr1@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 * SECY 19

RES 4 Region I *

NSIR 10 Region II *

ADM 11 Region III *

OIS 12 Region IV *

CFO * EDO *

HR 16 OCA *

SBCR *

*No input this week
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

LaSalle, Units 1 and 2 - Emergency Technical Specification (TS) Change Issued

On August 2, 2007, NRR issued an emergency TS amendment for the LaSalle County Station,

located 11 miles southest of Ottawa, Illinois. Prolonged hot weather in the area, in conjunction

with high humidity during the day and minimal cooling at night, resulted in sustained elevated

cooling water temperature supplied to the plant's ultimate heat sink (UHS). Temperature

prediction models for the UHS indicated the bulk temperature would rise just above the 100EF

limit for several days. The emergency amendment revised the maximum allowed TS

temperature limit, contained in TS Surveillance Requirement 3.7.3.1, from less than or equal to

100EF to less than or equal to 101.25EF.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 805 Pilot Observation Meeting

On August 6-9, 2007, an NFPA 805 Pilot Observation meeting was held with Progress Energy

and Duke Power in Washington, D.C. Portions of the meetings were open to the public. Staff

from the Division of Risk Assessment, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), and

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) assisted in conducting the Observation meeting

including the pre-meeting submittal reviews. 
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE B

Office of New Reactors (NRO)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

Quality Assurance Audit of William States Lee III Nuclear Station and Bellefonte Nuclear Plant

Combined License Application Development Programs

During the week of July 30 - August 3, 2007, NRO staff conducted an audit at the Enercon

Services Office in Mount Arlington, New Jersey. The purpose of the audit was to evaluate the

quality activities related to the development of the William States Lee III Nuclear Station and

Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Combined License (COL) applications. The audit team confirmed that

the applicants are using quality programs and procedures to develop the COL applications.

Staff Holds Public Meeting on the Update of the Environmental Standard Review Plan (ESRP)

On August 9, 2007, NRO staff held a public meeting to explain the process it was using to

update the ESRP (NUREG-1555) and to collect comments on the draft revisions it has

published for selected sections of the ESRP. After the staff explained the update process and

described some of the more significant changes, the public was given an opportunity to

comment. 

Staff Meeting with General Electric (GE) on Aircraft Impact Work

On August 9, 2007, RES and NRO staff met with representatives from GE to discuss the

aircraft impact characteristics that were recently shared with GE and to share some high-level

insights from their recent evaluation of the economic simplified boiling water reactor design. 

The staff is planning a meeting with Westinghouse to discuss the same topics for the advanced

plant 1000 design.
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE E

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

Discussions on “Partnership for the Development of Next Generation Simulation Tools for

Evaluating Cementitious Materials Used in Nuclear Applications” 

On August 1-2, 2007, staff from NRC, the Department of Energy, the National Institute of

Standards and Technology, Vanderbilt University, the Savannah River National Laboratory, the

Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses (CNWRA) and SIMCO Technologies, Canada,

met to explore a cooperative effort on simulation tools for evaluating the performance and

predicting the service life of cementitious materials and admixtures used in nuclear applications. 

These tools will be useful in assessing performance of existing structures, simulating the

performance of new structures, and providing performance-based specifications for extending

the service life of existing structures.

Interagency Steering Committee on Multimedia Environmental Models (ISCMEM) Approval of

the National Science Foundation (NSF) to Join the NRC and Seven Other Federal Agencies in

the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Multimedia Environmental Models

On August 3, 2007, ISCMEM approved the petition from the NSF to join the MOU. ISCMEM

works to facilitate cooperation and coordination among the participating agencies on all aspects

of the research and development of multimedia environmental models. RES was one of the

originators of ISCMEM and benefits from sharing information and technology with the other

member agencies.

The Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) Sponsored Training for the Implementation

of Regulatory Guide (RG) 4.15, Revision 2, “Quality Assurance for Radiological Monitoring

Programs (Inception Through Normal Operations to License Termination) - Effluent Streams

and the Environment”

From August 7-9, 2007, RES staff provided training for NRC staff on the implementation of RG

4.15, Rev. 2. This guide on quality assurance and control programs is a complete revision and

update of the guidance last revised in 1979 and takes advantage of the multi-agency effort that

produced Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual (MARLAP). All

new facilities will be expected to use the revised guidance but existing licensees will not need to

change existing programs. On October 12, 2007, a public workshop is scheduled for industry

representatives, who will be provided with information to facilitate the use of the revised

guidance.

Implementing Agreement Between NRC and the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group

(NRG) of The Netherlands in the Area of Severe Accident Research

On August 9, 2007, the Executive Director for Operations signed the subject international

agreement, which defines the terms and conditions by which the NRC and the NRG will

cooperate in the area of severe accident research. This cooperative Implementing Agreement

will expand the NRC’s related data and knowledge base, and independently verify the accuracy

of the NRC’s MELCOR severe accident code for different accident sequences. The NRC
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE E

uses the MELCOR code to evaluate potential risk and security scenarios for severe accidents,

address regulatory and licensing issues for operating plants, and review new designs. This

Implementing Agreement will remain in effect for a period of three years.
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

Preliminary Notifications

- PNO-I-07-007, EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, ALERT DECLARED DUE TO

CARBON DIOXIDE LEAK FROM A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE DIESEL

GENERATOR BUILDING.
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending August 10, 2007

Interlocutory Review of Rulings on Requests by Potential Parties for Access to Sensitive

Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Safeguards Information; Reopening of Public

Comment and Notice of Availability of Proposed Procedures for Comment (AI08 - Part 2)

On August 6, 2007, the NRC published a document in the Federal Register (72 FR 43569) that

reopened the public comment period on a proposed rule that would amend the regulations to

provide for expedited Commission review of orders on requests by potential parties for access

to certain sensitive unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Safeguards Information. The

document also announced the availability of proposed procedures that would allow potential

parties to NRC adjudications and their representatives to gain access to such information.
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE H

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

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

of August 3 through August 9, 2007:

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, all reports to NRC from So.

Cal Edison re: trespasser on 7-25-07

FOIA/PA-2007-0284

OI report 4-2006-0039, relating to a security event March 18-27, 2006 FOIA/PA-2007-0285

Quantum Technical Services Inc., License number L03731, use of

radioactive materials (dates & locations) in Puerto Rico, VA, Virgin

Islands, and WV from 2006-2007, all records

FOIA/PA-2007-0286

Specific radioactive materials license holders, not including nuclear

power plants and research reactors, name of facility, address, etc.

FOIA/PA-2007-0287

Violation of veteran’s preference procedures for named individual, all

information and documentation (Referral by Department of Labor)

FOIA/PA-2007-0288

Material licenses for Region III, include license number, name of

licensee, address, phone number

FOIA/PA-2007-0289
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE J

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

Arrivals

WILLIAMS, JR., ROBERT REACTOR INSPECTOR (NSPDP) RII

Departures

ANZALONE, REED STUDENT ENGINEER NRR

MCGAFFIGAN, MARGARET STUDENT SCIENTIST (CO-OP) NMSS

PETROVITCH, CHRISTOPHER STUDENT PHYSICAL SCIENTIST NRR

PRUETT, TIMOTHY IT SPECIALIST (INET) OIS

PUIG, GABRIELA STUDENT ENGINEER RES

ROBINSON, REBECCA STUDENT CLERK (SUMMER) OIS

RULEMAN, KARLEN STUDENT ENGINEER NRR

SANCHEZ SANTIAGO, ELBA STUDENT ENGINEER RIII

TORO-ROJAS, JETSENIA STUDENT ENGINEER RES

WELSH, ASHA STUDENT CLERK OPA

WERTS, SCOTT GENERAL SCIENTIST NRR

WONG, JOANN LIN STUDENT LAW CLERK (SUMMER) OPA
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

The OPA received significant media inquiries on the following:

Public scoping meetings in Wyoming and New Mexico to discuss uranium recovery license

process, as well as the logic and scope for a generic Environmental Impact Statement. 

Issuance of the NRC’s draft FY2007-2012 Strategic Plan information on the new emphasis the

plan has over the previous FY2004-2009 plan. 

Indian Point plant siren system and Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements.

Questions from two jewelry trade publications on irradiated gemstone issues. 

Other OPA Items:

Chairman Klein and new reactor management spoke at the American Nuclear Society utility

meeting at Amelia Island, offering a number of cautions to utility executives about expectations

for new reactor licenses. 

Chairman Klein was interviewed in connection with his visit to General Electric in Wilmington,

North Carolina, to discuss the newest generation of nuclear reactors, including the Economic

Simplified Boiling Water Reactor.

OPA arranged an interview with US Info, the international communication tool for the State

Department, with the Chairman as a follow-up to his June speech in Paris about expanding

international efforts to improve nuclear safety. 

Commissioner Jaczko was interviewed by Bloomberg News on the subject of new reactors and

the limited work authorization rule. 

OPA participated in the Callaway exercise and coordinated a mock press briefing.

OPA supported the end-of-cycle meeting for Davis-Besse.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

07-099 NRC Seeks Comments on Draft Strategic Plan (8/8)

Regions:

I-07-048 NRC Seeks Public Input on Environmental Impact Statement for Indian Point

Nuclear Plant License Renewal Application (8/10)

IV-07-028 NRC Names New Resident Inspector at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

(8/6)
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending August 10, 2007

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. COMGBJ-07-0002 06/28/07 Closing Out Task Re: Rulemaking on Tables

S-3 and S-4

SRM on 07-0002 08/6/07 (same)

Commission Voting

Record on 07-0002

08/6/07 (same)

2. SRM-SECY-07-0108 08/8/07 Rulemaking Plan to Revise 10 CFR 51.22,

“Criterion for Categorical Exclusion;

Identification of Licensing and Regulatory

Actions Eligible for Categorical Exclusion or

Otherwise Not Requiring Environmental

Review” (RM# 644)

Commission Voting

Record on 07-0108

08/8/07 (same)

Information Papers

1. SECY-07-0121 07/25/07 Semiannual Update of the Lessons-Learned

Program and Annual Lessons-Learned

Program Review

2. SECY-07-0127 08/03/07 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending July

27, 2007

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated August 3, 2007, provides NRC’s draft FY 2007- 2012 Strategic

Plan for comment.

2. Letter to Rob Portman, Office of Management and Budget, dated August 3, 2007, provides

NRC’s draft FY 2007- 2012 Strategic Plan for comment.

3. Letter to Tomihiro Taniguchi, IAEA, dated August 3, 2007, requests the IAEA to conduct an

Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission in the United States in 2010.
August 10, 2007 ENCLOSURE O

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, Notice of Oral Argument and of Opportunity to Make

Limited Appearance Statements, Shaw AREVA MOX Services (Mixed Oxide Fuel

Fabrication Facility). 

2. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), Subcommittee Meeting on Planning

and Procedures, notice of meeting (9/5/2007). 

3. ACRS, Meeting of the Subcommittee on Plant License Renewal, notice of meeting

(9/5/2007). 

4. ACRS, 545th meeting notice (9/6-8/2007).