INFORMATION REPORT

 June 15, 2004 SECY-04-0097

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0097 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JUNE 4, 2004

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

Chief Information Officer 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

*No input this week.

/RA/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Kim, OEDO
June 15, 2004 SECY-04-0097

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: SECY-04-0097 WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK 

ENDING JUNE 4, 2004

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

Chief Information Officer 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

*No input this week.

/RA/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

T. Kim, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\Week604.WPD
OEDO AO/OEDO

TKim:paa WMDean

06/14/04 06/16/04

WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING JUNE 4, 2004

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: T. Kim, OEDO by E-mail: tjk3@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 9 SECY 19

OGC * Region I 20

ADM 10 Region II 21

CIO 11 Region III *

CFO * Region IV *

HR 15 OEDO *

SBCR * OCA 24

OE *

*No input this week
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Meeting with NEI Concerning Emergency Preparedness ITAACs

On June 2, 2004, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) staff held a public meeting with

Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) representatives to discuss draft proposed emergency planning

(EP) inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria (ITAAC) associated with a Combined

Operating License. Staff from the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency

Management Agency (DHS/FEMA) also participated in the meeting. The meeting was a follow

on to a workshop held on April 27, 2004, on the same topic. The discussion topics included the

role of risk information in the development of EP ITAAC and whether it is appropriate to have

ITAAC associated with offsite actions. The staff and NEI agreed to (1) review each others

comments and proposals, (2) develop revisions to the proposals, and (3) discuss the issues later

in the summer.

Meeting with NEI on Potential Common-Mode Failure of Underground Cables

On June 2, 2004, NRR staff held a public meeting with NEI and other industry representatives to

engage the industry in resolving the issue on common-mode failures of underground cables. 

The staff discussed worst-case scenarios which involved a failure of more than one cable. The

industry agreed that cable failures would occur at a higher rate as plants continue to age. 

However, the NEI and Electric Power Research Institute representatives disagreed with the

staff’s risk estimates on the premise that buried and wetted cables are not vulnerable to a

common-mode failure. No technical basis was provided by industry to disposition this issue. 

The industry plans to decide whether to take up this issue for action and they will inform the staff

of their decision at a later date.

Meeting with NEI Regarding Emergency Plan Changes

On June 3, 2004, NRR staff held a public meeting with NEI and other industry representatives to

discuss ongoing efforts in clarifying the process for making changes to emergency plans. NEI

indicated that it has been developing guidance for the industry in this regard. The staff informed

the meeting participants that it plans to issue a Regulatory Issues Summary (RIS) on this topic

by August, and to provide feedback on the NEI’s guidance document. It was agreed that a

NRC/NEI workshop be held on this topic in the near future (tentatively scheduled for September

2004), to facilitate interactions leading to potential NRC endorsement of the industry guidance.
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Fire Risk Requantification Study - Addition of Nine Mile Point as Pilot

On May 26, 2004, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Office of Nuclear

Regulatory Research (RES) conducted a kickoff meeting for the fire risk requantification study

with Constellation Energy at the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station (NMP). The purpose of the fire

risk requantification study is to develop guidance for conducting fire risk analysis. This guidance

will support implementation of the risk-informed, performance-based fire protection rule which

endorses National Fire Protection Association Standard 805. During the meeting, an overview of

the joint RES-EPRI fire risk requantification project was presented and preliminary plans were

developed to refine procedures for conducting fire risk analysis. To date, these procedures have

been demonstrated on pressurized water reactors; the effort at NMP will provide insights on the

application of these procedures to a boiling water reactor. Specific plans involving NMP have not

been finalized as the licensee needs to evaluate the resource impact for this program. It is

expected that NMP will complete the resource evaluation within the month of June. As

applicable, insights from this program will be included in a revision to the requantification study

report expected to be issued by the end of Calendar Year 2005. An initial report on the fire risk

requantification effort is expected to be available at the end of 2004. 

OECD Topical Meeting on LOCA Fuel Issues

An Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Topical Meeting on Lossof-Coolant Accident (LOCA) Issues was held on May 25-26, 2004, at the Argonne National

Laboratories in Illinois. The meeting was organized by OECD/CSNI’s [Committee on the Safety

of Nuclear Installations’] Special Experts Group on Fuel Safety Margins. In addition to the

various organizations representing the United States, sixty participants from 16 countries 

participated in the meeting. A number of presentations were about the behavior of zirconium

alloys containing niobium under LOCA conditions, including the effects of burnup. The Special

Experts Group, which organized the topical meeting, held a business meeting on May 27, in the

morning, to discuss progress on its other activities. One of those activities is the planned update

during the next two years of reports on fuel behavior under LOCA and reactivity-accident

conditions. During the afternoon of May 27, there was an OECD review of the status of

proposals to examine the damaged fuel from Hungary’s Paks-2 power plant. Although removal

of the fuel from the cleaning apparatus to the pool is scheduled for late 2004 and early 2005,

shipment from the site cannot occur before 2006 because of cooling requirements. 

Peer Review Panel Meeting for the Integrated Chemical Effects Tests

On June 3, 2004, RES and NRR staff members participated in the kick-off meeting of the peer

review panel (PRP) for the integrated chemical effects test (ICET). The ICET project is a

cooperative research effort between NRC and the industry to address a specific concern raised

by the ACRS, and as part of the effort toward resolution of Generic Safety Issue (GSI)-191,

"Assessment of Debris Accumulation on Pressurized Water Reactor Sump Performance." Other

participants included representatives from the Los Alamos National Laboratories (contractor),

EPRI, and NEI’s GSI-191 task group. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the peer
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE C

review panel members and to discuss the panel members’ comments on the ICET test plan and

the test facility preliminary design. Extensive discussion was focused on the details of the test

plan, test loop design, and preparation of test coupons to simulate potential chemical reactions

between insulation, exposed materials, and representative post-LOCA containment environment. 

Also discussed were the schedule and key milestones for the project. Results from this meeting

will be used to finalize the test plan and design of the test facility.

Mid-Year Review of Russian Fuels Program

The French Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) and the NRC conducted a

review of the fuels program being conducted at the Russian Research Center — Kurchatov

Institute. Progress in this program since October 2003 was reviewed during a meeting on

May 24, 2004. There are two tasks associated with this program; high-burnup fuel and neutronic

code analysis.

Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA)-related testing in the high-burnup fuel task will continue

through June 2004, at which time this experimental work will be completed. Data analysis and

reporting will continue after June. Oxidation and ring compression are being done on standard

E110 (Russian Zr-1%Nb alloy, similar to French M5), non-standard E110 (called G110) with

factory-polished outer surface, standard E635 (Russian Zr-11⁄4%Sn-1%Nb alloy, similar to

American ZIRLO), and M5 cladding. 

Comparisons between the Russian neutron kinetics code (BARS) and the American code

(PARCS) have been made for postulated reactivity-initiated accidents. All calculations on the

mixed oxide (MOX) fuel sensitivity study have been completed and the results are being

evaluated. Preparation of the database for the new IRSN benchmark comparison will begin as

soon as data are provided by IRSN.
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE D

Nuclear Security and Incident Response

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-II-2004-003, Virginia Electric and Power Company - SURRY UNIT 2 REACTOR TRIP

AND AUXILIARY FEEDWATER SYSTEM ISSUES CAUSING A UNIT SHUTDOWN TO

COLD SHUTDOWN.

2. PNO-IV-2004-011A, Scela, Inc. d/b/a Radiopharmacy of Boise - UPDATED

INFORMATION CONCERNING A CONTAMINATION EVENT DUE TO SPILL OF IODINE131.
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Contract Awards

On May 27, 2004, a competitive delivery order was awarded under the General Services

Administration’s federal supply schedule to Project Performance Corporation. This order

requires the contractor to develop a project plan that will ensure the NRC’s timely and efficient

review of the Department of Energy’s license application to construct a geologic repository to

store high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The period of performance is seven

months. The total estimated cost of this order is $291,955.

On May 24, 2004, a competitive delivery order was awarded under the General Services

Administration’s federal supply schedule to Resource Consultants, Inc. This order requires the

contractor to validate, update, and maintain data in the Agency’s space management system for

the White Flint complex. The period of performance is eighteen months at an estimated cost of

$180,788 and the contract includes three one-year option periods at an estimated cost of

$128,228 per year.
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Requests Received During the Period of

May 28 through June 03, 2004:

BP Whiting Business Unit, Whiting, IN, all reports and records

regarding a radioactive source level gauge leak incident, 02/2004

FOIA/PA-2004-0261

Goodyear Aerospace, Akron & Hartville, Ohio locations, 1976 - 1987,

materials used, safety violations and any enforcement actions

FOIA/PA-2004-0262

Chinese nuclear weapons programs & policies, export of nuclear

materials (Referral by Dept. of State)

FOIA/PA-2004-0263

Radioactive device bearing NRC serial number 8664LX shipped by

Peco Controls, 1993; found in scrap metal delivered to Acerinox, S.A.,

2003; licensed radioactive device register to LaChoy Food Products,

1993-2003

FOIA/PA-2004-0264

Allegation NRR-97-A-0069, including all correspondence between

named individual & NRC

FOIA/PA-2004-0266
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Arrivals

Stephanie Black Student Clerk (Summer) R-III

Doris Lewis Nuclear Engineer (NSPDP) RES

Gilena A. Monroe Student Engineer (Summer) ACRS

Elizabeth Owen Reactor Inspector (NSPDP) R-IV

Jamie Riley Student Clerk (Summer) R-III

Scott Rutenkroger Reactor Inspector R-IV

Retirements

Maria Lopez-Otin Executive Assistant/Chief of Staff OCM/NJD

Eric D. Weinstein NSIR Program Liaison Officer NSIR
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Media Interest

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

Preparations for an emergency preparedness drill involving a terrorist scenario at the Indian

Point nuclear plant in New York.

CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” for a 2-minute feature on safety and security at nuclear plants.

NRC’s directive to some nuclear plants to account more thoroughly for their spent fuel

inventories.

NRC staff’s letter to Vermont state senators regarding the Vermont Yankee uprate request.

NRC’s Bulletin to pressurized-water reactors on inspecting pressurizer parts for possible

corrosion.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA assisted the Chairman in his presentation at McGraw-Hill’s conference on homeland

security on June 3.

OPA set up the Chairman’s June 3 interview on CNBC’s “Kudlow and Cramer” program on

nuclear plant security and safety.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

04-066 NRC Issues Bulletin to Nuclear Power Plants on Inspecting Certain Reactor

Piping Components (6/2)

04-067 NRC Staff Approves Transfer of Operating License for R.E. Ginna Nuclear

Power Plant (6/4)

04-068 Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to Hear Arguments June 15-16 in Hobbs,

N.M., on Proposed Uranium Enrichment Facility (6/4) 

Regions:

II-04-040 Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to Hear Public Statements on Use of Mixed

Oxide Fuel at Catawba (6/1)

III-04-036 NRC to Meet with Nuclear Management Company to Discuss Performance of

Prairie Island Nuclear Plant (6/2)
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE N

Office of International Programs

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Visit of Akio Yamamoto, Chubu Electric Company

On June 1, 2004, Mr. Yamamoto, an Assistant Manager of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant,

Chubu Electric Power Company of Japan, visited NRC headquarters and met with staff from

NRR. The discussion topics included the NRC’s effort in reducing unnecessary regulatory

burden and the licensing process under 10 CFR Part 52, “Early Site Permits; Standard Design

Certifications; And Combined Licenses For Nuclear Power Plants.” Hamaoka Unit 5, an

Advanced Boiling Water Reactor, has started power ascension testing and will begin commercial

operation in January 2005. 
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Information Papers

1. SECY-04-0084 5/17/04 Status of the Equal Employment Opportunity

(EEO) Program

2. SECY-04-0087 6/1/04 SECY-04-0087 Weekly Information Report -

Week Ending May 21, 2004

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Robert Loux, State of Nevada, dated May 27, 2004, responds to letter expressing

Nevada’s concern regarding the Yucca Mountain Licensing proceeding.

2. Letter to Martin Malsch, Esq., dated May 26, 2004, concerns DOE’s commitment to

provide notice to the State of Nevada 45 days in advance of any shipment of the material

in the Fernald silo.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. U.S. NRC, Peer Review Committee for Source Term Modeling, notice of meeting

(06/16-18/04).

2. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, Duke Energy Corporation, Catawba Nuclear Station,

Units 1 and 2, AMENDED Notice of Evidentiary Hearing and Opportunity to Make Limited

Appearance Statements (06/15/04 and 07/14-15/04).

3. U.S. NRC, 10 CFR Part 2, RIN 3150-AH31, Licensing Proceeding for a High-Level

Radioactive Waste Geologic Repository; Licensing Support Network, Submissions to the

Electronic Docket, Final Rule.
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region I

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

National Conference on Radiation Control

The National Conference on Radiation Control sponsored by the Conference of Radiation

Control Program Directors (CRCPD) was held in Bloomington, Minnesota, on May 24-26, 2004. 

The conference was attended by representatives from nearly all Agreement and non-Agreement

States, as well as several federal agencies. During the conference, the Region I Regional State

Agreements Officers made two presentations. A poster presentation was given on the

“Consolidation of Regions I and II Materials Programs,” and a talk was given on the

“Decommissioning of a Bankrupt Underwater Irradiator Facility.” 

AIT Exit Meeting with Baxter Healthcare

On June 1, 2004, the NRC’s Augmented Inspection Team (AIT), formed to inspect a recent

event at Baxter Healthcare, conducted its exit meeting with the licensee by teleconference. The

AIT inspected the event involving an irradiator source that failed to return to the fully shielded

position at the licensee’s facility in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. The event posed a high potential for

radiation exposures to licensee employees in excess of regulatory limits. The team discussed

the scope of the inspection, the items that were reviewed and the team’s preliminary findings

regarding the event. The licensee representatives described corrective actions taken to prevent

recurrence. The AIT report will be issued within 30 days of the exit meeting.
June 4, 2004 ENCLOSURE P

Region II

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

Progress Energy Company - Brunswick White Finding 

On June 2, 2004, a Final Significance Determination Letter and Notice of Violation was issued to

Brunswick for a White finding associated with an Unit 2 emergency diesel generator (EDG)

jacket water cooling leak that resulted in the EDG being inoperable for 30 days. The finding

involved a corrective action violation for not adequately repairing the leak in a timely manner,

resulting in the EDG exceeding its Technical Specifications allowed outage time.

Westinghouse Electric Company/Commercial Nuclear Fuel Division - Predecisional Enforcement

Conference

On June 3, 2004, representatives from Westinghouse Electric Company/Commercial Nuclear

Fuel Division attended a Predecisional Enforcement Conference in the Regional Office. The

purpose of the meeting was to discuss nine apparent violations of NRC requirements involving

operation of the incinerator off-gas system.
June 4, 2004 

Office of Congressional Affairs

Items of Interest

Week Ending June 4, 2004

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO. 61

OCA

Contact

DATE &

PLACE

TIME WITNESS SUBJECT 

Keeling 06/07

Chicago, IL

10:00 OPM, GAO and others Federal Hiring Process Reps. Dav

Civil ServiGovernme

Keeling 06/09

SD-226

10:00 Secretary Ridge, DHS Oversight on terrorism and the Dept. of

Homeland Security

Senators HJudiciary

Keeling 06/09

2141 RHOB

10:00 Markup H.R. 2934, increase criminal penalties

related to terrorist murders, includingcrimes involving nuclear sabotage

Reps. SenJudiciary

Combs 06/09

2154 RHOB

2:00 TBA Federal Information Technology R&D Reps. Bur

Human RiGovernme

Portner 06/10

TBA

TBA Markup Fiscal 2005 Energy and Water

Development Appropriations

Reps. HobEnergy anAppropriat