INFORMATION REPORT

April 20, 2007 SECY-07-0073

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

APRIL 13, 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/

Michael R. Johnson 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

L. Rakovan, OEDO
April 20, 2007 SECY-07-0073

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

APRIL 13, 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/

Michael R. Johnson

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

L. Rakovan, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

EDO R/F

AO R/F Document Name: C:\WIR\week413.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

LRakovan:paa MRJohnson

04/20/07 04/20/07
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING APRIL 13, 2007

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 OE *

NRO * OPA 17

NMSS * OIP *

FSME * SECY 19

RES * Region I *

NSIR 10 Region II 21

ADM 11 Region III *

OIS 12 Region IV *

CFO * EDO 24

HR 16 OCA 25

SBCR *

*No input this week
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

SECY-07-0063 Issued

On April 3, 2007, the staff issued SECY-07-0063, "Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Results of the

Industry Trends Program," to document the results and analysis of the FY 2006 industry-level

performance indicators. The report also summarizes the status of the ongoing development of

the Industry Trends Program. The report concludes that no statistically significant adverse

industry trends have been identified through FY 2006. In addition, no issues that warranted

further analysis or significant program adjustments were identified by short-term trending of the

FY 2006 data.

Meeting with Exelon Generating Company Regarding LaSalle County Station

On April 5, 2007, the staff met with members of Exelon Generating Company for a public

meeting to discuss a pre-application license amendment for LaSalle County Station (LaSalle)

for the Ultimate Heat Sink (UHS). On November 3, 2006, the staff issued a notice of denial

which documented that the LaSalle’s initial March 13, 2006, amendment request to be

unacceptable. The purpose of the April 5 meeting was to discuss the action items identified

during the denial followup meeting held on January 26, 2007. The licensee plans to resubmit a

license amendment request for the UHS on or before May 31, 2007.

Reactor Oversight Process Self-assessment SECY Paper Issued

On April 6, 2007, the staff issued SECY-07-0069, "Reactor Oversight Process (ROP)

Self-assessment for Calendar Year (CY) 2006," to document the self-assessment results for

CY 2006. The results for CY 2006 indicate that the ROP provided effective safety oversight as

demonstrated by meeting the seven program goals and achieving its intended outcomes. The

NRC appropriately monitored operating nuclear power plant activities and focused agency

resources on performance issues, and plants received a level of oversight commensurate with

their performance. The staff continued to emphasize stakeholder involvement and improve

various aspects of the ROP as a result of feedback and lessons learned.

Reactor Oversight Process Monthly Meeting

On April 11, 2007, the staff held the monthly Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) public meeting. 

The purpose of this meeting was to provide a forum for industry feedback on staff initiatives. 

The meeting attendees discussed mitigating systems performance index (MSPI)

implementation, safety culture integration into the reactor oversight process, performance

indicator issues, and open and new frequently asked questions for the ROP.
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE E

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Annual Fire Research Conference

On April 4-5, 2007, the staff made presentations at the above-mentioned conference which was

attended by more than 140 U.S. and international fire researchers. The RES Fire Research

Team discussed its Fire Modeling Verification and Validation program and Cable Response to

Live Fire (CAROLFIRE) spurious actuation testing program.

Federal Agencies Fire Research Working Group Sponsored by NIST

On April 6, 2007, NIST sponsored a meeting attended by about 100 personnel representing 12

Federal Agencies. Discussions during the meeting, which was held at the request of RES,

focused on how multiple agencies could benefit from the various fire research programs being

conducted. NIST and RES were tasked to draft a charter for a Federal Fire Safety Research

working group, and NIST was tasked to establish a web-based forum for this group to

communicate and exchange information. 
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-IV-07-004A, Energy Northwest, UPDATE TO FORCED OUTAGE RESULTING

FROM A TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQUIRED PLANT SHUTDOWN

2. PNO-IV007-004, Energy Northwest, ALERT DECLARATION DUE TO A

TRANSFORMER FIRE AND INITIATION OF A TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

REQUIRED PLANT SHUTDOWN
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending April 13, 2007

Request for Comments on Petition for Rulemaking submitted by the Union of Concerned

Scientists (PRM-73-13)

On April 9, 2007, the NRC published a document in the Federal Register (72 FR 17440) that

requests comments on a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Union of Concerned

Scientists (PRM-73-13). The petitioner requests an amendment to the regulations that would

close a loophole in the access authorization regulations. The amendment would prevent

persons who do not meet trustworthiness and reliability standards from unescorted access to

protected areas of nuclear power plants. The comment period for this action closes June 25,

2007. 
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE H

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

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

of April 6 through April 12, 2007:

MLTS database, active and retired sites FOIA/PA-2007-0168

Office of the General Counsel’s written policy outlining future staff

actions on Federal/state regulatory preemption issues

FOIA/PA-2007-0169

Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant, analysis of the radiation protection

office area re: hot gas layer temperatures reaching in excess of 1000

degrees F

FOIA/PA-2007-0170

RS-ADM-07-446, current contract for Medical Review Officer (MRO)

Services

FOIA/PA-2007-0171

Radioactive material licenses for named cities in Solano, Napa,

Yoma, and Somana counties, California

FOIA/PA-2007-0172

Radioactive material licenses for named cities in Burlington, Ocean,

Mercer, & Monmouth counties, New Jersey

FOIA/PA-2007-0173

Allegation RIV-1998-A-0169, including all correspondence between

named individual and NRC

FOIA/PA-2007-0174

Strike contingency plan, Oyster Creek, NRC integrated Inspection

Report 05000219/2003003 dated July 29, 2003, all records

FOIA/PA-2007-0175

Advisory letter issued by NRC to all Research Test Reactor sites

(October 2001) outlining required security measures for each

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) threat level; Interim

Compensatory Measures; Confirmatory Action Letters, etc.

FOIA/PA-2007-0176
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE J

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

Arrivals

AKE, JON SR. SEISMOLOGIST/GEOPHYSICIST RES

AYRES, ANNETTE SECRETARY (OA) NRR

BEACH, KIMBERLY SECRETARY (OA) NRR

BURTON, TASHEENA SECRETARY (OA) NRR

CHERUBINI, JOHN PHYSICAL SECURITY INSPECTOR RI

COLE, CASSANDRA SECRETARY (OA) HR

CURRAN, BRIDGET SECRETARY (OA) NRR

FLETCHER, CECIL GENERAL ENGINEER RII

GAITHER, M'LITA MANAGEMENT ANALYST (TERM) RES

GRZYWA, MARY SECRETARY (OA) RIII

KRISS, BARBARA SECRETARY (OA) OIS

NOSEK, ANDREW REACTOR SYSTEMS ENGR. (NSPDP) RES

SANCHEZ, CHANEL SECRETARY (OA) NRR

Departures

ANDERSON, CHARMAINE SECRETARY (OA) NRR

GARRETT, NORMAN SENIOR RESIDENT INSPECTOR (BWR/TL) RII

ROMERO, STEVE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR OI
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

OPA received significant media inquiries on the following:

Indian Point siren testing and failures; transformer fire; order extension and questions on white

performance indicator

Shearon Harris license renewal

Exponent report on Davis Besse vessel head corrosion growth rate.

Issuance of USEC centrifuge license and the Atomic Safety Licensing Board ruling

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA Regional staff assisted in numerous end-of cycle meetings.

OPA Headquarters assisted the Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental

Management Programs in adding Security for Radioactive Material to NRC’s website.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

07-045 NRC Staff Approves Big Rock Point Independent Spent Fuel Storage

Installation License Transfer (4/10)

07-046 NRC Issues Clarifications to New Reactor Licensing Process (4/11)

07-047 NRC Issues License to USEC Inc. For Gas Centrifuge Uranium Enrichment

Plant in Ohio(4/13)

07-048 NRC Denies Entergy’s Request for a Second Deadline Extension For an Order

Requiring Siren back-up Power (4/13) 

Regions:

I-07-015 NRC to Discuss 2006 Assessment for Pilgrim Nuclear Plant at Public Meeting

Scheduled for April 17 (4/10)

 I-07-016 NRC to Discuss 2006 Assessment for Limerick Nuclear Plant At Public Meeting

Scheduled for April 18 (4/11)

II-07-013 NRC to Discuss Process for Review of License Renewal Application for Harris

Nuclear Plant, Seeks Environmental Input (4/11)
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE M

II-07-014 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Hatch Nuclear Plant (4/11)

II-07-015 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Crystal River Nuclear Plant (4/11)

II-07-016 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Turkey Point Nuclear Plant (4/11)

II-07-017 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Summer Nuclear Plant (4/11)

II-07-018 NRC Staff Issues Order to Former Contract Foreman for Deliberate Misconduct

at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (4/13)

II-07-019 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Surry Nuclear Plant (4/12)

II-07-020 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at North Anna Nuclear Plant (4/13)

II-07-021 Licensing Board Schedules Evidentiary Hearing for North Anna Early Site

Permit(4/13)

III-07-014 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance Assessment for D.C. Cook Nuclear Power

Plant (4/6)

III-07-015 NRC Issues a “Yellow” Inspection Finding to Kewaunee Nuclear Plant for Failing

to Promptly Evaluate Diesel Fuel Oil Leak (4/10)

III-07-016 NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance Assessment for Quad Cities Nuclear Power

Plant (4/12)

IV-07-007 NRC to Hold Regulatory Conference with Omaha Public Power District to

Discuss Apparent Violation at Ft. Calhoun (4/10)
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. Commission Voting

Record on SECY-06-

0220

4/11/07 Final Rule to Update 10 CFR Part 52,

"Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for

Nuclear Power Plants" (RIN AG24)

2. SECY-07-0060 3/27/07 Basis and Justification for Approval Process

for 10 CFR 20.2002 Authorizations and

Options for Change

Information Papers

- SECY-07-0067 4/6/07 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending

March 30, 2007

Memoranda

- M070411 4/11/07 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session: I. 

SECY-06-0220 - Final Rule to Update 10

CFR Part 52, "Licenses, Certifications, and

Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants" (RIN

AG24); II. SECY-07-0056 - Entergy Nuclear

Vermont Yankee, LLC, and Entergy Nuclear

Operations, Inc. (Vermont Yankee Nuclear

Power Station), Docket No. 50-271-LR,

LBP-06-20, 64 NRC 131, 175-82 (2006)

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to David Modeen, EPRI, dated April 3, 2007, responds to letter requesting

authorization for the EPRI to control Safeguards Information.

2. Letter to Christine Gregoire, Governor of Washington, dated April 2, 2007, responds to

letter encouraging the NRC to consider adopting the use of global positioning satellite

(GPS) tracking as a national requirement for mobile or portable use of highly radioactive

sources.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Request to Amend a License to Export Radioactive Waste (Diversified Scientific

Services, Inc.).
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE O

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

and Procedures, notice of meeting (05/02/2007).

3. ACRS, Subcommittee Meeting on Safety Research Program, notice of meeting

(05/02/2007).

4. ACRS, Subcommittee Meeting on Thermal-Hydraulic Phenomena, revised notice of

meeting (05/23-24/2007). 

5. ACRS, notice of 542nd meeting (05/03-05/2007). 
April 13, 2007 ENCLOSURE P

Region II (RII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

Areva Richland Uranium Fuel Plant Pre-Decisional Enforcement Conference

On April 12, 2007, Region II management met with representatives of the Areva Richland

Uranium Fuel Plant to discuss the apparent violations identified by the Special Inspection Team

that reviewed a hydrogen fluoride leak in the dry conversion facility. The Areva representatives

discussed the causes of the leak and corrective actions taken.
April 13, 2007 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending April 13, 2007

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS SCHEDULE, NO. 11

OCA

Contact

 DATE &

 PLACE

TIME COMMITTEE SUBJECT 

Decker 04/11/2007

138 Dirksen

2:30 Senate Appropriations, Energy

and Water DevelopmentSubcommittee(Senators Dorgan /Domenici)

FY 2008 Appropriations -Kevin Kolevar 

Delivery and E-Alexander KarEnergy for EneEnergy-Dennis SpurgEnergy for Nuc-Tom Shope - for Fossil Ener

Combs/Powell

04/25/07

406 HSOB

10:00 Senate Environment and Public

Works, Clean Air and NuclearSafety Subcommittee(Senators Carper / Voinovich)

Oversight and Budget -Nuclear Regu

-TBD