INFORMATION REPORT 

December 14, 2007 SECY-07-0218

For: The Commissioners 

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

December 7, 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: 

L. Rakovan, OEDO 
December 14, 2007 SECY-07-0218

For: The Commissioners 

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

December 7, 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: 

L. Rakovan, OEDO 

DISTRIBUTION: 

EDO R/F 

AO R/F Document Name: G:\Melissa\WIR\Week1207.DOC 

OEDO AO/OEDO 

LRakovan VLOrdaz ML073521561 

12/14/07 12/14/07 
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 7, 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 4 OIP * 

FSME 6 SECY 19 

RES * Region I 20 

NSIR 10 Region II 21 

ADM 11 Region III 22 

OIS 12 Region IV 23 

CFO * EDO * 

HR 16 OCA 24 

SBCR * 

*No input this week 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE A 

 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

Meeting with Boiling Water Reactors (BWR) Owners Group on Sump Strainer Clogging Issues

 

On November 27, 2007, NRR and Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research staff met with the 

BWR Owners Group to discuss disparities in treatment of emergency core cooling system 

strainer clogging issues for BWRs and Pressurized Water Reactors. The staff discussed a 

number of subject areas related to strainer performance in which, for various reasons, there has 

been disparate treatment for the two reactor types. The BWR Owners Group discussed actions 

it has taken or plans to take to address certain subject areas, though it believes some areas 

identified by the staff need no further action. The attendees agreed to a follow-on meeting in 

spring 2008. 

Letter to Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Regarding Generic Letter 2004-02

On November 30, the staff sent a letter to NEI authorizing licensees until February 29, 2008, to 

provide supplemental responses to Generic Letter (GL) 2004-02, “Potential Impact of Debris 

Blockage on Emergency Recirculation during Design Basis Accidents at Pressurized-Water 

Reactors.” The NRC had previously expected these responses to be submitted by 

December 31, 2007. Licensees have experienced challenges in completing testing and 

analyses required to show that GL 2004-02 has been satisfactorily addressed. The staff 

considers the additional time to provide the documentation to be of little safety impact. 

Canadian Inspector Visit to Share Information on Inspection and Operating Experience 

Programs

On December 3, 2007, the staff briefed two inspectors from the Canadian Nuclear Safety 

Commission on the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP). The briefings focused on inspection 

program development, the significance determination process, performance indicators, the 

licensee assessment process, the ROP self-assessment process, and the operating experience 

program. The Canadian inspectors also shared their experiences and inspection methods with 

the NRC staff. 

Generic Fundamentals Examination Administration

On December 5, 2007, the NRC administered its Generic Fundamentals Examination (GFE) to 

108 licensed operator applicants in 15 utilities across all four Regions. The GFE measures 

applicant knowledge in components, reactor theory, and thermodynamics, and is the first 

examination that licensed operator applicants must take and pass before they can proceed to 

their site specific training and subsequently take the NRC site specific license examination. 

Fire Protection Working Group Public Meeting

On December 5, 2007, the NRC Fire Protection Steering Committee held a Category 2 public 

meeting with the NEI Fire Protection Working Group. Topics discussed were the resolution of 

fire-induced multiple spurious circuit actuations and the status of pilot plants’ transition to the 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE A 

National Fire Protection Association Standard 805 (NFPA 805). NEI also presented and 

discussed the results of an NFPA 805 enforcement discretion survey of non-pilot transitioning 

plants. 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE B 

 Office of New Reactors (NRO) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

Pre-Submittal Quality Assurance Audit of Mitsubishi’s US-APWR Design Certification Application

During the week of November 26, 2007, the staff conducted a pre-submittal audit of the draft 

safety analysis report (also referred to as the design control document or DCD) of Mitsubishi’s 

US-APWR Design Certification Application. The audit team reviewed the quality assurance 

(QA) processes in place to prepare the DCD as well as its content using the combined license 

application regulatory guidance (Regulatory Guide 1.206). Observations were verbally 

communicated to Mitsubishi staff and management and will be documented internally to facilitate 

the staff’s preparation and conduct of the acceptance review of the US-APWR design 

certification application. Mitsubishi revised the DCD submission date from December 14, 2007, 

to December 31, 2007. 

South Texas Project Combined License (COL) Application Found Acceptable for Docketing

By letter dated November 29, 2007 (ML073320290), the staff informed South Texas Project 

Nuclear Operating Company that the combined license application for the South Texas Project, 

Units 3 and 4 is acceptable for docketing. The application was docketed without a formal review 

schedule because gaps in information in the application prevented the staff from issuing a 

schedule for the technical review at this time. The docket nos. for Units 3 and 4 are 52-012 and 

52-013, respectively. 

North Anna COL application available to public 

On December 7, 2007, the North Anna COL application, tendered on November 27, 2007, was 

made publicly available in ADAMS and the “North Anna Unit 3” page was posted on the public 

website with active links to the COL application and related documents. A forthcoming Federal 

Register Notice will announce receipt and availability of the application. 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE C 

 Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

Meeting with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on Status of Diablo Canyon 

Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI)

On December 4, 2007, staff from the Division of Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation and 

Region IV, met with staff from PG&E to discuss the status of the Diablo Canyon ISFSI. NRC 

issued a site-specific license for the ISFSI in March 2004. PG&E expects to complete ISFSI 

construction this month, and modifications to the fuel handling building (FHB) crane and other 

support equipment by June 2008. Initial cask loading is scheduled for August through November 

2008. PG&E described several design changes it plans to make in accordance with 10 CFR 

72.48. 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE G 

 Office of Administration (ADM) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

Contract Award

On November 28, 2007, Contract No. NRC-09-08-327 was awarded to Comter, Inc. as an 8a set 

aside. The contractor will provide operations and maintenance services to the Human 

Resources Management Systems (HRMS) and the Cost Accounting System (CAS). The total 

value of the contract including all options is $2,851,022. The period of performance is 

November 28, 2007, through March 31, 2008, with one additional six month optional period and 

two one-year optional periods. 

Expanded Definition of Byproduct Material; Notification of Waiver Termination (AH84 – 10 CFR 

Chapter I)

On December 4, 2007 (72 FR 68043), the NRC published a document in the Federal Register

that announced the termination of a time-limited waiver of certain Energy Policy Act of 2005 

requirements. In accordance with the transition plan issued to facilitate the orderly transition of 

regulation resulting from the expanded definition of byproduct material provided in the Energy 

Policy Act of 2005, the Commission has determined that specified States have a program to 

license byproduct material that is adequate to protect public health and safety. 

Occupational Dose Records, Labeling Containers, and the Total Effective Dose Equivalent 

(AH40 - Parts 19, 20, and 50) 

On December 4, 2007 (72 FR 68043), the NRC published a final rule in the Federal Register

that makes several amendments to the regulations pertaining to radiation protection. The final 

rule limits the routine reporting of annual doses to workers to those whose annual dose exceeds 

a specific threshold, amends the definition of the total effective dose equivalent to be consistent 

with current Commission policy, modifies the labeling requirements for certain containers, and 

removes the requirement that licensees obtain cumulative exposure records for workers unless 

the individuals are authorized to receive a planned special exposure. The final rule becomes 

effective January 3, 2008. 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE H 

 Office of Information Services (OIS) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

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

of November 30 through December 6, 2007: 

Office of Investigations Report 4-2007-028 and all exhibits to the report FOIA/PA-2008-0053 

Letter from A.C. Thadani (NRC) to W.J. Johnson, Westinghouse, 

January 31, 1989, regarding Acceptance for Referencing of Licensing 

Topical Report, WCAP-9226-P/9227-NP, “Reactor Core Response to 

Excessive Secondary Steam Releases” FOIA/PA-2008-0054 

Peach Bottom, records regarding letter of March 20, 2007, to NRC Site 

Inspector, any documents regarding investigation in response to the 

letter FOIA/PA-2008-0055 

NRC “Review of NRC’s Process for Regulating Parts Used In Nuclear 

Power Plants,” Audit Report, July 28, 1994, OIG-93A-25 FOIA/PA-2008-0056 

Cabot Corp., The Beryllium Corp, NGK Metals Corp, Cabot Berylco 

Inc., Kawecki Berylco Inc, KBI, Kawecki Berylco Industries, Kawecki 

Chemicals, Berylco Inc, residing at 150 Tuckerton Road, Reading, PA 

19605, all records FOIA/PA-2008-0057 

Commission Memorandum (ML060130005), “Plan of Action for 

Potential Escalated Enforcement Cases Within 6 Months of the Statute 

of Limitations Expiration,” dated January 20, 2006 FOIA/PA-2008-0058 

Lockheed Martin, 2323 Eastern Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, records 

regarding hazardous substance usage and waste generation, list of 

quantities of chemicals stored or used, etc. FOIA/PA-2008-0059 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE M 

 Office of Public Affairs (OPA) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following

The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) proceeding in Las Vegas on the anticipated 

Yucca Mountain high-level waste repository application from Department of Energy. 

Receipt of Dominion’s combined license (COL) application to build a new reactor at North Anna 

near Richmond, VA. 

Oconee nuclear plant reactors’ recent meeting discussing the plant’s performance deficiencies, 

lessons learned and corrective actions. 

Cyber-security penetration at nuclear power plants, grid security and critical infrastructure 

Updates on efforts to stop leakage from the Pennsylvania State University’s research reactor. 

Perry nuclear power plant in Ohio restart and status of the NRC special inspection team. 

Other Public Affairs Items

Chairman Klein visited Pennsylvania State University following a leak in the college reactor’s 

pool and he responded to media questions. 

 

OPA participated in the Waterford emergency exercise. 

OPA’s Region I participated on WABC Radio (NYC) John Gambling Show to address issues and 

concerns about Indian Point nuclear plant’s license renewal process. 

OPA participated in a “Webinar” concerning new reactor licensing. OPA provided an hour-long 

overview of Part 52 products and expected workload. 

OPA participated in the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) Las Vegas proceedings 

arranged broadcast in Nevada by Cox Communications on a website on www.cox96.net. Note 

the hearing will be rebroadcast on Sunday, December 16 from 2-6p.m. PST. 

Press Releases

Headquarters:

07-162 NRC Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste and Materials to Meet in Rockville, 

Md. Dec. 17-19 (12/03) 

07-163 NRC Orders Fingerprinting & Criminal History for Access to Certain Radioactive 

Materials (12/06) 

07-164 Application for Uranium Recovery Operation in Sweetwater County, Wyo., 

Available for Public Review (12/07) 

07-165 North Anna Application for New Reactor Available on NRC Website (12/07) 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE M 

Regions:

I-07-063 NRC to Discuss Decommissioning Work at Windsor, Conn., Site (12/05) 

I-07-064 NRC Assigns New Senior Resident Inspector to Millstone Nuclear Plant (12/07) 

IV-07-042 NRC to Conduct Special Inspection at Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant(12/03) 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE O 

Office of the Secretary (SECY) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

Document Released 

to Public 

Date Subject 

Decision Documents

1. COMGBJ-07-0005 11/7/07 Increasing the Transparency of NRC=s 

Public Meetings 

 SRM on COMGBJ-07- 

 0005 

12/3/07 (same) 

 Commissioners Votes on 

 COMGBJ-07-0005 

12/3/07 (same) 

Information Papers

1. SECY-07-0210 12/3/07 Weekly Information Report – Week Ending 

November 23, 2007 

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated November 30, 2007, informs that significant process has been 

made with respect to the implementation of Section 651(e) of the EPA of 2005. 

2. Letter to Danielle Brian, dated November 28, 2007, responds to letter regarding concerns 

following a series of investigative reports by WCBS in NY involving video of inattentive 

security officers at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. 

3. Letter to Congress, dated November 20, 2007, concerns the roundtable discussion on 

American’s Nuclear Renaissance and the Associated Human Capital Challenges and 

Opportunities on November 7, 2007. 

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), Subcommittee Meeting on Safety 

Research Program, notice of meeting (12/18/2007). 

2. ACRS, Meeting of the ACRS Subcommittee on Reliability and Probabilistic Risk 

Assessment, notice of meeting (12/19/2007). 

3. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste and Materials (ACNW&M), notice of 185th meeting 

(12/17-19/2007). 

4. Expanded Definition of Byproduct Material; Notification of Waiver Termination, RIN 3150-

AH84, 10 CFR Chapter 1. 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE O 

5. ACNW&M, Meeting on Planning and Procedures (12/17/2007). 

6. Final rule, Occupational Dose Records, Labeling Containers, and the Total Effective Dose 

Equivalent, 10 CFR Parts 19, 20, and 50, RIN 3150 – AH40. 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE P 

 Region II (RII) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

Robinson Emergency Exercise

On December 4, 2007, RII participated in the Robinson biennial emergency exercise. RII 

participation included a Base Team, led by the Deputy Director, Division of Reactor Projects and 

a Site Team, led by the Acting Director, Division of Reactor Projects, at the Emergency 

Operating Facility and Technical Support Center, in Hartsville, SC. A public affairs officer also 

participated at the Joint Information Center in Florence, SC. 
December 7, 2007 ENCLOSURE P 

 Region IV (RIV) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending December 7, 2007 

Senior Management Change at River Bend Station

Entergy Operations Inc. announced that Mr. Michael Perito, currently the Palo Verde Nuclear 

Generating Station Plant Manager, Nuclear Operations has accepted a position as the River 

Bend Station, Site Vice President, Nuclear Operations. Mr. Perito is expected to arrive at River 

Bend Station in early January 2008. Mr. Joseph Venable, currently the River Bend Station Site 

Senior Vice President, has also been serving in the capacity as the Site Vice President, Nuclear 

Operations. Mr. Venable will continue to serve as the Site Senior Vice President.