INFORMATION REPORT 

June 6, 2008 SECY-08-0079

For: The Commissioners 

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

MAY 30, 2008 

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: 

S. Bagley, OEDO 
June 6, 2008 SECY-08-0079

For: The Commissioners 

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

MAY 30, 2008 

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: 

S. Bagley, OEDO 

DISTRIBUTION: 

EDO R/F 

AO R/F Document Name: G:\AO\WIR\2008\Week0530.doc 

OEDO AO/OEDO 

SBagley (VOrdaz for) VLOrdaz 

06/06/08 06/06/08 

 ML081580567
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MAY 30, 2008

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: S. Bagley, OEDO by E-mail: shb@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 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE A 

 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

Region IV Counterpart Meeting

On May 22, 2008, the Division of Inspection & Regional Support staff participated in the Region 

IV counterparts meeting. Staff presented on the current focus and daily activities of the 

Operating Experience Program, including the communication path from the region or resident 

inspectors to NRR management and the process used to collect, analyze and effectively apply 

operating experience. The Region IV staff and inspectors provided insights and improvement 

suggestions for the overall operating experience program. 

SRA Counterpart Meeting

During May 28 - 29, 2008, the DIRS staff conducted the Senior Risk Analyst (SRA) counterpart 

meeting at the NRC Professional Development Center located in Bethesda, MD. The meeting 

agenda included training sessions on common-cause failure, parameter estimation, and several 

other risk-related topics. The attendees included SRA representatives from headquarters and 

the regional offices. 

Reactor Core bottom Nozzle Testing at Continuum Dynamics Inc.

On May 19-21, 2008, the Division of Component Integrity and Division of Safety Systems staff, 

as well as staff from the Offices of NRR and New Reactors (NRO), visited Continuum Dynamics, 

Inc., in Ewing, New Jersey, to observe reactor core bottom nozzle testing. The tests evaluated 

the potential for post loss of coolant accident debris and chemical precipitate to collect in the 

bottom nozzle-protective grid region and impede flow to the core. This testing is being 

conducted to support resolution of Generic Safety Issue 191, “PWR Sump Performance,” for 

Diablo Canyon Power Plant. 

Wolf Creek Digital Upgrade Audit at CS International (CSI) 

During May 12 - 15, 2008, the Division of Engineering staff visited the CSI office in Scottsdale, 

Arizona, to review development of the Field Programmable Gate Array based Main Steam and 

Feedwater Isolation System (MSFIS) proposed by Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation. 

The staff reviewed the MSFIS System Specification, the Advanced Logic System Level-I System 

Specification, detailed design documentation, V&V documentation, and the MSFIS System Test 

Plan as part of a thread audit.

Digital Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Task Working Group #5 Meeting

On May 21, 2008, the I&C Task Working Group #5, Highly Integrated Control Room - Human 

Factors conducted a public meeting with industry representatives. Topics discussed during the 

meeting included Unique Prompting Alarms, an industry white paper on Manual Operator Action, 

and Computerized Procedures. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE A 

Oconee Digital Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Upgrade Audit

During May 19 - 22, 2008, the DE staff conducted an audit at the Oconee power plant site to 

support the Oconee Digital I&C upgrade license amendment request review. The audit was 

conducted to ensure that the licensee has properly considered the requirements for an effective 

digital system design and that the licensee properly evaluates engineering practices of their 

contractor in the development of the digital Reactor Protection System (RPS) and Engineered 

Safeguard Protection System (ESPS). Several major topics were discussed with the licensee’s 

engineers and the staff reviewed related documents. 

Vendor Inspection of Invensys Process Systems (Triconex)

During May 19 - 22, 2008, DE staff participated in an NRO-led vendor inspection of Triconex, a 

unit of Invensys Process Systems, in Irvine, California. Triconex provides digital equipment for 

Safety Parameter Display Systems at nuclear power plants. Triconex plans to provide digital 

Reactor Protection Systems and Emergency Safety Features Actuation Systems for new 

reactors and as upgrades to current operating plants. The team identified one potential violation 

of 10 CFR Part 21 for inadequate procedures. 

Halden Program Group Meeting

From May 18-23, 2008, the Division of Safety Systems staff attended the Enlarged Halden 

Program Group meeting in Loen, Norway. Technical sessions detailed ongoing research 

programs at the Halden research reactor, as well as other international programs. In addition, 

DSS staff attended two separate Halden Program meetings for voting participants only. 

Discussions included prioritizing in-pile phenomena for future Halden research programs and the 

ongoing in-pile LOCA test program, IFA-650. This meeting is conducted approximately every 18 

months and is a focal point for international fuel performance research programs. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE C 

 Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System (NMMSS) 

On May 20-23, 2008, the annual training meeting for the users of NMMSS, the national 

database for tracking special nuclear materials, was held in San Antonio, Texas. Approximately 

120 attendees participated in the meeting. Staff from the Office of NMSS provided training 

sessions on reporting nuclear materials to the database, the Additional Protocol Treaty that the 

President signed in February and recent rulemaking by the NRC that impacts licensees 

possessing a gram or more of special nuclear material. NRC staff from the Federal and State 

Materials and Environmental Management Programs also made a presentation on the National 

Source Tracking Database. Additional sessions were made by representatives of industry, staff 

who operate the NMMSS database and the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The 

NMMSS database is owned by DOE and NRC utilizes the database through an agreement with 

DOE. 

International Visits Associated with the U.S. DOE’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership

From May 19-22, 2008, the NMSS staff attended a four-day international conference in 

Montpellier, France, in which ongoing work related to spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing 

technologies were presented by various international organizations and research facilities. Prior 

to attending the conference on May 13, 2008, the same staff participated in a technical tour of 

the SNF reprocessing facility in Sellafield, United Kingdom. On May 15, 2008 and May 23, 

2008, the staff participated in technical tours of AREVA’s SNF reprocessing facility in LaHague, 

France, and the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility in Marcoule, France, respectively. All facility 

tours and attendance at the conference were coordinated and funded by DOE in accordance 

with the DOE and NRC reimbursable agreement for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. 

Visit from the Australian Government Representatives

On May 28, 2008, the NMSS staff coordinated a meeting with representatives from the 

Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, based in Cambridge, Australia, and the 

Australian Embassy in the United States. The Australian representatives met with the NRC staff 

from NMSS and the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response to exchange information 

about nuclear industry developments in the United States and Australia, regulatory 

requirements, and the administrative process for import/export compliance between the United 

States and Australia. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE D 

 Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs (FSME) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

GE-Hitachi’s Plans for Application of Nuclear Fuel-Americas Site

On May 28-29, staff from the Office of FSME, and the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 

Safeguards (NMSS) held a series of meetings with elected local officials in Wilmington, NC and 

surrounding counties to discuss the NRC’s licensing process for an enrichment facility, including 

both safety and environmental reviews. GE- Hitachi recently announced plans to apply for a 

Nuclear Fuel-Americas site in Wilmington, North Carolina. 

National Academy of Sciences Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board Meeting

On May 29, the Division of Materials Safety and State Agreements, FSME, participated in the 

National Academy of Sciences Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board meeting, speaking on 

“Sponsor Perspectives: Radiation Source Use and Replacement Study”. The session was 

chaired by former NRC Chairman Richard Meserve. 

Environmental Protection Agency Meeting

On May 30, FSME staff met with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) office of 

Enforcement and Division of Radiation Protection to discuss EPA’s interpretation of Subpart W 

of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants applicability to In-situ leach 

(ISL) facilities. NRC Staff has requested clarification from EPA on its understanding of the 

applicability of 40 CFR 61.250 to evaporation ponds as well as tailings impoundments at ISL 

facilities. 

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Presentation

On May 28, FSME made a presentation to the IAEA in Vienna, Austria, on the National 

Academies report on Radiation Source Use and Replacement Study. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE E 

 Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Publication of Draft Regulatory Guide 1195 (DG-1195) 

“Availability of Electric Power Sources” 

On May 22, 2008, the staff issued the subject draft regulatory guide to provide an opportunity for 

public comments. The draft guide addresses safe nuclear power plant operation in the event of 

the loss of onsite and offsite power sources. DG-1195 is available on the NRC website at 

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/reg-guides/power-reactors/draft-index.html. 

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Publication of Draft Regulatory Guide 1175 (DG-1175) 

“Seismic Qualification of Electric and Active Mechanical Equipment, and Functional Qualification 

of Active Mechanical Equipment for Nuclear Power Plants”

On May 27, the staff issued the subject draft regulatory guide to provide an opportunity for public 

comments. The draft guide contains proposed revisions to the NRC’s guidance in the area of 

seismic qualification of electric and active mechanical equipment, and functional qualification of 

active mechanical equipment. DG-1175 is available on the NRC website at 

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/reg-guides/power-reactors/draft-index.html. 

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Publication of Regulatory Guide 1.45, Revision 1, 

“Guidance on Monitoring and Responding to Reactor Coolant System Leakage”

On May 28, the staff published the subject regulatory guide revision. The regulatory guide 

describes methods that the staff considers acceptable for use in implementing regulatory 

requirements for light-water-cooled reactors with regard to selecting reactor coolant leakage 

detection systems, monitoring for leakage, and responding to leakage. Regulatory Guide 1.45 is 

available on the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/regguides/power-reactors/active/. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE G 

 Office of Administration (ADM) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

National Resources Defense Council; Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-50-90)

On May 27, 2008, the NRC published a document (73 FR 30321) in the Federal Register

requesting public comment on a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Natural Resources 

Defense Council (PRM-50-90). The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations 

governing production and utilization facilities and the regulations governing special nuclear 

material. The petitioner requests the NRC to establish a date after which it will no longer license 

the use or export of highly enriched uranium except for restricted use by a few specialized 

facilities. The comment period on this action closes August 11, 2008. 

Administrative Changes: NRC Region IV Address Changes and the Office of Information 

Services (OIS) Headquarters Phone Number and E-mail Address Changes (AI39 – 10 CFR 

Ch. I)

On May 28, 2008, the NRC published a final rule (73 FR 30456) that made a number of 

administrative changes to its regulations in 10 CFR Chapter I. The changes updated the 

address for the Region IV office and updated the phone number and E-mail address for 

requesting NRC forms from the OIS. The final rule became effective May 28, 2008. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE H 

 Office of Information Services (OIS) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

Fermi I, Michigan, incident in 1966, testing for leakage or radiation 

levels in local communities FOIA/PA-2008-0235 

Credit card holders names & e-mail addresses at GSAAdvantage.gov 

(Referral by GSA) FOIA/PA-2008-0236 

Referral by United States Department of Justice - blanket deputation for 

special agents of the NRC, all records FOIA/PA-2008-0237 

Pilot PRA referred to by Commissioner Jaczko’s speech of May 13, 

2008, “Thoughts on Spent Fuel Storage” FOIA/PA-2008-0238 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE J 

 Office of Human Resources (HR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

Arrivals 

ALEXANDER, STEPHEN REACTOR ENGINEER NRR 

ARTZ, MARK STUDENT MANAGEMENT ANALYST OIG 

DIGIOVANNA, ERIC STUDENT CLERK ACRS 

HASTINGS, NICOLE STUDENT LAW CLERK OGC 

NORSWORTHY, MARK STUDENT ENGINEER NSIR 

RIFFLE, ASHLEY STUDENT SCIENTIST (COOP) FSME 

WASHINGTON, BRITTNEY STUDENT CLERK ADM 

WOROSILO, JANNETTE PROJECT ENGINEER R-II 

WYNN, COURTNEY STUDENT CLERK IP 

Retirements 

KOO, WILLIAM SENIOR MATERIALS ENGINEER NRR 

LE, NGOC SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER NRR 

Departure 

TOMS, GERALD EMERGENCY RESPONSE 

COORDINATOR 

NSIR 

 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE M 

 Office of Public Affairs (OPA) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following:

Oyster Creek nuclear plant, Toms River, New Jersey, license renewal. 

Peach Bottom nuclear plant, Lancaster, Penn., “Safety Conscious Work Environment” inspection 

report. 

Effects of the recent Chinese earthquake on their civilian nuclear sites and materials 

NRC human capital issues. 

 

Groundwater contamination issues at Indian Point nuclear plant, New York, New York. 

Other Public Affairs Items;

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

Press Releases

Headquarters:

08-100 NRC Meeting June 12 in Glen Rose, Texas, to Discuss Review Process for 

Expected New Reactor Application (5/27) 

08-101 Meeting June 11 in Dana Point, California, to Discuss Proposed Partial 

Release of San Onofre Site (5/27) 

08-102 NRC Meeting with Public June 10 on Environmental Scoping for Harris New 

Reactor Application (5/27) 

08-103 NRC Updates Guidance to Licensees for Extended Storage of Low-Level 

Radioactive Waste (5/29) 

08-104 NRC Meeting with Public June 19 on Environmental Scoping for Grand Gulf 

New Reactor Application (5/30) 

Regions:

I-08-035 NRC Monitoring Unusual Event at Millstone 2 Nuclear Plant (5/27) 

I-08-036 NRC Proposes $3,250 Civil Penalty for Chesapeake, Va., Firm for Violations 

Associated with Temporary Loss of Nuclear Gauge (5/28) 

 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE O 

 Office of the Secretary (SECY) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

Document Released 

to Public 

Date Subject 

Decision Documents

1. SECY-08-0028 2/28/08 Report to Congress on Abnormal 

Occurrences: Fiscal Year 2007 

 SRM on SECY-08-0028 4/17/08 (same) 

 Commission Voting 

 Record on SECY-08- 

 0028 

4/17/08 (same) 

Information Papers

SECY-08-0075 5/30/08 Weekly Information Report – Week Ending 

May 16, 2008 

Memoranda

1. M080528A 5/28/08 SRM – Affirmation Session, 9:25 a.m., 

Wednesday, May 28, 2008, Commissioners’ 

Conference Room, One White Flint North, 

Rockville, Maryland (Open to Public 

Attendance) – SECY-08-0043 – AmerGen 

Energy Company, LLC (License Renewal for 

Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station), 

Docket No. 50-219-LR, Citizens’ Petition for 

Review of LBP-07-17 and Other 

Interlocutory Decisions in the Oyster Creek 

Proceeding 

2. M080430A 5/30/08 SRM – Briefing on Materials Licensing and 

Security 

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Virginia Electric and Power Company, D/B/A Dominion Electric Virginia Power and Old 

Dominion Electric Cooperative, Correction to Notice of Hearing and Opportunity to 

Petition for Leave to Intervene on a Combined License for North Anna Unit 3, Docket No. 

52-017. 

2. Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes: Meeting Notice (07/21/2008). 

3. Final rule; correcting amendment. Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear 

Power Plants; Correction, 10 CFR Part 50, RIN 3150-AG24, NRC-2001-0010. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE O 

4. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., Notice of Hearing and Opportunity to Petition for Leave 

to Intervene and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified NonSafeguards Information and Safeguards Information for Contention Preparation on a 

Combined License for the Shearon Harris Units 2 and 3 [Docket No[s]. 52-022 and 52-

023]. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE P 

Region II (RII) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

AREVA Predecisional Enforcement Conference

On May 28, 2008, a predecisional enforcement conference was conducted at the NRC’s 

Region II office with representatives of AREVA NP. The purpose of the conference was 

to discuss AREVA NP's shipment of fuel cleaning equipment from their Lynchburg, 

Virginia facility in February 2008, that arrived at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant with contact 

radiation levels in a localized area on the bottom exterior of the container in excess of 49 

CFR 173.441(a) limits of 200 mR/hr. 
May 30, 2008 ENCLOSURE P 

 Region IV (RIV) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 30, 2008 

Callaway Plant Public Annual Assessment Meeting

On May 29, the Region IV staff conducted a Category 1 public meeting in Fulton, Missouri, to 

discuss Callaway Plant’s safety performance for 2007. Participants included Callaway Plant 

managers and Region IV staff members. Approximately 50 people attended the meeting 

including state and county officials, as well as representatives of one local newspaper. 
May 30, 2008 

 Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)  Items of Interest  Week Ending May 30, 2008 

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS SCHEDULE, NO. 17 

OCA Contact Date & Place Time Committee Subject W

Powell TBD TBA House Energy and Commerce 

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Representatives Stupak / Whitfield) 

Inattentive Guards at Peach Bottom and other Security Related Topics 

• TBD 

Shane/Dacus 07/16/08 

406 DSOB 

10:00 Senate Environment and 

Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety (Senators Carper / Voinovich) 

New Reactors and License Renewal 

• NRC Comm• Others TBD