INFORMATION REPORT

July 13, 2006 SECY-06-0155

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

JULY 7, 2006

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

Office of Information Services 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*

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards/

Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste S*

*No input this week.

/RA/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

R. Taylor, OEDO
July 13, 2006 SECY-06-0155

For: The Commissioners

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING

JULY 7, 2006

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

Office of Information Services 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*

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards/

Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste S*

*No input this week.

 /RA/

William M. Dean

Assistant for Operations, OEDO

Contact:

R. Taylor, OEDO

DISTRIBUTION:

Central File

Public Document Name: C:\WIR\week___.WPD

OEDO AO/OEDO

R. Taylor WMDean

07/11/06 07/13/06
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING JULY 7, 2006

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: R. Taylor, OEDO by E-mail: RXT2@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 3 OPA 11

RES 5 OIP *

NSIR 6 SECY 12

OGC * Region I 13

ADM 7 Region II *

OIS 8 Region III 14

CFO * Region IV *

HR 9 EDO *

SBCR * OCA *

OE * ACRS/ACNW *

*No input this week
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Meeting with General Electric (GE) Regarding ESBWR Technical Specifications

On June 28 and 29, 2006, the staff participated in the subject meeting to discuss the proposed

ESBWR technical specifications (TS). Discussions focused on the development and content of

the following TS: sections, 2.0 “Safety Limits,” 3.1 “Reactivity Control Systems,” 3.2 “Power

Distribution Limits,” 3.3 “Instrumentation,” 3.5 “ECCS,” 3.6 “Containment Systems,” 3.7 “Plant

Systems,” 3.9 “Refueling Operations,” 3.10 “Special Operations,” and 4.0 “Design Features.” 

This meeting was the third in a series of meetings related to the ESBWR TSs. All TS sections

have now been discussed with GE. Additional meetings will be scheduled to discuss TS

Sections 3.3 “Instrumentation” and 3.8 “Electrical Power Systems” in more detail.

Department of Energy (DOE)/NRC Coordination Meeting

On June 27, 2006, staff participated in an interagency meeting with DOE to discuss the status

of new reactor programs. NRC staff presented information regarding the status of early site

permits, potential combined license submittals, and Part 52 Rulemaking. DOE staff discussed

program prioritization, support for standardization, and Next Generation Nuclear Plant licensing

strategy.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 806, "Performance-Based Standard for Fire

Protection for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Electric Generating Plants"

During the week of June 26, 2006, staff participated in a meeting of the NFPA Technical

Committee on Nuclear Facilities. The Committee is currently working on the subject standard,

which is due to be published in 2008. Progress was made at adding the enhanced fire

protection requirements spelled out in SECY-90-016 “Evolutionary Light Water Reactor (LWR)

Certification Issues and Their Relationship to Current Regulatory Requirements” and additional

fire protection design requirements. The NRC is scheduled to host the next Committee meeting

in March 2007.
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Tour of Geological and Geochemical Natural Analog Site for High-Level Waste Repository

From June 20-23, 2006, in order to be better prepared to review any uses of natural analog

information that may support a potential Yucca Mountain license application, Center for Nuclear

Waste Regulatory Analyses (CNWRA) staff attended a Department of Energy lead tour of a

natural analog site at the Nopal I Uranium Mine, located in the Pena Blanca Mining District of

Chihuahua, Mexico. The tour included recently drilled water table wells, a meteorological

station, and a new seepage collection system located in a mine tunnel.

Staff Observes Bechtel-SAIC (BSC) Quality Assurance (QA) Audit of BSC Design Control

Process

On June 20-29, 2006, NMSS staff observed a BSC QA audit of the implementation of design

control procedures, and the resulting engineering products, at the BSC offices in Las Vegas,

NV. The audit reviewed the effectiveness of the implementation of the newly revised Yucca

Mountain design control processes being used for proposed site-infrastructure improvements

(non-nuclear facilities). These new design control procedures will also be applicable to the

design of site nuclear facilities once DOE approves the new Yucca Mountain surface-facilities

design.

Quality Assessment Audit of CNWRA 

From June 26-30, 2006, NRC staff observed an audit of its contractor, CNWRA, in San

Antonio, TX. This audit was conducted to determine if CNWRA’s Geosciences and

Engineering Divisions met contractually mandated QA program requirements.

NRC Staff Issues License to Louisiana Energy Services (LES) to Construct and Operate a Gas

Centrifuge Uranium Enrichment Plant in Lea County, NM

On June 23, 2006, NRC issued LES a license to construct and operate a gas centrifuge

uranium enrichment facility in Lea County, NM. LES submitted its application for the facility in

December 2003. On June 15, 2005, NRC staff documented the findings from its

environmental, safety, and safeguards reviews in “Environmental Impact Statement for the

Proposed National Enrichment Facility in Lea County, NM,” NUREG-1790 and “Safety

Evaluation Report for the National Enrichment Facility in Lea County, NM,” NUREG-1827. On

May 31, 2006, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) issued a decision in favor of LES

and NRC staff on the remaining contentions in the contested hearing involving Nuclear

Information and Resource Services and Public Citizen. On June 23, 2006, the ASLB issued its

decision on the mandatory hearing relating to the adequacy of NRC staff’s safety and

environmental reviews in favor of LES and NRC staff. The issuance of the LES license was

completed on the initial 30-month schedule the Commission set out in January 2004.
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE B

Public Workshop on Rulemaking for Groundwater Protection Requirements at In-Situ Leachs

(ISLs)

On June 29, 2006, staff held a public workshop in Denver, CO, on the rulemaking for

groundwater protection requirements at ISL uranium recovery facilities. This workshop was the

first public opportunity for stakeholder involvement on the rulemaking; over 50 stakeholders

participated. Industry and government agencies were the primary representatives for the

stakeholders. Topics discussed at the workshop, with active stakeholder participation, included

background information on ISLs; existing regulatory requirements (including a U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency presentation); concerns with dual regulation; and proposals

on how to resolve the underlying issues involved in the rulemaking. A transcript and copies of

slides presented during the workshop will be posted on NRC’s website. The rulemaking

working group will begin to consider stakeholder comments received during the public

workshop.
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN) Delegation Visit to Sandia National

Laboratories (SNL)

On June 27 and 28, 2006, RES and SNL staff met with an IRSN delegation at SNL to view a

calibration test for the small scale radiant flux cable fire test facility, and tour the intermediate

scale facility that will be used for later tests in this program. SNL staff also provided a

presentation of the cable fire test program’s status and future plans, and the IRSN staff

discussed the status and plans of their fire-related programs.

American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) D02 Subcommittee Meeting on Nuclear

Graphite Specifications

On June 27-29, 2006, staff participated in the subject meeting, which included technical

discussions on a draft nuclear material specification for components, such as core supports and

other core internals, which will be exposed to low neutron doses in a gas-cooled hightemperature reactor, and the technical challenges involved in writing standards for critical

properties such as fracture toughness, Weibull modulus, and oxidation kinetics data for

graphites. Other activities included discussions on draft standards development and various

materials-related testing. Staff participation in this ASTM meeting supports NRC activities

related to establishing ASME codes and standards for nuclear graphites.

Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Coordination and Cooperation on

Research and Development of Multimedia Environmental Models

On July 5, 2006, the renewal of the subject MOU became effective. Under the MOU, an

interagency steering committee (ISCMEM) was created to facilitate cooperation among Federal

agencies involved in the development and use of multimedia environmental models. The

Department of Energy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, and the NRC

have signed the renewal documents, and more of the original participants, including the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, are expe`cted to sign before the ISCMEM annual public

meeting in August. During the first five years of the MOU, four working groups were formed to

actively expand interagency cooperation in software system design, uncertainty, reactive

transport, and watershed modeling. Examples of their activities and products can be viewed at

http://www.iscmem.org. By participating in this MOU, the NRC is seeking common solutions to

environmental modeling problems that will increase staff capabilities to assess difficult sites and

reduce costs through the shared use of common technology.
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE D

Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-IV-06-008A, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center,-UPDATE-LEAKAGE

OF CONTAMINATED WATER FROM STORAGE TANK.

2. PNO-IV-06-009, Union Electric Company, Callaway Plant, -RADIOACTIVE

CONTAMINIATION IDENTIFIED BY LICENSEE AT LOCATIONS ALONG THE PLANT

DISCHARGE PIPELINE.
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration (ADM)

Items of Interest 

Week Ending July 7, 2006

National Source Tracking of Sealed Sources (AH48 - Parts 20 & 32)

On July 3, 2006 (71 FR 37862), the NRC published a document in the Federal Register that

extends the comment period on a proposed rule concerning the establishment of a National

Source Tracking System for certain sealed sources. The NRC is proposing to change the basis

for the rule from its authority to promote the common defense and security to protection of

public health and safety. The comment period for this action now closes July 28, 2006.
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Information Services (OIS)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

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

June 30 through July 6, 2006:

BWX Technologies Inc. June 11, 2002, Final Status Survey Plan &

Decommissioning Plan for the Industrial Waste Landfill I

FOIA/PA-2006-0232

Oak Ridge National Lab, total funds paid directly to Tusculum College

of Knoxville or to employees for tuition reimbursement, last 5 years

FOIA/PA-2006-0233

Nuclear Fuel Services, Request for Exemptions; Response to

Request for Additional Information (RAI) for Exemption of Low-Level

Waste; Response to second request for RAI

FOIA/PA-2006-0234

Standard combined license (COL) review template for emergency

planning

FOIA/PA-2006-0235

NRC’s environmental justice policy dealing with Policy Statement on

the Treatment of Environmental Justice Matters in NRC Regulatory &

Licensing Actions found at 69 Fed. Reg. 52040

FOIA/PA-2006-0236

OIG Tracking ID #5733, status disposition, formal & informal

documents by OIG & OI, re: OIG “Closed” case

FOIA/PA-2006-0237

Byproduct Material Licenses for Historical Site Assessments for

select military sites, AEC and/or NRC licenses

FOIA/PA-2006-0238

Ferriot Brothers and/or Ferriot Inc., 2685 Mogadore Rd., Akron, OH

44312, documents on regulating any type of radioactive material,

studies of groundwater, etc.

FOIA/PA-2006-0239

Memorandum from R. L. Baer to V. Stello Jr., “Recommended Interim

Revisions to LCOs for ECCS Components,” dated 12-1-75

FOIA/PA-2006-0240
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Arrival

BENTON, LARAY GENERAL ENGINEER (NSPDP) NRR

BLOODGOOD, MICHAEL R. REACTOR ENGINEER (NSPDP) R-IV

BRADFORD, LADONNA J. REACTOR INSPECTOR (NSPDP) R-II

BRAMNIK, ANDREW REACTOR ENGINEER (NSPDP) R-III

BRAND, MARY LYNN BUDGET ANALYST R-I

BURRELL, DARRELL PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOW HR

GATELY, MATTHEW B. IT STUDENT TRAINEE R-I

GIANTELLI, JOSEPH M. REACTOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER NRR

HAYES, MAHDI O. REACTOR ENGINEER (NSPDP) R-IV

HEHER, PATRICK J. GENERAL ENGINEER (NSPDP) NRR

HOCH, JOSPEH A. PHYSICAL SCIENTIST NRR

JONES, MICHAEL REACTOR ENGINEER (NSPDP) R-III

KHAN, OMAR HYAT IT SPECIALIST (PLCYPLN) NSIR

MALAVE-VELEZ, YANELY GENERAL ENGINEER (NSPDP) NRR

MORRIS, EDDIE D. RI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM R-II

MOTTLER, CHRIS SECURITY SPECIALIST NSIR

NGUYEN, CHAU PROJECT MANAGER NRR

OBODOAKO, ALOYSIUS O. GENERAL ENGINEER (NSPDP) NRR

PENNY, MELISSA SECRETARY (OA) NRR

RIKHOFF, JEFFREY J. ECONOMIST/SOCIAL SCIENTIST NRR

RODRIGUEZ-CRUZ, ELAINE Y. GENERAL ENGINEER (NSPDP) NRR

ROMAN-CUEVAS, CYNTHIA CHEMICAL ENGINEER (NSPDP) NMSS

SIMS, CHERIE J. REACTOR ENGINEER (NSPDP) R-I

THOMPSON, JON H. PROJECT MANAGER NRR

WHITE, ALEXANDER W. STUDENT IT SPECIALIST NMSS

WILLIAMS, LINDA P. POLICY ANALYST CFO
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE I

ZILKA, KATHLEEN M. BUDGET ANALYST R-I

Retirements

BIES, MARY ANN OPERATOR LICENSING ASSISTANT R-III

THADANI, ASHOK C. DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACRS

WRIGHT, FRED N. SENIOR HEALTH PHYSICIST R-II

Departures

BREEN, JOSEPH J. OPERATIONS ENGINEER NRR

BAUM, ALLEN CONSULTANT RES

DONFOR, RHEA M. HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST HR

FLEISCHER, LEON H. SENIOR ACCOUNTANT CFO

LEITCH, GRAHAM CONSULTANT ACRS

NARBUT, PAUL P. CONSULTANT NRR
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

The Office of Public Affairs received significant media inquiries on the following:

The new Chairman and his plans for his first weeks at the NRC.

ASLB proceedings regarding Pilgrim’s license renewal application.

The move by utilities to prepare applications for new commercial reactors.

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA assisted at ASLB “limited appearance” sessions regarding Pilgrim’s license renewal

application.

Press Releases

Headquarters:

06-090 Dr. Dale Klein Sworn In as NRC Chairman (7/1)

Regions:

II-06-033 NRC to Present Results of Licensee Performance Review at Areva Commercial

Fuel Plant on July 13 in Lynchburg (7/6)

III-06-028 NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance Assessment for D.C. Cook Nuclear Power

Plant (7/3)
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Document Released

to Public

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. SRM-SECY-06-0126 6/30/06 Proposed Rulemaking - Power Reactor

Security Requirements (RIN 3150-AG63)

Voting Record on

SECY-06-0126

6/30/06 (same)

2. SECY-06-0139 6/20/06 Secure Transfer of Nuclear Material (RIN:

3150-AH90)

3. SECY-06-0137 6/9/06 Request by Rhode Island to Relinquish

Authority for Sealed Source and Device

Evaluation and Approval

SRM on SECY-06-0137 6/9/06 (same)

Voting Record on

SECY-06-0137

6/9/06 (same)

4. SECY-06-0142 6/21/06 Options and Recommendations for

Replenishing Expired Potassium Iodide (KI)

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congressman Edward J. Markey, dated June 28, 2006, responds to letter

regarding radioactive liquid releases from nuclear power reactors.

2. Letter to Donald L. Carcieri, Governor of Rhode Island, dated June 28, 2006, responds to

request to relinquish Rhode Island’s authority to evaluate and approve sealed source

device application.

3. Letter to Senator Daniel K. Akaka, dated June 27, 2006, responds to concerns regarding

efforts to control and regulate sealed radioactive sources.

4. Letter to Andre-Claude Lacoste, Director General for Nuclear Safety and Radiation, dated

June 27, 2006, expresses gratitude for willingness to share technical review documents.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (ACNW), Meeting on Planning and Procedures,

notice of meeting (7/17/06).

2. Notice of 172nd ACNW meeting (7/17-20/06).
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region I (RI)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Periodic Management Meeting with Kentucky Agreement State Program

On July 6, 2006, a Region I State Agreements Officer and the Agreement State Project Officer

from the Office of State and Tribal Programs met the Kentucky Radiation Program Director and

management to discuss the status of the Agreement State program. Topics of discussion

during the meeting included the Commonwealth's progress on program performance issues

identified during the July 2005 periodic meeting. These issues included staffing, status of

inspections, and sealed source and device program elements. The program has made

measured progress in addressing these issues as a result of a significant management

commitment to their resolution.
July 7, 2006 ENCLOSURE P

Region III (RIII)

Items of Interest

Week Ending July 7, 2006

Reactor Scram at Dresden Nuclear Power Station

On July 4, 2006, Dresden Unit 2 experienced a scram due to unexpected closing of one of eight

main steam line isolation valves. The other seven valves closed as required and the reactor

scrammed. All rods fully inserted, the isolation condenser was manually initiated to control

reactor pressure and water level was maintained with normal feedwater. The event occurred

when a fitting on the air line to the main steam isolation valve separated causing the valve to

close. The component that keeps the fitting in place was not installed and the line apparently

vibrated out of the fitting. All other similar fittings were verified before the unit restart on July 5,

2006, and appeared leak tight.

A Final White Finding Issued to Braidwood

On June 29, 2006, Region III issued the Final Determination Letter and White finding for the

licensee’ s failure to adequately evaluate the radiological hazards associated with the leaks

from the circulating water blowdown line vacuum breakers and to assess the environmental

impact of the resultant onsite and offsite tritium contamination. The final determination clearly

articulates that the dose from the releases was found to be insignificant and that the

significance of the inspection finding was based upon an evaluation of the adequacy of the

licensee’s controls to preclude and to assess environmental impact of releases of radioactive

material.