INFORMATION REPORT 

May 23, 2008 SECY-08-0075

For: The Commissioners 

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

MAY 16, 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: 

U. Shoop, OEDO 

 
May 23, 2008 SECY-08-0075

For: The Commissioners 

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

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

MAY 16, 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: 

U. Shoop, OEDO 

DISTRIBUTION: 

EDO R/F 

AO R/F Document Name: G:\AO\WIR\2008\Week0516.doc 

OEDO AO/OEDO 

UShoop (Sue Bagley for) VLOrdaz 

 05/23/08 05/23/08 

 ML081500168
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MAY 16, 2008

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: U. Shoop, OEDO by E-mail: uss@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 4 OPA 0 

NMSS 5 OIP * 

FSME * SECY 12 

RES 6 Region I * 

NSIR * Region II * 

ADM 7 Region III 13 

OIS 8 Region IV 14 

CFO * EDO * 

HR 9 OCA 15 

SBCR * 

*No input this week 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE A 

 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station License Renewal Application - On-Site Audit of Aging

Management Program

On May 5 - 9, 2008, staff from the Division of License Renewal (DLR) conducted an on-site audit 

of the aging management programs (AMP) of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Units 1 

and 2, located near Berwick, Pennsylvania regarding its license renewal application. The staff 

has not identified any major issues at this time, and will be following up the review process with a 

request for additional information. 

 

Chemical Effects Testing at Atomic Energy of Canada, Limited (AECL)

During May 5 - 9, 2008, the Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) staff and a contractor traveled to 

Chalk River, Canada, to observe chemical effects head loss testing being performed by AECL, 

for six PWR units operated by Dominion. The testing was performed in six small-scale head 

loss test loops that were recently constructed at the AECL facility. The Dominion/AECL test 

procedure accounted for many previous staff comments on similar test approaches used by 

other strainer vendors. However, the staff made several observations regarding the 

Dominion/AECL testing and requested a follow-up teleconference with the licensee and test 

vendor when additional results from 30-day tests are available. 

 

Vendor Inspection of PCI Energy Services

On May 5 - 8, 2008, NRR staff conducted a vendor inspection to review and evaluate selected 

portions of PCI's safety-related 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B and 10 CFR Part 21 programs at 

PCI's facilities in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Potential violations of 10 CFR Part 21 were identified 

regarding the adequacy of PCI's Part 21 procedure and posting requirements. Potential 

nonconformances to Appendix B requirements were also identified regarding welding procedure 

qualification records (PQRs). Specifically, PCI did not follow its QA program requirements that 

would specify adequate instructions for the preparation of bend test specimens. Additionally, 

heat treatment records that supported two PQRs were not readily retrievable; records for one of 

the PQRs could not be found at all. 

Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS) - License Renewal Application - Issuance of 

Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)

On May 8, 2008, the staff completed and issued the Final Supplement 32 to NUREG-1437, 

“Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants,” regarding 

WCGS for publication in the Federal Register Notice. The SEIS represents the completion of 

the staff’s environmental review of the license renewal application submitted by Wolf Creek 

Nuclear Operating Corporation. The SEIS will be filed with U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency by May 26, 2008. 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE A 

Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant - Safety Evaluation Report (SER)

On March 8, 2008, the staff issued the Shearon Harris Safety Evaluation Report (SER) with 

open items related to the Shearon Harris license renewal application. On November 16, 2006, 

the staff received from Carolina Power and Light, under the umbrella of Progress Energy 

Carolinas Inc., an application requesting the extension of the operating license for the Shearon 

Harris Nuclear Power Plant for an additional 20 years. The SER has one open item and two 

confirmatory items. The staff met with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards 

Subcommittee on May 7, 2008, to discuss the SER with open Items. 

Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Monthly Meeting

 

On May 14, 2008, the Division of Inspection and Regional Support (DIRS) staff conducted the 

monthly ROP public meeting to discuss staff initiatives and obtain industry feedback. Attendees 

discussed mitigating systems performance index implementation, safety culture integration into 

the ROP, performance indicator issues, and open and new frequently asked questions. The 

proposed revisions to Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0305, “Operating Reactor Assessment 

Program,” were also discussed during this meeting. 

Public Meeting on ROP Health Physics Issues

On May 15, 2008, the DIRS staff and regional Health Physics staff conducted a Category 2 

public meeting, via video teleconference with Nuclear Energy Institute and nuclear industry 

representatives to discuss the ROP assessment and screening process for disposition of health 

physics issues. 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE B 

 Office of New Reactors (NRO) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Staff Issues Shearon Harris Review Schedule

On May 16, 2008, the staff issued its review schedule for the Shearon Harris combined license 

application (COLA). The staff published a 35-month schedule for issuance of the Shearon 

Harris Final Safety Evaluation Report (FSER). The staff is expected to issue the FSER in 

April 2011 and the FEIS in May 2010. Progress Energy submitted the Shearon Harris COLA on 

February 19, 2008, for two AP1000 reactor units to be located at the Shearon Harris site in 

New Hill, North Carolina. 

Staff Issues Grand Gulf Review Schedule

On May 16, 2008, the staff issued its review schedule for the Grand Gulf COLA. The staff 

published a 34-month review schedule for issuance of the Grand Gulf FSER. The staff is 

expected to issue the FSER in March 2011 and the FEIS in May 2010. On February 27, 2008, 

Entergy submitted the Grand Gulf COLA for an Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor unit 

to be located at the Grand Gulf site in Port Gibson, Mississippi. 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE C 

 Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Presentation to the Hanford Citizens’ Advisory Board Tank Waste Committee

On May 8, 2008, the NRC staff participated in a meeting of the Hanford Citizens’ Advisory Board 

Tank Waste Committee, in Richland, WA. The staff updated the committee on the NRC review 

of the U.S. Department of Energy regulatory processes for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant. 

The staff described NRC review activities since February 2007, when the NRC last briefed the 

committee. 

Public Meeting on Review of Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Regulatory Processes

On May 6, 2008, the NRC staff held a public meeting with the United States Department of 

Energy (DOE) in Germantown, Maryland related to the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant. At the 

meeting, participants discussed the DOE’s comments on the NRC draft report assessing DOE’S 

regulatory processes for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant. Representatives of the State of 

Washington, various media, and other stakeholders attended. 

Meeting of the Nevada Legislative Committee on High-Level Radioactive Waste

On May 14, 2008, the NRC staff addressed a meeting of the Nevada Legislative Committee on 

High-Level Radioactive Waste (Committee). The staff presented an overview of NRC’s process 

for deciding whether to authorize the construction of a proposed repository at Yucca Mountain, 

NV. The meeting took place in Las Vegas, Nevada with videoconferencing to other Committee 

members in Carson City, Nevada. The Committee also received testimony from the Nevada 

Agency for Nuclear Projects, the Nuclear Energy Institute, and the National Conference of State 

Legislatures. 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE E 

 Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

NRC Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) On Cementitious Materials Performance 

On May 7, 2008, the Director, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, signed an MOU with the 

Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management and Office of Engineering and 

Technology, and the Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. 

The MOU initiates cooperation among the agencies to develop credible tools to predict 

performance of cementitious materials used in nuclear applications over extended periods. 

These tools will be useful to several NRC offices that evaluate long term performance of cement 

and concrete. Technical details are governed by the Cement Barriers Partnership, which 

includes the Federal agencies in the MOU, the Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder 

Participation (CRESP) at Vanderbilt University, SIMCO Technologies of Canada, the Energy 

Research Center of the Netherlands and Savannah River National Laboratories. The MOU will 

remain in effect for 5 years. 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE G 

 Office of Administration (ADM) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Regulation of Advanced Nuclear Power Plants; Draft Statement of Policy (Chapter I)

On May 9, 2008, the NRC published a document (73 FR 26349) noticing the issuance of a draft 

revision of the NRC’s policy statement for the licensing of advanced nuclear power reactors and 

providing the opportunity for public comment. The purpose of this revision is to improve the 

licensing environment for advanced nuclear power reactors by minimizing complexity and 

uncertainty in the regulatory process. The draft revision updates the policy statement to 

integrate the Commission’s expectations for security and preparedness with the current 

expectations for safety. Comments are due by July 8, 2008. 

Organization of Agreement States, Inc. PRM–34–06 (Part 34); Resolution and Closure of 

Petition for Rulemaking

On May 14, 2008, the NRC published a document (73 FR 27771) noticing the Commission’s 

determination to consider the issues raised in a petition for rulemaking submitted by Barbara 

Hamrick, Chair, Organization of Agreement States, Inc. (OAS), in the NRC’s rulemaking 

process. The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations to require that an 

individual receive at least 40 hours of radiation safety training before using sources of radiation 

for industrial radiography, to revise the requirements for at least two qualified individuals to be 

present at a temporary job site, and to clarify how many individuals are required to meet 

surveillance requirements. The petitioner also requested that NUREG-1556, Volume 2, be 

revised to reflect the proposed amendments. The NRC has determined that the issues and 

concerns raised in the petition merit further NRC consideration and inclusion in a future 

rulemaking. 

E. Russell Ritenour, PhD; PRM–35–20 (Part 35); Consideration of Petition for Rulemaking

Process

On May 14, 2008, the NRC published a document (73 FR 27773) noticing the Commission’s 

determination to consider the issues raised in a petition for rulemaking submitted by E. Russell 

Ritenour, PhD, on behalf of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), in the 

rulemaking process. The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations that address 

training requirements for experienced Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs) and Authorized Medical 

Physicists (AMPs). In its review and resolution of the petition, the NRC concluded that revisions 

made to the regulations in 2005 may have inadvertently affected a group of board certified 

professionals. 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE H 

 Office of Information Services (OIS) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

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

of May 9, 2008 through May 15, 2008: 

Sen. John McCain, correspondence between his office and NRC since 

1-1-1990 FOIA/PA-2008-0221 

Investigation and report on an allegation involving a staff member of 

Nuclear Fuel Services in Erwin, Tennessee, all correspondence 

between Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and NRC staff and 

Commission FOIA/PA-2008-0222 

Office of Inspector General (OIG) Case 0571, regarding Oconee 

nuclear plant, records of case and associated memoranda FOIA/PA-2008-0223 

Jersey City Medical Center, all documents, letters, investigatory 

material, e-mails, regarding complaint filed by named individual FOIA/PA-2008-0224 

Baylor Radiological Center d/b/a Baylor University Medical Center, 

Dallas, Texas, copy of license, amendments, adverse actions or 

disciplinary actions, all communications between Baylor, Baylor RSO 

and NRC, etc. FOIA/PA-2008-0225 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE J 

 Office of Human Resources (HR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Arrivals 

ANZALONE, REED STUDENT ENGINEER NRR 

CUBERO-PONCE, CARLOS STUDENT ENGINEER R-II 

DZIARNOWSKI, RICHARD CONSULTANT OIG 

MORGAN, THOMAS STUDENT ENGINEER NRR 

RILEY, MARCUS STUDENT ENGINEER R-II 

Departures 

SEIFRIED, JEFFREY REACTOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER RES 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE M 

Office of Public Affairs (OPA) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2007 

OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following:

Cyber security 

Westinghouse fuel facility in Columbia, South Carolina, declared an alert after a city water line 

coming into the plant site ruptured 

Event reports recently released to the public for both facilities: Nuclear Fuel Service (NFS), 

Erwin, Tennessee, and BWX Technologies, Lynchburg, Virginia; as well as NFS safety-culture 

assessment report submission 

U.S. low-level radioactive waste imports/exports 

Possible strike at Pilgrim power plant, Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the NRC’s role 

ASLB conference in Las Vegas, Nev., on formats for contentions to be filed in the Yucca 

Mountain licensing hearings 

Other Public Affairs Items;

Chairman Klein visited Turkey Point power plant near Miami, Fla., where he spoke to numerous 

reporters. 

Chairman Klein spoke at the International Conference of Nuclear Engineering in Orlando, 

Florida, and following the conference, he addressed questions from the attending media on 

domestic and local topics. OPA also facilitated a longer interview with the St. Petersburg Times. 

 

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

Press Releases

Headquarters:

08-091 NRC Releases Event Reports for Nuclear Fuel Services and BWXT Facilities 

for 2004 – 2007 (5/12) 

08-092 NRC Invites Comment on Advanced Reactor Design Policy (5/12) 

08-093 License Renewal Application for Prairie Island Nuclear Plant Available for 

Public Inspection (5/13) 

08-094 NRC Approves Power Uprate for Hope Creek Nuclear Plant (5/14) 

08-095 NRC Meeting June 5 in Crystal River, Fla., to Discuss Review Process for 

Expected New Reactor Application (5/16) 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE M 

08-096 NRC Finds No Significant Environmental Impacts from Extended Operation of 

Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant (5/16) 

08-097 NRC Issues New Guidance on Release of Thyroid Patients Administered 

Radioactive Iodine (5/16) 

Regions:

I-08-032 NRC to Discuss Inspection of Company’s Assessment of Groundwater 

Contamination at Indian Point Plant on May 20 (5/13) 

I-08-033 05/14/2008 NRC Seeks Input on Draft Environmental Report for 

Susquehanna 

Nuclear Plant License Renewal Application; Meetings on May 28 (5/14) 

I-08-034 New NRC Senior Resident Inspector Assigned to Hope Creek Nuclear Plant 

(5/15) 

II-08-029 NRC to Discuss 2007 Performance of Farley Nuclear Plant (5/13) 

II-08-030 NRC to Discuss Apparent Violations at Global Nuclear Fuels (5/13) 

II-08-031 NRC to Discuss 2007 Performance of Harris Nuclear Plant May 20 (5/13) 

II-08-032 NRC Issues Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Vogtle Nuclear Plant 

License Renewal; Public Meeting June 3 (5/15) 

II-08-033 NRC to Discuss an Apparent Violation by Areva in Lynchburg, Virginia (5/16) 

III-08-020 NRC to Discuss Apparent Violations at American Radiolabeled Chemicals 

(5/15) 

III-08-021 NRC Proposed $3,250 Fine Against Michigan Hospital for Failure to Properly 

Secure Radioactive Material (5/13) 

IV-08-018 NRC to Discuss 2007 Performance Assessment for Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant 

(5/13) 

IV-08-019 NRC to Discuss 2007 Performance Assessment for Callaway Nuclear Plant 

(5/16) 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE O 

Office of the Secretary (SECY) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Document Released 

to Public Date Subject 

Decision Documents

1. SECY-08-0059 5/12/08 Rulemaking Plan: Part 74 – Material Control 

and Accounting of Special Nuclear Material 

2. SRM-SECY-08-0033 5/15/08 Approaches for an Integrated Digital 

Instrumentation and Control and HumanMachine Interface Test Facility in the United 

States 

 Commission Voting 

 Record on SECY-08- 

 0033 

5/15/08 (same) 

3. COMGBJ-08-0002 – 

Corrected 

4/22/08 Commissioner Jaczko’s Request for 

Reconsideration of the Commission decision 

in SECY-05-0045 

 SRM-COMGBJ-08-0002 5/16/08 (same) 

 Commission Voting 

 Record on COMGBJ- 

 08-0002 

5/16/08 (same) 

Information Papers

1. SECY-08-0064 5/2/08 Weekly Information Report – Week Ending 

April 25, 2008 

2. SECY-08-0061 5/15/08 Semiannual Update of the Risk-Informed 

and Performance-Based Plan 

3. SECY-08-0063 5/16/08 Annual Report on Activities Associated with 

Evaluating Scientific Information About 

Radiation Health Effects and Radiation 

Protection Recommendations 

4. SECY-08-0066 5/12/08 Weekly Information Report – Week Ending 

May 2, 2008 

Memoranda

1. M080428 5/12/08 Staff Requirement Memorandum (SRM) – 

Briefing on Reactor Materials Issues, 9:30 

a.m., Monday, April 28, 2008, 

Commissioners’ Conference Room, One 

White Flint North, Rockville, Maryland (Open 

to Public Attendance) 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE O 

2. M080429 5/15/08 SRM – Meeting with Advisory Committee on 

the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI), 1:30 

p.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 

Commissioners’ Conference Room, One 

White Flint North, Rockville, Maryland (Open 

to Public Attendance) 

3. M080516A 5/16/08 SRM – Affirmation Session: I. SECY-08-

0058 – Entergy Nuclear Generation Co. and 

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Pilgrim 

Nuclear Power Station), Docket No. 50-293-

LR – Entergy’s Request for Guidance on the 

First Circuit’s Administrative Stay 

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated April 30, 2008, provides a semiannual report on the status of 

NRC’s licensing and other regulatory activities. 

2. Letter to Susan Duley, Office of Management and Budget, dated April 28, 2008, provides 

NRC’s FY 2008 Regulatory Plan. 

Federal Register Notices Issued

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

Planning and Procedures, notice of meeting (6/3/2008). 

2. ACRS, Meeting of the Subcommittee on Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor, 

notice of meeting (6/3/2008). 

3. ACRS, notice of 553rd meeting (06/04-06/2008). 

4. Establishment of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, Dominion Virginia Power (North 

Anna Nuclear Power Station Unit 3). 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE P 

 Region III (RIII) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Region II Leadership Retreat

On May 13 - 15, 2008, regional Senior Managers, Branch Chiefs and Team Leaders 

participated in the Region II Leadership Retreat in Lake Lanier Islands, Georgia. The 

theme for the retreat was “Raising Our Game-Building Organizational Strength.” 
May 16, 2008 ENCLOSURE P 

 Region IV (RIV) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending May 16, 2008 

Annual Assessment Public Meeting with South Texas Nuclear Operating Company

On May 14, Region IV staff conducted a public meeting in Bay City, Texas, with representatives 

of the South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company to discuss the 2007 annual assessment 

results for the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station. Local and state officials, as well 

as a congressional staff member were in attendance. Members of the public and the local 

media attended, as well. 

Annual Assessment Public Meeting with Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation

On May 15, Region IV staff conducted a public meeting in Burlington, Kansas, with 

representatives of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation to discuss the 2007 annual 

assessment results for the Wolf Creek Generating Station. Approximately 20 people attended 

the meeting including the county emergency director and a county commissioner. No members 

of the local media attended. 
May 16, 2008 

 Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)  Items of Interest  Week Ending May 16, 2008 

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS SCHEDULE, NO. 16 

OCA Contact Date and Place Time Committee Subject W

Decker 05/20/08 

2322 RHOB 

10:00 House Committee on Energy 

and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality (Representatives Boucher / Upton) 

Importing Low Level Waste 

• Margie Doa• Kent Bradfo

Control Boa

• Steve Cream

Decker 05/21/08 

311 CHOB 

TBA House Homeland Security 

Committee, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology(Representatives Langevin / McCaul) 

Implications of Cyber Vulnerabilities on the Resiliency and Security of the Electric Grid

• TBD 

Powell Spring 08 

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