INFORMATION REPORT 

November 2, 2009 SECY-09-0163

For: The Commissioners 

From: Nader L. Mamish 

 Assistant for Operations 

 Office of the Executive Director for Operations 

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

OCTOBER 23, 2009 

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/

Nader L. Mamish 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO 

Contact: 

B. Desai, OEDO 
November 2, 2009 SECY-09-0163

For: The Commissioners 

From: Nader L. Mamish, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO 

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING 

OCTOBER 23, 2009 

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/ 

Nader L. Mamish 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO 

Contact: 

B. Desai, OEDO 

DISTRIBUTION: 

EDO R/F 

AO R/F Document Name: G:\AO\WIR\2009\Week1023.doc 

OEDO AO/OEDO 

BDesai NLMamish ML093070166 

11/02/09 11/02/09 
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 23, 2009

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

Headquarters and Regional Office activities. 

Contact: Binoy Desai, OEDO by E-mail: Binoy.Desai@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 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE A 

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending October 23, 2009 

Watts Bar, Unit 2, Refurbishment Program Audit

During the week of October 13, 2009, the staff conducted a technical audit of the Watts Bar, 

Unit 2, refurbishment program of the civil and structural systems, structures, and components. 

The staff found that Tennessee Valley Authority had adequately included the relevant civil and 

structural systems, structures, and components for monitoring and trending under the Watts 

Bar, Unit 1, Maintenance Rule Inspection Program. In addition, the staff confirmed that the steel 

containment vessel, reactor building interior concrete structures, and ice condenser and tank 

foundations were adequately incorporated into the Watts Bar, Unit 2, refurbishment program. 

The staff found the audit to be successful and was provided with all of the information needed to 

complete its review of the licensee's refurbishment program for Watts Bar, Unit 2.

Public Meeting on Topical Report Materials Reliability Program-227

On October 15, 2009, the staff held a public meeting with representatives from the Materials 

Reliability Program of the Electric Power Research Institute to discuss the staff’s ongoing review 

of topical report MRP-227, Revision 0, “Materials Reliability Program: Pressurized Water 

Reactor Internals Inspection and Evaluation Guidelines.” This topical report is intended to serve 

as the basis for the development of an aging management program for pressurized water 

reactor vessel internals in support of license renewal activities. This aging management 

program will permit pressurized water reactor licensees who have already received renewed 

licenses to fulfill commitments made as part of receiving their renewed licenses and will permit 

future license renewal applicants to submit the aging management program as part of their 

applications. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the industry’s draft responses to initial 

staff requests for additional information and the industry’s support for incorporating the aging 

management program into the NRC’s Generic Aging Lessons Learned report for license 

renewal. 

Issuance of the Safety Evaluation Report Related to the License Renewal of Prairie Island 

Nuclear Generating Units 1 And 2

By letter dated October 16, 2009, the staff issued the Safety Evaluation Report related to the 

license renewal of Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Units 1 and 2. The Safety Evaluation 

Report addressed the license renewal application submitted in a letter dated April 11, 2008, by 

Northern States Power, in accordance with Title 10, Part 54, of the Code of Federal 

Regulations, “Requirements for Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants,” to 

request renewal of Prairie Island’s operating licenses for an additional 20 years. The current 

licenses expire at midnight on August 9, 2013, for Unit 1, and at midnight on October 29, 2014, 

for Unit 2. The staff is scheduled to meet with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards 

in a public meeting to be held in December 2009 to discuss the Safety Evaluation Report. 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE A 

Boiling Water Reactor Owners’ Group Regarding National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 

805 Transition

On October 20, 2009, the staff met with representatives of the Boiling Water Reactor Owners’ 

Group to discuss industry actions related to the transition to NFPA 805. The topics of 

discussion included the current status of boiling water reactor utilities commitments to NFPA 

805 and the Boiling Water Reactor Owners’ Group plans for addressing fire issues and fire 

probabilistic risk assessment issues. 

North Anna Units 1 and 2 Measurement Uncertainty Recapture Power Uprate Approval

By letter dated October 22, 2009, the staff approved a license amendment which increased the 

licensed core thermal power level by 1.6 percent from 2893 megawatts thermal to 2940 

megawatts thermal. By application dated March 26, 2009, as supplemented, the licensee had 

requested a 1.6 percent Measurement Uncertainty Recapture power uprate for North Anna 

Units 1 and 2. This increase will be achieved by the use of the Caldon Leading Edge Flowmeter 

CheckPlusTM ultrasonic flow measurement system, which allows for more accurate 

measurement of feedwater flow. The license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance 

and will be implemented by July 14, 2010. 

Fire Protection Meeting on NFPA 805 Frequently Asked Questions

The staff held a Category 2 Public Meeting with NEI NFPA Standard 805 Task Force, other 

stakeholders, and the public to discuss the Frequently Asked Questions related to licensees’ 

adoption of NFPA 805. The staff began holding these monthly public meetings in July of 2006 

and expects to continue holding them at least throughout the transition period for the pilot plants 

adopting NFPA 805. 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE D 

 Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending October 23, 2009 

National Source Tracking System (NSTS) Presentation Made

On October 20, 2009, the NRC gave a presentation on the NSTS at the American Society for 

Nondestructive Testing, Inc. (ASNT), Fall Conference in Columbus, Ohio. The presentation was 

attended primarily by industrial radiographers, and participation at the ASNT conference is part 

of the staff’s ongoing outreach to such users that have higher numbers of transactions in the 

NSTS. Following the presentation, the staff also provided a mini-workshop for additional oneon-one support to a number of attendees regarding inventory verifications, continuing the 

credentialing process, and accessing the system. The staff was encouraged by the interest in 

the presentation and follow-on workshop, and the desire of licensees to use the electronic 

system. 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE E 

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending October 23, 2009 

RES/Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Fire Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA)

Workshop

October 12-16, 2009, RES, in conjunction with EPRI, conducted a workshop on NUREG/ 

CR-6850, “EPRI/NRC-RES Fire PRA Methodology for Nuclear Power Facilities,” at Dominion 

Power in Glen Allen, Virginia. This workshop, which included modules on circuit analysis, fire 

analysis, and PRA, is responsive to stakeholder requests for training to support implementation 

of the risk-informed, performance-based fire protection rule 10 CFR 50.48c. Over 80 

participants attended this workshop including stakeholders from industry and within NRC as well 

as a number of international participants. Feedback on this workshop has been highly 

favorable, and future sessions are being planned for 2010. 

RES Staff Visit Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) for Periodic Program Review

From October 19-20, 2009, the staff visited the SNL, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a periodic 

program review. SNL staff briefed the NRC staff on various NRC-sponsored research activities 

including cyber security, fire research, and reactor code development. NRC staff also visited 

several test sites and viewed a demonstration of a cable fire test. 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE G 

Office of Administration (ADM) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending October 23, 2009 

Criminal Penalties; Unauthorized Introduction of Weapons; Final Rule, (10 CFR Part 73) (RIN 

3150-AI31, NRC-2008-0458) 

On October 14, 2009, the NRC published a final rule (74 FR 52667) in the Federal Register

amending its regulations to authorize the imposition of Federal criminal penalties on those who, 

without authorization, introduce weapons or explosives into specified classes of facilities and 

installations subject to the regulatory authority of the NRC. This action is necessary to 

implement Section 229, “Trespass on Commission Installations,” of the Atomic Energy Act of 

1954, as amended. This rule is effective on April 12, 2010. 

Industry Codes and Standard; Amended Requirements; Direct Final Rule, Confirmation of 

Effective Date (10 CFR PART 50) (RIN 3150-AI53, NRC-2008-0663) 

On October 19, 2009, the NRC published a document (74 FR 53402) confirming the effective 

date of October 19, 2009, for the direct final rule (74 FR 38890) published in the Federal 

Register on August 5, 2009. The rule amends the NRC’s regulations concerning the 

performance of in-service inspection of pressurized water reactor upper vessel head 

penetrations to revise the upper range of the axial flaws permitted in a specimen set used for 

the qualification of non destructive examination systems. The amendment is a result of the 

withdrawal of a stakeholder recommendation necessitated by a typographical error concerning 

the maximum percentage of flaws that should be oriented axially. 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE H 

 Office of Information Services (OIS) 

Items of Interest 

 Week Ending October 23, 2009 

Public Meeting Notice System (PMNS) Training for the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

(RES)

On October 21, 2009, the Public Meeting Notice System Program Manager (PMNS-PM), 

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Section, provided training at RES Monthly 

Secretaries Meeting. The PMNS-PM provided training to the RES secretaries on preparing, 

submitting, and posting a public meeting notice. This training was arranged in an effort to help 

RES improve its performance for the timely posting of public meeting notices. 

FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) Requests Received During the Period of October 16, 2009, through 

October 22, 2009: 

All incidents with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes or 

equivalents resulting in a monetary settlement; ADRs involving 

AmerenUE or its Callaway plant 

FOIA/PA-2010-0015 

Construction permits for Dresden, Zion, Monticello, Quad Cities, Point 

Beach, Kewanee and Saxton; records or plans regarding underground 

pipes used for water and sewage 

FOIA/PA-2010-0016 

NRC-licensed facility in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, license SMB0911 / SMB-911, review all records FOIA/PA-2010-0017 

Civil nuclear power program in the People’s Republic of China, 

regarding the activities of Westinghouse Electric Company, January 

2002 to present 

FOIA/PA-2010-0018 

Investigation transcripts on or about January 28, 2009 FOIA/PA-2010-0019 

Information provided by named individual following investigation, all 

records 

FOIA/PA-2010-0020 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE J 

Office of Human Resources (HR) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending October 23, 2009 

Arrivals 

Burki, Emaad Senior Project Manager (LMS) HR 

Criscione, Lawrence Reliability and Risk Engineer RES 

Lorette, Phillip Todd Secretary (OA) CSO 

Padelford, Timothy Fire Protection Engineer NRR 

Shankar, Sundar Project Manager (Engineer & Design) ADM 

Stutzcage, Edward Physical Scientist NRO 

Traiforos, Spyros Project Manager NRR 

Williams, Megan Jean Reactor Inspector (Civil Engineering) RIV 

Departures 

Dvir, Assaf Jacob Reactor Systems Engineer NRO 

McDermott, Jeffrey Branch Chief ADM 

Peckenpaugh, Jon Hydrogeologist FSME 

Pierce, Stephen General Engineer NRR 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE M 

Office of Public Affairs (OPA) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending October 23, 2009 

OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following

The NRC inspection team was sent to Nuclear Fuel Service in Erwin, Tennessee, to follow-up 

on an incident involving processing of scrap material containing low-levels of uranium. 

Update on the license renewal application for Vermont Yankee’s nuclear power plant in 

Vermont. 

Approval of the uprate for North Anna’s nuclear power plant in Virginia. 

The license renewal issued to Three Mile Island, Unit 1 nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, for 

an additional 20 years. 

Notice of Violation issued to Seabrook nuclear power plant in New Hampshire over a contract 

worker who failed to report a driving under the influence arrest. 

President Obama’s nomination of two individuals, Dr. George Apostolakis and Mr. William D. 

Magwood, for seats on the Commission. 

Other Public Affairs Items

An article authored by Randy Sullivan, staff member from the Office of Nuclear Security and 

Incident Response appeared in the latest issue of Operational Radiation Safety. 

OPA sent out a letter to the managing editor of The International Herald Tribune pointing out 

numerous errors in a story about aging reactors. 

Press Releases 

Headquarters: 

09-175 NRC Approves Power Uprate for North Anna Nuclear Power Plant 

09-176 NRC Renews Operating License for Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant for 

Additional 20 years 

09-177 NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet November 5-7 in 

Rockville, Maryland 

09-178 NRC Announces Opportunities for Hearing on Applications to Renew Operating 

Licenses for Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plants 

09-179 General Services Administration Signs Lease for Third NRC Headquarters Building 

Regions: 

II-09-058 NRC Begins Special Inspection at Nuclear Fuel Services 

II-09-059 NRC Augments Inspection at Nuclear Fuel Services 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE O 

Office of the Secretary (SECY) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending October 23, 2009 

Document Released 

to Public

Date Subject 

Decision Documents 

1. SRM-SECY-09-0075 10/16/09 Safety Culture Policy Statement 

Commission Voting 

Record on SECY-09-0075 

10/16/09 (same) 

2. SECY-09-0101 

(REDACTED VERSION) 

07/09/09 Licensing of a Babcock and Wilcox Medical 

Isotope Production Sys tem 

SRM on SECY-09-0101 10/09/09 (same) 

Commission Voting 

Record on SECY-09-0101 

10/09/09 (same) 

Information Papers 

1. SECY-09-0143 09/29/09 Status of the Accident Sequence Precursor 

Program and the Standardized Plant 

Analysis Risk Models 

2. SECY-09-0148 10/15/09 Weekly Information Report – Week Ending 

October 2, 2009 

3. SECY-09-0146 10/06/09 2009 Summary of Decommissioning Funding 

Status Reports for Nuclear Power Reactors 

4. SECY-09-0151 10/19/09 Weekly Information Report – Week Ending 

October 9, 2009 

Memoranda 

1. M090922 10/16/09 Staff Requirements – Periodic Briefing on 

New Reactor Issues - Progress in Resolving 

Issues Associated with Inspections, Tests, 

Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria 

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congressman Joe Barton, dated October 16, 2009, responds to questions 

regarding the current status of the processing of combined license applications for new 

nuclear plant applications. 
October 23, 2009 ENCLOSURE O 

2. Letter to Congressman Dennis Kucinich, dated October 16, 2009, responds to letter 

requesting that the NRC maintain independent and intensified scrutiny over FirstEnergy 

management of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. 

Federal Register Notices Issued

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

Subcommittee on Reliability and Probabilistic Risk Assessment, notice of meeting 

(11/13/2009). 

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

(ESBWR), notice of meeting (11/17-18/2009). 

3. ACRS, Meeting of the ACRS Subcommittee on U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor, notice 

of meeting (11/19/2009). 

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

Assessment, notice of meeting (11/12/2009). 

5. ACRS, Meeting of the ACRS Subcommittee on AP1000, notice of meeting 

 (11/19-20/2009). 
October 23, 2009 

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending October 23, 2009 

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS SCHEDULE, NO. 27 

OCA 

Contact 

Date & 

Place Time Committee Subject 

Decker 10/27/09 

10/28/09 10/29/09 

406 

DSOB 

TBA Senate Environment and Public 

Works (Senators Boxer / Inhofe) 

Hearings on Global Climate 

Change 

• Steven C• Lisa Jac• Ray LaH

Transpo

• Jon Wel

Energy 

Decker Week of 

11/02/09 

or 

11/09/09 

366 

DSOB 

TBA Senate Environment and Public 

Works (Senators Boxer / Inhofe) 

Climate Change and Energy Bill, S. 1733 

• TBD