INFORMATION REPORT 

March 28, 2012 SECY-12-0045

For: The Commissioners 

From: Nader L. Mamish 

 Assistant for Operations 

 Office of the Executive Director for Operations 

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MARCH 23, 2012 

Contents Enclosure

Administration A 

Human Resources B 

Information Services C 

Nuclear Materials and Safeguards D 

Nuclear Reactor Regulation E 

Nuclear Regulatory Research F 

Public Affairs G 

Secretary H 

 /RA/ 

Nader L. Mamish 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO 

Contact: 

L. Rakovan, OEDO 
March 28, 2012 SECY-12-0045

For: The Commissioners 

From: Nader L. Mamish 

 Assistant for Operations 

 Office of the Executive Director for Operations 

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MARCH 23, 2012 

Contents Enclosure

Administration A 

Human Resources B 

Information Services C 

Nuclear Materials and Safeguards D 

Nuclear Reactor Regulation E 

Nuclear Regulatory Research F 

Public Affairs G 

Secretary H 

 /RA/ 

Nader L. Mamish 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO 

Contact: 

L. Rakovan, OEDO 

DISTRIBUTION: 

EDO R/F 

AO R/F 

ADAMS ML12082A226

OFFICE OEDO AO/OEDO 

NAME LRakovan NMamish 

DATE 03/28/12 03/28/12 

 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE A 

Office of Administration (ADM) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending March 23, 2012 

Neutral Services Supporting the NRC Office of Enforcement’s Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Program (ADR)

On March 12, 2012, as a result of a competitive solicitation, a hybrid firm-fixed-price and 

indefinite delivery-requirements type contract (NRC-HQ-12-C-37-0039) was awarded to Cornell 

University of Ithaca, NY, for comprehensive ADR case management services from initial contact 

by a potential party through completion of a potential ADR settlement agreement. The period of 

performance is from March 27, 2012, to March 26, 2013, with four 1-year option periods. The 

total value of the contract is $998,337.00, inclusive of all options. 

Station Blackout; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 10 CFR Part 50

(RIN 3150-AJ08; NRC-2011-0299)

On March 20, 2012, the NRC published in the Federal Register (77 FR 16175) an Advance 

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to begin the process of considering amendments of its 

regulations to address a condition known as station blackout (SBO). SBO involves the loss of 

all onsite and offsite alternating current power at a nuclear power plant. The NRC is seeking 

public comments on specific questions and issues with respect to possible revisions to the 

NRC's requirements for addressing SBO conditions to develop new SBO requirements and a 

supporting regulatory basis. This regulatory action is one of the near-term actions based on 

lessons-learned stemming from the March 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi accident in Japan. 

Comments on the proposed rule are due by May 4, 2012. 

Petition for Rulemaking Submitted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.; 

Consideration in the Rulemaking Process, Proposed Rule, 10 CFR Part 50 (PRM-50-101; NRC2011-0189)

On March 21, 2012, the NRC published in the Federal Register (77 FR 16483) a document 

stating the NRC will consider the issues raised in the petition for rulemaking (PRM) submitted by 

the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC or the petitioner), in the NRC’s rulemaking 

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

and new reactor licensee to establish station blackout mitigation strategies and resources. The 

NRC determined that the issues raised in the PRM are appropriate for consideration and will 

consider them in the planned “Station Blackout'' rulemaking. 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE B 

Office of Human Resources (HR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending March 23, 2012 

Arrivals 

None 

Retirements 

Newgent, Christine ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT R-I 

Departures 

Azeem, Almas SENIOR STAFF ASSISTANT NRR 

Johnson, Jonathan RESIDENT INSPECTOR (PWR) R-I 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE C 

Office of Information Services (OIS) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending March 23, 2012 

Montgomery County Public Schools Mock Job Interviews

On March 14, 2012, staff from the Program Management, Policy Development, and Analysis 

Staff (PMAS) supported Montgomery County Public Schools and the National Academy 

Program by participating as a mock interviewer at Gaithersburg High School (GHS). The GHS’ 

Academy of Information Technology (IT) is the NRC’s primary partner for IT Job Shadow Day. 

NRC recently hosted its 4th annual IT Job Shadow Day on February 2, 2012, where 24 students 

from GHS attended in the IT and financial areas. The mock interviews were a follow-up activity 

to continue the agency’s partnership with the community, as well as the partnership with a local 

school that has potential, future NRC IT professionals. The Office of Information Services 

hopes to hire, via the Student Temporary Employee Program, at least two of the students who 

attended IT Job Shadow Day and participated in the mock interviews. 

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

of March 16, 2012 through March 22, 2012: 

 

Simulation documents dated 3/11/11 - 4/30/11 by Shunsuke 

Kondo, Japan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman, regarding 

possible sequences of the Fukushima crisis, referral from State 

Department 

FOIA/PA-2012-0172 

NRC License No. XR081 Westinghouse Electric Company FOIA/PA-2012-0173 

Zion Nuclear Power Station Units 1 & 2, membership interests, 

management interest, directorships incorporated in the limited 

liability company operating agreements 

FOIA/PA-2012-0174 

NRC Regulatory Guide 3.74, additional documents existing that 

provide a regulatory justification for the implementation of Section 

C.5 

FOIA/PA-2012-0175 

All documents relating to any inquiry by any entity into the Colorado 

Department of Health and Environment licensing of Pinon Ridge 

Mill from 1/1/07-3/19/12 

FOIA/PA-2012-0176 

NRC Part 170 and 171 Spent Fuel Storage/Reactor 

Decommissioning Fees, Eight Categories of Records FOIA/PA-2012-0177 

NRC License No. XR081 Amendments 1, 2 & 3 FOIA/PA-2012-0178 

NRC-Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Employee Survey, 

including Employee Satisfaction with Office of Investigations FOIA/PA-2012-0179 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE D 

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending March 23, 2012 

Staff Visit to a Defense Threat Reduction Agency Technical Equipment Inspection Facility

On March 20, 2012, Material Control & Accounting Branch (MCAB) staff visited a facility used 

by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to perform technical equipment inspections 

on equipment being brought into the United States by foreign nationals for the purpose of treaty 

verification activities to ensure it does not pose a threat to national security. This facility, in 

particular, is involved in the inspection of equipment used by inspectors for treaties and 

agreements such as the Chemical Weapons Convention, the U.S.- International Atomic Energy 

Agency (IAEA) Safeguards Agreement, and the U.S. Additional Protocol. MCAB staffs were 

shown the various commercial off the shelf instruments used by DTRA staff such as a thermal 

imaging camera, radiofrequency detection antenna, and a portable digital x-ray imaging system. 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE E 

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending March 23, 2012 

Safety Evaluation Issued for GE-Hitachi

On March 15, 2012, staff issued the Final Safety Evaluation for GE-Hitachi topical report NEDC33173P (“Applicability of GE Methods to Expanded Operating Domains”), Revision 2 and 

Supplement 2, Parts 1-3, “Analysis of Gamma Scan Data and Removal of Safety Limit Minimum 

Critical Power Ratio (SLMCPR) Margin.” 

Westinghouse Fuel Performance Update Meeting

From March 21-22, 2012, staff met with Westinghouse technical staff and their client licensees 

to discuss fuel performance issues. This meeting was one of several periodic meetings the staff 

holds with nuclear power plant fuel vendors to gather information on fuel performance and to 

exchange information on fuel operating experience. Westinghouse also provided submittal 

information on future topical reports for new fuel designs and analytical methods for fuel 

performance. 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE F 

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending March 23, 2012 

Publication of Draft Regulatory Guide DG-1265 “Initial Test Program of Condensate and 

Feedwater Systems for Light-Water Reactors” 

On March 16, 2012 the staff issued DG-1265 for a 60 day public comment period. The draft 

guide is proposed revision 2 of Regulatory Guide 1.68.1, “Preoperational and Initial Startup 

Testing of Feedwater and Condensate Systems for Boiling Water Reactor Power Plants.” The 

name and scope of the regulatory guide has been changed to (1) expand the scope of the guide 

to encompass preoperational, initial plant startup, and power ascension tests for the condensate 

and feedwater systems in all types of light water reactor facilities licensed under 10 CFR Parts 

50 and 52; and (2) incorporate lessons learned by the NRC staff since the 1977 revision. DG1265 is available on the NRC Website at: 

http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1120/ML112020111.pdf

Publication of Draft Regulatory Guide DG-1268, “Preoperational Testing of Instrument and 

Control Air Systems” 

On March 16, 2012 the staff issued DG-1268 for a 60 day public comment period. The draft 

guide is proposed revision 1 of Regulatory Guide 1.68.3, dated January 1982. This regulatory 

guide is being revised to address new issues that have been raised since RG 1.68.3 was first 

issued. These include required vibration testing of instrument and control air systems (ICAS) to 

meet seismic requirement, ICAS air-dryer testing to meet dew point design requirements, ICAS 

accumulator check valves and solenoid valves operating and testing experience, an update to 

Individual Study Activity-S7.3 for acceptable industry standards for oil, water and particle matter 

in ICAS, etc. The revised guide contains information specific for testing both older plants and 

newer reactors licensed under both 10 CFR Part 50 and Part 52. DG-1268 is available on the 

NRC Website at: http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1131/ML113180379.pdf

Value of Statistical Life (VSL) Workshop

On March 19 and 20, 2012, RES sponsored an interagency regulatory analysis workshop 

focusing on the value of statistical life (VSL) used in cost-benefit analysis. The workshop 

brought together approximately 50 participants from 10 different federal agencies and included 

representatives from the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, the 

Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug 

Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of 

Agriculture. The participants exchanged lessons learned regarding calculating, updating, 

applying, and communicating VSL, and identified potential areas for future interagency 

collaboration in the area of regulatory analysis. The workshop highlighted similar and unique 

challenges regarding VSL faced by each agency and provided useful insights as the agency 

updates the dollar per person-rem conversion factor used in regulatory analysis. 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE F 

Publication of Regulatory Guide 4.11, “Terrestrial Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power 

Stations” 

On March 21, the staff published Regulatory Guide (RG) 4.11, revision 2, “Terrestrial 

Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power Stations.” This guide provides technical guidance that 

NRC staff considers acceptable for terrestrial environmental studies and analyses supporting 

licensing decisions for nuclear power reactors. Regulatory Guide 4.11 is available on the NRC 

website at http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1133/ML113350385.pdf

Publication of Draft Regulatory Guide 2005 (DG-2005) “Quality Verification for Plate-Type 

Uranium-Aluminum Fuel Elements for Use in Research Reactors”

On March 21, 2012 the staff issued DG-2005 to provide an opportunity for public comments. 

The draft guide is proposed Revision 2 to Regulatory Guide 2.3, which provides licensees and 

applicants with a method that the staff of the NRC considers acceptable for complying with the 

Commission’s regulations concerning establishing and executing a quality assurance program 

for verifying the quality of plate-type uranium-aluminum fuel elements used in research and test 

reactors (RTRs). DG-2005 is available on the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc-collections/reg-guides/res-test-reactors/draft-index.html
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE G 

Office of Public Affairs (OPA) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending March 23, 2012 

OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following: 

A federal district judge’s ruling on Vermont Yankee nuclear plant (VT) caused protest and 

demonstrations which lead to arrests.

The expansion of emergency planning zones at Indian Point nuclear plant (NY). 

The dispute over the licensing process for Colorado Uranium Mill (CO). 

The Japan orders and whether the actions would impact license renewal reviews. 

Other Public Affairs Items: 

OPA supported the following media interviews and events: 

- Palisades nuclear plant (MI) annual assessment meeting and OPA facilitated an 

interview between NRC staff and WSJM news radio. 

- OPA facilitated an interview of Mike Johnson and Frank Akstulewicz of NRO for a 

freelance reporter regarding the NRC’s review of the AP1000 design certification. 

- OPA facilitated an interview between a freelance journalist and the two NRC staffers 

who were involved with the review of the Indian Point nuclear plant (NY) license renewal 

application. 

- OPA participated in a live interview with KMJ Radio to provide an update on the status of 

the ongoing steam generator tube testing at San Onofre nuclear generating station (CA). 

- OPA participated in an interview with KMOX Radio regarding a report the licensee made 

after a test of the backup generator caused lights to flicker. 

OPA issued 3 blog posts: 

- Asking the public for input on the FY 2012 proposed fee rule. 

- Eager “IT Shadow Day” Students Indicate a Promising Tomorrow. 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE G 

Press Releases Issued 

Headquarters:

12-030 NRC, Energy Department to Host International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 

Conference on Nuclear Plant Life Management for Long-Term Operations May 

14-18 in Salt Lake City (3/22/2012) 

12-029 NRC to Discuss Upcoming Earthquake Re-evaluation April 2-3 in Palo Alto, Calif. 

(3/21/2012) 

12-028 NRC Seeks Public Comment at Start of Process to Revise "Station Blackout" Rule 

(3/20/2012) 

Regions:

I-12-011 NRC to Hold Open House on March 29 in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Annual 

Assessment of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant (3/22/2012) 

I-12-010 NRC to Hold Open House on March 28 in Stafford Township, N.J., to Discuss 

Annual Assessment of Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant (3/20/2012) 

IV-12-009 NRC Staff to Meet With Omaha Public Power District Officials to Discuss Fort 

Calhoun Nuclear Plant (3/20/2012) 

II-12-003 NRC Schedules Meetings to Discuss Vogtle Nuclear Plant Performance and 

Construction Inspection for New Units (3/20/2012) 

I-12-009 NRC to Hold Open House on March 22 in Shippingport, PA., to Discuss Annual 

Assessment of Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant (3/19/2012) 

I-12-008 NRC to Hold Public Meetings on March 21st in Berwick, PA., to Discuss Annual 

Assessment of Susquehanna Nuclear Plant and Results of Recent Supplemental 

Inspection (3/19/2012) 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE H 

Office of the Secretary (SECY) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending March 23, 2012 

Document Released 

to Public 

Date Subject

Decision Documents

1. Commission Voting 

Record on SECY-11-0170 

3/16/12 Final Rule: Physical Protection of Byproduct 

Material (RIN 3150-AI12) 

2. SECY-12-0034 3/1/12 Proposed Rulemaking – 10 CFR 50.46c: 

Emergency Core Cooling System 

Performance During Loss-of-Coolant 

Accidents (RIN 3150-AH42) 

3. SRM on SECY-12-0003 3/19/12 Draft Final Policy Statement on Volume 

Reduction and Low-Level Radioactive Waste 

Management 

Commission Voting 

Record on SECY-12-0003 

3/19/12 (same) 

4. SRM on SECY-12-0010 3/21/12 Engagement of Stakeholders Regarding the 

Events in Japan 

Commission Voting 

Record on SECY-12-0010 

3/21/12 (same) 

Information Papers

1. SECY-12-0037 3/13/12 Blue Ribbon Commission Final Report: 

Status of Relevant Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission Activities 

2. SECY-12-0041 3/21/12 Weekly Information Report – Week Ending 

March 16, 2012 
March 23, 2012 ENCLOSURE H 

Memoranda

1. M120316 3/16/12 Staff Requirements – Affirmation Session: I. 

SECY-11-0170 – Final Rule: Physical 

Protection of Byproduct Material (RIN 3150-

AI12); II. SECY-12-0014 – Luminant 

Generation Company LLC (Comanche Peak 

Nuclear Power Plant, Units 3 & 4); Entergy 

Northwest (Columbia Generating Station); 

Southern Nuclear Operating Co. (Vogtle 

Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4); 

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (William States 

Lee III Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2), 

Petitions for Review of LBP-11-27 

(November 2, 2011) 

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated March 12, 2012, provides NRC’s Status Report on 

Implementation of the Near-Term Task Force Recommendations Based on Insights from 

the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident. 

2. Letter to Senator Barbara Boxer, dated March 13, 2012, responds to letter regarding 

recent events at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. 

3. Letter to Congress, United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Office 

of Management and Budget (OMB), dated March 14, 2012, provides a summary of 

actions taken by the NRC in response to recommendations contained in various GAO 

reports that address NRC activities. 

4. Letter to Congress, dated March 15, 2012, provides NRC’s Updated Fiscal Year 2008-

2013 Strategic Plan. 

5. Letter to Congress, dated March 16, 2012, provides an NRC draft bill that would amend 

the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. 

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI), Renewal Notice. 

 

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

Regulatory Policies and Practices, notice of meeting (04/25/2012).