INFORMATION REPORT

September 16, 2011 SECY-11-0127

For: The Commissioners 

From: Nader L. Mamish 

 Assistant for Operations 

 Office of the Executive Director for Operations 

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 

Contents Enclosure

Administration A 

Enforcement B 

Human Resources C 

Information Services D 

Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards E 

Nuclear Reactor Regulation F 

Nuclear Regulatory Research G 

Public Affairs H 

Secretary I 

 /RA/ 

Nader L. Mamish 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO 

Contact: 

L. Rakovan, OEDO 
September 16, 2011 SECY-11-0127

For: The Commissioners 

From: Nader L. Mamish 

 Assistant for Operations 

 Office of the Executive Director for Operations 

Subject: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 

Contents Enclosure

Administration A 

Enforcement B 

Human Resources C 

Information Services D 

Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards E 

Nuclear Reactor Regulation F 

Nuclear Regulatory Research G 

Public Affairs H 

Secretary I 

 /RA/ 

Nader L. Mamish 

Assistant for Operations, OEDO 

Contact: 

L. Rakovan, OEDO 

DISTRIBUTION: 

EDO R/F 

AO R/F 

ADAMS ML11257A021

OFFICE OEDO AO/OEDO 

NAME LRakovan 

(RRihm for) 

NMamish 

DATE 9/16/11 9/16/11 

 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE A 

 Office of Administration (ADM) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending September 2, 2011 

Large Scale Simulation of an Extreme Earthquake

On August 31, 2011, as a result of a non-competitive solicitation, a cost reimbursement, no fee 

contract (NRC-HQ-11-C-04-0067) was awarded to the University of Nevada, at Reno, to 

perform a Large Scale Simulation of a Base-Isolated Structure of Extreme Earthquakes. The 

period of performance is August 31, 2011, through August 20, 2012, with no option periods. 

The total estimated value is $280,463.00. 

New International Commission on Radiological Protection; Recommendations on the Annual 

Dose Limit to the Lens of the Eye; Request for Public Comment, 10 CFR Chapter I (NRC-2009-

0279)

On August 30, 2011, the NRC published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (76 FR 53847) 

seeking public comment on recommendations recently released by the International 

Commission on Radiological Protection for the limitation of annual radiation dose to the lens of 

the eye. Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to submit comments on the issues 

discussed in this notice by October 31, 2011. 
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE B 

Office of Enforcement (OE) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending September 2, 2011 

Differing Professional Opinion (DPO) Decision on Enforcement Policy Issues

On June 28, 2011, the Director, Office of Enforcement, issued a decision on a Differing 

Professional Opinion (DPO) involving how enforcement decisions were made related to a 

materials licensee. On January 24, 2011, an NRC employee submitted a DPO that focused on 

a major enforcement action being taken without prior communication between agency 

management and the licensee, and indicating that NRC escalated enforcement actions should 

refrain from revoking the general license granting ownership (vice possession and use) unless a 

nexus to safety and security can be established. The DPO further noted that the agency could 

have met its safety and security goals with fewer unintended consequences if an Order had 

been drafted more carefully. On May 11, 2011, an Ad Hoc Review Panel provided the results of 

its independent review to the Director, OE. The Panel concluded that: 1) the agency’s decision 

to issue orders without first offering a pre-decisional enforcement conference or issuing a 

Demand for Information satisfied the guidelines of the Enforcement Policy, and 2) the decision 

to ban owning licensed material was reviewed, deliberated, and agreed upon in accordance with 

normal enforcement processes. The decision was tied to staff concerns about the potential 

safety consequences of allowing the control over licensed material. The Panel recommended 

that guidance to staff (and possibly licensees) regarding the scope and meaning of the phrase 

“licensed activities” is needed. Further the Panel recommended that guidance to staff on how to 

draft orders in a manner that avoids unintended consequences may be warranted. Based on a 

review of the Panel’s report and additional comments from the DPO submitter, the Director, OE 

agreed with the Panel’s conclusions and recommendations. Also, the Director, OE agreed with 

the DPO submitter that it is highly unusual to take a major enforcement action without providing 

the licensee the opportunity to respond to the findings; however, in this case the action was 

deemed necessary to protect public health and safety. The public DPO Case File can be found 

at ML11234A302. 
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE C 

Office of Human Resources (HR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending September 2, 2011 

Arrivals 

None 

Retirements 

Cutler, Iris INSPECTION MANUAL COORDINATOR NRR 

Departures 

None 
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE D 

Office of Information Services (OIS) 

Items of Interest 

Week Ending September 2, 2011 

Dispute Resolution Skills Training

On August 30, 2011, staff from the Information and Records Services Division, attended dispute 

resolution skills training sponsored by the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). 

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Public Liaisons (FPLs) play a crucial role in the FOIA 

process, resolving disputes and serving as the point of contact for requesters. In support of this 

role, OGIS offers this training program to provide FPLs with dispute resolution tools that can be 

applied to FOIA disputes at their agencies. Key presentations included: Alternative Dispute 

Resolution Techniques, OGIS’ Role and Process, Key Elements of a Good Communicator, 

Effective Management of the FOIA Process, Appeals Process, and Analyzing Problem 

Behaviors. 

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Guidance Meeting

On August 30, 2011, staff from the Information and Records Services Division, Office of 

Information Services, met with the NARA staff regarding the NRC’s use of NARA’s records 

storage services. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss funding for the Interagency 

Agreement between the NRC and NARA, as well as additional services available to the NRC 

over the next five years. A key topic of the meeting was to plan for the Fiscal Year 2012 

transfer of NRC’s Regional records to NARA facilities that are in proximity to NRC regional 

offices. 

FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) Requests Received During the Period of August 26, 2011, through 

September 1, 2011: 

Yellow Announcements: YA-10-0045, YA-10-0119, YA-11-0005, YA-11-

0065 

FOIA/PA-2011-0335 

NUREG/BR-0150, Response Technical Manual, Vol. 1, latest version FOIA/PA-2011-0334 

Energy Solutions efforts to bring 20,000+ tons of radioactive waste into 

Utah in 2008, contacts between Congressman Fred Upton’s Office and 

NRC 

FOIA/PA-2011-0333 

NRR Office Instruction LIC 101, License Amendment Review Procedures FOIA/PA-2011-0332 

NRR Office Instruction LIC 101, License Amendment Review Procedures FOIA/PA-2011-0331 

Nuclear Cardiology Systems Inc., NC Systems, NCS, Charles Rose, all 

records from March 8, 2011, to present 

FOIA/PA-2011-0330 
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE E 

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending September 2, 2011 

Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards Response Training

Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards Response Training has been completed for FY 2011. With 

the support of the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, all three teams (Red, 

White, and Blue) participated in different Table Top exercises in the Emergency Operations 

Center during August. All team members have or will have completed and received credit for 

the on-line training portion of their qualifications prior to the end of September. Thus, 100% of 

the team members will be qualified and have met the requirement for participation in the Table 

Top exercises at least once every two years. In the near future, we will be gathering insight 

from all participants to see how we can improve our response capability and readiness in the 

future. 
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE F 

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending September 2, 2011 

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Joint Utility Task Group (JUTG) Procurement Forum 

Highlight

On August 23-25, 2011, staff participated in the EPRI JUTG Procurement Forum in 

Minneapolis, Minnesota. The forum was attended by nuclear vendors, Nuclear Procurement 

Issues Committee member utilities, EPRI, Nuclear Energy Institute, and American Society of 

Mechanical Engineers NQA-1 Standard representatives. During the meeting, the staff 

discussed the proposed rulemaking related to 10 CFR Part 21. This led to numerous 

discussions and suggestions for the rulemaking. Staff members also participated in an open 

forum session entitled “Ask the Regulator.” 

Safety Evaluation Report (SER) with Open Items for Columbia Generating Station License

Renewal Application

On August 30, 2011, the staff issued the SER with Open Items for the Columbia Generating 

Station license renewal application, which was received from Energy Northwest by letter dated 

January 19, 2010. The SER has six open items: operating experience review prior to entering 

the period of extended operation; aging management of high voltage porcelain insulators; 

environmentally-adjusted fatigue values other than those identified in NUREG/CR-6260; stress 

relaxation of the core plate hold-down bolts; time limited aging analysis of the polar crane; and 

the technical basis of the initial upper shelf energy for the N12 nozzles. The staff is scheduled 

to meet with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Subcommittee on October 19, 

2011, to discuss the SER with Open Items. 

Supplemental Safety Evaluation Report (SSER) for Indian Point License Renewal Application

On August 30, 2011, the staff issued an SSER for the Indian Point Nuclear Generating, Unit 

Nos. 2 and 3, license renewal application. The SSER documents the staff’s review of additional 

information provided by the applicant since the staff’s issuance of the SER in November 2009. 

This information includes annual updates required by 10 CFR 54.21(b) and updated information 

and commitments in response to recent industry operating experience. The staff concluded that 

the additional information provided did not alter the conclusions stated in the SER issued in 

November 2009. 

.
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE G 

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending September 2, 2011 

RES Publication of Report on Proposed Generic Issues

The NRC Generic Issues Program has begun to report the status of proposed issues that are in 

process or were determined not to meet the generic issue scoping criteria in order to enhance 

the program’s transparency and accountability. The report will summarize the issues that were 

proposed for evaluation as potential generic issues and are in the identification, acceptance, or 

screening stages of the Generic Issue process or were determined not to have met the program 

screening criteria. The report on proposed Generic Issues is now available on the NRC Web 

site (http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/generic-issues/). The report will be updated 

semi-annually.
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE H 

Office of Public Affairs (OPA) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending September 2, 2011 

OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following:

The NRC staff’s public meeting to obtain comments on the Near-Term Japan Task Force 

recommendations 

NRC’s role and the status in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene 

NRC’s Augmented Inspection Team review of the North Anna nuclear power plant following the 

Virginia earthquake 

Issuance of the draft Generic Letter (GL-199) on the implications of updated probabilistic 

seismic hazard estimates in Central and Eastern United States for operating nuclear power 

plants 

Issuance of a preliminary “white” finding found through NRC inspections for the Pilgrim nuclear 

plant (Massachusetts) 

Issuance of the Emergency Preparedness Regulations for Nuclear Power Plants, Other 

Facilities 

Other Public Affairs Items:

OPA supported the recent public meeting where staff discussed inspection results from a 

supplemental inspection (95003) of Browns Ferry nuclear power plant in Alabama. 

Since starting Twitter on August 24, 2011, OPA has sent 25 “tweets” and has over 500 

followers. 

Press Releases Issued

Headquarters:

11-165 NRC Issues Second of Three Technical Evaluation Reports on DOE’s Yucca 

Mountain License Application (9/01/2011)

11-164 NRC Seeks Public Input on Draft Generic Letter Regarding Updated Seismic 

Analyses for U.S. Nuclear Reactors (9/01/2011)

11-163 NRC Issues Supplemental Safety Evaluation for Indian Point Nuclear Power 

Plant License Renewal (8/30/2011)

11-162 Commission Approves Emergency Preparedness Regulations for Nuclear Power 

Plants, Other Facilities (8/30/2011)

11-161 Opening Remarks of NRC Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko at the 

Commission Meeting to Discuss Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance 

Criteria (8/30/2011)

11-160 NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet September 8-10, 2011 

in Rockville, Maryland; New Member Appointed (8/29/2011)
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE H 

Regions:

I-11-031 NRC to Seek Public Input on September 15, 2011, on Draft Report Assessing 

Possible Environmental Impacts of Seabrook License Extension (9/02/2011)

I-11-030 NRC Assigns New Senior Resident Inspector To Hope Creek Nuclear Power 

Plant (8/31/2011)

II-11-053 NRC Schedules Meeting on NFS Oversight and Related Issues (8/31/2011)

II-11-052 NRC Sends Augmented Inspection Team to North Anna Nuclear Power Station 

(8/29/2011)

IV-11-039 NRC Issues Confirmatory Action Letter for Fort Calhoun Restart Preparations 

(9/02/2011)
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE I

 Office of the Secretary (SECY) 

 Items of Interest 

 Week Ending September 2, 2011 

Document Released 

to Public 

Date Subject

Decision Documents 

1. Commission Voting Record 

on SECY-11-0053 

8/30/2011 Enhancements to Emergency Preparedness 

Regulations (10 CFR Part 50 and 10 CFR 

Part 52) (RIN-3150-AI10) 

2. Chairman Jaczko’s vote and 

comments on SECY-11-0032 

8/29/2011 Consideration of the Cumulative Effects of 

Regulation in the Rulemaking Process 

3. Staff Requirements 

Memorandum on 

SECY-11-0105 

8/31/2011 Proposed Minor Revision to Management 

Directive 5.12, International Nuclear Event 

Scale Participation 

4. Commission Voting Record 

on SECY-11-0105 

8/31/2011 Proposed Minor Revision to Management 

Directive 5.12, International Nuclear Event 

Scale Participation 

Information Papers

1. SECY-11-0119 9/02/2011 Weekly Information Report- Week Ending 

August 5, 2011 

2. SECY-11-0120 9/02/2011 Weekly Information Report- Week Ending 

August 12, 2011 

3. SECY-11-0121 9/02/2011 Weekly Information Report- Week Ending 

August 19, 2011 

Memoranda

1. M110830A 8/30/2011 Staff Requirements – Affirmation Session: I. 

SECY-11-0053 – Final Rule: Enhancements 

to Emergency Preparedness Regulations 

(10 CFR Part 50 and 10 CFR Part 52) (RIN3150-AI10) 

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Representative Jon Runyan, dated August 23, 2011, responds to letter 

concerning the June 2011 GAO report entitled NRC Oversight of Underground Piping 

Systems Commensurate with Risk, but Proactive Measures. 

2. Letter to Congressman Edward Markey, dated August 23, 2011, responds to letter, 

regarding the applicability of the recommendations of the NRC Near-Term Japan Task 

Force. 
September 2, 2011 ENCLOSURE I

Federal Register Notices Issued

 

1. Florida Power and Light Company, St. Lucie Plant, Unit 2 License Amendment Request; 

Opportunity to Request a Hearing and to Petition for Leave to Intervene, and 

Commission Order Imposing Procedures for Document Access. 

2. Confirmatory Order Modifying License No. SNM-2001 for the Shallow Land Disposal 

Area, Parks Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Notice of Opportunity for 

Hearing and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified NonSafeguards Information and Safeguards Information. 

3. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), Subcommittee on Reliability and 

Probabilistic Risk Assessment, notice of meeting (09/20/2011). 

4. ACRS, Subcommittee on Materials, Metallurgy and Reactor Fuels, notice of meeting 

(09/21/2011). 

5. ACRS, Subcommittee on Reliability and Probabilistic Risk Assessment, notice of 

meeting (09/21/2011). 

6. ACRS, Subcommittee on Radiation Protection and Nuclear Materials, notice of meeting 

(09/22/2011). 

7. ACRS, Subcommittee on Radiation Protection and Nuclear Materials, notice of meeting 

(09/23/2011).