ML19249A361
| ML19249A361 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/15/1979 |
| From: | Rehm T NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| WIR-790810, NUDOCS 7908220336 | |
| Download: ML19249A361 (28) | |
Text
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Aucust 15, 1979 For:
The Comissioners From:
T. A. Rehm, Assistant to the Executive Direct x for Operations
Subject:
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING AUGUST 10, 1979 A sumary of key events is included as a convenience to those Comissioners who may prefer a condensed version of this' report.
Contents Enclosure Administration A
Nuclear Reactor Regulation B
Standards Development C
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards D
Inspection and Enforcement E
Nuclear Reg'Ulatory Research F*~
Executive Legal Director G
International Programs H
State Programs I
Management and Program Alalysis J
Controller K
Calendar cf Significant Events L
Items Approved by the Comission M**
Calendar of Speaking Engagements N
l T.
. Rehm, Ass > Edo the -
Executive Director for Operations
Contact:
T. A. Rehm 7908250:ssq 49-27781
- No input this week.
O h.I d d,b
- Deleted from Comitsioners and PDR copy.
[
s
m+
SUMMARY
OF KEY EVENTS Week Ending August 10, 1979 Point Beach, VIiits 1 and 2 On August 2, NRR issued the initial fire protection SER (Amendments 39 and 44).
The amendments require certain plant modifications to enhance the fire detec-tion and suppression capabilities.
Several items will require supplemental review.
NeschBottom, Units'2'and3 IE (dentified deficiencies in 15 pipe supports, 8 of which affect hmergency
~ cooling water to the diesel generators. After meeting with the licensee, IE issued an Immediate Action Letter requiring reevaluation and hardware modifi-cation. On August 7, the licensee completed these modifications.
' Turkey Point,' Units'3 and 4 and Hatch, Unit 2 On August. 3, all three units tripped from full power.
Turkey Point Unit 4 wu tripped by a voltage spike, seconds later Unit 3 was tripped by high reactor coolant pressure, and at about the same time Hatch, Unit 2 was tripped likely by the power surge from Turkey Point's trips. These multiple trips caused a black-out for about 70 minutes affecting about 100,000 customers.
At the time, St. Lucie and Cryctal River, Unit 3 were on line and did not trip.
On August 3, the ASLB ordered that the untimely petition for hearing on the Steam Generator repait program should be granted. Subjects considered acceptable for litigation are:
(1) preparation of an envirenmental impact statement, (2) protection of the stored assemblies from floods, (3) occupational exposure, and (4) liquid radioactive discharges due to the repair program.
Safecuards Consolidation NRR and NMSS have agreed to a schedule for transfering all reactor safeguards activities to NMSS. The transfer will be coordinated during the next six weeks with NMSS assu' ting responsibilities by October 1,1979. A transition team has been formed within the Division of Safeguards, NMSS to implement the agreement..
Whit.a Mesa Uranium Mill Licensed _
On August 7, NMSS issued a source material license to Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc.
The license authorizes processing of uranium ore at the proposed mill to be located near Blanding in San Juan County, Utah.
Emergency Preoaredness On August 9, NRC (SP and RES) and EPA briefed the ACRS on the recommendations of the NRC/ EPA Task Force on Emergency Planning. Ala, discussed was a proposed policy statement on these recommendations.
Seismic Qualification System MPA established a data base to provide information on seismic qualification of mechanical and electrical equipment.
The data will be usF - ' ' seismic qualification reviews, Phase 2 of the Systematic Evaluation id LER evaluation.
847 224-w,
CFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION Week Ending August 10, 1979 ADMINISTRATION OF. THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AE STATUS OF REQUESTS Initial Appeal of Request _
Initial Decision Received 348 25 Granted 21 4 5
Denied 54 10 Pending 80 10 ACTIONS THIS WEEK Received Edwin I. Malet Requests six closed Comission meeting transcripts.
(79-302)
Andrew B. Reid-Requests infortnation concerning Union Carbide's (79-303) license to possess and transport uranium ore through )!ycming.
Thomas M. Kumpuris, Requests a copy of a letter dated June 18, 1979 Harper-Grace Hospitall concerning allegations made against Harper-Grace (79-304)
Hospitals' radiation safety practices.
Al fred C. Coleman Requests the 1st and 2nd-quarter radiation exposure (79-305) reports for Three Mile Island.
Alfred C. Coleman Requests all radiological monitoring reports for (79-306)
Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3, and the 1st and 2nd-quarter reports on exposure of station personnel.
Edward H. Fox, Requests all documents relating to investigation Attorney-At-Law report 50-244/74-01.
(79-307)
(NRCemployee)
Requests all data pertaining to the audit of his (79-308) position from the time of the initiation of the Damans report until the final determination by the Commission.
Warren Olney, Requests 13 categories of documents, mostly from NBC News docket files, to assist in research for a series (79-309) of stories.
CONTACT:
J. M. Felton 492-7211 ENCLOSURE A
2 Received, Cont'd James C. Price, Requests the non-proprietary portions of the Woodward-Clyde Consultants technical proposal for RFP-RS-NMS-79-029.
(79-310)
Lyn M. Snyder Requests the locations, present and proposed, for (79-311) storage of nuclear wastes, and a listing of proposed locations for nuclear power plants.
Kathy Roach, Requests four categories of information relating to Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
meteorological data collected from Consolidated (79-312)
Edison's facility at Indian Point, Tom Keenan, Requests copies of certain NRC mailing lists.
The Washington Monitor (79-313)
Christopher H. Buckley, Requests all documents during the period from Attorney-At-Law January 1,1976 to the present relating to the (79-314) export license applications submitted by
~
kestinghouse Electric Corporation concerning the Phflippine Power Reactor Project.
Andrew W. Forsyth, III naquests information regarding the licerise for use (79-315) of special nuclear material at the Turkey Point facility; consistency between NRC and DOE licensing procedures; and questions about the " power' NRC has concernQg DOE shipments.
(An individual requesting Requests all information concerning his Reactor inferr.ation about himself)
Operator License.
(79-316)
Jim Wright, Requests all information concerning the operation Argonaut of experimental atomic devices and storage of atomic (79-317) material on or around the University of Idaho campus.
John Raymond, APPEAL TO THE EDO the denial of portions of five Mury Glass, documents relating to Xaren Silkwood.
Cormon Ground (79-A-19-79-272)
Granted Jack D. Novik, Informed the requester that the NRC has no A erican Civil documents relating to individuals or groups who have Liberties. Union expressed opposition to governraent or utility (79-172) energy policies or practices.
847 226 ENCLOSURE A
3 Granted, Cont'd Bet:y Hauser, In response to a request for records concerning The Lorain Journal the reactor operators at the Davis-Besse Nuclear (79-181)
Plant 1, made available this infomation.
Michael C. Jenks In response to a request for documents pertaining (79-205) to the importation into the U.S., and disposal here, of nuclear waste materials from foreign countries, made available five documents.
Lawrence W. Skinner In response to a request for information related (79-250) to nuclear energy engineering, made available six documents.
Max McDowell, In response to a request for correspondence between The Emporia Gazette NRC and Rolland Hans, NRC consultant, between (79-252)
October 1978 and July 3,1979, made avcilable six documents.
Citizens for a In response to a request to be placed on a mailing Non-Nilclear Future list for NRC' publications, informed the requester (79-253) that the FOIA does not apply to records which are to be created at a future date. Made arrangements for the Citizens for a Non-Nuclear Future to be lists for " Weekly Press Releases,"
placed on mailing' and the " Monthly Listing of
~~
" Proposed Rules, NRC Publicly Available Documents."
James R. Lande, In response to requests for the winning contract Attorney-At-Law proposal for RS-0SD-79-002 issued by the NRC, (79-254) informed the requesters that this contract has not yet been awarded.
and Janice Pydych, National Evaluation Systems, Inc.
(79-259)
June Allen, In response to a referral from the Department of North Anna Environmental Justice of documents relating to the alleged Coalition withholding of infcrmation concerning nuclear plants (79-269) operated by VEPCO, made available these documents.
Gary Howard Simpson, In response to a request for documents regarding the Attorney-At-Law FY 79 budget on training and travel for ADM, I&E, (79-270) and RES as of June 15, 1979, and data on promotions in the Office of Administration for FY 79, made available this information.
847 227 ENCLOSURE A
4 Granted, Cont'd Joan McMahan, In response to a request for documents relating to Safe Alternatives for possible construction of nuclear plants in Virginia Future Energy or West Virginia by the Appalachian Power (79-271)
Company or General Electric Power Company during the next 15 years, made available nine documents.
Emojean Kerber Girard, In response to a request for all correspondence Attorney-At ' aw between the NRC and the Arizona Atomic Energy (79-277)
Commission regarding the delegation of authority for nuclear matters, made available three documents.
Alletta d' A. Belin, Made available two documents relating to or Center for Law in mentioning [a named person].
.the Public Interest (79-278)
Alletta d' A. Belin, Informed the requester that the NRC has no Center for Law in documents relating to or mentioning the the Public I'nterest organization known as Project Survival.
(79-279)
Alletta d' A. Belin, Informed the requester the NRC has no information Center for Law in pertaining to [a named person] in its personnel, the Public Interest -
security, or radiation exposure records.
(79-280)
Alletta d' A. Belin, Informed the requester the NRC has no information Center for Law in pertaining to [a named person] in its personnel, the Public Interest security, or radiation exposure files.
(79-281)
Alletta d' A. Belin, Informed the requester that the NRC has no Center for Law in documents relating to or mentioning the organizatier the Public Interest known as People Against Nuclear Power.
(79-282)
Alletta d' A. Belin, Made available five documents relating to Center for Law in or mentioning [a named person].
the Public Interest (79-284)
Matthew B. Bogin, In response to a referral from the Department of Attorney-At-Law Energy of two documents relating to the Philippines (79-287) reactor, made available these documents.
847 228 ENCLOSURE A
5 Granted, Cont'd Joan Loftus, In response to a request for a copy of " Barrier The Stanford University Penetration Database," informed the requester Libraries that a copy of this document is available for (79-292) purchase at the National Technical Information Service.
Alletta d' A. Belin, Informed the requester that the NRC has no Center for Law in documents relating to or mentioning the the Public Interest organization known as Abalone Alliance.
(79-293)
Tom Blodget In response to a request for all testimony (79-297) related to the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station Unit 2 incident, informed the requester that these records are available in the PDR.
P. Taylor, In response to a request for answers to questions Productivity Study regarding NRC's word processing and duplicating Board equipment and services, informed the requester (79-300 & 79-301) that the FOIA applies only to requests for records, not requests for information.
Denied Richard Hubbard, In response to a request for documents exchanged MHB Technical Associates between AEC/NRC and the Italian government, relating (79-218) to probabilistic techniques for reactor safety evaluation, made available two documents.
Continued to withhold portions of one document containing information given in confidence by a foreign regulatory agency concerning a confidential and proprietary method.
Jeannie Peterson, In response to a request for " strip char.ts" preparec American Friends for transport of special nuclear material, copies Service Coninittee of supporting documents identifying " safe havens,"
(79-222) and copies of rules and regulations used in preparation of " strip charts," made available two documents and denied eight documents identifying procedures for safeguarding licensed special nuclear material.
(An NRC employee; THE COMMISSION DENIED ON APPEAL a request for (79-A-4 & 79-A-7) dieeted portions of an 0IA investigation report, and a letter from the ED0 to [an NRC employee].
M7 229 ENCLOSURE A
DIVISION OF CONTRACTS Week Ending August 10, 1979 PROPOSALS UNDER EVALUATION 1.
RFP RS-RES-79-193 Title - Steam Generator Tube Rupture Iodine Transport Mechanisms Description - Under Task I, the contractor shall experimentally measure the amount of atomization and characterize the drop size distribution of superheated water flashing through a crack-like crifice into a saturated steam environment.
Under Task II, the contractor shall develop (or modify an existing) a computer program to model important iodine transport and remoal mechanisms under steam generator tube rupture accident conditions.
Period of Perfomance - One year Sponsor - Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research 9tatus - Negotiations completed.
Best and Finals due August 15, 1979.
2.
RFP RS-RES-79-200 Title - RES/ PAS Fuel Cycle Review Description - Technic'al assistance for peer review to critique the published products from the project, " Risk Assessment Methodology Develop-ment for Waste Isolation in Geologic Media" an ongoing study by Sandia Laboratories.
Period of Performance - Three years Sponsor - Office of' Nuclear R6gulatory Research Status - Solicitation closed August 8, 1979.
Proposals to be distributed to Panel week of August 20, 1979.
3.
RFP RS-RES-79-203 Title - NRC Monitor for Heissdampfreaktor Seismic Tests Description - Assistance in monitoring earthquake investigations at the superheated steam reactor (Heissdampfreaktor) at the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center in Germany. The contractor shall assist in fomulation of pretest predictions and observation of intermediate level explosive, shaker and snap back tests.
Period of Performance - Two years Sponsor - Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Status - Negotiations conducted week of August 6,1979.
Best and Finals due August 24, 1979.
4.
RFP RS-RES-79-210 Title - Nuclear Reactor Crisis Management-Alternatives for Government Action Description - To provide a listing and an evaluation of alternatives for Government action in nuclear crisis management based on experience in other industry and Government sectors. Provide comments on draft NRC-TMI Special Inquiry evaluation which deals with NRC's own emergency response.
Period of Performance - Four months Sponsor - TMI Special Inquiry Staff (RES Funds)
Status - Recommendation for award approved by Designating Official and Contracting Office August 9, 1979.
847 230 ENCLOSURE A
CONTRACT AWARDS NRC-04-79-209 Title - Human Factors Evaluation of Control Room Design and Operator Performance at TMI-2 Description - Evaluate control room design, operator training and selection, operator performance, and other factors which significantly influenced the sequence of events at TMI.
Period of Performance - Five months Sponsor - TMI Special Inquiry Staff (RES Funds)
Status - Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract awarded to Essex Corporation in the amount of $96,236.00 CANCELLATIONS RFP RS-RES-79-183 Title - Limiting Conditions for Operations Description - Develop a methodology to calculate allowable ratios of LC0's based on probabilistic approaches.
To apply the methodology, system logic models such as fault trees will be constructed for specific safety systems in nuclear power plants and the allowable values for the LCO's will be calculated using available reliability data.
Period of Performance - Anticipated to be two years Spopsor - Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Status - Solicitatio,n cancelled by Program Office due to programmatic changes.
847 23i ENCLOSURE A i
DIVISION OF SECURITY ITEMS OF INTEREST WEEK ENDING AUGUST 10, 1979 VISIT BY THE INFORMATION SECURITY OVERSIGHT OFFICE ON AUGUST 7, 1979 The Nuclear Regulatory Comission was visited on August 7,1979 by repre-sentatives of the Information Security Oversight Office (1500). The purpose of the visit was to audit NRC's implementation and progress under Executive Order 12065 as provided for in the Executive Order.
The audit team inspected files in the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards and International Programs for correctness of classification and
. classification markings on documents. Additionally, they reviewed the TOP SECRET Control System and TOP SECRET documents maintained by the Central TOP SECRET Control Officer in the Division of Security.
It is expected that the IS00 audit team will prepare and submit to NRC a report of their fin' dings and recomendations.
MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR, TVA POWER' SECURITY SECTION The Director, Division of Security, met with the Supervisor, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Power Security Section, on Tuesday, August 7, to discuss matters of mutual security interest.
847 232 ENCLOSURE A
0FFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION WEEKLY ITEMS OF INTEREST (Week Ending Auguat 10,1979)
Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 The initial fire protection SER was issued on August 2,1979 (Amendments 39 and 44).
The licenses for Units 1 and 2 have been conditioned to require the completion of certain plant modtfications to enhance the fire detection and suppression capabilities. Several items will require supple-mental review. These include:
fire brigade size and training, final decision approval of proposed nodifications and six items listed in the SER as incomplete pending staff review of infonnation which has been pro-vided by the licensee. A supplement to the SER will be used to address these items.
Peach Bottom Unit Nos. 2 and 3 IE review of Philadelphia Electric Company's response to Bulletin 79-02 (base plates) identified 15 supports with safety factors, between 1 and 2 based on analytical results. The licensee was requested to identify which of these supports are required for operation of the associated safety system. Of the identified deficiencies the most significant are 8 supports associated with the Emergency Cooling Water to the Diesel Generators. The licensee met with the staff on August 2 to discuss the results' of his investigation and the degree of conservation that may exist in his analysis.
He also discussed why both units should not be shutdown pending completion of modifications.
On August 3,1979 OIE Region I lssued an Immediate Action Letter to Philadelphia
~
Electric Company regarding the base plate and anchor bolt analyses and testing results on Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3.
The letter required the licensee to perform certain reevaluations and hardware modifications and to amend their response to 3ulletin 79-02 by COB, Tuesday, August 7,1979.
This letter was a direct result of the additional information presented by the licensee at a meeting with the staff on August 2,1979. The licensee responded by letter dated August 7,1979 and reported that all required codifications have been completed.
Turkey Point, Unit Nos. 3 and 4 At approximately 8:00 on the morning of August 3,1979, Turkey Point Units 3 and 4 and Hatch Unit 2 tripped from full power. While surveillance was being performed on its reactor protection system, Turkey Point 4 was tripped from full power by a voltage spike. With the Unit 4 startup transformer out of service for maintenance this resulted in a loss of offsite power for Unit 4.
The subsequent non-essential load shedding included the control rod position indication for both Unit 3 and Unit 4.
The loss of pcwer to the contr:1 rod position indication for Unit 3 initiated a turbine runback and Unit 3 " ripped 847 233 ENCLOSURE B
2-fmm full power on high reactor coolant pressure about 2 seconds after Unit 4 tripped.
In addition, Unit 3 experienced a Power Operated Relief Valve opening for about 7 seconds. At about the same time the Turkey Point units tripped, Hatch 2 also tripped from full power. The tie line from Alabama Fower to Florida was wheeling power at the time and the surge from Turkey Point trip is believed to have caused Hatch 2 to trip. As a result of these multiple trips, appmximately 100,000 customers (250 MWe) were blacked out for about 20 minutes, until service could be restored.
St. Lucie was on line at the time, as was Crystal River 3.
Neither of these two nuclear units tripped off the line. Crystal River 3 experienced a minor power surge from 40 to 477. power. Emergency Power functioned as required at Hatch ano at Turkey Point nuclear stations.
On Sunday, August 5,1979, Turkey Point 4 tripped while in the startup phase
.(about 75 MWe). This trip was recorded at Hatch 2 but did not cause a trip.
The trip was caused by a faulty reset of the turbine overspeed after test.
We have reviewed the matter and find taat consequences of the anticipated transients presented in the FSAR for Turkey Point are bounding and encompass this type of' load rejection.
On August 3,1979, the ASLB ordered that the untimely petition for hearing on the Steam Generator repair program should be granted.
It was a split decision with Dr. David Hall dissenting.
n.
Subjects considered acceptable for litigation are (1) preparation of an environmental impact statement, (2) protection of the stored assemblies from floods, (3) occupational exposure and, (4) liquid radioactive discharges due to the repair program.
The parties are urged to meet as promptly as possible to reach agreement on other contentions, possible stipulations and setting a schedule for discovery.
Zirmier Unit 1 On August 7,1979 oublic hearings resuned on contentions dealing with alleged construction deficiencies.
847 234 ENCLOSURE B
0FFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT IMPORTANT EVENTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 10, 1979 1.
By letter to Chairman Hendrie, dated August 6,1979, Richard Cotton, Chair of the Interagency Task Force on the Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation, forwarded a copy of Secretary Califano's report to the White
":tre on the Task Force effort. Secretary Califano generally supported all of the Task Force recommendations, but took a firm position recomending that EPA chair the proposed radiation policy council and recommending that a significant portion of research funding and management be transferred from DOE to NIH and other health and regulatory agencies.
The White House has requested Chairman Hendrie's response to the Califano memo by noon Tuesday, August 14, 1979.
HEW staff understands that the White House is drafting Executive Orders to implement the Califano recommendations.
[R. Purple - 443-5855]
Publications Issued During the Week of August 6-10, 1979 Reg. Guide 3.34, Rev.1 - Assumptions Used for Evaluating the Potential Radiological Consequences of Accidental Nuclear Criticality in a Uranium Fuel Fabrication Plant [ Issued to Reflect Comments]
Reg. Guide 3.35, Rev.1 - Assumptions Used for Evaluating the Potential Radiological Consequences of Accidental Nuclear Criticality in a Plutonium Processing and Fuel Fabrication Plant [ Issued to Reflect Comments]
Reg. Guide 1.145 - Atmospheric Dispersion Models for Potential Accident Consequence Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants [ Issued for Comment]
Notice cafled to FES and Supplement 1 Distribution List (NUREG-0060) requesting additional public comments on NUREG-0060, " Final Generic Environmental Statement on Routine Use of Plutonium-Powerd Cardiac Pacemakers", issued in e'"ly 1976, and Supplement 1 to the FES, " Update of Informaticn on Power Sou, ces for Pacemakers" A
847 235 ENCLOSURE C
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS Items of Interest Week Ending August 10, 1979 Safeguards Consolidation Final agreement has been reached between NRR and NMSS on the schedule for the transfer of all reactor safeguards activities to NMSS. The transfer will be coordinated during the next six ' weeks with fonnal assumption of responsibilities by NMSS planned for October 1,1979. A transition team has been formed within the Division of Safeguards to implement this agreement.
Upgrade Rule Guidance Compendium Work is continuing on the Physical Protection Upgrade Rule guidance. The first draft of the Information Request Sheets will be distributed for comment by August 10, 1979. The first draft of the Effectiveness Test Questionnaires is completed and will be distributed for comment shortly.
Highway Routing of Radioactive Material Shioments The staff is currently preparing coments on a paper, Review of NRC Reconnendations to D0T on Highway Routing of Radioactive Material Shipments. This paper recommends that the Department of Transportation adopt rules to regulate routing practices for nuclear materiais in transit.
It has particular intsrest to the staff because of the interface between the proposad DOT regulations and the Spent Fuel Rule.
Safeguards Guidance Group Appropriate branches have been requested to assign a representative to the Safeguards Guidance Group. The purpose of this group will be to assist licensees in using the Physical Protection Upgrade Rule guidance materials during the development of their upgraded physical security plans.
It is anticipated that the group will commence its activities coincidentally with the publication of the Physical Protection Upgrade Rule.
Meeting with Exxon Nuclear and Babcock & Wilcox, Lynchburg The Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc., in Richland, Washington and Babcock & Wilcox, Navy Nuclear Fuel Division in Lynchburg, Virginia were visited by safecuards licensing representatives to discuss unresolved MC&A licensing issues and a proposed expansion of the Erxon plant.
847 236 ENCLOSURE D
Items of Interest 2
Scheduled Meeting with Nuclear Fuel Services A management meeting with representatives of Nuclear Services, Inc., Erwin, Tennessee is scheduled for August 16 ta discuss the NFS MC&A program.
White Mesa Uranium Mill Licensed Following publication of a Final Environmental Statement and the required 30-day waiting period, the Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch issued a source material license to Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc., on August 7,1979.
This license authorizes processing of uranium ore at the proposed mill to be located near Blanding in San Juan County, Utah. The mill will have a typical acid leach circuit designed to process about 2,000 *ans of ore per day.
The mill may produce as much as 800 tons of yellov;ake per year over its anticipated 15-year operating life. Tailings will be disposed of in impoundment cells built, filled, and reclaimed in stages.
Teton - NEDC0 Joint Venture, Prcoosed Leuenbercer Site Project On July 30, 1979, Teton Exploration Drilling, Inc., and Nuclear Exploration and Development Company jointly submitted to the Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch an application for a Source Material License to conduct a research and development test for the in-situ recovery of uranium. This would be a new facility that will evaluate in-sitd mining techniques using multiple wells to leach a limited volume of mineralized formation. A uranium extraction plant will be used with up to four well field patterns. The facility will be located in Converse County, Wyoming.
Meeting with Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc.
On August 7, Waste Management and Fuel Cycle staff met with representatives of Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc. Chem-Nuclear Systems is beginning work on their upcoming license renewal for SNM burial at the Barnwell, South Carolina, waste burial site. Draft information and procedures to be used in the renewal application were discussed.
Pending requests for license a'nendments were also discussed.
Meeting with Teledyne Energy Systems On August 8, representatives of Teledyne Energy Systems (Protective Packaging Division) met with personnel from the Low-level Waste Licensing Branch to discuss an improved urea-formaldehyde (UF) solidification system which they intend to market. The results of testing the firm's UF system and the characteristics of the simulated waste products were discussed.
84/ d7 e
O ENCLOSURE D
Items of Interest 3
Fuel Cycle Rule (10 CFR 51 The Commission issued a final rule which calls for completion of the explanatory narrative by October 1 including analyses of integration time for dose assessment, "zero release" for long-term repository performance and cumulative impacts. The present narrative will require modification to handle these items.
The reports en radon emissions from uranium mines were reviewed with RES and BPNL and an action plan established for their completion by early September.
This material is required before an upgraded value fJr radon Can be established.
The dose assessment methodology being used for the overall update of the Environmental Survey was reviewed with RAB and the licensing branches and a uniform coordinated basis was established.
Ban of Soent Fuel through Portsmouth. Virginia An affidavit by Mr. Charles MacDonald was filed with the U.S. District Court concerning a petition by the Virginia Sunshine Alliance to ban the import of spent fuel through the Port of Portsmouth, Va. The affidavit addressed the design, certification, tests of spent fuel casks, and studies of transportation impacts.
847 238 ENCLOSURE D
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT Items of Interest Week Ending August 10, 1979 1.
Preliminary Notifications relating to the following actions were dispatched during the past week:
a.
PNO-79-297A Three Mile Island Unit 1 - Liquid Discharge to Susquehanna River (Updated Information) - Sampling and analysis af ter termination of the tank discharge on July 26 indicated that the ccmcentration dis-charged to the river was 10% of the maximum pennissible c'oncentration.
(Closed) b.
PNO-79-304 Wolf Creek Unit 1 - Void in Secondary Shield Wall Concrete -
A void was discovered in the reactor buila ng secondary shield wall.
Preliminary evaluation by the licensee indicates that the void can be repaired using previously approved procedures. (Closed) c.
PNO-79-305 Turkey Point Units 3 and 4; Hatch Unit I - Reactor Trips -
All three units tripped from full power at about the same time. The interrelationship and sequence between the Turkey Point anc' Hatch trips are being evaluated by the licensees.
(Closed) d.
PNO-79-306 Oconee Unit 1 - Reactor Trip on Loss of Feedwater Pressure Signal - The reactor tripped fre 40% power due to the loss of a feed-water pressure signal from a main feedwater pump. The pump had been placed into service with the pressure switch incorrectly valved out.
Feedwater was not interrupted to the steam generators.
(Closed) e.
PNO-79-307 Point Beach Unit 1 - Steam Generator Tube Leak - The reactor was cooled down following discovery of a leak in a steam generator. The licensee planned to test both steam generators during the shutdown.
(Closed) f.
PNO-79-308 Earthquake - An earthquake of 5.9 on the Richter scale occurred in California on August 6.
Humboldt Bay, Diablo Canyon and Rancho Seco power plants did not sense a tremor.
(Closed) g.
PNO-79-309 Marble Hill Units 1 and 2 - Stoppage of All Safety Related Work - On tugust 6, the licensee stopped all safety related work et Marble Hili. Work is not to be resumed until controls have been up-graded to the satisfaction of the licensee and NRC.
(Closed) h.
PNO-79-310 Sequoyah Unit 1 - Personnel Injury - An operator fell 30 feet to the reactor cavity floor and received two broken ankles and possible fracture of one leg and vertebra.
(Closed)
- i. PNO-79-311 Three Mile Island Unit 2 - Worker Overcome During Respirator Usage - An employee fainted while wearing supplied air respiratory pro-tection equipment. The employee was taken to a hospital. After exami-nation, the employee was released.
The employee and an amgefce 'atte7 ant d
'd returned to the site for decontamination.
(Closed)
ENCLOSURE E
. J.
PNG-79-312 Allegations Made Against Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas - A fomer employee of Southwest Reseiqh Institute made allegations of falsified records involving work perfomed at Brunswick, Turkey Point, Big Rock Point, and Pilgrim. An investigation will be conducted.
(Closed) k.
PN0-79-313 & 313A Turkey Point Units 3 and 4 - Damage to Holdup Tank -
A holdup tank used to collect reactor coolant volume changes collapsed, apparently by a vacuum having been pulled on the tank. Unit 3 was shut down to repair valves that led to the vacuum.
(Closed) 1.
PNO-19-314 Three Mile Island Unit 2 - Containment Penetration for Sampling - The licensee has made preparations to provide a direct sampling capability in the containment while maintaining constant containment isolation.
(Closed) m.
PNO-79-315 Millstone Unit 2 - Unscheduled Shutdown - Tne unit was shutdown to repair a nonisolable steam leak, apparently in the steam supply to the Auxiliary Feedwater Turbine Driven Pump.
(Closed) n.
PNO-79-316 Public Meeting in West Chicago, Illinois to Discuss Kerr-McGee's Proposed Decommissioning Plan - A public meeting was held on August 8 to discuss a new decomissioning plan for the Kerr-McGee West Chicago facility.
(Closed) o.
PNO-79-317 Tri-State Depot at Seneca, Illinois - Liquid Dripping From Truck Carrying Solid Waste From the Fermi Laboratory - Employees observed liquid dripping from a truck cr.rying solid radioactive waste from the DOE Femi Laboratory. DOE we; infomed and responded.
(Closed) p.
PNO-79-318 Oconee Units 1, 2, and 4 - Seismic Loadings for Design of Hangers - The licensee discovered that safety system hangers may not be designed using design basis earthquake loads. The licensee is working with his contractors to resolve this problem.
(Closed) q.
PNO-79-319 Three Mile Island Unit 2 - Shipment of Compacted Low Specific Activity (LSA) Trash from TMI Unit 2 - On August 7,1979, the first shipment of radioactive waste was made since the March 28, 1979 act dent.
The shipment is destined for a burial facility at Hanford, Washington.
(Closed) r.
PNO-79-320 Palisades - Possible Liquid Contained in Compacted Radioactive Trash Shipment - A shipment of radioactive waste from Palisades was found to be leaking on arrival at the Barnwell, SC burial site. Sub-sequent monitoring of the liquid indicated no radioactivity.
(Closed) s.
PNO-79-321 University of California at Los Angeles Research Reactor -
Radioactive Contamination at Research Reactor Facility - A pneumatically operated transfer system became contaminated. About a week after the equipment had been cleaned up, a television news crew visited the facility to film a reported contamination incident.
(Closed) 847 240 ENCLOSURE E t.
PNO-79-322 Nuclear Fuel Services, Erwin, TN - UF-6 Release - A minor release of UF-6 to the environment occurred due to a broken line in the high enriched fuel fabrication process.
No personnel exposures were suspected, but bioassay samples were collected.
(Closed) u.
PNO-79-323 Kerr-McGee Corporation - Limited Decontamination Work -
The licensee has requested permbsion to perform limited decontamination work of the West Chicago facility.
Region III (Chicago) is reviewing the licensee's plan.
(Closed) v.
PNO-79-324 Vemont Yankee - Unscheduled Shutdown - The plant was shutdown on August 9, 1979 due to excessive leakage to the drywell.
(Closed) w.
PNO-79-325 Medical Delivery Services, Inc., New York - Packages Containing Radioactive Material Stolen from Delivery Truck - On August 9, four packages containing radiopharmaceuticals were stolen from a delivery truck in New York City.
Officials of New York City are investigating.
(Closed) x.
PNS-79-77A Nuclear Fuel Sp.rvices, Erwin, TN - Conclusion of Operators St;-ike - The operators' strike ended on August 5 and the licensee returned to normal operations the following day.
(Closed) y.
PNS-79-85 Sequoyah Units 1 and 2 - Bomb Threat - Bo'.hs units were evacuated and a. search was conducted with negative results.
(Closed) z.
PNS-79-86 Indian Point Unit 3 - Swimmers in Scuba Gear, Observed or.
Beachfront - A swimer in scuba 9 ear was observed near Indian Point Unit 3.
Although no attempt was made to enter the site, a subsequent newspaper article contained incorrect statements that attempts were made to cut the chain link fence and enter the site.
(Closed) 2.
The following IE Bulletins were issued:
a.
IE Bulletin 79-18, " Audibility Problems Encountered on Evacuation of Personnel from High-Noise Areas," was issued on August 7, 1979 to all powe" reactor facilities with operating licenses, b.
IE Bulletin 79-19, " Packaging of Low-Level Radioactive Waste for Transport and Burial," was issued on August 10, 1979 to all power and research reactors with operating licenses, fuel facilities except uranium mills, and materials licensees who generate or are likely to generate waste.
c.
IE Bulletin 79-20, " Packaging Transport and Burial of Low-Level P3dio-active Waste," was issued on August 10, 1979 to all materials licensees who did not receive IE Bulletin 79-19.
3.
The following IE Circular was issued:
847 241 ENCLOSURE E a.
IE Circular 79-15, " Bursting of High Pressure Hose and Malfunction of Relief Valve and 'O' Ring in Certain Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus," was issued on August 8,1979 to all Materials Priority I, fuel cycle, and operating power reactor licensees.
/
.847 242 ENCLOSURE E
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEGAL DIRECTOR ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 10, 1979 Seabrook Station, Units 1 and 2 On August 6, the Appeal Board (ALAB-557) made final its previously stated inten-tion (ALAB-548, May 14,1979) to suspend further consideration of the alternate site issue on the ground of mootness. This action was based on the affirmance of EPA's approval of once-through cooling for Seabrook by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Seacoast Anti-Pollution Leacue v. Costle, F.2d (No. 78-1339), and the fact that certicari of the 1st Circuit decision had not been sought.
Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 On August 9, the Com;nission issued an Order and Notice of Hearing relating to Three Mile Island Unit No.1.
In its Order, the Commission provided a detailed statement of the concerns which prompted the July 2,1979 Commission Order requiring that the facility remain in cold shutdown condition until further Commission Order following a hearing. The August 9 Order identifies certain concerns which must be-resolved and actions which must be completed prior to mstart of the facility, as well as certain additional concerns and "long-term" actions which must be addressed in a timely manner, although not necessarily prior to resumption of operation (reasonable progress toward their completion is required prior to any restart of the fh.lity). Provision is made for interested persons to petition to intervene by September 4,1979 and an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is designated to conduct an adjudicatory hearing on the issues identified in the Order. The hearing is to focus first on issues relating to restart of the facility and a Board decision on these issues is required prior to any motions to the Commission to lift the immediate effective-ness of the suspension of ooeration. The hearing will essentially follow the procedures used in licensing proceedings, and the Board's decision will be directly certified by the Commission itself for review. The requirements to be met prior to restart relate to responses to feedwater transients, operator training, emergency preparedness, interaction between systems at. Units 1 and 2, managerial and technical qualifications, financial qualifications, and the issues raised in NUREG-0578 (Short-Term TMI Lessons Learned Task Force Report).
In addition, the Comission states it is uncertain whether psychological distress and other issues arising from the impact of the TMI accident but unrelated directly to radiation exposure are legally relevant to the proceeding, and requires that anycne wishing to litigate those issues brief the question, which will be resolved by certification to the Comission.
ENCLOSURE G SU 243
ITEMS OF INTEREST OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS,,
WEEK ENDING AUGUST 10, 1979 EXPORT / IMPORT AND INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS Meeting with Austrian Official en Export Policz On July 30, Dr. Friedrich Schmidt, an official in the Austrian Federal Chancellery, visited IP to discuss matters related to U.S. nuclear export policy and Austria's nuclear program. The major topic of discussion was export license application XSNM-1428, for high enriched uranium for the ASTRA research reactor at Seibersdorf. Other topics included the NRC policy of requiring written assurances regarding physical security in connection with U.S. exports, and the future of Austria's nuclear programs. A classified memo-andum of conversation on this meeting has been forwarded to the Commission.
OUA e
e 847 244 ENCLOSURE H
OFFICE OF STATE PROGRAMS ITEMS GF INTEREST WEEK ENDING AUGUST 10, 1979 General Governor John D. Rockefeller IV has appointed John D. Anderson III, Director of the Office of Emergency Services, State Liaison Officer for the State of West Virginia. There are now 51 State Liaison Of.ficers appointed by the Governors to the NRC: 50 States as well as the Comonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Emergency Preparedness H. Gaut SP presented a paper' prepared by H.E. Collins, SP, at.the 9th biennial meeting of the ANS Reactor Operations Division in Dallas, Texas on August 8.
The title of the paper was, "Prespectives, Problems and Progress in State and Local Government Radiological Emergency Response Planning.in Support of Fixed Nuclear Facilities."
Mr. Collins, SP, Mr. Roger Blond, RES, and Mr. Floyd Galpin, EPA-ORP, briefed the ACRS, August 9, on the-recommendations of the NRC/ EPA Task Force on Emergency Planning report (NUREG-0396/ EPA 520/1-78-016) and a proposed policy statement on these recommendations submitted recently for Comission action.
Effort has begun to develop additional. guidance for radiological emergency response planning at the county / local level.
Input will be sought from National Associations as well as the localities themselves. The effort may result in a simple local plan.
State Agreements The USDOT, Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety, requested assistance in obtaining equipment and training for DOT inspectors for inspecting radioactive material shipments. With the assistance of NRC:V (which has had inspectors present at the Beatty, Nevada, low level burial site) advice was provided on suit-able radiation detection equipment. With respect to training and in collaboration with NMSS, Material Safety and Licensing, a suggested course outline was developed. The course will be organized and presented by a D0T contracter. NRC will be invited to participate in the course.
Ten States through which a shipment of TMI-Unit 2 rad waste is travelling through were given advance notice of the shipment. The truck left the TMI site late afternoor, August 7 and will travel through Pennsylvania, Ohio Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsinv Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and 847 245 ENCLOSURE I
It is destined.for the Hanford, Washington low level radioactive vaste burial site. Directors of the. State Radiation Control Programs (or designees) and State Lfaison Officers were given early notice of the shipment August 6 and 7 and follow-up notices conveying details of the shipment were given on August 7,1979. Until further notice, States th' rough which TMI rad waste shipments will traverse wil.1 be given adva~nce notice of each individual shipment.
Notice of Non-Routine Events in. an Agreement State No. 79-22 was issued reporting a possible whole oody dose o.f. 260 rem received by a radiographer's assistant in Texas. Texas is investigating.
M%
8/7 246 ENCLOSURE I
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS Items of Interest WEEK ENDING - AUGUST 10, 1979 FY.1980 Authorization. Bills -
For the EDO, completed a comparative analysis of the bills to identify specific tasks and requirements due to the Congress. A summary of the com-parison was sent to Office Directors asking them to identify the individuals who will be assigned to accomplish those traks.
Seismic Qualification System Established a data base to provide information on seismic qualification of mechanical and electrical equipment. These data will be used initially by NRR's Seismic Qualification Review Team and in completing Phase 2 of the Systematic Evaluation Program. The data base will also be beneficial to MPA, IE,.RES, an'd other branches of NRR in evaluating LERs.
Fire Protection Action Plan The final issue of this publication was sent to the printer.
In the future, information on fire protection :will be picked up as a crosscutting issue and progress will be followed in the decision unit tracking system.
847 24]f ENCLOSURE J
Office of the Controller Items of Interest Week Ending August 10, 1979 FY 1979 REPROGRAMMING Approvals have been received from all five Congressional Committees. Financial plans and allotments reflecting these changes have been issued.
FY 1981-1983 BUDG'T AND FY 1980 SUPPLEMENTAL Final Cocmission marks have been received and have been provided to each office. The redo of the budget justifications for submission to OMB are due to the Division of Budget by COB, Thrusday, August 16, 1979.
~
847 ;48 ENCLOSURE K
CALENDAR OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS TWO WEEK PERIOD ENDING AUGUST 27, 1979 August 13, 1979 Shearon Harris 1-4 Site visit by Geosciences Branch to inspect rock fill test section, constructed to evaluate engineering properties of the rock fill for the main dam.
August 17, 1979 Salem 2 Meeting with applicant to discuss Bulletin 79-02.
August 22-23, 1979 Grand Gulf 1 & 2 Case Forecast Panel Meeting.
August 27, 1979, Skagit 1 & 2 Hearings to resume on safety contentions except geology / seismology and loose parts monitor.
847 249 ENCLOSURE L
CALENDAR OF 3 PEAKING ENGAGEMENTS SEPTEMBER September 12-13 Nuclear Records Management Association Symposium, San Francisco, CA - Two RV Staff Personnel to Participate on a NRC Panel for two Question / Answer Sessions September 16 ANS Topical Conference on Decontamination and Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, Sun Valley, ID, ID - Residual Activity Limits for Unrestricted Release from Decommissioning - E. Conti 847 250' ENCLOSURE N