ML20154G059
| ML20154G059 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/24/1998 |
| From: | Blaha J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| SECY-98-220, SECY-98-220-R, WIR-980918-01, WIR-980918-1, NUDOCS 9810130043 | |
| Download: ML20154G059 (22) | |
Text
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E REFASEDTOTHE PDR INFORMATION REPh.".TdN#
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,SE h 22,0, Seotember 24. 1998 For:
The Commissioners From:
James L. Blaha, Assistant for Operations. Office of the ED0 Subiect:
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 18, 1998 Contents Enclosure Nuclear Reactor Regulation A
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards B
Nuclear Regulatory Research C
Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data D*
General Counsel E*
Administration F
Chief Information Officer G
Chief Financial Officer H*
Human Resources I
Small Business & Civil Rights J*
Enforcement K*
State Programs L*
Public ' Affairs M
International Programs N
Office of the Secretary 0
Region I P*
Region II P
Region III P
Region IV P
Executive Director for Operations 0*
Congressional Affairs R
- No input this week.
A te C
ames L. Bla a i
ssistant for Operations. OEDO
Contact:
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!I S. Barber, OEDO C j. (;i-7 _[g 9810130043 900924 PDR COMMS NRCC WEEKLYINFOREPT PDR
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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 Monticello On September 16, 1998, the staff issued a license amendment approving the licensee's request to increase the maximum licensed thermal power level from 1670 MWt to 1775 MWt (increase of about 6.3%).
Monticello was the lead plant for the GE's extended power uprate program.
This program provides the basis for power uprates above and beyond the traditional 5% uprates. The ACRS has reviewed both the Monticello submittal and the GE topical reports as well as the staff's draft safety evaluations during its 453rd and 454th meetings held on June 3 and July 8, 1998.
In its letter dated July 24, 1998, the ACRS endorsed the staff's draft safety evaluations.
Following Monticello's lead, more BWRs are expected to seek extended power uprate in the near future to increase their generating capacity margins.
Hatch has applied for an 8% uprate (in addition to a 5% uprate granted in 1995).
The staff's review for the Hatch uprate is nearing completion.
Perry Nuclear Power Plant On September 15, 1998. the NRR staff issued License Amendment No. 93 to the Perry facility. This amendment revised Technical Specification Tables 3.3.5.1-1, " Emergency. Core Cooling System Instrumentation," and 3.3.6.1-1,
" Primary. Containment and Drywell Isolation Instrumentation," by revising allowable values for~ selected plant process instrumentation in accordance with i
Instrument Setpoint Methodology Group and GE Topical Report NEDC-31336,
" General Electric Instrument Setpoint Methodology," dated October 1986.
This action closes a 3-year-old licensing action (the licensee's original submittal was dated August 29, 1995).
Oyster Creek On-Line EDG Insoection On September 8,1998, the staff issued the final staff evaluation report to the Oyster Creek licensee that approved biennial inspection of emergency diesel generator (s) (EDG)s at power instead of during shutdown.
The licensee used a risk-informed approach to support the technical specification (TS) change.
The Probabilistic Safety Assessment Branch (SPSB> found that the proposed TS modification would have only a small quantitative impact on plant risk and the licensee has in place controls on equipment to reduce the likelihood of risk sigraficant plant configurations during the proposed on-line (EDG) inspection.
Therefore, the staff concluded that probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) analysis supported the proposed on-line inspection of EDGs at power.
The Electrical Engineering Branch (EELB) incorporated the SPSB input and found that the requested TS change was acceptable.
4 September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE A a
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Jan Onofre EDG A0T Extension On September 9,1998, the. staff issued the final safety evaluation report to the San Onofre licensee that approved the EDG allowed outage time (A0T) extension from 3 to 14 days.
The licensee indicated that performing EDG
- maintenance at power using the proposed extended EDG A0T would result in a net risk decrease, The licensee's risk analysis, which used both at-power and shutdown PRA, demonstrated that the reduction in shutdown risk due to increased EDG availability would be greater than the increase in at-power risk 1
due to decreased EDG availability at power. SPSB concluded there was a
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reasonable assurance that the licensee's risk analysis supported the EDG A0T extension and that the overall risk impact of the proposed change met the
' intent of the guidelines used in the Regulatory Guide 1174 and 1177 EELB incorporated the SPSB input and found the proposed TS change was acceptable.
Manaaement Chanaes On September 14, 1998. Comed announced several changes in Comed corporate headquarters management. Steve Perry, who is currently the Vice President for BWR Operations, will become Vice President for Operations and Training Services. The Vice President for Operations and Training Services is a new position and will report to the President and Chief Nuclear Officer, Nuclear Generation Group. Oliver Kingsley.
The Nuclear Training Manager, Bob Holbrook, and the Operations Manager, Robert Deppi. will report to Mr. Perry in his new position. The Operations Manager, Robert Deppi, who was previously with PECO at the Limerick and Clinton stations joined Comed last month.
Christopher M.. Crane will be joining Comed on October 5,1998, as the Vice President for BWR Operations. Mr. Crane is currently the site Vice President at TVA's Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
The Tennessee Valley Authority has announced that Mr. Christopher M. Crane, currently the Site Vice President for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFNP),
i will be leaving that position effective September 25, 1998.
Mr. Karl Singer, currently the BFNP Plant Manager, will assume the position of Interim Site Vice President and Mr. R. G. Jones, currently the Assistant Plant Manager.
- will be the Interim Plant Manager.
Mr. Crane will become the Vice President.
Nuclear Generation for Commonwealth Edison.
l TVA has announced the appointment of Mr. Phil Reynolds to the position of Vice President, Nuclear Support.
Mr. Reynolds was the General Manager for Human l
Relations.
Mr. Reynolds is located at corporate headquarters in Chattanooga, i:
TN.
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l September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE A
O Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Items of Interest Wed Ending September 18, 1998 Nuclear Threat Awareness Course On September 14, 1998, a member of the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards discussed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) safeguards requirements for protecting nuclear facilities and materials at a training course entitled " Nuclear-Awareness and Technical Response to Nuclear Threats,"
The week long course was jointly sponsored by the Department of Energy and NRC, and was conducted for representatives of various federal agencies.
Meetina with BWX Technolooies On September 14, 1998. Division'of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards staff met with the BWX Technologies (BWXT) licensing manager to discuss potential safety and safeguards licensing changes that may be needed to support BWXT's new contract to downblend 50 metric tonnes of high-enriched uranium to less than 5 percent uranium-235, Meetina with Nuclear Fuel Services on License Amendment On September 16, 1998. Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards staff met with the Nuclear Fuel Services' (NFS) Licensing and Compliance Manager and two technical staff to review responses provided by NFS to a recent Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) request for information (RAI) regarding nuclear criticality safety at the NFS Erwin, Tennessee, facility.
Specifically, the RAI addressed information needed by NRC to complete its review of a pending license amendment to authorize startup of a new Navy fuel production process.
The information exchange was beneficial in that the participants achieved a clearer understanding of the path forward to complete the license amendment within the desired time frame.
MP-187 Soent Fuel Transoortation Packaae Certificate Issued On September 10, 1998, the Spent Fuel Project Office issued a certificate of compliance to Transnuclear-West for the NUHOMS MP-187, a spent fuel transportation cask.
The MP-187 is the transportation half of a dual-purpose, spent fuel storage and transportation cask, certified to transport Babcock &
Wilcox 15x15 pressurized-water reactor (PWR) fuel. The staff is currently reviewing the storage aspect of the cask under the site-specific licensing provisions of 10 CFR Part.72 for use at Rancho Seco. The Rancho Seco review is scheduled for completion by April 1999. Transnuclear-West intends to amend the MP-187 certificate to include a wide variety of PWR fuels.
September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE B
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Interaaerav Steerina Committee Meetina On Radiation Standards On September 10, 1998, representatives from the Division of Waste Management.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Department of Energy (DOE). Department of Defense, Office of Science & Technology Policy. Occupational Safety &
Health Administration. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other federal agencies met for an exchange of programmatic and technical information.
General topics discussed included the 1995 " Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)/ EPA White Paper on Risk Harmonization" on risk assessment and risk management issues formation of a Federal Guidance Subcommittee to focus and identify projects and provide recommendations to the Interagency Steering Committee On Radiation Standards (ISCORS) membership on issues related to federal guidance, and holding ISCORS meetings open to the public on an annual basis.
Other presentations included discussions on the NRC Draft Regulatory l
Guide. DG-4006. " Demonstrating Compliance with the Radiological Criteria for License Termination:" NRC's plans for the clearance rule: NRC's plans for the uranium recovery decommissioning rule: the DOE Order 435.1 on " Radioactive Waste Management:" FDA's guidance. " Accidental Radioactive Contamination of Human Food and Animal Feeds:
Recommendations for State and Local Agencies "
which replaces the 1982 recommendations; and EPA's plans and status of the
- Multi-Agency Radiation Laboratory Protocols manual.
In the upcoming months, the Risk Harmonization Subcommittee will provide recommendations to ISCORS members following the issuance of the Environmental Law Institute report related to harmonization, and the Sewer Subcommittee will present a report on comparative concentrations and the results of nine test sites.
Metina on the Status of the Babcock & Wilcox Site On September 11. 1998. Division of Waste Management (DWM) staff participated in a meeting about the status of the Babcock & Wilcox site in Apollo.
Pennsylvania, with representatives of Armstrong County Department of Planning and Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The meeting j
was arranged by the staff of Congressman Murtha of Pennsylvania.
DWM stated that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) terminated the site license and released the site for unrestricted use in March 1997.
Armstrong County was concerned that EPA might in the future require additional remediation at the site under Superfund, even though NRC has released the site for unrestricted i
L use.
County representatives were aware of the differences between the agencies on radiological criteria for decommissioning.
The potential for such l
EPA action is undermining the timely economic redevelopment of the site.
Consequently. Armstrong County was requesting EPA to determine promptly l
whether the site requires additional remediation under Superfund.
i EPA committed to conduct a preliminary assessment of the site to determine if additional remediation could be necessary.
NRC offered assistance to EPA by making available the records that supported NRC's license termination decision.
The EPA staff said that they would conduct a review of the summary information, and let NRC staff know if additional information was needed.
September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE B i
After completing the preliminary assessment, EPA plans to meet with representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to compare federal and state requirements for remediation, and determine whether EPA will require any additional remediation.
EPA will attempt to meet with the state in late September or early October 1998.
Nuclear Reaulatory Commission /Deoartment of Enerov Technical Exchanae on the License Acolication Plan - Volume 4 of the Viability Assessment On September 16, 1998, the Division of Waste Management and the Department of Energy (DOE) held a technical exchange to discuss Volume 4 of DOE's Viability Assessment (VA) - the License Application (LA) Plan.
The LA Plan provides DOE's plans and cost estimates to progress frem the VA to LA.
The purpose of the technical exchange was for DOE to describe the organization and content of the LA Plan: explain the relationship of the LA Plan to other volumes of the VA and supporting documents: present the current repository safety strategy incorporated in the LA Plan; and set the stage for subsequent interactions on DOE's plans to move forward to LA.
The staff questioned a number of aspects about the LA Plan, especially the adequacy and timely implementation of DOE's Quality Assurance program.
During the exchange, DOE indicated that the VA was currently in departmental review and is expected to be released in November 1998.
Year 2000 Environmental Protection Sector Meetina On September 16, 1998, representatives from the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety met with representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Departments of State, Labor Commerce Defense, Transportation. Agriculture, and the Center for Disease Control on their agencies' Year 2000 (Y2K) Outreach Plans for the Environmental Protection Sector.
Each agency discussed its outreach plans and the possible effects of the Y2K problem.
EPA is the lead agency for the Environmental Protection Sector, and requested that each agency provide environmental protection sector activities to date and plans for future activities.
September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE B
4 Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 Publication of Research Results on Performance Testina of Passive Autocatalytic Recombiners (PARS)
Passive autocatalytic recombiners (PARS) have been included in the design of the AP600 and are being considered by the nuclear power industry as a combustible gas control system in operating plant containments for design basis events.
PARS do not require a source of power; instead, they use a catalyst to recombine hydrogen and oxygen gases into water vapor upon contact with the catalyst.
i NUREG/CR-6580 " Performance Testing of Passive Autocatalytic Recombiners" was recently issued which documents the performance tests of a scaled PAR performed in the Surtsey facility at SNL (Surtsey is a 57m8 facility designed to simulate a containment at 1/10 scale) in response to NRR's user need for-application of PARS in AP600.
The test program documented in NUREG/CR-6580, included experiments to : 1) define when the PAR starts recombining the hydrogen with oxygen). 2) define the hydrogen depletion rate of PARS as a function of hydrogen concentration. 3) define the PAR performance in the presence of steam. 4) evaluate the effect of scale (number of catalyst cartridges) on the PAR performance at both low and high hydrogen concentrations, and 5) define the PAR performance with and without the hydrophobic coat. The results of this program provided confirmatory data which supported the design review of the AP600.
Meetina with NEI on Whole-Plant Risk Study On September 15. 1998. RES and NRR staff met in a public meeting with representatives of NEI on their whole-plant risk study.
The staff provided a series of questions to clarify the scope, timing, and other characteristics of i
u the study; initial' responses to these questions were provided by NEI and l
further discussed. The staff also provided for discussion a preliminary l
approach and schedule for responding to the NEI study. as one aspect of the staff's larger efforts to make 10 CFR 50 more risk-informed.
This approach, which described a set of staff tasks and milestones, was discussed. with l
general agreement reached as to its acceptability.
Staff plans to send a memorandum to the Commission in early October describing a proposed approach for developing rulemaking options for Commission consideration.
Meetina with Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI).
Jaoan to Discuss Seismic Tests of Casks On August 31, 1998, staff of the Structural and Geological Engineering Branch.
Division of Engineering Technology. RES and a representative of EPRI met with the technical staff members of Central Research Institute of Electric Power t
September 18. 1998 ENCLOSURE C i
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Industry (CRIEPI), Japan at Abiko Research Laboratory. Chiba, Japan to discuss seismic tests of models of spent fuel casks conducted by CRIEPI in early nineties. These tests were conducted as one of the seven tasks related to cask storage technology.
Tasks included: temperature analysis and tests of fuel cladding of cask, creep test of fuel cladding, containment test'of cask lid structure, cask drop accident during handling, material testing of casks, building collapse and heavy objects drop accident, and seismic tests of casks.
l The primary purpose of the tests was to simulate the effect of the gravitational acceleration on free standing casks to establish tip-over and sliding characteristics and to establish and validate analytical methodology.
NRC, under 10CFR Part 72 licensing of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation, requires demonstration of adequate stability of cask systems under a postulated design earthquake.
Data from these tests provide insights regarding areas of uncertainties and indicate where additional research is needed to develop NRC's detailed review guidance.
EPRI is also considering a research program and development of a topical report on this subject. There is a potential for collaboration with EPRI and some other international partners on this research.
j In addition to discussing tests and data NRC staff also visited testing facilities at the Abiko including three shaking tables.
Further discussions i
will be held with EPRI to discuss potential joint collaboration.
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Seismic Testino of Reinforced Concrete Containment Vessel (RCCV) and Meetina l
with Nuclear Power Enoineerina Corooration (NUPEC). Jaoan
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During September 3 and 4, 1998. RES staff and NRC contractors (Sandia National Laboratories and Anatech, Corp.) visited Tadotsu Engineering Laboratory of i
NUPEC to hold meetings with NUPEC as a part of ongoing activities in a collaborative program.
In this collaborative program, NUPEC is conducting large-scale (overall scale of the RCCV model is 1/8) structural and functional I
(leak-tightness) integrity tests using the seismic shaking table at Tadotsu, and NRC is performing pre-and post-test analyses.
On September 3, 1998, the NRC team observed a design level test of the RCCV model. The model was pressurized to design levels and simultaneously subjected l
to an earthquake motion roughly equivalent to our Operating Basis Earthquake (0BE). The model performed satisfactorily, i.e., there was no leakage or significant structural damage.
In April of 1999, failure level tests will be t
carried out.to evaluate margins and performance beyond the design basis level.
On September 3 and 4. meetings were held to discuss the NUPEC and NRC's post-test analyses of the completed tests on a Prestressed Concrete Containment Vessel (PCCV) and pre-test analyses of the RCCV model.
I-These unique, large-scale tests and our analyses are providing significant insights into the structural and functional behavior of containments during i
September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE C
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severe earthquakes.
The test data are critical for validation of our analytical techniques as behavior of concrete structures is highly non-linear, depends on the loading history, and resistance degrades as damage accumulates.
Therefore, this understanding of behavior and failure modes is essential as we move toward implementing risk-informed regulatory programs and reducing uncertainties in our estimates.
i September 18. 1998 ENCLOSURE C r
Office of Administration Items of Interest Week Ending September 18. 1998 Garaae Reoair Proiect A Network Bulletin describing the next phase of the garage repair project, beginning September 21, 1998, was issued to employees on September 17.
This phase involves closing the OWFN garage entrance and using the TWFN garage exit for two way traffic (entrance and exit).
Additional signs along with security guards (including guards inside the garage) and parking attendants, will help ensure a smooth traffic flow.
Naval Reactors Procram On September 14. 1998. ADM staff met with representatives from the Naval Reactors security office regarding the personnel security processing program at Babcock and Wilcox Technologies. Inc. (BWXT).
Naval Reactors is exploring the possibility of recommending that NRC assume responsibility for the personnel security program at BWXT (as it has at Nuclear Fuel Services) and grant initial NRC special nuclear material access authorizations under 10 CFR Part 11.
Up to this point. NRC has been certifying special nuclear material access authorizations based on DOE processing of "0" security clearances.
Rulemakino Activities for the Week Endino Seotember 18. 1998 Streamlined Hearing Process for NRC Approval of License Transfers (Parts 2 and 51)
A proposed rule that would provide specific procedures and rules of practice for handling requests for hearings associated with license transfer applications involving both material and reactor licensees was published in the Federal Register on September 11, 1998 (63 FR 48644).
The proposed rule would provide for public participation and opportunity for an informal hearing on matters relating to license transfers, specify filing and docketing procedures for license transfer applications, and assign appropriate authorities for issuance of administrative amendments to reflect approved license transfers.
The comment period for this action closes October 13.
1998.
Elimination of Reporting Requirement and 30-Day Hold in Loading Spent Fuel After Preoperational Testing of Independent Spent Fuel Storage on Monitored Retrievable Storage Installations (Part 72)
A proposed rule that would eliminate the requirement that a report of the preoperational testing of an independent spent fuel storage installation or a i
monitored retrievable storage installation be submitted to NRC at least 30 l
days before the receipt of spent fuel or high-level radioactive waste was September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE F r
-d published in the Federal Register on September 14. 1998 (63 FR 49046). -This' would eliminate an unnecessary report because the NRC is on' site and evaluates preoperational testing as it occurs.
The comment period on this action closes November 30, 1998.
American National Standards Institute N43.10 Committee: Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-36-1)
~A document that requests public comment on a petition for rulemaking submitted by the American National Standards Institute N43.10 Committee was published in the Federal Register on September 15, 1998 (63 FR 49298). The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its radiation safety requirements for irradiators to allow the operation of panoramic irradiator facilities without continuous onsite attendance.
The comment period for this action closes November 30, 1998.
Certification Renewal and Amendment Processes (Part 76)
A proposed rule that would amend the regulations applicable to gaseous diffusion plants to simplify the certification and amendment process applicable to those plants was published in the Federal Register on September 15, 1998 (63 FR 49301).
The proposed rule would modify the certificate renewal process, establish a process for certificate amendments comparable to the process used to amend a fuel cycle license, and make several additional procedural simplifications. The comment period for this action closes November 16. 1998.
Physical Protection for Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste:
Technical Amendment (Part 73)
A direct final rule that amends the regulations concerning the physical protection of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste stored at independent spent fuel storage installations, monitored-retrievable storage installations, and geologic repository operations areas was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 1998 (63 FR 49413). The action is necessary to correct the inappropriate inclusion of surveillance / assessment and illumination systems within the requirement for tamper indication and line supervision.
The direct final rule becomes effective November 12, 1998.
The companion proposed rule to this direct final rule was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 1998 (63 FR 49505). The comment period closes October 16, 1998.
l September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE F I
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4 Chief Information Officer Items of Interest.
Week Ending September 18.-1998
- Freedom'of Information and Privacy Act Reauests received durina the 5-Day Period of Seotember 11. 1998 - Seotember 17. 1998:
Self. Security Investigation.1997.
(FOIA/PA-98-346)
Self, Security Clearance File.
(F01A/PA-98-347)
Amersham Medi-Physics, Inc., license and related documents.
(F01A/PA-98-348)
IMPAC. list. -(F01A/PA-98-349) t i
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September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE G
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- Office of Human Resources Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998
- NRC Twenty-First Annual Awards Ceremony Held On Wednesday, September 16, 1998. NRC held its Twenty-First Annual Awards Ceremony on the Green.
At the ceremony, Chairman Shirley Ann Jackson recognized three Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Awardees, one NRC Distinguished Service Awardee, and thirty-two NRC Meritorious Service Awardees.
Some of the other dignitaries in attendance included Commissioner Nils J. Diaz: Commissioner Edward McGaffigan: Executive. Director for Operations. L. Joseph Callan: Chief Financial Officer, Jesse L. Funches: Chief Information Officer Anthony J.
Galante: and Deputy Executive Director for Management Services Patricia G. Norry.
Staff members from the Office of Human Resources. Office of Administration. Office of the Chief Information Officer, and Office of the Chief Financial Officer helped make this ceremony a highly successful event.
Arrivals SMITH. Jeremy NUCLEAR PROCESS ENGINEER-NMSS Departures DRIFTMYER, Rosantonia 0FFICE AUTOMATION ASST.
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Office of Public Affairs
-Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 Media Interest OPA staff received inquiries on the Union of Concerned Scientists and Public Citizen's press release alleging lax oversight at the USEC facilities in
- Portsmouth and Paducah,-There was also press interest in the suspension of the SALP program.
Joe Holonich. NMSS, spoke to Grand County High School physics classes (Moab.
UT) between meetings he attended regarding the Atlas uranium mill tailings site.
There was significant' press and local public interest in the meetings in Moab, Bluff. and Blanding, Utah. regarding the Atlas and White Mesa uranium mill sites.
There was local and press interest in the" limited appearance" sessions held by the ASLB regarding Hydro Resources
- in situ uranium mining project in Crownpoint, NM.
Press Releases l
Headquarters:
98-164 NRC Proposes to Delete Reporting Requirement on Loading of Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Installations 98-165-Nuclear Regulatory Commission Honors Employees l
98-166' NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet in Rockville, Maryland, September 30 - October 2 l
98-167 NRC Directs Expedited Action by Licensing Board l
Considering Hearing on Oconee License Renewal 98-168 NRC Suspends SALP Program Until Review of Performance Assessment Process is Completed l
l 98-169 NRC Announces Retirement of Callan Appointment of l
Travers as Executive Director for Operations98-170 Note to Editors: ACNW Reports98-171 Note to Editors: ACRS Reports Regions:
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I-98-105 NRC Rates Salem Nuclear Plant as " Superior" in Two Categories
" Good" in Two Others, in Latest Performance s
Review I-98-106 Note to Editors: Millstone meetings September 22 and October 6 i
I-98-107 NRC Schedules Two Meetings Regarding Inspection of Core Shroud at Nine Mile Point 1 Nuclear Power Plant 1
i III-98-49 NRC Staff Proposes $88.000 Fine for Inadequate Shutdown Procedures in Event of Fire at Quad Cities Nuclear.
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Office of International Programs 1
Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 Deoartment of Enerav Exoort Controls Procram Review On Wednesday, September 16, 1998, staff from the NRC Office of International j
Programs attended a Program Review on export controls by the Nuclear Transfer and Supplier Policy Division of the Department of Energy (DOE).
The Program Review was designed to give a strategic overview of the role of the Division within the Department, interagency and multilaterally, and goals for FY-99.
It was noted that the Division is engaged as an exporter and importer, the l
later as a result of the stockpile stewardship program being handled within that Agency..
In addition to the Program Overview, presented by Division Director, Trisha Dedik, presentations were made on the activities of the four sections that report to the Division: Russia /NIS/Second Line of Defense: Multilateral:
l Licensing; and Technology Security.
Highlights of the discussions included the status of DOE's export control cooperative agreements with Russia. Ukraine and Kazakstan. and the cooperative work underway under the new Second Line of Defense Program.
This Program provides Russia the capability through equipment, and training, provided by D0E.
to monitor and detect illegal shipments of radioactive materials through the Caspian Seaport. Astrakhan and the Sheremetyevo International Airport.
Future Russian plans provide for installation of equipment at fifteen additional sites.
Finally, in the multilateral area, DOE staff indicated that future work would be of a more proactive nature to study rapidly developing technologies in terms of the need for future export controls both nationally and in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Zangger Committee regimes.
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L September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE N
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Office of the Secretary Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 Documents Released Date Subject to Public Decision Documents 1.
SECY-98-198 8/19/98 Status of the Issue Resolution Process in the High-Level Radioactive Waste Program at Yucca Mountain, Nevada SRM on 98-198 9/18/98 (same)
Comm. Voting 9/18/98 (same)
Record l
On 98-198 Information Papers
- 1. SECY-98-205 8/28/98 Funding for Nuclear Regulatory Commission Material Protection, Control, and Accounting Assistance to the Republics of the Former Soviet Union
- 2. SECY-98-204 8/28/98 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending August 21. 1998
- 3. SECY-98-208 9/3/98 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending August 28, 1998 Memoranda
- 1. M980902A 9/14/98 Staff Requirements - Briefing on PRA Implementation Plan Wednesday, September 2. 1998
- 2. M980915B 9/16/98 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session: I. SECY-98-210- Hydro Resources. Inc.
Presiding Officer's Memorandum and Order Ruling on Petitions and Areas of Concern; l
Granting Request for Hearing; l
Scheduling, LPB-98-9 May 13, 1998:
II. SECY..-98-212-Proposed Order Referring Petition to Intervene in Oconee License Renewal Proceeding to Atomic Safety and Licensing Board September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE 0 l
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- 3. M980917 9/17/98 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session: I. SECY-98-214 - Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Calvert l
Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Units 1
& 2), Docket Nos. 50-317-LR 50-318-LR, Memorandum and Order (Denying Time Extension Motion and Scheduling l
Prehearing Conference)(Aug. 27.
l 1998): II. SECY-98-216 - North Atlantic Energy Corporation (Seabrook Station Unit No. 1):
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Memorandum and Order Ruling on Intervention. LBP-98-23 (Sept. 4.
i 1998)
Commission Corresoondence 1.
Letter to Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith and Representatives Robert Smith. Peter DeFazio Elizabeth Furse. Darlene Hooley, and Earl l
Blumenauer, dated September 11, 1998, concerns the proposed one-time shipment of the Trojan reactor vessel (Incoming dated August 17._1998 also released)..
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Letter to Representative Sam Gejdenson and Senators Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman provides information on the Haddam Neck facility
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(Incoming dated July 10, 1998 from Rep. Gejdenson also released).
4.
Letter to Senators Joseph Lieberman and Christopher Dodd and Representative Sam Gejdenson acknowledges letter concerning L
investigations related to the Millstone facility (Incoming dated September 1, 1998 also released).
Federal Reaister Notices Issued 1.
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards: Meeting Notice for September 30-October 2, 1998.
2.
10 CFR Parts 30 and 50: Financial Assurance Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Reactors: Final Rule.
3.
Notice of Reconstitution of Board: Duke Energy Corporation.
September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE 0 l
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Region II Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 Carolina Power and Liaht Comoany - Brunswick On September 17, 1998, representatives from Carolina Power and Light Company met with Regional management regarding the Fire Protection Improvement Plan for the Brunswick facility.
The presentation included a management prespective of the issues, improvement initiatives and the Nuclear Assessment Section's prespective for the problems that were identified at Brunswick.
Tennessee Valley Authority - Seouovah The results of the first week of the Sequoyah Ice Condenser (IC) inspection revealed overall good findings.
However, problems were identified with intermediate deck door hold-down bolts, similar to those found at Catawba.
Also, a problem was identified with loose tape on the top deck doors.
TVA is evaluating these issues.
The inspection and the resolution of issues identified are scheduled to be completed prior to Unit I restart in early October.
4 September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE P
l 4
Region III Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 Manaaement Meetina with Commonwealth Edison Comoany l
On September 14. 1998, a management meeting was conducted in the NRC Region III Office, Lisle, Illinois, between management representatives from Commonwealth Edison Company and members of the NRC staff.
The meeting discussion focused on the utility's performance as it relates to actions it has taken in response to the NRC's January 27, 1997, letter regarding safety performance at the utility's nuclear facilities.
Acting Regional Administrator James Caldwell participated in the meeting.
Manaaement Meetina with Commonwealth Edison Comoany - LaSalle On September 15. 1998, a management meeting was conducted in Maron, Illinois, between management representatives from Commonwealth Edison Coraany and members of the NRC staff.
The meeting discussion focused on the status of LaSalle Unit land the utility's performance improvement and restart plans for LaSalle Unit 2.
Acting Regional Administrator James Caldwell participated in the meeting.
Manaaement Meetina with American Electric Power Comoany - D. C. Cook On September 15. 1998, a management meeting was conducted in the NRC Region III Office, Lisle. Illinois, between management representatives from American I
Electric Power Company and members of the NRC staff. The meeting discussion focused on the utility's plans for a Safety System Functional Inspection of D.
C. Cook's Auxiliary Feedwater System. Acting Regional Administrator James i
Caldwell participated in the meeting.
Manaaement Meetina with American Electric Power Comoany - D. C. Cook On September 17. 1998, a management meeting was conducted in the NRC Region III Office, Lisle Illinois, between management representatives from American Electric Power Company and members of the NRC staff.
The meeting discussion focused on the utility's plans for restarting the D. C. Cook Nuclear Power Station.
l j
September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE P
Region IV Items of Interest L
Week Ending September 18, 1998 Predecisional Enforcement Conference with Arizona Public Service Comoany On September 14, 1998, the Regional Administrator and members of the Region IV
-staff conducted e predecisional enforcement conference with representatives of the Arizona Public Service Company..The purpose of the conference was to discuss apparent violations. involving incorrectly installed check valves at
.Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2. that could have caused degraded high-pressure safety injection system flow during an accident.
Meetina with South Texas Proiect Electric Generatina Station On September 18, 1998, a manager from the STP Nuclear Operating Company met with Region IV personnel, in the Region IV office, to discuss project management plans for Units 1 and 2 replacement steam generators. The main focus of the meeting was to discuss fabrication activities.
The Unit 1 steam generators are tentatively scheduled to be replaced in refueling outage 9 i
beginning March 2000, and the Unit 2 steam generators are tentatively scheduled to be replaced in refueling outage 9 beginning September 2002.
l September 18, 1998 ENCLOSURE P
Office of Congressional Affairs Items of Interest Week Ending September 18, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDUI.E. N0. 29 m.m,m
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Callahan 09/23/98 10:00 GID 00E Laboratory Management Changes Reps. Pickering/ Johnson 2318 RHOB 3asic Research Reps. Calvert/Reemer Energy and Environment Science Gerke 09/24/98 9:00 TBA Federal Health Benefit Rate leps. Mica /Cummings 2203 RHOB Increases
- ivil Service 3overnment Reform & Oversight Gerke 09/24/98 10:00 00E. FERC. NARUC AEP.
Midwest Electricity Price Spikes senators Murkowski/ Bumpers 366 DSOB Enron Energy and Natural Resources Gerke 09/24/98 1:30 TBA Year 2000 Computer Problem Reps. Horn /Kucinich 2318 RHOB lov't Mgmnt. Info & Technology lovernment Reform & Oversight Reps. Morella/Barcia Technology science Keeling 09/24/98 2:00 Ambassador Kartman.
U.S. Policy Toward North Korea Reps. Gilman/ Hamilton 2172 RH08 AEI. CSIS International Relations September 18. 1998 ENCLOSURE R i
.