ML20204J897
| ML20204J897 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/11/1999 |
| From: | Blaha J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| SECY-99-073, SECY-99-073-C, SECY-99-73, SECY-99-73-C, WIR-990305, NUDOCS 9903300180 | |
| Download: ML20204J897 (24) | |
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RELEASEDTOTHE PDR UNITED STATES e
.l NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIOh A f, f
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wAsMimON, D. C. 20056 gg;g ggjgj3l3g INFORMATION REPORT Ma,ch,,.,,,,
SEcy 9,.0,3 Fgr:
The Commissioners From:
James L. Blaha, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO
Subject:
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MARCH 5,1999 Contents Enclosure Nuclear Reactor Regulation A
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards B
Nuclear Regulatory Research C*
incident Response Operations D
General Counsel E*
Administration F
Chief Information Officer G
Chief FinancialOfficer H*
Human Resources i
Small Business & Civil Rights J*
Enforcement K*
State Program L*
Public Affairs M
Intemational Program N
Office of the Secretary 0
Region i P
j Region ll P*
Region 111 P
Region IV P
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Executive Director for Operations Q*
Congressional Affairs R
- No *.7put this week.
James Bl4aa Assistgr Operations, OEDO
Contact:
T. Hiltz, OEDO f,
9903300180 990311 g
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l PDR COMMS NRCC WEEKLYINFOREPT PDR 30000u
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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l
Items of Interest F
Week Ending March 5,1999 i
Meetina with TVA on BFNP Unit 2 Rl-ISI Submittal I
On February 4,1999, representatives of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and its contractors met with the representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at the NRC's offices 3
In Rockville, Maryland to discuss TVA's submittal of the proposed risk-informed inservice j
Inspection (Rl-ISI) program for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 (BFN2) piping. The i
proposed RI-ISI program for BFN2 affects the current ASME Section XI as well as the l
augmented ISI program for intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). The staff pointed
. out that the safety evaluation report (SER) for WCAP 14572, Revision 1 states that the l
l augmented ISl programs, such as those for IGSCC will not be changed under the RI-ISI programs. The staff also stated that traditional engineering evaluations should play a major e
i role in establishing the regulatory position in the risk informed approach to change the i
i augmented inspection programs for active degradation mechanisms, such as IGSCC. The statt l
stated that there are parts of the TVA submitts ' that do not comply with the WCAP methodology ard pointed out various differences in the probabilistic risk analyses (PRA) used to support development of the proposed ISI program. The staff informed TVA of its recent initiatives with the boiling water reactor owners group vessel integrity program (BWR-VIP) regarding developing an approach to reduce the scope of the GL 88-01 IGSCC augmented inspections.
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The staff suggested that TVA may wish to change its IGSCC inspection program in conjunction with the BWR owners group initiatives rather than under the RI-ISI program changes.
l On February 12,1999, the TVA' licensing representative and the NRC staff hid a follow on
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telephone conversation to further discuss the BFN RI-ISI submittals for Units 1 and 2 piping.
TVA indicated that it intends to resubmit the BFN-2 RI-ISI proposed prograrn along with the l
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' BFN-3 program in about four to six weeks. In these submittals, TVA will include IGSCC Category A welds (GL 88-01) and ASME XI welds. TVA also stated that it has contacted the BWR Owners Group in order to pursue sponsorship of a TVA Pilot / Topical Report on ISI programs that address the remaining lGSCC welds. TVA requested that the NRC staff i
consider pilot plant status for the BFN RI-ISI program.
Results of DC-Powered Motor-Operated Valve Research On February 18,1999, staff members from the NRC Offices of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) and Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) met to discuss the RES-sponsored program by the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) to study the performance of de-powered motor-operated valves (MOVs).. At the meeting, INEEL presented the results of the testing program of four typical Peerless de motors with Limitorque actuators to evaluate their performance compared to information provided by the motor and actuator manufacturers. Principal results from the RES program include (1) the effect of degraded voitage on MOV performance is consistent with the manufacturer's linear assumption only if the
- reduction in motor actuator speed is also addressed; (2) the manufacturer's guidance for ambient temperature and motor heatup during operation could significantly underpredict the potential effects of temperature on motor output although small motors were found to have inherent margin above their rated starting torque that may compensate for temperatur< effects; March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE A i
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l (3) the actuator efficiency may approach the manufacturer's RUN value for high speed (and low load) conditions but reduces as load increases (and speed decreases) to below the PULLOUT value for high load (and slow speed) conditions; and (4) the actuator worm gear has a minimum speed at which additional motor torque does not produce additional actuator output. RES plans to issue the final NUREG report on the de-powered MOV tests in April 1999.
NRR plans to discuss the results of the de-powered MOV tests at a public meeting on April 14, 1999, at White Flint with the Joint Owners Group (JOG) on the ongoing JOG program in response to Generic Letter (GL) 96-05, " Periodic Verification of Design-Basis Capability of Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valves." From recent discussions with licensees, the Boiling Water Reactor Owners' Group is evaluating the best approach to address the new information on de-powered MOV output. NRR will propose a supplement to Information Notice 96-48,
" Motor-Operated Valve Performance issues," to alert licensees to the results of the de-powered MOV tests. NRR will continue to ensure that licensees are aware of the ongoing evaluation of de-powered MOV output in completing the review of licensee responses to GL 96-05. RES plans to evaluate the possible upgrade of the INEEL computer model for de-powered MOVs to incorporate findings from the research program later in 1999 to allow evaluation of generic and irdvidual licensee response to the research findings.
Meetina with Stakeholders to Discuss New Fire Protection Reaulatorv Guide (RG)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) guidance for developing reactor fire protection programs is contained in numerous regulatory documents. The Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation is developing a new RG that will consolidate and clarify, as necessary, the existing guidance. By letter dated December 24,1998, the Plant Systems Branch (SPLB) provided its final draft outline for the RG to the Nuclear Energy Institute and placed it in the NRC public document room. On February 25,1999, SPLB staff met with representatives of NEl and other stakeholders to discuss staff plans for completing the RG and to discuss stakeholdsr comments on the draft outline. The meeting participants discussed a variety of issues associated with the new RG including, (1) the need for new guidance where currently none exists (e.g., guidance for establishing the level and duration of interim compensatory measures as remedial actions for fire protection deficiencies), (2) the need to clarify existing guidance (e.g., to address issues associated with post-fire safe shutdown circuit analysis and protection), (3) outstanding policy issues (e.g., backfitting and how the new RG could be used by the NRC staff and the licensees), and (4) the use of risk information'and performance bases (e.g., using RG 1.174 to justify fire protection program changes). The following suggestions, which the staff agreed to consider, were offered during the meeting: (1) enhance the database that the staff developed to support its work on the RG so that it is user friendly and make it publically available so that stakeholders can better understand the bases for the new RG, (2) make early drafts of the new RG available for stakeholder review and comment before publishing the final draft RG in the Federal Reaister. (3) hold additional meetings with the stakeholders to discuss comments en early drafts,(4) expand the scope of NRC documents that the NRC staff reviewed to find staff interpretations of the fire protection regulations to include safety evaluations and appeals, and (5) before issuing the final RG, industry should conduct a pilot program to test the new RG.
March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE A
4 Midwest Utilities Form Nuclear Manaaement Comoany On February 25,1999, utilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin announced the formation of a new nuclear management company. The utilities are Northem States Power Company, i
headquartered in Minnesota, and Wisconsin Electric Power and Wisconsin Public Service, both
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headquartered in Wisconsin. A fourth utility, Alliant Energy, also headquartered in Wisconsin, Is seeking approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to join the company at a later date. The Northern States Power Company operates the single-unit Monticello and two-unit Prairie Island facilities located in Minnesota. The Wisconsin Electric Power Company operates the two-unit Pt. Beach facility in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Public Service Company operates the Kewaunee facility, located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
Alliant operates the Duane Arnold Energy Center located in Linn County, Iowa.
Michael B. Sellman has been named president of the new, as yet unnamed, nuclear management company. Mr. Sellman is currently Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at Wisconsin Electric, in Milwaukee, where the new company's interim offices will be I
located. The nuclear management company will establish a senior management team to focus exclusively on consolidating the expertise and talents of employees, tapping the best practices at each site, controlling costs of commonly used services, and effectively integrating the j
resources of all seven nuclear plants. Mr. Sellman cited efficiencies in purchasing fuel, l
enhanced safety assessment, and improved quality assurance as examples of the benefits of shared resources. Overall plant operations will continue to be provided by the same plant personnel.
Each utility will obtain all required state or federal regulatory approvals prior to its participation in the nuclear management company. For example, some are required to obtain approval from their public utility commissions prior to accepting services from the newly formed management company. In addition, Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvalis required if any utilities
~ q choose to transfer their operating license to the new company. The individual utilities will continue to own their plants, be entitled to the energy generated at the plants and retain the financial obligations for their safe operation, maintenance and decommissioning.
Pilarim Nuclear Power Station On December 21,1998, Boston Edison Company (Boston Edison) submitted an application that requested approval to transfer the Facility Oporating 1.icense for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (Pilgrim) from Boston Edison to Entergy Nuclear Generation Company (Ent v/
Nuclear). Boston Edison, the current owner, is also the licensed operator of Pilgrim. On February 16,1999, petitions for intervention were filed by the Utility Workers Union of America, and the Massachusetts Attomey General, and a request for hearing was filed by the Citizens Urging Responsible Energy (CURE).
The Utility Workers Union petition states that Entergy Nuclear has not assumed the collective bargaining agreements currently in place with Boston Edison. As a result, Boston Edison's licensed operators, and other staff, cannot commit to becoming employees of Entergy Nuclear.
Furthermore, the Union states that under the current agreement, Boston Edison's operators and other staff can exercise their right to remain with Boston Edison at other facilities.
Therefore, if the license transfer occurs prior to execution of the collective bargaining March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE A i
4 agreements, a lack of qualifie' personnel could occur which, according to the petitioners,' would d
I make it extremely difficult for Entergy Nuclear to run the plant in a safe, economical, and efficient manner.
- The Attorney General's petition states that Entergy Nuclear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a holding company. The tJfect of the proposal would be to transfer l
financial responsibility for Pilgrim from a rate-regulated electric utility to an exempt wholesale i
generator whose financial obligations would eventually be dependent on sales in a competitive 4
market. Therefore, as a result of Entergy Nuclear's potentiallack of adequate financial resources, the Attorney General's petition requests that the transfer include the condition that Entergy Corporation agrees to remain contingently responsible for the required safety and l
decommissioning expenditures in the event of a default by Entergy Nuclear. Failing the adoption of that condition, the Attorney General's petition requests a hearing on the issue of i
whether Entergy Nuclear can be reasonably assured of having the requisite financial qualifications to safely operate and decommission its ownership share of Pilgrim.
1 CURE requests that the NRC conduct a public hearing in the Plymouth arse prior te ns t + cision on the transfer application. OURE also requests that the open allegations involving the licensee be resolved prior to terminating their license.
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Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station Units 1 and 2 l
On February 26,1999, the staff issued license amendments which replace the Comanche Peak j
technical specifications in their entirety with new technical specifications based on the improved Standard Technical Specifications (STS). These are the 44th and 45th units that have been j
approved to convert to the improved STS. The licensee will implement these revised technical specifications within 180 days. Issuance of these amerdments completes an item in the i
Commission Tasking Memorandum and is also notable since with these amendments, the staff has approved conversion to the STS for over half of the plants wNeh have indicated an intent to i
convert. This application was part of a cooperative effort in concert with the licensees for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, the Callaway Plant, and Wolf Creek Generating Station. Staff l
review of this overall effort is nearing completion as well and amendments for the remaining j
plants are expected at approximately one month intervals.
j Zion Units 1 & 2 i
j On March 2,1999, the Commission affirmed the November 5,1998, Atomic Safety and
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Licensing Board (ASLB) decision (LBP-98-27) to deny standing to a petitioner in a license amendment proceeding for Zion Station, Units 1 & 2. The ASLB had ruled that while the petitioner had provided an adequate statement of future harm from the licensee's facility to meet the standing requirement of pleading a threatened injury in fact, the petitioner's pleadings i
j failed to establish the causation element essential to establish standing. The petition was i
denied and the proceeoing terminated. On November 16,1998, the petitioner had appealed
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the ASLB decision to the Commission.
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The license amendment involved restoration of the custom technical specifications and j
associated license conditions that had been replaced by improved Technical Specifications, organizational and management title changes to reflect the permanently shut down condition of 3
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March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE A 1
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1 the plants, the use of Certified Fuel Handlers in lieu of licensed operators, modifications to shift crew composition, and eliminatiori of some terminology that implied the units were operational.
On January 4,1999, the petitioner filed a Petition for Review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia from the final NRC decision and order of the ASLB, and all prior decisions related to the dismissal of the petition to intervene in a license amendment for i
Commonwealth Edison's Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2. This matter is still pending before the Court of Appeals.
Haddam Neck The State of Connecticut intends to register the Haddam Neck Plant as a Historic Place and as a National Historical Monument.
' Due to its significance as an engineering achievement, the State believes the plant qualifies as an Historic Place. It has requested that the licensee transfer certain documents, photos, and models to the State for preservation when the licensee has no further use for them. It is unclear at this time if registration as a Histoilc Site would place any limitations on dismantling the plant.
The site also contains the remains of a dwelling owned by Venture Smith, a slave who purchased his freedom in 1765 and lived prosperously in Connecticut. His story has been featured on public TV. The State believes the dwelling qualifies as a National Estoric Monument, and is seeking to preserve its remains.
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i-San Onofre faclear Generatina Station Unit 1 PSDAR Public Meetina
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l On February 25,1999, representatives from NRR and Region IV conducted a public meeting at the San Clemente Community Cer ter in San Clemente, CA at 7:00 p.m. This meeting was j
conducted to inform the public of the regulatory programs for decommissioning and decommissioning oversight of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 1. The NRR rep,wsentative discussed the process for decommissioning while the Region IV representative discusJed the inspection program for decommissioning. Southem Califomia Edison presented
. Its piens for the decommissioning of San Onofre 1.
Thr, meeting was attended by approximately 50 rnembers of the public including local citizens and local newspaper representatives. Members of the public were given the opportunity to ask questions and to make comments. Questions asked by the public were focused on various aspects of spent fuel.
Prior to the public meeting, NRR staff participated in a walk-c.mugh of the San Onofre Unit 1 facilities.
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March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE A 1
NRC Information Notice 99-05: Inadvertent Discharoe of Carbon Dioxide Fire Protection System and Gas Miaration. Dated March 8.1999 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is issuing this information notice to alert addressees I
. to potential personnel safety hazards and operational complications associated with discharge of carbon dioxide (CO2) fire protection systems.
4 Transition Task Force t
On February 22,1999, the staff commenced a Feasibility Study of the inspection finding risk characterization process that is under development to support the proposed improvements to the Regulatory Oveisight Processes described in SECY-99-007. The Feasibility Study involves a one week effort to take historical inspection issues from four plants and apply a screening methodology to rate the issues for safety significance. The Feasibility Study involves broad staff participation frorr the staff, including regional experts on the plants in the study, and Headquarters risk analysis expert and inspection program office staff.
On February 22,1999, the agency issued a press release that announced the nine sites that would be participating in the pilot program for the improvements to the Regulatory Oversight Processes. Prior to issuing the press release, the Commission was notified of the pilot plants selected, and the appropriate state govemments were notified of the site participation in the program.
1 On February 24,1999, the staff held a public meeting with the industry to continue the periodic discussion and solicitation of feedback from the public and industry on the staff developments l
of improvements to the Regulatory Oversight Processes. Topics of discussion included the schedule for pilot plant training sessions, details of the conduct of the pilot program, Performance Indicator reporting, and inspection finding evaluation guidance.
On February 22,1999, the 30-day public comment period on SECY-99-007 ended. Comments I
have been received from five licensees, the Nuclear Energy institute, two public interest groups, and two state agencies. These comments are currently being evaluated by the cognizant staff working groups and summarized for the March SECY paper.
On February 25,1999, the Director of NRR gave a briefing on the new Regulatory Oversight Program at the CNSNC-NRC Regulatory Information Exchange Meeting in Mexico City, Mexico.
The staff gave several briefings on the new regulatory Oversight program including a February 23 NRC Media Workshop held for members of the press, and to the Chairman, and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic (February 22).
March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE A d..
a Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards items of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 l
Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotooes - Subcommittee Meetina with 10 CFR Part 35 Workina Grouo Members On February 23-24,1999, and February 25-26,1999, the 10 CFR Part 35 Working Group met with two Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUl) subcommittees. The purpose of the meetings was to discuss the Part 35 Working Group's draft response to the public comments on the proposed rule that was published in the Federal Reuister in August 1998. These meetings were held in preparation for the March 24-25,1999, meeting of the full ACMUI. The meeting on February 23-24,1999, focused on diagnostic and therapeutic uses of unsealed radionuclides. The meeting on February 24 25,1999, focused on therapeutic uses of sealed radionuclides. Major ereas of discussion included training and experience requirements -
for authorized users; requirements for written directives; and criteria for reporting medical events and unintentional exposures to embryo / fetus and nursing children to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In addition, committee members discussed technical requirements for remote afterloaders.
Occuoational Safety and Health Administration Meetina On February 25,1999, staff from the Office of N'uclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Offhe of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, and Office of the General Counsel met with the staff and legd
- counsel of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the revised draft 10 CFR Part 70 requirements for domestic licensing of special nuclear material, which, among other things, require performance of a hazard analysis and reflect a codification of the October 21,1988, Nuclear Regulatory Commission-OSHA Memorandum of Understanding. The meeting focused on OSHA's comments provided by letter dated February 1,1999.
10 CFR Part 70 Revised Draft Rule Lanauaae On March 2,1999, all of the 10 CFR Part 70 revised draft rule language, excert reporting requirements, was posted on the Part 70 Website. The draft revised language reflects all public comments received to date except for those related to reporting requirements and backfit.
Meetina with the Department of State on Intemational Radioactive Source Manaaement On March 3,1999, Division of Waste Management staff attended a meeting of the oversight committee for the Intemational Radioactive Source Managemeat (IRSM) initiative. This was the third IRSM meeting hosted by the Department of State (DOS), which is heading the initiative in response to international requests for assistance in the areas of orphan source clearance and management. This initiative is intended to develop an intemational program for member states for the prevention, identification, tracking, response to, and remediation of radioactive materials being illegally imported and exported. Representatives from the Environmental Protection
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Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE), Customs Service, Central Intelligence Agency, t
March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE B
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i Department of Transportation, and the steel industry discussed ongoing international programs i
in source tracking and clearance, and how similar national efforts could support such international programs through the IRSM initiative. Although EPA plans to meet with the International Atomic Energy Agency on clearance issues during April 1999, the EPA staff i
assured participants that they would consult with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and DOE to obtain U.S. consensus on clearance levels. The committee acknowledged that it was still necessary to develop a mission statement and prioritize work among the ubcommittees to s
support these efforts. The DOS requested that each of the agencies and stakeholders in attendance provide estimates of funding available for the overall IRSM initiative.
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Soent Fuel Proiect Office Attends Drv Storaae Workshop I
On March 2-3,1999, the Nuclear Energy Institute sponsored a meeting between representatives of the dry storage inductry and staff from the Spent Fuel Project Office (SFPO).
The meeting provided an open forum for the dry storage industry to meet with SFPO staff to discuss technical issues that are common to the storage and transport of spent fuel in an effort to expedite the cask certification process. The meeting, which was noticed and open to the public, was held at the University Club in Washington, D.C. Approximately 150 individuals were in attendance representing utilities, vendors, contractors, and fabricators. The major topics discussed were: Application and Use of Standard Review Plans, Dry Cask Storage Lessons Learned, Use and Application of interim Staff Guidance, Technical Specifications,10 CFR Part 72 Rulemaking, ASME Code, and Inspection issues. As a result of the meeting, the industry and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have agreed to continue dialogue on a number of issues and reconvene in the future to resolve them.
Meetina with the Utah Area Reaional Offices of the Bureau of Land Manaaement and the Bureau of Indian Affairs On February 24-25,1999, the Spent Fuel Project Office and the Office of the General Counsel met with representatives of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to discuss the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Private Fuel Storage (PFS) application. PFS submitted a license application to operate an independent spent fuel storage installation on the Reservation of the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians for the temporary storage of commercial spent fuel generated by several utilities.
j BLM and BIA are working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the preparation of the PFS EIS. The meetings, which were held at BLM's Utah Area Regional Office, discussed each agency's National Environmental Policy Act process and responsibilities in the preparation of the PFS EIS. On February 24,1999, NRC staff also visited the proposed site located on the j
J Reservation of the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians for site familiarization.
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March 5,1999 EdCLOSURE B
J Incident Response Operations ltems of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATIONS:
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PNO-l-99-009, Hospital Center at Orange, FAILURE OF SOURCE DRAWER MECHANISM OF AN ADVANCED MEDICAL SYSTEMS MODEL C-9,' TELETHERAPY COBALT-60 TREATMENT UNIT 2.
PNO-1-99-010, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (Salem Unit 1), AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP-3.
PNO-l-99-011, Peco Energy Company (Peach Bottom 2), EXTENSIVE MEDIA INTEREST IN PLANT MONITORING SYSTEM COMPUTER LOCKUP DURING Y2K TESTING 4.
PNO-l-99-012, Intemational Paper, Inc., LOST GENERALLY LICENSED GAUGE 5.
PNO-il-99-008, Inova Alexandria Hospital, MEDIA INTEREST IN CONTAMINATED WASTE i
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PNO-Ill 9S-008, Indiana University Medical Center, THERAPEUTIC MISADMINISTRATION 7.
PNO-Ill-99-009, Mayo Foundation, BRACHYTHERAPY MISADMINISTRATION (wrong treatment site) 8.
PNO-lll 99-010, BFI, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL FOUND IN RESIDENTIAL WASTE 9.
PNO IV-99-016, VA Medical Center Hospital, REPORT OF CONTAMINATED PACKAGE 10.
PNO.lV-99-018, Southem Califomia Edison & San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (San Onofre i
1,2, and 3), SAN ONOFRE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION UNITS 2 AND 3 -
ALERT DECALRED BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL BOMB THREAT 11.
PNO-IV-98-0388, Global X-Ray, INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY EXPOSURE DEVICE FOUND (Update) 1 March 5, _1999 ENCLOSURE D
4 Office of Administration items of Interest.
Week Ending March 5,1990
. Hammer Award -
On March 4,1999, the Vice President's National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPR) notified the Director, Office of Administration that NRC has been awarded the prestigious Hammer Award for its accomplishments as a Procurement Reinvention Laboratory. This is the second Hammer Award for NRC. Notification that NRC would receive its first Hammer Award for the procurement staff's pioneering work in the use of oral presentations was received on February 4,1999. An NPR representative will present these awards to NRC in a ceremony to be held in the TWFN Auditorium on April 8,1999, at 10:30 a.m.
Small Aaencv Council Procurement Committee On March 2,1999, a, DCPM representative attended the Small Agency Council Procurement Committee meeting. Deidre Lee, Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), OMB, was a guest speaker. Ms. Lee emphasized that over the next two years, OFPP
- will focus on sharing information on existing procurement streamlining innovations and electronic commerce, and further simplifying the procurement processes already in place.
Chanaes To Reauirements for Environmental Review for Renewal of Nuclear Power Plant Ooeratina Licenses (Part 51)
A proposed rule that would amend the regulations conceming the environmental information required in applications to renew the operating licenses of nuclear power plants was published in the Federal Register on February 26,1999 (64 FR 9884). The proposed rule would expand the currently codified generic findings to include the cumulative environmental impacts of transporting spent fuel to the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada and account for the environmental impacts of transportation attributable to the use of higher enriched fuel and higher bumup during the renewal term. The comment period for the proposed rule closes April 27,1999.
Restack Occupancy of the most recently completed Restack floor (8th) began Wednesday, March 3, 1999, and will continue through Monday, March 8,1999. Construction of the next Restack floor (14th) will begin immediately thereafter and is scheduled to be completed the first week in June.
Centralized Security Clearance Records OPM's Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS), which enables agencies to conduct
- status checks of their pending background investigations, is being expanded to include the Clearance Verification System (CVS). This system will allow agencies and departments to determine whether an individual has a security clearance granted by another agency /
department end will preclude unnecessary, duplicative investigations.
l March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE F
Chief Information Officer items of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Reauests received durina the 5-Day Period of February 26.1999 throuah March 4.1999.
FY 2000, Data on Information Technology Exhibit 42, OMB Circular A-11. (FOINPA 99-133)
Quad Cities,12/22/98 Order & Safety Evaluation regarding proposed merger of Cal Energy
. Conmany and MidAmerican Energy Holdings. (FOINPA 99-134) l Sealed source licensees listing for Minnesota and Wisconsin. (FOINPA 99-135)
- Self-luminous exit signs, General Ledger Database (GLDB) Distribution Reports listing end users / consumers for the period 1/1/85 through 12/31/98. (FOINPA 99-136)
Huntingdon Life Sciences, East Millstone, NJ, current amendment to docket #030-08072.
(FOINPA 99-137)
March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE G
Office of Human Resources ltems of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 Arrivals FITCH, Karen SENIOR PROGRAM ANALYST OCFO Retirements DURR, Jacque BRANCH CHIEF RI J
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March 5,1999 ENCLOSUREI l
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Office of Public Affairs Items of interest i
Week Ending March 5,1999
' Media Interest Chairman Jackson was interviewed by the Associated Press on changes in the nuclear industry and on NRC oversight of DOE.
Bill Travers, EDO, is being interviewed by the Associated Press on the anniversary of TMI.
Frank Congel, incident Response Operations, will be interviewed by USIA WorldNet TV for a program on the anniversary of TMI, and on changes that have occurred in the nuclear industry since then.
The Union of Concerned Scientists is organizing a press luncheon to revisit the early days of the TMl accident.
In Region I, there was press interest in the Millstone meeting on Long Island, and in the Cabot Corporation's (PA) site decommissioning. There was also a flurry of calls on the Peach Bottom i
Y2K testing incident last month.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer is planning an article on the Operational Safeguards Response Evaluations (OSRE) program with respect to the Perry plant.
There were three print and radio reporters at the San Onofre 1 decommissioning meeting.
Press Releases Headquarters:
99-39 Commission Moves to Revise Rules Goveming Private Versus Public Meetings.
99-40 Note to Editors: ACMUI Meetings Scheduled March 24-25 99-41 Note to Editors: ACNW Meeting March 23-25 99-42 Note to Editors: ACRS Letters I
98-43 Note to Editors: ACNW Meeting March 16-18 99-44 Note to Editors: ACRS Subcommittee Meetings March 23-25 99-45 NRC to Hold Two Public Meetings in Nevada on Proposed Pegulations for Yucca Mountain Regions:
1-99-17 NRC, Haddam Neck Staff to Discuss Plant Decommissioning Work March'5,1999 ENCLOSURE M -
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Office of Intemational Programs
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ltems of interest Week Ending March 5,1999 Canadian Atomic Enerav Control Board Visit On March 3, Patrick Hawley, Fabio De Pasquale, Francis Sariento and John Van Berlo.
Canadian Atomic Energy Control Board, in Washington to attend the Regulatory Information Conference, met with the NRR staff to discuss NRC's experience with the re-start of units after extended shutdowns due to poor safety performance. Following the conference, the team will visit the Turkey Point and Browns Ferry NPP sites.
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Y2K On March 4, Clarence Breskovic and Kevin Burke of OIP and Joe Glitter of IRO met with Byron House from the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada and Peter Whaley from the U.S.
Department of State to discuss coordination of Y2k contingency plans.
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1 March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE N
Office of the Secretary Items of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 Documents Released Date Subject to Public Decision Documents 1.
SECY-99-057 2/23/99 Supplement to SECY-99-251,
" Decommissioning Criteria for West Valley" 2.
SRM on COMSAJ 3/4/99 Discussion of Risk-Informed, Performance-003 Based Regulation 3.
SECY-99-024 1/22/99 Recommendations of the Safeguards Performance Assessment Task Force (WITS 199800188)
Negative Consent Documents 1.
SECY-99-008 1/20/99 Rulemaking Plan, " Physical Security /
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Safeguards for Permanently Shutdown Power Reactors," for Amendments to 10 l
CFR Part 73 Information Papers i
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SECY-99-047 2/11/99 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending February 5,1999 2.
Correction Notice to 3/1/99 Preliminary Staff Views Conceming its j
SECY-98-252 Review of the Foreign Ownership Aspects of Amergen, Inc.'s Proposed Purchase of Three Mile Island, Unit 1 3.
SECY-99-051 2/18/99 Status of IAEA Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) Mission to be Conducted at the North Anna NPP 4.
SECY-99-052 2/18/99 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending t
February 12,1999 Memoranda J
1.
Memo for LSS Internal 12/4/89 Transmittal of Documents for information Steering Committee fm (enclosing 5 documents re Licensing j
J. Hoyle Support System) 2.
Revised SRM on SECY-3/1/99 White Paper on Risk-Informed and 98-144 Performance Based Regulation
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March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE O w
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3.
M990302B 3/2/99 Staff Requirements - Affirmation Session, march 2,1999: 1. SECY-99-034 -
Commonwealth Edison Company --
Commission Review of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Order LBP-98-27 (Nov. 5, 1998); 11. SECY-99-058 - Kansas Gas &
Electric Corp., et al. (Wolf Creek Generating Station, Unit 1), Docket No. 50-482, Draft Commission Memorandum and Oder Addressing Intervention Petition and Hearing Request of the Kansas Electnc Power Cooperative Commission Corresoondence i
1.
Letter to Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, dated September 23,1998, expresses thanks 1
for recent meeting and concerns the possible extemal regulation of DOE.
j 2.
Letter to Catherine W. LeBlanc, Department of Education, dated February 23,1999, provides NRC's FY98 Annual Federal Performance Report on Executive Agency Actions to Assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities (incoming dated December 4,1998 also released).
3.
Letter to Gilbert F. Casellas, EEOC, dated February 23,1999, provides NRC's Annual Affirmative Employment program Accomplishment Report for FY98.
Federal Reaister N_glices issued 1.
Kansas Gas end Electric Co Corp., et al (Wolf Creek Generating Station, Uni 1); Docket No. 50-482-LT; Memorandum and Order (CLl 99-05).
2.
Advisory Comm,ttee on Nuclear Waste; Notice of Meeting on March 23-25,1999.
3.
ACRS Subcommittee Meeting on Thermal-Hydraulic Phenomena; Notice of Meeting on March 23,1999.-
4.
ACRS Subcommittee Meeting on Materials and Metallurgy; Notice of Meeting on March 24,1999.
5.
Policy statement: Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Action; Interim Enforcement Policy for Generally Licensed Devices Containing Byproduct Material.
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March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE O m-
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Region I Items of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 Florida IMPEP Review During the week of February 22,1999, Region l's State Agreements Officer led a five-member Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP) team that reviewed the radioactive materials program in Florida's Bureau of Radiation Control. The State of Florida j
has approximately 1170 materials licenses, making it the fourth largest Agreement State program in the country. On February 26, an exit meeting to discuss the team's preliminary findings was conducted with senior management from the Florida's Department of Health. NRC senior management present included Frank Miraglia, Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Programs, Jon Johnson, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 11, and Paul Lohaus, Director, Office of State Programs.
Presentation at Rutaers University On February 26,1999, a member of the DNMS Management Team made a presentation to students on Regulation of Ucensees by the NRC at a short course given by the Rutgers University Office of Continuing Education.
P_each Bottom Unit 2: Extensive Media Interest in Plant Monitorina System Comouter Lockuo Durina Y2K Testina l
On February 8,1999, the Unit 2 plant monitoring system (PMS) computers locked up while operators were performing testing for a Y2K modification of the Rod Worth Minimizer (RWM) system. The PMS is a non safety related system that provides indications and displays for the operators and provides system time clock information for the RWM. Safety related equipment, indications, and alarms were not affected by this occurrence. Although plant operations were not adversely impacted by the PMS lockup, the following PMS-supported systems were lost:
emergency response data systems (ERDS), safety parameter display system (SPDS), and the 3D Monicore thermal limit monitoring system, all of which are non-safety systems. PECO Energy Company formed a team to conduct a root cause evaluation.
While PECO's evaluation is continuing, preliminary findings have indicated that it occurred as a i
result of human error -- failing b follow test plan procedures. Engineers were testing the backup PMS computer, which had been taken off-line, and had entered a command to advance the PMS clock to a year 2000 date, an action not called for in the procedures. The backup 1
computer locked up due to the date change, and the system automatically transferred to the primary, on-line, PMS computer. PECO knew prior to this testing that the primary PMS was not Y2K ready and will perform the necessary modifications to make the system Y2K compliant in June 1999.
The root cause team determined that the individuals involved should have recognized this condition and stopped the testing sequence. However, the engineers believed that the original command was simply not accepted by the computer and re-entered the command, contrary to the procedure. This entry caused the on-line, primary, computer to lock up as well. Although March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE P
j i-A the computers locked up because a year 2000 date was entered, PECO believes that the PMS would have locked up even if the date had been advanced to a date later in 1999, it was noted i
that the PMS operating system does not readily accept large advances (e.g. several months) in the system clock.
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Susauehanna Unit-1: Failure of RHR Inlection Valve Stem i
l On February 26,1999, with Unit-1 operating at 100% power, Pennsylvania Power & Light Company discovered that the valve disk of the "B" residual heat removal (RHR) injection control valve had separated from the valve stem. The valve disk had failed in the closed position which would have prevented injection into the vessel from the "B" loop of RHR. The company believes that the valve separation occurred around February 11,1999, when the PP&L staff noted abnormal keepfill system pressure response during filling and venting of the "B" RHR loop piping following maintenance.
PP&L has preliminarily concluded that the valve stem / disk separation was caused by low cycle fatigue from several backseating events, unique to the "B" RHR injection control valve, that occurred in 1989. The company has repaired the "B" RHR injection control valve and returned the "B" RHR system to operable status. PP&L also has inspected the "A" RHR injection control valve and found no indication of cracks in that valve stem, and plans to inspect similar valves on Unit 2.
PP&L is aggressively following up on the event and has formed an Event Review Team run by the corporate office and several other teams focused on metallurgy, the valve failure and work J
planning. Region I and NRC Headquarters staffs discussed this event and the issues with PP&L via a conference call on March 1,1999. The NRC staff is closely monitoring PP&L activities for potential generic implications.
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March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE P y-9
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A Region lli Items of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 American Electric Power Manaaement Chanae Announced - D.C. Cook On March 1,1999, American Electric Power announced that A. Ci;ristopher Bakken Ill has been named site vice president for American Electric Power's D. C. Cook Nuclear Plant.
Bakken is currently general manager of Salem operations at Public Serhe Electric & Gas Company's Salem Nuclear Generating Station in Hancock's Bridge, NJ. He will succeed John Sampson, who has been named Indiana / Michigan president for AEP.
Northem States Power Comoany Manaaement Chanaes Announced-Monticello On March 1,1999, Northem States Power Company announced that Mike Hammer has been named to the newly created position of site general manager at the Monticello Nuclear Power i
Plant. Hammer had previously been plant manager. The company also announced that Byron Day has been named to the plant manager position. Day had previously been the general superintendent of plant operations.
Northem States Power Company Manaaement Chances Announced-Prairie Island
- On March 1,1999, Northem States Power Company announced that Joel Sorensen has been named to the newly created position of site general manager at the Prairie Island Nuclear i
Power Plant. Sorensen had previously been plant manager. The company also announced that Don Schuelke has been named to the plant manager position. Schuelke had previously been the general superintendent of radiation protection and chemistry. Albert Johnson of the Prairie Island radiation protection staff has been named to replace Schuelke.
i Meetina with Detroit Edison Comoany - Fermi On March 1,1999, a meeting was conducted in the Region lil Office, Lisle, Illinois, between management representatives from Detroit Edison Company and members of the NRC staff.
- The meeting discussion focused on the current status of the Fermi Nuclear Power Plant's Radiation Protection Progran:. Some of the issues discussed during this meeting related to organizational changes both implemented and planned and operational statistics.
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March 5,1999 ENOi.OSURE P
Region IV j
ltems of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 i
Union Electric Comoany (Callaway Plant)
On March 2,1999, Region IV conducted a meeting with licensee representatives to discuss program activities in the areas of emergency preparedness and security. The discussions focused on proposed changes to the organizational structures of the licensee's organization.
San Onofre Nuclear Generatina Station (SONGS). Units 2 and 3 - Alert Declared Because of Potential Bomb Threat On March 5,1999, at 10:15 a.m. (PST), the licensee declared an Alert when a security officer identified a suspicious device on the 70-foot elevation of the control building. At the time of the discovery, both Units 2 and 3 were operating at 100 percent power. The device was a 12-inch long,2-inch diameter copper pipe, with both ends capped. The device was in a remote location, outside of vital areas and away from plant equipment. The licensee treated the device as a bomb. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the bomb squad at the local Marine Corps t
base (Camp Pendleton) responded. Shortly after noon, the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps response team completed its evaluation of the pipe and determined that it was not an explosive device. The licensee terminated the Alert at 12:27 p.m. The resident inspectors responded to the control room immediately and monitored licensee actions.
The licensee issued three press releases and there has been local news media interest. The State of Califomia, Orange County, and FEMA Region IX, as well as the California congressional delegation, were informed of the event. Region IV conducted a briefing for the Commission Assistants at 1 p.m. (PST), after termination of the event.
March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE P
r Office of Congressional Affairs items of Interest Week Ending March 5,1999 CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE, NO.10 f[',.h k I fh k ; h E N :
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Portner 03/16 9:30 DOE DOE's FYOO Budget for Senators Domenici/Reid 116 DSOB Nuclear Energy Energy and Water Appropriations Portner 03/16 10:00 DOE Nuclear Waste Management Rep. PackardNisclosky 2362-B RHOB and Disposal Energy and Water Appropriations I Portner 03/18 9:30 DOE DOE's FYOO Budget for Senators Domenici/Reid 124 DSOB OCRWM Energy and Water Appropriations Grrke 03/18 TBA TBA Long-term Health Care Reps. Scarborough/Cummings TBA Insurance for Fedl Employees Civil Service Govemment Reform 1 Combs TBA TBA TBD High Level Waste Program Sen. Murkowski/Bingaman Energy and Natural Resources Combs TBA TBA Markup l H.R. 45, Amending Nuclear Rep. Young / Miller 1324 LHOB l Waste Policy Act of 1982 Resources March 5,1999 ENCLOSURE R
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