ML20207D219
| ML20207D219 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/13/1999 |
| From: | Blaha J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| SECY-99-131, SECY-99-131-R, WIR-990507, NUDOCS 9906030265 | |
| Download: ML20207D219 (20) | |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISS[DN IfiifdS date WASHINGTON, D. C. 20565
.......................ee May 13.1999 SECY 99-131 1
for:
The Commissioners From:
James L. Blaha, Assistant for Operations, Office of the EDO Subiect:
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MAY 7,1999 I
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 l
Small Business & Civil Rights J'
Enforcement K*
State Program L*
j Public Affairs M
Internationel Programs N
Office of the Secretary 0
Region 1 P
Region ll P
Region til P
Region IV P*
Executive Director for Operations O*
Congressional Affairs R
- No input this week.
M James L. Blaha Assistant for Operations, OEDO I
ff
Contact:
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T. Hiltz, OEDO ji
~
OM^U~
b 9906030265 990513 PDR COMMS NRCC WEEKLYINFOREPT PDR
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' ee Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation items of Interest
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Week Ending May 7,1999 NRC Attendance at Y2K Industry Workshoos EElB staff attended two separate Y2K workshops that were hosted by the Nuclear Utilities Software Management Group (NUSMG) and EPRI during the week of April 26,1999.' The subjects of the workshops were software quality, electronic media, and the Y2K concem. The i
EElB staff presented a paper to both groups which had representatives from NEl and most of the utilities. The subject of both staff presentations was the perspective and status of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Y2K initiatives. There was considerable industry interest in the ongoing staff reviews of Y2K program implementation. Discussions between staff and industry representatives addressed issues such as consistency of approach, contingency planning audits dealing with incomplete aspects of a utility program, and future staff activities for systems that are not Y2K ready on July 1,1999.
l Prairie Island Unit 1 The licensee for Prairie island Nuclear Station, Unit 1, and the NRC discussed via telephone calls during the week of April 26,1999, indications of circumferential cracking identified in steam generator tubes repaired using a Combustion Engineering sleeving process. Inservice inspections of all sleeve repairs have identified 13 tubes with indications of tube cracking
' believed to be caused by the presence of a welded sleeve. The indications are in the hydraulic expansion region near the sleeve / tube weld. Inspection results indicate that most of the cracks i
are located outside the pressure boundary of the tube (i.e., below the weld). However, some l
cracks appear to be within the pressure boundary or in the weld zone. The licensee and CE i
believe that the cracking is the result of a combination of factors unique to the installation process of welded sleeves in the 1997 outage at Prairie Island. A total of 223 sleeves were installed during the 1997 refueling outage. CE will continue to investigate this, issue by performing destructive examinations of two defective sleeve repairs that were removed from the Prairie Island steam generators in the current refueling outage.
The cracking 'dentified in the sleeved tubes exhibited a range of lengths. The licensee performed in-situ pressure testing of the most significant indications identified during the inspections. The tubes sustained the full test pressure (3aP,m) without bursting or exhibiting any leakage. The licensee stated that all tubes exhibiting sleeve repair indications will be removed from service.
The cracking reported by the licensee is the first known occurrence of this, type of degradation in CE welded sleeve repairs. At present,11 PWRs are licensed to install these steam generator tube sleeves. The NRC staff and a representative from CE agreed to arrange a meeting after the vendor completes the destructive examinations of the pulled tubes to discuss the root cause for the cracking, the generic implications of the findings at Prairie Island, and changes to the installation process that will minimize the potential for cracking sleeve repair joints.
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE A
p Ejlorim Nuclear Power Station On April 29,1999, the staff issued the Order approving the sale and transfer of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station from Boston Edison Company to Entergy Nuclear Generation Company.
The Order had 7 conditions which the licensee will need to comply with to complete the sale and transfer. Boston Edison has informed the staff that the sale will not take place until a week after the outage is completed (approximately June 15). Boston Edison has also stated that they
. have reached tentative agreement on 10 of the 12 issues before the IRS. They state the remaining two issues have limited tax consequences and have asked the IRS for a letter approval of the 10 issues. The sale would be consummated with the approval of the 10 issues.
The staff has requested Boston Edison to provide as much lead time before the sale is ccmpleted as possible so the staff can prepare the conforming amendments. Boston Edison l
has also applied for an indirect transfer of the Pilgrim plant as a result of the proposed merger with Commonwealth Energy Systems. The merger would form a new parent company (NSTAR) which BEC Energy and Commonwealth Energy Systems would be subsidiaries. This s
would only be necessary if the sale is not completed before the merger, d
1999 Annual Ooerator Licensino Examiners Trainino Conference q
During the week of April 20-23, the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation's Division of Inspection Program and Management (DIPM) sponsored the 1999 Annual Operator Licensing l
Examiners Training Conference at NRC's headquarters, Two White Flint North Auditorium in l
Rockville, MD. Headquarters senior management keynote speakers included Commissioner l
Greta Joy Dicus and Bill Travers, Executive Director for Operations.
The topics for this year's sessions included the Initial Examination Process, Lessons Learned from Appeals and Hearings, and 10 CFR PART 55,"The Examination Process and Systems Approach to Training." The conference was well attended by regional operator licensing examiners.
ACRS Review of the Calvert Chffs Renewal Safetv Evaluation l
l On April 28 and 29,1999, the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Plant License Renewal Subcommittee held a meeting to discuss the NRC staff's evaluation of the safety evaluation report (SER) for the Calvert Cliffs license renewal application. Dr. Mario Fontana chaired the meeting, as well as Dr. Mario Bonaca who will assume chairmanship of the i
subcommittee. Baltimore Gas and Electric presented an overview of the development of their renewal application, and the existing, modified and new procedures and activities relied upon for license renewal. The content of the staff's SER was presented for each chapter, by staff teams from DSSA and DE, and supported by DE management. The team approach worked well for the ACRS presentation because the staff was more readily able to respond to questions from the subcommittee members. At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Fontana commended the staff on the presentation, as well as the effort and detail which were evident in the staff's l
review.
On May 5,1999, the staff presented a summary of the subcommittee presentation for the ACRS full committee. The ACRS raised a question related to the risk increase due to license renewal, but indicated that issue should be pursued separately. The ACRS is planning on issuing an interim letter related to their review of the Calvert Cliffs renewal application.
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE A
t Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Inteorated Materials Performance Evaluation Prooram (IMPEP) Review The sealed sources and devices program in the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear
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Safety (IMNS) was reviewed by a team comprised of representatives from the Agreement States of Georgia, Illinois, and Texas, and a staff member from the Office of State Programs.
- The IMPEP review was conducted on April 26-30,1999. The representative from Texas led the team, which used a set of common and non-common performance indicators to evaluate the 1
adequacy of IMNS's programs for: (1) approvals of sealed sources and devices; (2) reviewing incidents involving radioactive materials; and (3) training and qualification of the IMN3 staff.
The team identified the strengths as well as areas for improvements in these programs. A draft report will be prepared as a first step and a Management Review Board meeting will be held
. later to review the preliminary findings, and make final determinations on the adequacy of the IMNS programs.
Confirmatorv Action Letter Closed for Palisades Nuclear Plant On April 28,1999, the Spent Fuel Project Office (SFPO) closed a Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) that had been issued to Consumers Energy, Palisades Nuclear Plant (Palisades), on May 16,1997, and supplemented on September 5,1997. The CAL, as supplemented, documented Consumers Energy commitments made to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding actions to be taken concoming weld issues prior to loading any additional VSC-24 dry spent fuel storage casks' In closing the CAL, SFPO approved the actions taken at Palisades for future loading of the VSC-24 casks.
Transnuclear West NUHOMS Standardized Design Approved for Rulemaking On April 29,1999, the Spent Fuel Project Office completed its review and forwarded, for proposed rulemaking, the Transnuclear West fuel qualification amendment to Certificate of Compliance 1004 for the standardized NUHOMS storage system. This amendment includes additional material that could be stored in the NUHOMS standardized design.
Environmental imoact Statement Scooina Meetinos for the Private Fuel Storaoe. Limited Liability Corporation's Anolication i
On April 28,1999, staff from the Spent Fuel Project Office were joined by staff from the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in holding two scoping meetings associated with the development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Private Fuel Storage, Limited Liability Corporation's application for a license to operate an away-from-reactor independent spent fuel storage installation on the reservation of the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians. The meetings were held in Salt Lake i
City, Utah, and Tooele City, Utah. Tooele City is the county seat of Tooele County, which borders, on all sides, the reservation of the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians. These were the second and third meetings held regarding the scope of this EIS. These meetings were convened to ensure that the scoping requirements of BIA and BLM (both cooperating agencies May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE B
with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the development of this EIS) were fulfilled.
l The Salt Lake City meeting drew media interest from local print and broadcast media.
Speakers at the meetings included representatives of the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians,
~ environmental groups, concemed citizens, and Utah State officials.
The meetings focused on the major federal actions which BIA and BLM must undertake. BIA must approve the lease between the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians and the applicant.
The lease has been conditionally approved. Final approval is contingent upon completion of NRC licensing acticns and the final EIS. BLM must amend the Pony Express resource management plan, which covers the use of federal lands, including the corridor for a new rail line proposed by the applicant. This rail line would connect the existing interstate rail line with the proposed site of the independent spent fuel storage installation. The applicant amended its application to include this rail line subsequent to the first scoping meeting in 1998.
Meetina with Virainia Pqwg On May 4,1999, Virginia Power and Spent Fuel Project Office staff met to discuss several licensing issues having to do with the Surry and North Anna Power Stations. Virginia Power discussed the status of their independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) self assessment which is utilizing an integrated review process. They provided an update of the ISFSI l
operations at Surry and North Anna. Virginia Power concluded the meeting with an overview of their ongoing licensing activities including: quarterly licensing actions,1999 priorities,
. applicability of recent changes to security rules, and license renewal.
10 CFR Part 70 Proposed Rule Development The 10 CFR Part 70 proposed rule package has been developed and was forwarded to the pertinent Nuclear Regulatory Commission offices for concurrence. The staff activities to support submittal of the rulemeking package to the Commission by June 1,1999, are on
- schedule.
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May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE B L
L Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research -
Items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Public Meetino on Protective Coatinas for Nuclear Power Plants l
A public meeting was held on April 15,1999, at NRC headquarters to discuss research l
activities on protective coatings for nuclear power plant containments that are under way at the Savannah River Technology Center. This research was funded by RES in response to NRR's user need request. This was the second open meeting to inform the public and industry about our program activities on protective coatings and to obtain their views.
A Phenomena identification & Ranking Table (PIRT) panel (composed of industry-nominated coatings experts) presented their views on phenomena and processes important to failure of qualified coatings.. The panel also presented preliminary rankings of importance of such phenomena and processes when coatings are subjected to a LOCA environment following 40 years of aging under normal plant conditions. This PIRT panel was formed in response to industry recommendations for such a group, and it was well received by industry attendees.
Savannah River Technology Center staff discussed their current program activities, how they l
l interfaced with the PlRT's findings, and their planned work in CY 1999.
The Nuclear Energy Institute will assemble the attendees' views and provide feedback by mid-May 1999, so the comments can be used by the project staff. The PlRT panel plans to issue their first PlRT report by mid-June 1999. Their report and the available project findings from Savannah River will be discussed at an American Society for Testing and Materials meeting of ASTM D-33 Committee, " Protective Coating and Lining Work for Power Generation Stations," scheduled for June 28-29,1999. This ASTM Committee has developed the protective coatings standards for nuclear power plants that are endorsed in Draft Regulatory Guide DG-1076, " Service Level I,11, and 111 Protective Coatings Applied to Nuclear Power Plants."
DG-1076 was issued in March 1999, and its comment period ends July 30,1999.
Public Meetina on the Risk of Debris Accumulation on Sumo Screens A day-long public meeting was held on April 14,1999, at NRC headquarters to inform i
stakeholders of the progress on the GSI-191 study and to address concerns raised by
- stakeholders at public meeting held in November 1998. The purpose of the GSI-191 study is to assess the impact of debris accumulation on sump screens on emergency core cooling system l
performance. The NRC's primary contractor for this study is Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The technical presentations focused on the risk assessment of debris accumulation and on the 1
transport of water-bome debris, in response to comments received from an earlier public meeting, the RES staff clarified the application of the study results, the incorporation of risk in l
the study, and the relationship of the study to other RES efforts. Attendees at the rnesting included Westinghouse Owners' Group, Combustion Engineering Owners' Group, Nuclear Energy Institute, Electric Power Research Institute, various licensees, and various vendors.
Attendees were invited to submit comments to the GSI-191 Project Manager via electronic mail.
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE C
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RES Evaluation of Electrosleeve Reoairs for Steam Generator Tubes RES has recently conducted tests of steam generator tubes containing electrosleeve repairs.
These tests were done on a very high priority basis in support of an ongoing NRR evaluation of l
proposed electrosleeve repairs to the steam generator tubes at the Callaway plant. The proposal for the electrosleeve repairs is a first-of-a-kind application of a technology that deposits an almost pure nickel sleeve inside an existing steam generator tube to provide a structural replacement for the pressure boundary in that area. The electrosleeve technology involves deposition of the nickel in a very fine, nanocrystalline grain structure that provides mechanical and corrosion properties that are superior to those of the " parent" Inconel tubes under design basis conditions. In February 1999, NRR raised questions regarding the severe accident (high temperature) performance of the electrosleeve material. The fine grained electrosleeve material is more susceptible than inconel to loss of mechanical properties when held at high temperatures (>600 C). The issue is whether steam generator tubes with electrosleeve repairs would be more susceptible than inconel tubes to thermally induced SG tube ruptures that could lead to containment bypass.
I To resolve the materials issues, RES supported steam generator research at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). ANL developed models and test data on the electrosleeve materials performance. The testing involved steam generator tubes containing intentional flaws in the " parent" tube that were " repaired" by electrosleeving. The electrosleeved tubes were 1
provided to RES and ANL by Framatome Technologies incorporated. These tubes were subjected to temperature and pressure conditions simulating those that could occur in a PWR primary loop from a severe accident. The testing at ANL made use of a unique high temperature pressure and leak test facility that had been developed with support from RES.
The detailed knowledge of the materials performance provided by the testing, coupled with evaluations of the thermal-hydraulics and severe accident risk specific to the Callaway plant, will contribute to the technical basis for a decision on the Callaway amendment request. Other issues on materials, thermal hydraulics, and risk remain to be resolved in regard to the generic implementation of electrosleeve repairs for other PWRs. RES will continue to work closely with NRR on developing cppropriate data and models for evaluating the generic applicability of electrosfeeve repairs.
1 May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE C
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incident Response Operations items of Interest l
Week Ending May 7,1999 l-i
. Vermont Yankee Exercise l
An IRO staff member participated with Region I staff members and representatives from FEMA, DOE /NV and USDA in a Vermont Yankee post-plume phase evaluated exercise at the State of Vermont Emergency Operations Center in Waterbury, Vermont, on April 27-29,1999. This j
exercise was a required 6-year cycle ingestion exercise.' NRC represented the Federal govemment's response to a postulated major nuclear power plant accident. Vermont found the NRC and other Federal participation very useful in increasing exercise realism.
Lost Source Exercise l
On May 5-6,1999, an IRO staff member and representatives from NRC Region ll participated in a Lost Source exercise conducted in Smithfield, North Carolina. This exercise simulated 1
orphan source material being found in a scrapyard, requiring the State to request Federal assistance. EPA served as the Lead Federal agency since the source owner was unknown at
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the time of discovery. NRC served in a support capacity. IRO acted as a facilitator for the
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l development of the exercise. Lessons leamed will be documented by the State of North Carolina.
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATIONS:
1.
PNO-l-99-021, Duquesne Light Co., BEAVER VALLEY UNIT 1 SHUTDOWN GREATER THAN 72 HOURS PNO-Il-99-012A, Triad Engineering, Inc., RECOVERED TROXLER GAUGE 2.
3.
PNO-il-99-013, Delta Consulting Company, STOLEN PORTABLE GAUGE l
4.'
PNO-il-99-014, University Community Hospital, RADIATION THERAPY SEEDS INCINERATED 5.
PNO-Il-99-015, Duke Power Co., SHUTDOWN IN EXCESS OF 72 HOURS PNO-ill-99-026A, Sterogenics Intemational, SOURCE RACK FOR POOL lRdADIATOR 6.
STUCK DUE TO CABLE CLUTCH l-9 l
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE D l
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Office of Administration items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Contract Awards Contract No. NRC-10-99-151 for custodial management services including janitorial, grounds maintenance, recycling trash / waste removal, pest control and snow removal was awarded to Spotless Janitorial of Lanham, MD on May 4,1999, as a result of a competitive solicitation (RS-ADM-99-142). The contract is a fixed price performance-based contract, and the period of performance runs from 5/4/99 to 11/30/99 with 4 one-year option periods. The total value of all years is $4,568,509. The evaluation panel used simplified evaluation criteria to streamline the procurement process for this award.
Acauisition Trainina On April 29,1999, the Division of Contracts and Property Management conducted its Acquisition for Project Managers module," Organizational Conflict of Interest"(COI). The training presentation included a discussion of what constitutes a conflict of interest and how the Agency regulations treat COI. Lectures also included the process for identifying and resolving COI situations for both contract awards to the private sector and DOE laboratory agreements.
Class participants worked in groups to analyze situations to determine if COI existed and, if so, how to resolve the col.
WFN Complex Restack Proiect The Restack project is currently completing work on the 14th floor. The project is on schedule to finish all work on the floor by the end of May with employee moves occurring' June 2 - 8. The next floor to be Restacked is the 15th floor with work beginning June 9.
Metabolic Solutions; inc.: Recelot of Petition for Rulemakina (PRM-32-5)
A document that requests public comment on a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Metabolic Solutions, Inc. was published in the Federal Register on May 4,1999 (64 FR 23796).
The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations to extend a regulatory distribution exemption to the petitioner's product, an " Erythromycin Breath Test." That test uses a three-microcurie dose of carbon-14 (C14)-erythromycin to measure the rate of drug metabolism in the human liver. The petitioner believes that such an exemption would make the breath test more widely available and reduce the cost of clinical trials without increasing the radiation risk to the public. The comment period for this action closes July 20,1999.
Disposal of Hioh-Level Radioactive Wastes in a Proposed Geolooic Repository at Yucca Mountain. Nevada (Parts 2.19. 20. 21. 30. 40. 51. 60. 61. and 63)
- A document that extends the public comment on a proposed rule that would establish licensing criteria for disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive wastes in the proposed geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada was published in the Federal Register on May 5,1999 (64 FR 24092). The comment period for this action has been extended until June 30,1999.
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE F 1
Chief Information' Officer Items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Raouests received durina the 5-Dav Period of Apnl 30.1999 through May 6.1999:
MLTS database.- (FOINPA 99-204)
Self, IG report and file. (FOINPA 99-205) -
Nuclear material events database,1998 to present. - (FOINPA 99-206)
Named individual, radiation exposure record. (FOINPA 99-207)
Dosimeter results, Fort Greely, AK, MEDDAC, during 1990. (FOlNPA 99-208).
01 authority to conduct criminal investigations,6/25/82 memo, J. Fitzgerald, Ol to M. Maisch, OGC. (FOINPA 99-209)
MLTS database (FOINPA 99-210)
Self, Radiation accident report (FOINPA 99-211)
Ammonia spill, Wadell, AZ,11/3/97 (FOINPA 99-212)
IMPAC listing (FOINPA 99-213) '
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i-May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE G L-
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9 Office of Human Resources Items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Eublic Service Recoanition Week Career Fair Attended On May 6-8,1999, Henry Rubin and Barbara Mack, from the Office of Human Resources, and Espanola Hughes, from the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, attended the Public Service Recognition Week Career Fair held on the National Mall. More than 70 Federal agencies participated in the event this year. The opening ceremony included remarks from G.
Jerry Shaw, Chairman of the Public Employees Roundtable; Congressmen Stennie Hoyer and Jim Moran; ana Congresswoman Connie Morella. The keynote speaker was the Honorable Rodney Stater, Secretary of Transportation.
Arrivals LANDAU, Robert AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION SPECIALIST ADM PECKENPAUGH, Jon ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NMSS VON TILL, Rudolph PROJECT MANAGER NMSS l
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Retirements l
LEUNG, Vincent MECHANICAL ENGINEER RES VUNCANNON, Lucille SECRETARY (OA)
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Departures ANDERSON, Donna SECRETARY (OA)
ACRS/ACNW SIMPSON, Patrick RESIDENT INSPECTOR -
Rill / POINT BEACH I
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1 May 7,1999 ENCLOSUREI
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Associate Director for Training and Development Student Data -
Month of: April 1999 Attendees Course Location Total Region HQ Other Week of April 12 Westinghouse Technology Review (R-904P)
TTC 8
8 0
0 Westinghouse Systems Technology Course (R-304P)
TTC 9
7 2
0 PRA Basics for Regulatory Applications (P-105)
HQ 21 1
18 2
Radwaste Management H-202 Region 1 14 14 0
0 Week of April 19 PRA External Events Course (P-204)
HQ 8
1 7
0' Site Access Refresher (H-101)
HQ 24 0
24 0
Site Access HQ 7
1 6
0 Radiation Worker (H-102)
HQ 3
3 Week of April 26 GE BWR/4 Simulator Refresher (R-704B)
TTC 5
5 0
0 NDE Technology and Codes.
East (E-306)
Lyme, CT 7
4 1
2 Transportation of Radioactive Materials (H-308)
TTC 30 4
11 15 MARSSIM (H-121)
HQ 29 5
17 7
B&W Simulator Refresher 1TC (R-706P) 6 4
2 0
PRA for Technical Managers HQ Course (P-107) 11 7
4 0
May 7,1999 ENCLOSUREl
Office of Public Affairs Items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Media Interest There was media interest in the Commission periodic briefing on operating reactors and the termination of the " watch list."
There was interest in the GAO report on decommissioning funding.
Press Releases Headquarters:
99-92 Prehearing Conference Scheduled on Shearon Harris Plant License Amendment I
99-93 NRC Approves Transfer of Pilgrim Plant Operating License From Boston Edison to Entergy Nuclear 99-94 NRC Orders Payment of $900,000 Fine From Thermal Science for Violations of NRC Requirements 99 95 Senior Managers Review Nuclear Power Plant Performance 99-96 NRC to Make Public Records Available Electronically, Change Public Document Room Program Regions:
IV-99-21 NRC Proposes $17,600 Fine for Intemational Radiography and Inspection Services, Inc.
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE M i
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Office of Intemational Programs Items of Interest.
Week Ending May 7,1999 l
Proaram Review Meetina at Brookhaven National Laboratorv (BNL)
On May 5,1999, Jack Ramsey and Gordon Fowler traveled to Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) to conduct a program review meeting for Armenian, Kazakh, Russian and Ukrainian regulatory assistance activities. Particular emphasis was placed on near-term activities in Armenia and Kazakhstan, including safe shutdown and decommissioning of the BN-350 reactor.
11* Reaular Meetina on Nuclear Safety Reaulatorv Matters Between NRC and the Jaoan Ministry of International Trade and Industry l
On May 6-7, the NRC hosted the 11* Regular Meeting on Nuclear Safety Regulatory Matters with the Japan Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Representatives from the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Office of Regulatory Research, and OIP met with representatives from MITI and the Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (NUPEC) to exchange information on licensing issues including: Recent Significant Events; Aging Management; Mixed Oxide Fuels (MOX); and, Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Both sides were pleased with the quality of the information that was shared and agreed to continue the dialog, including new topics such as intermediate Storage of Spent Fuel and Y2K.
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE N l
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4 Office of the Secretary items of interest Week Ending May 7,1999 I
Documents Released Date Subject to Public Decision Documents 1.
SRM on SECY-93-065 4/30/93 Proposed Enforcement Action Regarding Harassment, Intimidation and Discrimination at Northeast Utilities Against Mr. P. Blanch and Untimely Processing of Substantial Safety Hazard Evaluation (01 Report 1 009) (EA 92-212)
- 2. ' SECY-99-096 3/30/99 Staff Proposal to Amend Supplement 1,
" Reactor Operations," of the Enforcement Policy by Adding Examples of Violations involving the Compromise of an Application, Test, or Examination Required by 10 CFR Part 55 SRM on SECY-99-096 5/4/99 (Same)
Commission Voting 5/4/99 (Same)
Record on SECY 096 3.
SECY-9_9-101 3/31/99 Proposed Rule - AP600 Design Certification SRM on SECY-99-101 5/4/99 (same)
Commission Voting 5/4/99 (same)
Record on SECY 101 REVISED SRM on 5/6/99 (same)
SECY-99-101 information Papers 1.
SECY-99-117 4/19/99 Use of Industry Operational Experience in Lieu of Information Notices 2.
SEC'Y-99-121 4/21/99 Weekly information Report - Week Ending April 16,1999 Memoranda 1.
Memo from W. Travers 4/30/99 Maintenance Rule Briefing Package to Commissioners May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE O l
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i Commission Corresoondence 1.
Letter to the President, dated April 28,1999, concerns the proposed Protocol to Extend the U.S.-Canada Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation.
2.
Letter to Congress, dated April 28,1999, provides NRC comments on S. 746, the
" Regulatory improvement Act of 1999."
3.
Letter to Charles A. Judd, Envirocare of Utah, Inc., dated April 28,1999, concerns NRC jurisdiction over 11e.(2) byproduct material produced as a result of processing ore before November 1978 (incoming dated January 12,1999, also released).
4.
Letter to F. William Valentino, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, dated April 28,1999, concems comments on SECY-99-057, regarding decommissioning criteria for West Valley (incoming dated April 6,1999, also released).
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5.
Letter to Raymond C. Vaughan, Coalition on West Valley Nuclear Wastes, dated April 28, 1999, concerns the comments of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority on the decommissioning criteria for West Valley (incoming dated April 7,1999, also released).
t 6.
Letter to Thomas C. Leisten, dated April 28,1999, expresses congratulations on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout (incoming from Thomas Fix, dated March 30,1999, also released).
7.
Letter to Small Business Administrator Aida Alverez, dated April 26,1999, provides the NRC Fiscal Year 1998 Procurement Preference goal achievements.
8.
Letter to Congress, dated April 26,1999, provides the NRC quarterly report on the denial of safeguardsinformation.
j 9.
Letter to Leigh Ing, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, dated April 26, 1999, concerns the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to ship waste containing source i
material and lead to a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)-permitted j
disposal facility in Texas (incoming dated March 18,1999, also released).
- 10. Letter to Senator Frank Murkowski, dated April 22,1999, responds to seven questions for the record of the March 24,1999, Committee hearing regarding Nuclear Waste Storage and Disposal Policy, including S. 608, the " Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999."
- 11. Letter to Don W. Miller, dated April 16,1999, expresses appreciation for his service on the Advisory Committee on Reactor, Safeguards.
4 Federal Reaister Notices issued 1.
10 CFR Part 9; Government in the Sunshine Act Regulations.
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE O
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Region i Items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Pre-Decisional Enforcement Conference with Coriell Institute for Medical Research On May 3,1999, Region I conducted a Predecisional Enforcement Conference with Coriell Institute for Medical Research (CIMR). This meeting was held to discuss a Department of Labor Administrative Review Board decision that an individual employed by CIMR was discriminated against for raising a safety concern in 1996. The CIMR representatives presented their perspectives on the circumstances surrounding the 1996 events and provided information for the NRC to consider in determining the appropriate enforcement action. In addition CIMR l
discussed corrective actions taken to ensure that those events and associated DOL decisions have not caused a " chilling effect" on other CIMR empicyees.
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l May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE P l
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Region ll-ltems of Interest -
Week Ending May 7,1999 l
l Carolina Power and Light Company - Robinson On May 4, Regional staff met with representatives of H. B. Robinson concoming the Plant Performance Review after which the staff met with media representatives and State and local i
govemment officials.
1 Partnershio Meeting in Atlanta. Georgia l
The Regional Partnership Committee participated in two-days of training on interest-Based Bargaining presented by the Federal Mediation Service in Atlanta, Georgia.
i 1
Lost Source Exercise - State of North Carolina
{
Region ll and headquarters staff observed and participated in a two-day exercise conducted by the State of North Carolina simulating the discovery of a portable gauge at a metal recycling facility. On the first day, State response activities at the participating metal recycling facility and at a local hospital were observed. On the second day, followup activities were discussed and planned during a table top exercise conducted at the local county Emergency Operations
)
Center.
^
I l
May 7,1999 ENCLOSURE P 1
I
F Region ill items of Interest Week Ending May 7,1999 Manaaement Meetina with Wisconsin Public Service Corporation - Kewaunee On May 3,1999, a management meeting was conducted in Carlton, Wisconsin, between management representatives from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and members of the NRC staff. The meeting discussion focused on the recent Plant Pedormance Review of the Kewaunee Nuclear Plant. Region 111 Deputy Regional Administrator James Caldwell participated in the meeting.
On April 30,1999, the utility announced that the replacement of the Kewaunee nuclear plant's two steam generators will likely be rescheduled 18 months later than planned. The steam generators are being manufactured in Italy and may not be completed in time to meet the existing schedule. The work was scheduled for the spring of 2000 but Wisconsin Public Service now expects to complete the project in the fall of 2001.
Manaaement Meetina with Wisconsin Electric Comoany - Point Beach On May 4,1999, a management meeting was conducted in the Region 111 Office, Lisle, lilinois, between management representatives from Wisconsin Electric Company and members of the NRC staff. The meeting discussion focused on the implementation of improvement initiatives in the engineering area and the recent challenges faced by control room operators at the Point Beach Nuclear Power Station. Region ill Deputy Regional Administrator James Caldwell participated in the meeting.
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