ML20216E973
| ML20216E973 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/12/1998 |
| From: | Blaha J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| SECY-98-047, SECY-98-047-R, SECY-98-47, SECY-98-47-R, WIR-980306, NUDOCS 9803180214 | |
| Download: ML20216E973 (25) | |
Text
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March 12. 1998 SECV 98-047 Enc:
The Commissioners from:
James L. Blaha, Assistant for Operations Office of the EDO Subiect:
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MARCH 6, 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 Q*
Congressional Affairs R
- No input this week.
%nalsigned by James L. Blaha James L. Blaha Assistant for Operations. OEDO A
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G UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20585 March 12. 1998 INFORMATION REPORT Secy 98 047 EDE:
The Commissioners Etom:
James L. Blaha. Assistant for Operations. Office of the EDO Subiect:
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING MARCH 6. 1998 Contents Enclosure Nuclear Reactor Regulation A
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards B
Nuclear Regulatory Research C*
Analysis and Evaluation cf 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
j Region IV P
Executive Director for Operations 0*
Congressional Affairs R
- No input this week.
dd? Leo ames L. Blaha Assistant for Operations. OEDO l
B* Mc be'OEDO T
be made publicly available in five (5) working days from the date of this paper.
i
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Items of Interest Week Ending March 6, 1998 Staff AP600 Review of Waothic and Passive Containment Coolina System (PCS)
The revised scaling report is now scheduled to leave Westinghouse Electric Company (WELCO) on March 13, 1998. A meeting has been scheduled for March 19.
1998 (at NRC Headquarters), at WELC0's request, to walk the staff through the revised report.
J WELC0 has committed to performing the MSLB DBA analyses with the break at the proper location (elevated) of the main steam line. Aside from moving the location. it is not known if other modeling changes or input assumptions are l
being included in the revised analyses which are to be provided by March 13, 1998.
As a result of the commitment on the MSLB analyses. WELCO canceled the formal meeting scheduled for March 4. 1998 (at NRC Headquarters) to discuss the issues of circulation and stratification and the MSLB location. A telephone conference call was held instead to discuss the remaining issues on circulation and stratification as they relate to the LOCA DBA analyses.
l Severe Accident Manaaement i
On March 5, 1998, the staff mc; vith NEI and utility representatives to discuss industry's views on the staff's January 28, 1998, letter regarding severe accident management implementation issues. The general industry concern is that NRC appears to be reversing some previously understood positions, escalating its expectations as to adequacy of industry implementation, and focussing on details rather than overall performance.
The staff positions on licensed operator training / evaluation, use of a systematic approach to training, and application of 10 CFR 50.59 seem to be of greatest' concern to industry.
NEI claimed that the NRC positions in the January 28 letter would cause significant impacts on work done to date and in progress.
NEI stated that the industry intends to complete implementation in accordance with the previous guidance provided in NEI 91-04 and in the July 22, 1997. NEI letter, and that this represents more than adequate fulfillment of the industry's connitment regarding accident management. The staff indicated that it would further evaluate the information provided by NEI, elevate and discuss the key issues with NRC management, and provide a response to NEI.
Nine Mile Point Unit 1 Core Shroud Insoection Schedule
)
By letter dated February 27, 1998, the licensee has requested that the NRC extend the limitation of 10.600 hours0.00694 days <br />0.167 hours <br />9.920635e-4 weeks <br />2.283e-4 months <br /> of hot operation stated in the NRC's letter of May 8.1097 that addressed cracking of the Unit 1 core shroud welds and modifications to the associated repair plan pursuant to 10 CFR 4
March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE A
0-50.55a(a)(3)(I). The requested extension would defer a mid-cycle inspection of the cracks and shroud tie rod assemblies for 162.5 days until the next refueling outage scheduled to begin April 5,1999.
Therefore, in the absence of unplanned shutdowns. NRC staff action on the extension request will need to be completed by about mid October,1998, if the mid-cycle shutdown is to be avoided. The shroud weld cracking and licensee's plans for continued operation with the existing shroud were of considerable interest to the public, local officials, and various organizations during the previous Unit 1 refueling outage in early 1997 and were the subjects of an NRC meeting with the public on April 14, 1997.
l Zion Units 1 and 2 On March 2,1998, the NRC staff (DRPW and PDND) met with five Lake County, Illinois, officials to discuss Zion's decommissioning. Carol Spielman, Vice-l Chairman, Planning, Building and Zoning Commission, requested the meeting on February 27, 1998. The Executive Director for the Metro Counties, three board l
members and one Lake County staff member were present during the meeting. The meeting was held at the Washington Hilton at the request of board members, and lasted about 3 hours3.472222e-5 days <br />8.333333e-4 hours <br />4.960317e-6 weeks <br />1.1415e-6 months <br />.
The NRC staff discussed decommissioning in general, described its overall l
process, and provided an overview of NRC regulations related to decommissioning.
The specific items discussed included: dismantlement and decontamination (DECON), Safe Storage (SAFSTOR),
Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR),
licensee termination plan and radiological requirements for decommissioning.
The board members were interested in the economic impact of decommissioning, NRC's continued oversight of the plant and its inspection efforts, Comed's plans regarding the future use of the property, and eventual release of the site by Comed.
In addition, the board members had questions regarding the total cost of decommissioning, Comed's available decommissioning funds, tax revenues, and emergency planning.
At the end of the meeting, the NRC staff informed the board members that Comed and NRC were planning to hold a media briefing on March 20, 1998, and a public meeting, near Zion Station, on March 25, 1998. The Lake County board members requested the proposed public meeting dates be changed to Monday, March 23, 1998, to allow greater Illinois state government participation. On March 3, 1998, the staff informed Comed of the board member's request.
Finally, the board members indicated that they were satisfied with the meeting.
There were l
no follow-up items for the NRC staff with the exception of the request to i
include the Lake County Administrator's Office on the Zion Station service list.
l l
t March 6, 1998 ENCLOSURE A
I
~
Zion Defuelino On February 25, 1998. Comed personnel removed all fuel bundles from the Unit 2 reactor.
Unit 1 was previously defueled in September 1996.
These units were defueled in order to allow permanent cessation of operation at Zion Nuclear Power Station.
By letter dated February 13, 1998, the licensee provided the certification required for permanently ceasing operation.
In accordance with 10 CFR 50.82(a)(ii), the licensee will be submitting a written certification that all fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessels in approximately two weeks.
Upon receipt of this certification. Zion's 10 CFR Part 50 license will no longer allow operation of the reactor or emplacement or retention of fuel into the reactor vessels.
Westinahouse Reaulatory Resoonse Grouc The Westinghouse Regulatory Response Group (RRG) was formally activated on February 20, 1998, to address the part length control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) housing cracking issue, which was discovered at Prairie Island Unit 2 in early February. All the Westinghouse part length CRDM housings were manufactured and inspected during fabrication by the same company.
Therefore, the same conditions that existed to create the weld defect on Prairie Island Unit 2 could have existed during fabrication of CRDM housings in other units.
Based on the information gathered to date. NRR management requested the Westinghouse Owners Group (WOG) initiate the RRG in a teleconference on February 20, 1998.
The request was based on the NRC's understanding of the potential for a small break loss-of-coolant accident as a result of a part length CRDM housing failure. Although the analysis and assessment is ongoing, the staff believes this matter may be a near term, generic, significant safety issue that should be addressed by the RRG.
The RRG presented the current status of their assessment of the issue and activities for dealing with the issue to the NRC staff in a meeting on February 27, 1998.
Some of the major points presented at the meeting are the following.
The part length CRDMs in question are presently installed on 30 operating units. The RRG has formed a subcommittee of the 16 utilities that own plants with part length CRDMs to deal with the issue.
The RRG is recommending to the subcommittee that all plants with part length CRDMs either inspect or remove them at the next refueling outage.
Westinghouse is continuing to analyze the flaw found on the CRDM housing at Prairie Island Unit 2.
However, the results to date are the following.
The cracking is circumferential and covered 360 degrees around the circumference.
The cracking depth varied from 65% to 100% with one through-wall circumferential crack of approximately 0.5 inches.
The cracking originated from weld fabrication.
There is no evidence of additional growth of the flaw during service. All of the metallurgical results suggest hot cracking during original weld fabrication as the likely mechanism.
March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE A i
4 l
Diablo Canyon Unit'2 is currently shutdown for a refueling outage and has performed UT inspections of some of the welds of concern on the part length CRDM housings. The licensee has not identified any flaws on the welds that were inspected.
Staff discussions on the UT qualification methods are ongoing.
The NRC staff continues to follow this issue very closely for both Prairie Island plant-specific and generic implications.
Manaaement Chanaes On February 27, 1998. Mr. John Mueller. Senior Vice Fresident and Chiet Nuclear Officer of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. announced that the following changes in the nuclear senior management organization will be effective March 9, 1998:
John Conway, currently Vice President Nuclear Engineering, will become Vice President of Nuclear Generation with responsibility for the overall operations and maintenance of both units.
He will report directly to John Mueller.
Richard Abbott, currently Vice President of Nuclear Generation and acting Unit 1 Plant Manager, will become Vice President of Engineering with responsibility for engineering and procurement.
He will report directly to John Mueller.
Robert Smith, currently the Unit 1 Operations Manager, will become Unit 1 Plant Manager.
He will report to John Conway. A replacement for Robert Smith as Unit 1 Operations Manager has not yet been announced.
Kim Dahlberg, currently Vice President of Nuclear Operations and acting Unit 2 Plant Manager. will become Vice President of Special Projects.
reporting to John Mueller.
He will continue as acting Unit 2 Plant Manager until a new manager is named in the near future. The Unit 2 Plant Manager will report to John Conway.
March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE A
~
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Items of Interest Week Ending March 6, 1998 Meetina with Private Fuel Storaae On March 2.1998, the Director and Acting Deputy Director and staff from the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards met with representatives of Private Fuel Storage. LLC (PFS) to discuss scheduler concerns regarding the staff's review of the PFS Application.
Representatives of the Office of Congressional Affairs. Ibex. McGraw-Hill. Harmon. Curran. Spielberg. &
Eisenberg. the Nuclear Energy Institute. NUS Information Services. Washington Nuclear. Westinghouse. Booz-Allen and a member of Representative Merill Cook's office also attended the meeting.
PFS explained its interest in an expeditious review of its application.
The staff provided an overview of best-case and contingency-based schedules for the review.
In addition, the staff described the factors that effect an expeditious staff review.
The staff and PSF agreed to further discussions on:
(1) how the review of casks proposed for use at PSF can be best be completed, and (2) specifics of the dry storage needs/ loading requirements for the member utilities of PFS.
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeauards Briefina on Final Rule to Amend 10 CFR Part 71.63 On March 2,1998, staff from the Spent Fuel Pcoject Office briefed the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards on a final rule to amend 10 CFR Part 71.63. This section of Part 71 requires that shipments of plutonium that contain more than 0.74 terabequerels (20 curies) of this element per package be transported in a separate inner container, which is then contained inside a Nuclear Regulatory Commission-certified Type B transportation package.
The separate inner container is subject to additional leak testing requirements under Part 71. This rulemaking was in response to a petition from the Department of Energy (DOE) to exempt plutonium in the form of vitrified high-level waste from these requirements. The staff discussed the approach taken in evaluating DOE's petition and in comparing vitrified high-level waste to irradiated reactor fuel elements.
The staff also discussed the process under which an application to certify a Type B transportation package is reviewed and how this process would be applied to a future DOE application to transport vitrified high-level waste.
Multi-Acency Radiation Laboratory Protocols Manual Workarouc Meetina On February 23-26, 1998, the Division of Waste Management staff hosted the lith Multi-Agency Radiation Laboratory Protocols (MARLAP) workgroup meeting to discuss and develop a multi-agency guidance manual on radioanalytical work.
l l
The MARLAP workgroup comprises representatives of Federal agencies (e.g.,
Environmental Protection Agency. Department of Energy. Department of Defense.
Department of Coumerce. Department of the Interior, and Nuclear Regulatory f
March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE B
Commission) as well as Agreement States representatives (e.g.. States of Kentucky and California).
The MARLAP purpose is to promote consistency in radioanalytical protocols, provide criteria for assessment of radioanalytical results. evaluation of radioanalytical laboratories, and promotion of high-
)
quality radioanalytical work.
Over 20 participants attended the workgroup i
meeting.
The meeting focused on several issues including:
radioanalytical planning processes, sample receipt and tracking, sample preparation and dissolution, separation techniques, and measurement statistics issues. The MARLAP workgt; p target is to issue a first draft MARLAP document for Agency review by September 1998 and a revised version for public review by December 1998.
Meetina with U S. Enrichment Corooration and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratorv On February 25, 1998, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards received a classified briefing on the Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS) process from the staffs of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC). The briefing included a tour of the operational pilot AVLIS facility at LLNL and detailed discussions regarding the enrichment process.
The purpose of the briefing was to begin detailed discussions with Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff to prepare for licensing a full scale AVLIS 'acility in the near future. USEC.
once privatized, expects to apply for ar AVLIS license as early as the end of 1998.
Non-site specific submittals, however, are expected to be submitted for NRC review before that date.
Seismic Concerns Reaardina Accumulators in Buildinas C-310 and C-315 at Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant On March 3,1998 staff from the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards met with representatives from the U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC) to discuss seismic concerns regarding accumulators in Buildings C-310 and C-315 at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The staff is concerned that the accumulators, which contain UF6, may fail at a relatively low seismic level (0.059). The capacity of the accumulators was reported incorrectly in the Paducah Safety Analysis Report (SAR) and thus, this accident was not previously analyzed.
USEC explained their basis for continued operation, which included limits on accumulator volume. The staff questioned several of the assumptions and conclusions presented by USEC.
USEC agreed to review its justification for continued operation (JC0) in light of the staff's questions and will propose a revised JC0 for near-term operation, as well as a permanent solution to the problem.
i i
March 6, 1998 ENCLOSURE B
Privatization Cost Reimbursement Aareement Sioned with U.S. Enrichment Corocration The staff has signed an Interagency Agreement (IA) with the U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC) to obtain reimbursement for Nuclear Regulatory Commission activities in support of USEC's privatization. The IA is entered into pursuant to Section 3104 of the USEC Privatization Act. Public Law 104-134, which states. " Expenses of privatization shall be paid from Corporation revenue accounts in the U.S. Treasury." The IA provides for reimbursement to NRC of the total cost of NRC's privatization activities for FY 1997 and FY 1998, which is estimated at $550.000, including direct NRC staff time and contractor support.
Meetina with National Electrical Manufactures Association On March 3. '1998, members of the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety (IMNS) met with representatives of the National Electrical Manufactures Association (NEMA) to discuss the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's device j
evaluation process.
NEMA's membership includes manufacturers of medical devices that contain radioactive material and requested the meeting to gain a better understanding of NRC's device evaluation process and express its concerns about the timeliness of reviews.
The IMNS represersatives addressed each of the concerns and suggestions raised by NEMA and provided a detailed explanation of the current process for evaluating device designs. The representatives discussed ongoing efforts to 4
I enhance efficiency for device reviews.
NEMA will now carefully review the NRC process and compare it with their recommendations to determine if they can identify suggestions for improvements.
In addition. NEMA will review Draft NUREG 1556. Vol. 3. "Applicaticos for Sealed Source and Device Evaluation and Registration" to identify any unrecessary or overly extensive information requested as part of the device reviaw process.
NEMA believes that more information should be provided to app?icants concerning the status of their submittals. The IMNS representatives agreed to review the existing process in order to identify steps in the process which could be better communicated to applicants.
NEMA plans to provide specific comments on these issues by the end of March. The IMNS representatives agreed to meet again with NEMA to discuss any suggestions which it might offer.
Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotones On March 1-2, 1998, the Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) met for its semi-annual meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to:
(1) discuss recommendations for revising the 19/9 Medical Policy Statement, and the Part 35 draft proposed rule text and associated draft rule guidance:
(2) develop recommendations for implementing a more risk-informed performance based medical regulatory program: (3) discuss strontium-90 eye applicator
- alibration; and (4) develop criteria for evaluating ACMUI performance.
Major March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE B
areasofdiscussiononPart35includedrequirementsfortrainingand experience for authorized users, written directives, patient notification following medical events, and reporting of medical events and significant precursors to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Several members of the radiation oncology community were present at the meeting and made formal presentations regarding the training and experience requirements for the therapeutic use of byproduct material.
Pronosed Rule Sianed by EDO On March 3, 1998, the Executive Director for Operations approved a proposed rule that would amend 10 CFR Part 72 " Minor Revisions of Design Basis Accident Dose Limits in Part 72 to Conform to Part 20 Dose Methodology."
This constitutes notice to the Commission that, in accordance with the rulemaking authority delegated to the EDO, the EDO has signed this proposed rule for publication in the Federal Reaister.
J March 6, 1998 ENCLOSURE B
Office for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data Items of Interest-Week Ending March 6. 1998 Preliminary Notifications 1.
PNO-I-98-007 Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, THREE STOLEN TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS.
2.
PNO-II-98-010, Moses Cone Health Systems (An Agreement State Licensee).
MISSING BRACHYTHERAPY SOURCES 3.
PNO-III-98-021. University of Minnesota, IRIDIUM-192 SOURCES NOT PROPERLYSECURED AFTER BRACHYTHERAPY USE March 6, 1998 ENCLOSURE D
Office of Administration Items of Interest Week Ending March 6, 1998 U.S. Enrichment Corocration On February 23-27, 1998, a three member NRC team (ADM, OCIO, and Region III) conducted a security inspec'. mn at USEC's Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant to follow up on May 5-9, 1997 security inspection findings.
These previous Paducah findings resulted in escalated enforcement action by the NRC.
The results of the current inspection indicated that all previous findings were closed or were in the process of being closed.
No additional findings were noted.
ADM staff participated in a meeting with NMSS, DOE, USEC and others on March 3,1998, to discuss security issues related to the post-privatization of USEC.
Award of Contract On February 27, 1998, a fixed price indefinite quantity master delivery order was awarded to ICF Information Technology. Inc.
(ICF) for " Financial Management Systems Software" (STARFIRE.) This competitive procurement was awarded under the General Services Administration's mandatory Financial Management Systems Software program for the acquisition of core financial systems and services and support related to the implementation of such software. Specific software modules to be provided by the contractor include core: debt management / fee billing: budget formulation: cost accounting:
procurement; and travel.
l The contractor will install the software and perform systems acceptance l
testing, system interfacing, data conversion, and provide necessary training during the base year of this project.
l The period of performance is February 27, 1998, through February 26. 1998, i
with four additional one-year option periods which provide for maintenance, training and technical support service. The centract also includes an l
optional requirement for a payroll module and associated installation.
l training and maintenance support. The total amount of this contract is $3.4M, l
inclusive of the base and option years and the optional requirement.
March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE F
Chief Information Officer Items of Interest Week Ending March 6. 1998 Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Reauests Received durina the 5-Day Period of February 27. 1998 - March 5. 1998:
Theragenics Corp.. Palladium-103. PRM-35-7.
(F01A/PA-98-086)
Budget. FY99 IT Year 2000. Longrange IT Plan.
(F0IA/PA-98-087)
MLTS database, byproduct licenses.
(F01A/PA-98-088)
IMPAC list.
(F01A/PA-98-089)
IMPAC list.
(F01A/PA-98-090)
Woodburn Nuclear Medicine. License # 45-23073-01.
(FOIA/PA-98-98-091)
Woodburn Nuclear Medicine. License # 45-23073-01. amendments.
(F01A/PA-98-092)
Self. vacancy # 9750047.
(F01A/PA-98-093)
Systems Research & Applications Corp.
contract NRC-26-93-296 for Technical Assistance for Emergency Response.
(FOIA/PA-98-094)
Radiological Consequences of a Fuel Handling Accident. WCAP-7518-L. 6/70 report.
(FOIA/PA-98-095)
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I March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE G
l
!l..
Office of Human Resources Items of Interest Week Ending March 6, 1998 Combined Federal Camnaian (CFC) Meetmo Attended i
On March 3. 1998. Henry Rubin attended a meeting of the Local Federal L
Coordinating Committee for CFC of the National Capital' Area at the Department of Health and Human Services Building.
Norm Taylor CFC Director, informed the attendees that the $38.000.000 goal for the 1997 National Capital Area Campaign had been surpassed.
He also indicated that the Secretary of Transportation, the Honorable Rodney E. Slater, requested to be the Campaign Chairman again this year.
Details of this year's campaign were also discussed, including the fact that there is a now a CFC website (www.cfcnca.org). The website includes the entire " Catalog of Caring."
answers to frequently asked questions, and the latest CFC news.
Arrivals ENNIS. Rick Project Manager NRR l
WEERAKK0DY. Sunil Sr. Reliability & Risk Analyst AE0D WONG. See Meng Reliability & Risk Analyst NRR Retirements HAIKALIS. Ann Administrative Assistant OCH MILLER. William Reactor Inspector RII SULLIVAN, Yvonne Secretary RES Departures F0PMA. Meloay HR Team Leader HR l
l March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE I f
i
Office of Public Affairs Items of Interest Week Ending March 6. 1998 Media Interest Chairman Jackson was interviewed by Bloomberg News at the National-Press Club.
Two reporters attended the Quad Cities SALP meeting.
School Volunteers Proaram Karen' Cotton, NRR. spoke about math and science careers at Birney E.S.
Prasad Kadambi. RES.
and Kim Gruss. NMSS, spoke at Seneca Valley H.S. about careers in engineering.
Tim Kobentz, SPF0. judged a science fair at St. John's E.S.
Press Releases Regions:
I-98-23 NRC Staff Rates TMI " Superior" in Operations and Maintenance. " Good" in Plant Support and " Adequate" in-Engineering I-98-24 Washington Hospital Center Agrees to. Improve Handling of Radioactive Waste I-98-25 NRC. Haddam Neck Managers to Discuss Plant Decommissioning Funds 11-98-17 NRC Names New Resident Inspector at Harris Nuclear Power Plant 111-98-16 NRC Staff Proposes $55.000 Fine for Maintenance Rule Violations at Quad Cities Station March 6, 1998 ENCLOSURE M
Office of International Programs Items of Interest Week Ending March 6, 1998 Visit of Yannick d'Escatha Yannick d'Escatha, General Administrator of the French Atomic Energy Administration (CEA). met with all Commissioners on March 4, 1998.
Mr. d'Escatha discussed a wide range of issues, including the future status of IPSN, NRC's regulatory role with DOE, safety limits for high burn-up fuels, NRC-inspection practices, and radiation protection. standards for waste repositories. At the end of his visit. Mr. d'Escatha commented that CEA and NRC have many common issues for future cooperation.
4 March 6. 1998' ENCLOSURE N
Office of the Secretary Items of Interest Week Ending March 6. 1998 Document Date Subject Decision Documents Released to the Public 1.
COMSECY-98-002 1/26/98 Request for Starfire Project Approval and Funding SRM on 98-002 2/23/98 (same)
Chmn.
Jackson vote 2/4/98 (same) on 98-002 Comm.
Dicus vote on 2/3/98 (same)98-002 Comm.
Diaz vote on 2/3/98 (same)98-002 Comm.
McGaffigan 2/5/98 (same) vote on 98-002 2.
COMSECY-98-003 2/2/98 FY 1999 Performance Plan
]
SRM on 98-003 2/20/98 (seme)
Chmn. Jackson vote 2/13/98 (same) on 98-003 Comm.
Dicus vote on 2/10/98 (same)98-003 Comm.
Diaz vote on 2/17/98 (same)98-003 Comm.
McGaffigan 2/9/98 (same) vote on 98-003 3.
SECY-98-016 1/30/98 Specific Domestic Licenses of Broad Scope for Byproduct Material SRM on 98-016 2/24/98 (ssae)
Comm.
Voting Record 2/24/98 (same) on 98-016 i
March 6, 1998 ENCLOSURE O l
2
Information Papers Relecsed to the Public 1.
SECY-98-029 2/20/98 The Costs of Nuclear Regulatory Commission Involvement in Support of Phase I of the Department of Energy Hanford Tank Waste Remediation System Privatization Activities 2.
SECY-98-031 2/27/98 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending February 20. 1998 3.
SECY-98-032 2/27/98 Revised Process for Information Technology Capital Planning and Investment Control Commission Corresoondence Released to the Public 1.
Letter to Carol M. Browner. Administrator. EPA dated August 6. 1997, provides a draft MOU in connection with the license termination rule.
l 2.
Letter to the President, dated February 26. 1998, concerns the proposed l
Agreement for Cooperation with Romania.
3.
Letter to Ronald D. Lee, D0J dated February 26, 1998, informs of NRC's participation in the counter-terrorism and technology crime plan.
4.
Letter to Congress, dated February 25, 1998, provides NRC's Annual Report of the Administration of the Government in the Sunshine Act for CY 1997.
Federal Reaister Notices Issued 1.
Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste: Notice of Meeting on March 23-25, 1998.
l March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE O
Region I l
Items of Interest l
Week Ending March 6. 1998 l
l Reactive Insoection - Garden State Cancer Center l
On February 13. 1998, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the licensee was informed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that a truck containing medical waste from their facility triggered a radiation monitor at an i
incinerator. The shipment contained animal bedding which was contaminated l
with less than 10 microcuries of I-131 used for antibody tagging.
The New
' Jersey inspector measured approximately 2-3 mR/hr from the bag. The shipment was returned to the licensee and is currently being held for decay.
An NRC inspection conducted onsite on February 19. 1998, verified that the event happened as reported, and that the contaminated animal bedding was inadvertently released from the facility as a result of an inadequate radiological survey. The inspector also verified that the animal bedding contained a very small quantity of I-131. and that the event was an isolated incident.
The licensee initiated corrective actions including: clear identification, segregation, surveys, and controls over contaminated animal cages and bedding.
To achieve these objectives, the licensee took the following actions: 1) the use of a labeling system, including the technician's initials, for all waste (whether expected to be known to be, or is not contaminated with radioactive material). 2) radiation surveys of all waste containers or bags containing such material
- 3) placing a piece of " Caution RAM" tape onto all cages which house animals which were injected with licensed material. and 4) the possible installation of radiation monitors.
March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE P
2 L -
Region II L
Items of Interest Week Ending March 6, 1998 L
Ryder Memorial Hosoital Pre-decisional Enforcement Conference l
On March 2, 1998. Region II conducted a pre-decisional enforcement conference with Ryder Hospital (Humanco. PR) to discuss apparent violat cas related to 1
I l
.the failure to implement a Quality Management-Program (OMP) for the use of a Sr-90 eye applicator that led to 14 misadministrations of 12 patients. The administered doses were twice the intended dose as result of an error in correcting for source decay.
Ryder representatives presented evidence that
- 4 they had informed the NRC and the treating physician (Dr. Jose De Leon - see below) that Ryder had, prior to the misadministrations withdrawn authorization for use of the Sr-90 under the hospital license. The physician stated that he used the Sr-90 under his own authority at Ryder Hospital (he had a separate license for use at his office).
Dr. Jose De Leon Pre-decisional Enforcement Conference On March 2. 1990, Region II conducted a-pre-decisional enforcement conference with Dr. Jose De Leon (Isle Verde. PR) to discuss an apparent violation related to the failure to adequately implement his OMP for the use of a Sr-90 eye applicator resulting in nine misadministrations. The administered doses were twice the intended dose as result of an error in correcting for source decay. Dr. De Leon amended his license for storage only in 1996. He stated that he intended to conduct medical follow up of the patients for 10 years.
Meetina with the Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico On March 3, 1998, the Regional Administrator met with the Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico to discuss the status of follow up for patients who had received Sr-90 eye applicator overexposure misadministrations by Dr. Jose Fernandez and Dr. Luis Vazquez and to inform the Secretary of recent overexposure misadministrations by Dr. De Leon discussed above.
Region II will provide the Secretary information on these misadministrations for long-term follow up by the Department of Health.
University of Puerto Rico On March 3,1998, the Regional Administrator met with management of the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPRMSC) to discuss recent inspection findings that indicated a decline in management oversight of licensed activities.
Recent inspections had identified several violations related to the operation of the incinerator, use of TLDs. and surveys.
Licensee management discussed actions underway and planned to improve management oversight and performance.
March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE P
I Dr. Jose Colon Misadministrations On March 5,1998. Dr. Colon reported two misadministrations involving use of a Sr-90 eye applicator.
These misadministrations were identified by the NRC during an inspection on March 5.
One misadministration was an overdose (1500 rads vs.1000 intended) =r.d one was an underdose (1000 rads vs.1500 intended).
Emeraency Preoaredness Exercise - Catawba The Catawba Nuclear Station conducted its biennial emergency preparedness exercise on March 3, 1998. This plume-exposure-pathway exercise was evaluated by both FEMA and the NRC.
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l' March 6. 1998 ENCLOSURE P
1 Region III Items of Interest Week Ending March 6. 1990 Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station SALP Public Meetina On March 3. 1998.
the NRC Regional Administrator A. Bill Beach and other members of the NRC staff met in Cordova, Illinois, with representatives of Commonwealth Edison Company to review the recently issued Systematic Assessment of Licensee Performance (SALP) for the Quad Cities Nuclear Power l
Station. The Quad Cities facility received ratings of " good" in operations and plant support and " acceptable" in maintenance and engineering.
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March 6, 1998 ENCLOSURE P
4 Region IV Items of Interest Week Ending March 6. 1998 Predecisional Enforcement Conference with STP Nuclear Ooeratina Comoany A predecisional enforcement conference was held on February 26, 1998, with STP Nuclear Operating Company to discuss an apparent violation of 10 CFR 50.7 l
which occurred in the licensee's Design Engineering Department during a period from 1994 to 1996.
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