ML20217B304

Weekly Info Rept for Wk Ending 970912

ML20217B304
Person / Time
Issue date:	09/18/1997
From:	Blaha J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:
References
SECY-97-210, SECY-97-210-R, WIR-970912, NUDOCS 9709230322
Download: ML20217B304 (29)

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Seotember 18. 199, SECY 97-210 Ent: The Commissioners f.ts: James L- Blaha, Assistant for Operations. Office of the E00 Subiect: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 Contents Enclosure l 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 1 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 11 P Re ion Ill P Re ion IV P Executive Director for Operations 0*

Congressional-Affairs R

• No input this week, l[M Margo Bridgers for James L. Blaha Assistant for Operations. OE00 bf

Contact:

M. Gamberoni, OED0

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, UNITED STATil NUCLEAM MEULATOMY COMMisslON

, WASHINGTON, D. C. Scou INFORMATION REPORT 1

Sentember 18. 1997 SECY 97 210 l l

f_qt: The Commissioners  !

l From: James L. Blaha, Assistant for Operations. Of fice of the ED0 '

Subiect: WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 l

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*

Admiristration 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*

Cffice of the Secretary 0 Region 1 P Region 11 P Region 111 P Region IV P Executive Director for Operations 0*

Congressional Affairs R

• No input this week Wb James C. Blaha 4

Assistant for Operations. OEDO

Contact:

M. Gamberoni. OEDO SECY NOTE: TO BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN 5 WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PAPER.

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 Salem Nuclear Generatina Station. Units 1 and 2 On September 10, 1997, the staff met with Messrs. David Lochbaum of the Union of Concerr.ed Scientists and Paul Gunt? Of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service to discuss their concerns about fire barrier penetration seals at Salem and other nuclear plants. The meeting entailed a presentation by the fire protection staff, and Mr. Lochbaum and Mr. Gunter made a joint presentation The staff answered numerous questions and in some cases deferred a response until the staff's efforts in response to Congressman Markey are completed. The meeting was transcribed.

Salem Unit 2 remains at 47% power. After repairs have been completed to the 22 Steam Generator feedwater Pump bearings, the 10% load swing test will be performed. The licensee has decided not to proceed above 50% aower until the failed pressurizer level transmitter has been repaired. This clannel has been placed in the " tripped" position as specified by their TSs. The repair is planned to take 3 to 4 days.

On September 9. 1997, the NRC's Salem Assessment Panel was briefed by the licensee on the licensee's self assessment of Salem Unit 2 performance. The Panel will brief the Regional Administrator on its assessment of Salem Unit 2 readiness to exceed 50% power.

Control manipulations required for individuals to meeting licensee requirements have been completed for nine operators and will continue for the remaining operators. The licensee is expected to make formal application to the staff requesting licenses for these candidates in the near future.

Crystal River 3 Restart Proaress Florida Power Corporation (FPC) continues to maintain its target for completina the corrective actions and restarting the facility by December 1997. FPC has identified 33 potential licensing submittals that would' require NRC approval prior to restart in December 1997. The large number of licensing submittals that are required to be processed within a very short period poses a significant challenge to staff resources.

On September 5. 1997, the staff met with FPC's licensing personnel to discuss the status of expected and active licensing submittals.

Florida Progress. FPC's parent company, has announced a joint venture with two other utilities. Cinergy Corporation head Century Energies headquartered in Denver: quartered to form in Cincinnati, a new company. Cadence. and New The new company will be based in Cincinnati and provide "one stop shopping" for energy management products and services. Cadence plans to supply power to its clients in states whose markets are open to competition.

SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE A

Nine Mile Point. Unit 2 By letter dated September 8, 1997. Long Island Lighting Company (LlLCO) requested NRC consent to an indirect transfer of control over LILCO's license l to possess and own an 18% interest in Unit 2, as a result of proposed i corporate transactions involving LILCO, The Brooklyn Union Gas Company (BU),

and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). The request is based upon the i following anticipated events:

1. LILC0 and BU will form a corporation to be the holding company for (a)

) certain assets and operations of LlLCO not acquired by LIPA and (b) BU.

2. LILCO will then transfer to one or more subsidiaries of this holding company LILCO's natural gas assets and operations, non nuclear electric generating assets and operations, and common plant.

3. Thereafter, LIPA will acquire LILCO by purchasirg its stock through a cash merger. At the time of LILC0's accu 1sitice by LIPA, LILC0 will still have its electric transmission anc distribution system, its retail electric business, substantially all of its electric regulatory assets, and its share of Unit 2,

4. Finally, BU will engage in a merger with (and become a subsidiary of) the holding company, which, at that point, will have one or more subsidiaries j owning the assets transferred by LILCO in step 2 above.

LILC0 further states that if LIPA's purchase of LILCO should ) rove infeasible, then LILCO and BU plan to proceed nevertheless with their comaination: in which case LILCO and BU would both become a subsidiary of the holding company.

In any event LILCO would continue to exist as an electric utility, as one of i 4

the co owners and licensees of Unit 2.

Another co owner and licensee of Unit 2 New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG), also plans to restructure, become part of a holding i company, and eventually divest itself of certain non nuclear generating assets. The NRC has scheduled a public meeting with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and counsel for NYSEG for September 16, 1997, to discuss these plans and a proposed submittal to NRC pursuant to 10 CFR 50.80.

McGuire Units 1 and 2 - Dual Unit Trio On September 6, 1997, at 9:45 p.m., McGuire Units 1 ana 2 automatically tripped from 100% power. The trip occurred because of the loss of control power to several plant com)onents, The loss of control power was initiated when the alternate supply areaker to a non safety 120-VAC instrument and control )ower bus opened. A post-trip investigation determined that a loose lug in tie breaker led to an overheated breaker condition causing the breaker thermal overload protection to activate and open the breaker. The plant response to the event was uncomplicated in accordance with the plant design, All systems functioned as designed, t

SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE A

The staff is satisfied with the licensee's completed and planned corrective actions and believes that continued operation is safe. N1R will rereview the s)ecific aspects of the McGuire design basis that led to the dual unit trip.

T1e regional staff will perform appropriate follow up inspections of the licensee's corrective actions.

Maine Yankee By letter dated August 7,1997 Maine Yankee certified to the Commission the 3 permanent cessation of power operations and permanent removal of fuel from the reactor vessel. By letter dated August 27, 1997, Maine Yankee submitted to

, the Commission their post shutdown decommissioning activities report (PSDAR).

In the PSDAR. Maine Yankee describes their planned decommissioning activities and schedule. Maine Yankee intends to decommission the facility in a manner that results in the prompt removal of the existing plant components. This approach is commonly referred to the as the DECON alternative to decommissioning.

, The staff is arranging public meetings in the vicinity of Maine Yankee to i

discuss the decomm ssioning of the facility. The first meeting is scheduled for October 7, 1997 at which the NRC staff will make a presentation to the public on the regulatory process for decommissioning a nuclear power plant. A second meeting will be held in early November to seek public comment on the Maine Yankee PSDAR. Several days prior to each meeting, the NRC staff will hold separate briefings for the local press to provide them with background information on the topics to be discussed.

Palisades -- Dry Fuel Storaae Cask inspection Activities The NRR staff issued the report of its inspection of the licensee's cask i unloading procedure on September 4, 1997. The inspection found that the unloading procedure provides adequate direction for the safe unloading of i VSC-24 dry fuel storage casks. The report also documented the licensee's completion of certain commitments made in res)onse to NRC Bulletin 96 04.

J Following issuance of the ins)ection report, Region Ill issued a letter on September S.1997, to close tie confirmatory action letter (CAL Rlll-96 006A) issued following the occurrence of the Point Beach hydrogen ignition event.

Closure of this CAL permitted the licensee to commence planned dry runs of cask loading operations on September 8, 1997.

As a result of findings of an SFP0 inspection of the VSC-24 cask vendor and fabrication subcontractor (documented in an August 29, 1997 inspection report), SFP0 held a teleconference with Consumers on September 5, 1997, and issued a supplement to the previously issued CAL (97-7-003) related to weld cracking observed during previous cask lid welding operations at Palisades and .

Arkansas Nuclear One. The CAL supplement was issued to ensure that staff '

concerns regarding undocumented welding )erformed during fabrication of several VSC-24 multi-assembly sealed bastets (MSBs) and the previously ,

observed weld cracking are appropriately addressed. The licensee agreed to '

complete the actions identified in the CAL supplement before loading additional VSC-24 casks.

L SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE A l 1

South Texas Proiect. Unit 2 - Loss of 3" of Level in the Spent Fuel Pool ISf21 On August 31, following SFP 28 filter changeout, SFP purification subsystem 2B was placed in service. However, the filter vent and drain valves (both about 3/4" valves) were inadvertently left open. Operators identified, during the relcase of the associated equipment clearance order, that the valves had been misaligned (the licensee's program permits manipulation of components under certain types of clearance orders). Both valves were realigned at that time.

Investigation revealed that the water had been diverted to the waste water l'old up tank and the floor drain collection tank. The valve misalignment rt sulted in a 3" reduction in SFP level (from 66*6" to 66'3"). There was still another 2" to 3" before the low level annunciator would have alarmed in the main control room (setpoint 266'), and the Technical Specification limit is 23' above the active fuel (corresponding to a SFP level of about 62'6").

The licensee is investigating the cause of the event. Resident inspectors are continuing to review this event in light of 3 additional loss of SFP water inventory events that have occurred during the last 2 years.

Perry Nuclear Power Plant IBEW Local 270 began negotiations with plant management on Wednesday, September 10. 1997. Union members have already approved a strike vote and a strike may be imminent. Issues focus on job security and contracting out work that could be performed by union members. The strike would have a significant impact on the sixth refueling outage that is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 11.

IBEW members represent approximately 7% of the work force at Perry and these are generally non-licensed operators and maintenance personnel. The licensee has made the decision to bar union members from work within the power block during the outage and has developed contingency plans with a contractor (Ratheon) to perform their work. Non union personnel have been shadowing union members during recent shifts.

If a strike is called, there will be a 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> grace period before picket lines are formed. While there is only 140 union members employed onsite.

there are approximately 1700 IBEW union members in the vicinity of the plant and a large number of non-plant union members may join the picket lines.

The licensee does not plan to cross picket lines and has made tentative plans to lock-in approximately 700 )lant employees. Plant personnel have been instructed to bring personal >elongings to the office and to plan on being locked up within the facility for approximately three to five days beginning

-Thursday September 11. The licensee is expected to seek a court order to permit contractors to enter the site for the refueling outage.  ;

Regional inspectors are currently onsite to observe the outage activities.

Due to their need to maintain unfettered access, the inspectors are exploring all available options including joining the licensee's lock in.

SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE A l

f 0.C. Coot Units 1 and 2 On September 8.1997, the licensee began shutting down both units as a result I of an issue raised during the ongoing NRC architect-engineer design inspection concerning the volume of water which would flow to the containment sump during certain accident scenarios. Approximately 4 weeks ago. a member of the inspection team questioned the licensee regarding the switchover from RWST injection to containment sump recirculation during a design basis accident.

Part of the concern focused on whether there would be sufficient water in the sump when switchover was performed to provide adequate NPSH, In the course of investigating this issue the licensee was unable to identify a flowpath for a portion of the lower compartment containment spray to reach the containment sump. Specifically, approximately 600 gpm of spray was identified as accumulating in an annulus area below the ice condenser and accumulators with no identifiable flowpath to the containment sump. Based on this undetermined condition the licensee decl. red containment spray and ECCS inoperable.

declared an Unusual Event, and began a dual unit shutdown in accordance with Technical Specification 3.0.3. Containment entries performed following the shutdown have not identified a flowpath greater than a 4 inch penetration.

The licensee is continuing to analyze the situation and has not yet determined if the issues can be resolved by analysis or if plant modification will be required. Initial investigations into the design of other ice condenser

)lants indicated design differences such that the issue may not be common, lowever. Region 11 personnel will be following up with McGuire. Catawba.

Sequoyah, and Watts Bar. NRC staff are also considering a generic correspondence to inform the industry of this event.

SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 Meetina with United States Enrichment Cornoration On September 3. 1997. Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards staff members met with a representative of United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), the gaseous diffusion plant certificate holder, at Nuclear Regulatory Commission Meadquarters. USEC requested the meeting to apprise NRC of its intention to change internal auditing 3rocedures. The proposed changes will make internal audits more performance aased by recuiring less time for entrance and exit meetings and re) ort writing, anc allowing more time for observing ongoing activities. USEC's overall commitments to the NRC will not need to be changed since the )roposed changes would be at the " procedures" level. The NRC staff noted tlat the proposed changes appear to improve the USEC internal audit program, and that NRC's resident inspectors will monitor the program.

Jemocrary Amendment to Authorize Evaluation of Fuel Elements On September 5, 1997 the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, in coordination with Nuclear Regulatory Commission ins)ection staff, issued a tem)orary amendment to Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) Navy iuclear Fuel Division which autlorizes non destructive examination (NDE) of fuel elements at a temporary location adjacent to the Lynchburg Virginia, facility. The Nuclear P.egulatory Commission staff reviewed and issued the amendment on an expedited basis to authorize B&W to determine the cause of manufacturing problems using equipment not available at the licensed site. B&W has ceased production of certain fuel elements until the cause of the problems can be diagnosed and resolved. The licensee has committed to appropriate safety and security measures for controlling the special nuclear material contained in the elements during the evaluation. A longer term amendment may be required depending on the results of the NDE testing.

Meetina with Nuclear Medical Oroanizations On September 7.1997. Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety staff met with the Nuclear Medicine Caucus and the Council of Affiliated Regional Radiation Oncology Societies while attending the annual meeting of the American College of Radiology. Current activities regarding revision of medical regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 were discussed. Numerous questions from the two organizations regarding possible rulemaking options and the schedule for the rulemaking were answered.

Meetina with the Veterans Administration On September 9. 1997. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff from the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety and Region III met with the Veterans Administration (VA) National Health Physics Program staff in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting focused on the ongoing NRC review of the VA application for a Master Materials License (MML).

SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE B 4

1 i

i During the meeting. NRC representatives discussed a draft deficiency letter 4

which cites NRC staff concerns regarding the application, and requests 4

additional information from VA in order to continue the NRC review. The NRC staff members also addressed concerns such as centralized control of the VA radiation safety program, adequacy and viability of resources, regulatory functions associated with an MML, and continuing use of qualified licensing

, and inspection staff.

i Sunclement issued to Users of the VSC-24 Dry Cask Storaae System On September 5, 1997, the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards supplemented the May 16. 1997. Confirmatory Action Letters (CALs) issued to the Arkansas Nuclear One. Palisades and Point Beach Nuclear Power Plants (licensees using the VSC-24 spent fuel storage cask) to prohibit loading of additional casks until the licensees (1) im)lement actions to inhibit the recurrence of the Multi-Assembly Sealed Bas (et (MSB) seal welding 3roblems.

, and (2) confirm that all MSBs to be loaded with spent fuel were fa)ricated in accordance with the necessary regulatory requirements. The CALs will remain j in place until Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviews and accepts the i corrective actions implemented to inhibit recurrence of MSB seal welding problems, and reviews and accepts the licensees' confirmation that MSBs not containing fuel were properly fabricated.

Meetina with Southern Nuclear Ooeratina Comoany 2

On September 4.1997. staff from the Spent Fuel Project Office (SFPO) met with

Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Southern Nuclear) to discuss their plans

) to establish an inde)endent spent fuel storage installation at the Edwin I.

l Hatch Nuclear Power )lant. near Baxley. Georgia. At Hatch, there are two 1

operating reactors with a common refueling floor and spent fuel pool. At the present time seventy five percent of the pool racks are loaded with s)ent fuel. They expect the remaining twenty-five percent to be filled by tie year 1 2003. Southern Nuclear has decided to )ursue dry storage to expand their

spent fuel storage capacity. Southern luclear indicated that it will need to begin cask loading by the end of 1999 or early 2000.

Parks Townshin Shallow land Disposal Area Draft Environmental Imoact Statement On September 4, 1997. Division of W6ste Management staff, accompanied by staff from the Office of the General Counsel held an open meeting with representatives from Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) and Atlantic Richfield Hanford Com)any to discuss the draft environmental im)act statement (DEIS) for the Parcs Township Shallow Land Disposal Area (SL)A) in Parks Township, Pennsylvania. Members of U.S. Congressman Murtha's staff also attended.

Until 1970. the SLDA was used for the disposal of hazardous and low-level wastes from a nuclear fuel fabrication facility in nearby Apollo.

Pennsylvania. The materials placed in the trenches consisted of wastes, scra ), and trash. The disposals were made pursuant to the requirements of 10 C R-20.304 which were in effect at the time. The DEIS describes and evaluates the potential environmental impacts of B&W's proposed approach to decommissioning the radiologicelly contaminated waste. The B&W preferred SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE B

approach would allow radioactive material to remain on site. Under this approach, the wastes would be stabilized by installing an engineered cover system and a system of hydrologic barriers and controls surrounding the trench areas to provide groundwater protection. A coal mine underlying the SLOA would be stabilized by injecting grout int 0 the voids under the trenches to prevent subsidence. Institutional controls would be required in perpetuity to prevent inadvertent intrusion into the waste. '

The DEIS evaluates the radiological and non radiological impacts associated with the B&W proposed action and four alternative actions. including no action. Based on the evaluations in the OEIS, the NRC staff's preliminar conclusion is that another alternative. " modified stabilization in-place.y "

would arotect public health and the environment, and would be less costly than the otler alternatives. This alternative would include inst 1tutional controls and backfilling of the coal mine, but the engineered barriers and cover would not be implemented. For any of the alternatives, off-site impacts would be low and no off-site dose would be expected.

NRC staff discussed the process for developing the final EIS. including 3rovisions for public involvement, as well as the 10 CFR Part 2. Subpart L 1 earing process. Congressn.an Murtha's staff expressed concern about possible health effects of leaving waste buried on site, and the effect on future economic development in the area. In addition, the Congressional staff questioned the effectiveness of long-term institutional controls. NRC staff agreed to keep the attendees informed of plans for a public meeting, and agreed to meet separately with Congressman Murtha's staff, if requested.

Possible Transfer of Control of Licensed Activities On September 11, 1997, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a letter to attorneys for United Nuclear Corporation (UNC) stating that it had no objection to 3roposed mergers which would involve UNC. the licensee for the Church Rock, iew Mexico, uranium mill and tailings site. These mergers would result in UNC incorporated, the licensee's parent corporation, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Greenwich Air Services. Inc., which, in turn, would become a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric Company. The NRC staff has been informed that existing financial arrangements for the site reclamation surety which consist of both a Parent Company Guarantee and a Letter of Credit, will remain in place.

Technical Meetina on the Exoloratory Studies Facility On September 10. 1997 Division of Waste Management staff conducted a video-conference with the Department of Energy (DOE) and its contractors to discuss items of mutual interest regarding progress in scientific investigations at

-Yucca Mountain and technical issues related to geologic repository design.

Representatives from Nye and Clark Counties (Nevada), the State of Nevada, the U.S. Geological Survey. the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste, and the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses also participated. Discussion included an update on the status of scientific studies at the site (including thermal testing and new surface-based drilling), and recent developments related to DOE's engineering SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURF R

\

design program. DOE reviewed its plans for the use of concrete ground support in the repository, and provided examples of the types of design information the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff can expect to see in a )otential license application. During its presentation. DOE also noted tlat the starting date for construction of the so-called " cross drift" (formerly referred to as the east west drift) had slipped from September 1997 to sometime in the Spring of 1998, SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE B

-. . - . . _ . - . . . . . . . . . . - - . . . - . - - . - - . . = . . --

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research items of Interest Week Ending September 12, 1997 Reculatory Guide Issued Regulatory Guide 3.70, *Use of Fixed Neutron Absorbers at Fuels and Materials Facilities." was issued on September 4. 1997.

SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE C

Office for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 PREllMINARY NOTIFICATIONS (PNs)

1. PNO 1 97 057. Baltimore Gas & Elec. Co. (Calvert Cliffs 1). PLANNED OUTAGE EXCEEDING 72 HOURS

2. PNO II 97 052. Tri State Testing & Drilling Co.. STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

3. PNO lll 97 070A, Rivervalley Local School District. BURIED SOURCE OF RADIATION FOUND ON SCHOOL CAMPUS (UPDATE) 4 PNG Ill-97 075A. Indiana Michigan Electric Co. (Cook 1 2). DUAL UNIT SHUTDOWN TO ANALYZE POST-ACCIDENT WATER FLOW IN RECIRCULATION COOLING MODE (UPDATE)

5. PNO Ill-97-076. Mqs Inspection. Inc.. INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY EVENT

6. PN0 Ill-97-077. Iowa Electric Light & Power Co. (Duane Arnold 1). PLANT SHUTDOWN TO REPAIR LEAK IN DRAIN LINE OFF "A" MAIN STEAM LINE

7. PNO IV 97-050. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. REACTOR CAISSON LEAK REPAIRED

8. PNO-IV-97-051, Syncor International. RECElPT OF CONTAMINATED PACKAGES SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE D

Office of Administration items of Interest Week Ending September 12, 1997 Electronic Freedom of Information Act: Implementation (Part 9)

A proposed rule that would amend NRC's regulations to im)lement the Electronic Freedom of Information Act was published in the Federal Register on September

5. 1997 (62 FR 46922). The proposed rule would broaden public access to government information by placing more agency records on line and expanding the role of the agency public document room. The pro)osed rule also extends l the time for responding to requests that is mandated )y statute. The comment closing date for this action is October 6. 1997.

Definition of Safety-Related Structures. Systems. and Components: Technical Amandment (Part 60)

A direct final rule amending the regulations to correct an error in several provisions of the regulations that define the term " safety-related structures, systems, and components" was published in the Federal Register on September 8.

1997 (62 FR 47268). The definitions are revised to be consistent with the i definition used in regulations applicable to siting nuclear power plants and l the Commission's longstanding practice an interpretation of the term. The final rule becomes etfective November 7,1997.

The companion proposed rule to this direct final rule was published in the Federal Register on September 8. 1997 (62 FR 47272). The comment period closes October 8, 1997.

Financial Assurance Reauirements for Decommissionina Nuclear Power Reactors (Part 50)

A proposed rule that would amend regulations concerning financial assurance requirements for the decommissioning of nuclear >ower plants was published in the Federal Register on September 10. 1997 (62 F1 47588). The proposed amendments respond to questions on whether current financial assurance provisions need to be modified because of the potential deregulation of the power generating industry. The proposed regulations would require power reactor licensees to submit periodic reports on the status of their decommissioning trust funds and on changes in their external trust agreements.

The comment period for this action closes November 24, 1997.

B&W Insoection On Septemoer 10. 1997, a Division of Facilities and Security (DFS) representative visited the B&W Lynchburg Tennessee Facility to assist Region 11 staff in the conduct of a security inspection related to the protection of classified matter. The DFS representative assisted in the inspection and evaluation of licensee compliance with the classification aspects of 10 CFR Part 95. " Security Facility Approval and Safeguarding of National Security Information and Restricted Data." and E.O.12958 ' Classified National Security Information."

SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE F

j -

Portsmouth Security inspection 1

DFS. OE. NMSS. DOE and Regional staff conducted a telephonic close out briefing with USEC and Lockheed Martin Utility Services personnel on September

9. 1997, to discuss the results of the September 2-5. 1997 security i

ins)ection of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The inspection report is )eing prepared.

1 GSA Year 2000 - Buildina Systems Groun On September 9. 1997 the Chief. Facilities Branch attended the first meeting of the Interagency Year 2000 Building Systems Subgroup. The Subgroup is chaired by the General Services Administration (GSA) and is intended to serve as a means by which agencies can focus on how the iear 2000 problem might affect building support systems, e.g. elevators and energy management systems.

The meeting was attended by ap3roximately 40 personnel representing their agencies. Some agencies, like 1RC have already begun investigating the problem while others are just beginning to look into it. Another meeting is scheduled for thes erid of September at which time GSA is expected to present their program on now they are addressing this issue in GSA operated buildings.

Procurement Reform On September 8, 1997. Patricia G. Norry and Edward L. Halman participated in a aledge ceremony sponsored by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (07PP) Office of Management and Budget. Pledges were sought by 0FPP from Federal agencies to provide incentives for outstanding performance in procurement. By signing the pledge. Mrs. Norry stated that NRC will join other participating Federal agencies to provide awards to teams of employees (in procurement and/or program staff teaming together) who have achieved outstanding results showing excellence in contracting.

SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE F

Chief Information Officer items of Interest Week Ending September 12, 1997 Sianificant F01 A/PA Reauests Received durino the 5-Day Period of September 5-

11. 1997:

Nuclear testing in Western U.S., 1940 through 1947. (F01A/PA 97-337)

Contract RS-IRM 97 187, NRC Issuances & Indexes. (F0!A/PA 97 338)

IMPAC listing with addresses. (F01A/PA 97 339)

IMPAC listing with addresses on disk. (F01A/PA 97 340)

Regulation interpretations, regional office interactions. (F01A/PA 97-341)

Contracts, point of contact for identified contracts. (F01A/PA 97 342)

F01A Annual Report. 1996. (F01A/PA 97 343)

Contract, site access training and radiation worker training.

(F01A/PA 97 344)

Reload Reviews in 031, 12/20/82 memo from L.G Hulman to C.H. Berlinger.

(F01A/PA 97 345) 01 reports, 3 96-010 and 3 96-0105, regarding Quad Cities. (F0lA/PA-97-346)

Manhattan Project, all publicly available records. (F01A/PA 97-347)

SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE G

Office of Human Resources items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 Kic,koff _for the 1997 Combined Federal Camoaion of the National Caoital Area Attended On September 10, 1997 Jan Clemens and Henry Rubin attended the kickoff for the 1997 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) of the National Capital Area. The kickoff was held at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The keynote speaker was the Honorable Rodney E. Slater. Secretary of Transportation, who is the 1997 Campaign Chair. NRC's CFC kickoff is scheduled for October 8.1997, at 9 a.m. in the 0WFN first floor Commissioners' Conference Room.

Arrivals ASHLEY. Donnie OPERATIONS SPECIALIST (PFT) NRR BAKER Merritt CHEMICAL ENGINEER (PFT) NMSS WHALEY. Sheena PROJECT ENGINEER (PFT) NMSS Retirements None.

Departures BAXTER. Valerie COMPUTER ASSISTANT (PFT) Rlii HIGGINS. Lindley SR MANAGEMENT ANALYST (PFT) OlG SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE I

Office of Small Business & Civil Rights items of Interest i Week Ending September 12, 1997

[pnaressman Eli.iah E. Cumminas' First Annual Procurement Fair On September 8. 1997, von Deloatch, Program Manager. Small Business Program Of fice of Small Business and Civil Rights, participated in the First Annual Procurement Fair sponsored by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings of Baltimore.

The Fair was well attended, attracting more than 1.000 small businesses. It provided small businesses the opportunity to meet with representatives from the private sector and government agencies to discuss procurement opportunities. Mr. Deloatch received information and capability statements from many of the firms that will be put into the SBCR Small Business inventory. Mayor Curtis Smoot was on hand to meet and greet small business representatives.

SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE J

Office of Public Affairs items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 Media Interest There was some media interest in the architect / engineering design exit meeting at Diablo Canyon.

School Volunteers Proaram Louis Numkin. IRM. spoke about computer ethics at a meeting of the Asbury Computer Club, Press Releases Headquarters:

97-128 NRC !ssues Additional Letters to Three Utilities on Spent Fuel Storage Cask Welding Problems 97 129 Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Radioisotopes to Meet September 25-26 in Rockville. MD 97 130 NRC Proposes Changes in Decommissioning Funding Rule 97-131 NRC Considers Applying Federal Wrongdoing Guidelines to Agreement States 97 132 _ Note To Editors: ACRS Meeting September 29-30 Regions:

1-97-116 Inspections Find Access Authorization Adequate at 3 Northeastern Plants: Regulations Being Reviewed I 97-117 NRC Staff Assigns New Resident inspector at Salem I-97-118 New Inspector Named at Millst'one 3 I 97-119 Note to Editors: Meeting with Northeast Utilities I-97-120 NRC Commissioner Diaz to Hold Press Briefing on Se t. 18 Following Visit to Hope Creek and Salem Nu lear Power Plants 1-97-121 NRC Cites Firm for Violation involving Transfer of Exit Signs 11-97-64 NRC Staff to Hold Conference With Duke Power Company to Discuss Apparent Violations at McGuire Nuclear Plant SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE M

11 97 65 NRC Officials to Meet With Duke Managers at Oconee Nuclear Plant to Discuss Plant Performance and Emergency Power 111-97 83 NRC Staff Proposes $2.500 Fine Against S.C.

Johnson & Sons, for a Radiation Safety Violation 111 97 84 NRC Staff Proposes $2.750 Fine Against Anheuser-Busch, Inc. for Radiation Safety Violations IV-97-48 Brad Smalldridge Assigned as NRC Resident inspector at Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant IV-97 49 Fort Calhoun Rated " Superior" in One Area. " Good" in Three Otters in latest NRC Assessment Report IV 97 50 NRC Schedul'!s Design Inspection Meeting for Diablo Can'on Nuclear Plant SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE M

Office of the Secretary items of Interest Week Ending September 12, 1997 Decision Documents Released to the Public Document Date Subiect

1. SECY 97-144 7/11/97 Potential Issues Raised by Non Owner Operators

- SRM on 97 144 8/29/9/ (same)

- Voting Record 8/29/97 (same) on 97-144

2. SECY 97 156 7/21/97 Application of Federal Government Wide Conflict of Interest Requi' ,.aents and NRC Enforcement Policy on Licensee Intagrity Issues to Agreement StLte Programs

- SRM on 97-156 9/3/97 (same)

- Voting Record 9/3/97 (same) on 97-156

3. SECY 97-164 7/25/97 Shipment of Decommissioned Reactor Vessel, Contair.ing Irradiated Internals, From the Trojar 4 Jclear Plant to Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Richland, Washington SRM on 97 164 8/26/97 (same)

- Voting Record 8/26/97 (same) on 97 164

4. SECY 97-184 8/13/97 Pro)osed Reactor Export Licenses to Com)ustion Engineering, Inc. to Su) ply Major Components and Equipment for our Nuclear Reactor Units in the Republic of Korea - Applications XR162 and XR163

- SRM on 97 184 8/26/97 (saraal

- Voting Record 8/26/97 (same) on 97-184 SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE 0

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Neaative Consent Documents Released to the Public

1. SECY 97-174 8/1/97 NRC Employee Ownership of Energy or Utility -

Sector Mutual Funds

- SRM on 97-174 8/26/97 (same)

Information Paners Released to the Public 4

1. SECY 97-196 8/28/97 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending August 22,1997

2. SECY 97 197 8/29/97 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Briefing Commission Cornsoondence Released to the Public

1. Letter to Sook Il Kwun, Korean Minister of Science and Technology, dtd 8/20/97 concerns membership in the International Nuclear Regulators Association

2. Letter to Bob Stone. National Performance Review, did 9/2/97 concerns Welfare-to Work reporting requirements

3. Letter to Huang Qitao, Chinese National Nuclear Safety Administration, dtd 9/2/97 concerns renewal of safety Protocol

4. Letter to Tadashi Ezaki, Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry dtd 9/2/97 expresses congratulations on his new position

5. Letter to Representative Merrill Cook dtd 9/2/97 concerns 2.206 requests by the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality concerning an application submitted by Private fuel Storage

6. Letter to Representatives Doc Hastings and Virgil Goode dtd 9/2/97 concerns the possession of special nuclear material by Envirocare of Utah, Inc.

7. Letter to Congress dtd 9/3/97 appeals the H.R. 2203 reduction

8. Letter to Senator Olympia Snowe, et al., dtd 9/3/97 concerns decommissioning of the Maine Yankee facility

9. Letter to Senator John Chafee and Representative Thomas Bliley dtd 9/3/97 concerns the Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and liability Act o 1980 (CERCLA)

10. Letter to Kathleen McGinty, CEO. dtd 9/5/97 concerns the decommissioning of the Atlas Corporation Moab Mill in Utah SEPTEMBER 12. 1997 ENCLOSURE 0

Federal Reaister Notices issued

1. Advisory Comittee on Reactor Safeguards: Subcomittee Meeting on Thermal Hydraulic and Severe Accident Phenomena: Notice of Meeting on September 29 30, 1997

2. Advisory Comittee on Reactor Safeguards: Subcomittee Meeting on Planning and Procedures: Notice of Meeting on October 1, 1997 ,

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l Region 1 I Items of Interest

Week Ending September 12. 1997 l Licensina Practices and Procedures Course RegionIhostedacourseonLicensin$.PracticesandProcedure-formaterials license reviewers from September 8 1 1997. Instructorn from Region 1. TTC and the other Regions provided an overview of licensing policy for all types of materials licensees as well as s)ecific licensing guidance for sealed source and devices, fixed and porta)le gauges, medical use, industrial radiography, and research and development licenses. Twenty nine students attended the class, including representatives of all NRC Regions. NMS3, RES.

OSP NRR and several Agreement States.

Discosal of R@tured Americium 241 Source On September 2. 1997. Region I was informed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that a load of shredded automobile parts had tripped a radiation alarm at a Michigan recycling facility and had been returned to the shipper.

Royal Green Metal Recyclers in Temple. Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth identified the isotope as americium 241 and identified and isolated a ruptured source in the returned material. Surveys of the facility by the Commonwealth, the NRC and a DOE Radiological Assistance Team have identified no contamination at the Royal Green facility other than the returned material.

On September 10. 1997 Royal Green contracted with a consultant who shipped the ru)tured source to DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Commonwealth is worcing with the EPA the DOE. and the NRC in its efforts to dispose of the rest of the contaminated load of scrap.

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4 Region !!

Items of Interest Week Ending September 12, 1997 Trainina. Emeraency Resnonse Data System (ERDS) r On September 10 11, 1997. officials from the Regional States that have entered into the Emergency Response Data System (ERDS) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commission partici)ated in the ERDS Workshop, which was conducted in the Regional 0.ffice )y Scientech. Inc. The Regional States that participate in the ERDS MOV are Georgia. North Carolina. South Carolina, and Tennessee.

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SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE P l

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9 Region 111 Items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 Wisconsin Electric Power manaaement Meetina - Point Beach Nuclear Power Station On Thursday. September 12, 1997, a management meeting was conducted in the Region III Office. Lisle. Illinois, between management representatives from Wisconsin Electric Power and members of the NRC staff to discuss the Point Beach Nuclear Power Station. The meeting discussion focused on the facility's improvement initiatives and Unit I restart performance. Speci fic topics discussed included the utility's plans and activities needed to be com]leted for restart of Unit 1: assessment of the Unit 2 startup: work order bacclog: update of NRC commitments: and health physics performance issues.

SDecial InsDection At LaSalle Nuclear Power Station On Seatember 8. 1997 a special team consisting of a region-based inspector and tie Dresden senior resident inspector were sent to the LaSalle Station.

The purpose of the team was to investigate the cause of the 1B emergency diesel generator failure. This failure caused the only operable emergency diesel generator to become inoperable. The team's exit with the utility was conducted on September 12. 1997.

Predecisional Fnforcement Conference with Commonwealth Edison Comoany On September 11. 1997, a Predecisional Enforcement Conference was conducted in the Region 111 Office. Lisle. Illinois. Detween representatives of Commonwealth Edison Company and members of the NRC staff. The conference was held to discuss apparent violations at the Byron and Braidwood Nuclear Power Stations. The discussion focused on instances at the two plants when the utility did not perform tests required by the plants

• NRC licenses to ,

determine if air or other gases had accumulated at certain points in the emergency core cooling system aiping and components. .This failure was originally identified by a Comid engineer at the Braidwood plant in February of last year. However, the utility did not perform the test or seek to have its licenses amended to eliminate the testing requirement. Following an NRC inspection in May which identified these apparent violations. Comed said they were able to assure that there was no air in the piping by other means and performed s)ecial tests to verify that there was no gas accumulation in the alping. Su)sequently. NRC granted license amendments for Braidwood Unit 2 and 3yron Unit 2. Braidwood Unit 1 and Byron Unit I were granted tempo"?ry relief from their license requirements to perform the tests pending submittal of a license amendment request.

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SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE P i

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Manacement Chanaes At Northern States Power Comoany On September 4. 1997. Northern States Power Company announced that Bill Hill, manager of the utility's Monittello nuclear power 31 ant, has been promoted to the newl Hammer, y created general position of director superintendent of plant of nuclear ausiness maintenance strategies. Mike at Monticello, replaces 4

Hill as plant manager.

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SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE P I

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Region IV Items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 Djablo Canyon Management Meetina On September 9.1997, a meeting was held in the Region IV Office with Pacific Gas & Electric Company, the Regional Administrator and members of the NRC staff. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ope.ational performance at the Diablo Canyon facility.

Meetina with Houston Lichtina & Power Company On Septembe' J2. 1997, a representative from the South Texas Project met with Region IV personnel, in the Region IV office. to discuss licensee inspection plans for the Unit 1 replacement steam generators.

Quality Assurance Proaram Overview and introducti on of Quality Assurance Manaaer On September 12. 1997. representatives of Washington Public Power Supply System met with DRS personnel in the Region IV office to discuss the Quality Assurance Program Overview and to introduce the new Quality Assurance Manager.

Meetina with TU Electric On September 12. 1997. TU Electric's Group Vice-President, and the Regulatory Affairs Manager, met with the Region IV M'ional Administrator and Division Director for the Division of Reactor Proj. ts. Discussion items included the  ;

licensee's planned drop-in visit in HQ with the EDO scheduled for September 23. 1997, and recent site performance at Comanche Peak.

SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE P

Office of Congressional Affairs Items of Interest Week Ending September 12. 1997 '

..4 CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SCHEDULE. No. 31 _ ]

' .OCA' :DATE

-CONIACT . &' . TIME'- WITNESS SUBJECT- CCHMITTEE PLACE Combs TBA TBA Markup H.R. 1270. Nuclear Waste Reps. Bliley/Dingell Policy Act Commerce Combs 09/18 TBA Markup S. 8. Super' fund Sen. Chafee/Baucut 406 DSDB Reauthorization Environment & Public Works SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 ENCLOSURE R

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