SECY-21-0030, Weekly Information Report - Week Ending February 26, 2021
| ML21069A348 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/16/2021 |
| From: | Catherine Haney NRC/EDO/AO |
| To: | Jeff Baran, Annie Caputo, Christopher Hanson, David Wright NRC/OCM |
| Sara Mroz, OEDO | |
| References | |
| SECY-21-0030 | |
| Download: ML21069A348 (10) | |
Text
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INFORMATION REPORT MARCH 16, 2021 SECY-21-0030 FOR:
The Commissioners FROM:
Catherine Haney Assistant for Operations Office of the Executive Director for Operations
SUBJECT:
WEEKLY INFORMATION REPORT - WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2021 CONTENTS Enclosure Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer A
Office of the Chief Information Officer B
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation C
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards D
Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response E
Office of Administration F
Office of the Secretary G
Catherine Haney Assistant for Operations, OEDO CONTACT: Sara Mroz, OEDO 301-415-2900 Signed by Haney, Cathy on 03/16/21
ML21069A348 OFFICE OEDO OEDO/AO NAME SMroz CHaney DATE 03/15/2021 03/16/2021 Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)
Items of Interest Week Ending FEBRUARY 26, 2021 ARRIVALS JESSUP, WILLIAM RELIABILITY AND RISK ANALYST NRR KHAN, OMAR MATERIALS ENGINEER NMSS LALAIN, THERESA DEPUTY DIVISION OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS RES MENEFEE-BUZDYGON, PAMELA ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT NMSS PLAIN, TINA TECHNICAL TRAINING ADM SUPP ASSISTANT OCHCO WILLIAMS, RUSSELL PROJECT ENGINEER (RI-DP)
R-IV RETIREMENTS CEPULKOWSKI, WANDA E ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT R-III WILSON JR., GEORGE A DIRECTOR OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT OE DEPARTURES BORGES-ROMAN, JENNIFER TEAM LEADER (LEGAL RESEARCH CENTER)
OGC MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE A
Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
Items of Interest Week Ending FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Requests and Appeals Received During the Period of February 19 - 26 Tracking Number Requesters Name Requesters Organization Request Description as submitted by requester Received Date 2021-000107 Dr. Frederick Lont Arcadis A digital copy of this NUREG CR report: Abt, S. R., et al.,
"Development of Riprap Design Criteria by Riprap Testing in Flumes: Phase I," NUREG/CR-4651, 1987 02/19/2021 2021-000108 Peter J.
Fontaine Cozen OConnor, PC All documents concerning explosions and/or fires occurring at licensee Tenneco Polymers, Inc (License No:
SUB-00466 Terminated),
Industrial Ave, Fords, New Jersey 02/22/2021 2021-000109 Terri Langford Texas Standard/KUT Any and all emails and texts between Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant officials, ERCOT officials and the NRC between Feb. 14, 2021 and Feb. 15, 2021, regarding ERCOT and the winter storm that hit Texas and power outages 02/25/2021 MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE B
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)
Items of Interest Week Ending FEBRUARY 26, 2021 NRC Received License Transfer Application from Exelon Generation Company, LLC On February 24, 2021, Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon), announced its plans to separate its utilities and competitive energy businesses into two separate companies. The new competitive energy business will include all of Exelons nuclear facilities. On February 25, 2021, Exelon submitted the license transfer application for its nuclear power plants and their associated independent spent fuel storage installations (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML21057A273). Exelon requested NRC approval of the license transfers by November 30, 2021. Exelon plans to complete the transaction by December 31, 2021, with an effective date of January 1, 2022.
NRC Hosted Public Meeting on the Reactor Oversight Process On February 24, 2021, the NRC staff hosted a public meeting with the industrys Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Task Force and members of the public (ADAMS Accession No. ML21050A249). Topics discussed included updates on Performance Indicators, Frequently Asked Questions (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML21028A344, ML21028A347, ML21028A387, ML21028A391, and ML21048A140), an NRC effectiveness review of the 2015 change to Action Matrix Column 3 Criteria (ADAMS Accession No. ML21049A317), and inspection procedure changes related to Open Phase Circuits (ADAMS Accession No. ML21048A152). The next monthly public meeting between the staff and the ROP Task Force is scheduled for March 25, 2021.
NRC Hosted Meeting on the Evaluation of Fuel Fragmentation, Relocation and Dispersal for Higher Burnup Fuels On February 24, 2021, the NRC staff held a partially closed meeting with Framatome to discuss their plan to assess fuel particle transport and settling in the Fuel Fragmentation, Relocation and Dispersal (FFRD) evaluation for higher burnup fuels (ADAMS Accession No. ML21043A255).
The topics that were discussed included an introduction of the FFRD evaluation, code used to simulate fuel particle transport, particle study, application and qualification of the transport code, planned models, summary, and next steps. The NRC staff plans to prepare a non-proprietary meeting summary.
NRC Hosted Public Webinar on Regulatory Improvements to Support the Licensing of Advanced Reactors On February 25, 2021, the NRC staff hosted a public webinar with over 150 stakeholders on regulatory improvements to support the licensing of advanced reactors (ADAMS Accession No. ML21043A200). Topics included both light-water reactor and non-light-water reactor construction permit guidance, applicability of regulations for non-light-water reactors, the industry-led Technology-Inclusive Content of Application Project, and the NRC-led Advanced Reactor Content of Application Project. The staff and stakeholders exchanged feedback on the proposed guidance documents, schedule milestones, and level of detail expected in applications. The staff will consider the feedback in developing the next iteration of the guidance.
MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE C
NRC Hosted Public Meeting on the Risk-Informed Process for Evaluations On February 25, 2021, the NRC staff hosted a public meeting to discuss ongoing efforts associated with the Risk-Informed Process for Evaluations (RIPE) (ADAMS Accession No. ML21039A199). Specifically, the NRC staff provided feedback on a proposal that was presented by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) (ADAMS at Accession No. ML21025A003) during a public meeting in January. In its current form, RIPE is only available to licensees with approval for TSTF-505, Provide Risk-Informed Extended Completion Times - RITSTF Initiative 4b (ADAMS Accession No. ML18269A041). NEIs proposal would enable RIPE to also be used by licensees with approval for TSTF-425, Relocate Surveillance Frequencies to Licensee Control - RITSTF Initiative 5b (ADAMS Accession No. ML090850642). Overall, staff indicated that the conceptual process developed by NEI to include TSTF-425 in RIPE is reasonable; the industry agreed to provide specific guidance for the NRC staff to consider in the near future.
NRC Hosted Public Meeting on the Public Radiation Safety Significance Determination Process On February 25, 2021, the NRC staff held a public meeting to discuss a planned revision to the Public Radiation Safety Significance Determination Process (SDP) (ADAMS Accession No. ML21048A354). This revision is expected, in part, to add a process to disposition findings involving violations of 10 CFR Part 37, Physical Protection of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of Radioactive Material requirements, along with updates to the process used to disposition transportation-related findings. Approximately 90 participants, including representations from NEI, Electric Power Research Institute, and various reactor licensees attended. The NRC staffs slides from the public meeting can be found in ADAMS at Accession No. ML21055A021. The NRC staff plans to communicate the anticipated updates to the Commission consistent with the notification and approval guidance for Reactor Oversight Process changes in Management Directive 8.13, Reactor Oversight Process, prior to issuing the revised SDP.
Staff Approved Licensing Requests for Regulatory Relief Related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency The NRC staff has reviewed and approved several licensing requests seeking temporary flexibilities to maintain the safe and secure operation of the U.S. nuclear fleet during the pandemic. A summary of approved licensing actions provided during this reporting period are summarized below. A complete list of licensing actions approved by the NRC in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency is available on the NRC public website at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/covid-19/reactors/licensing-actions.html.
Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2 (Exelon Generation Company, LLC)
Type Subject Incoming Request Decision Exemption Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 26, Fitness for Duty Programs, Section 26.205, Work hours 01/22/2021 ML21022A230 02/23/2021 ML21029A309 MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE C
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)
Items of Interest Week Ending FEBRUARY 26, 2021 NMSS Staff issued a Draft Safety Evaluation for Holtec Thermal Topical Report On February 17, 2021, the NRC staff issued the draft safety evaluation (SE) with open items (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML21305A002) for the Holtec Thermal Topical Report HI-2200343, Topical Report for Allowance of Heat Load Patterns in HI-STORM 100 and HI STORM FW Systems. This is the first topical report reviewed by the NRC staff related to spent fuel licensing and, if approved, will result in a transformation of the licensing approach for the thermal aspects of spent fuel licensing. Approval of the topical report would allow a range of heat loading patterns as inputs to an approved the methods of evaluation (MOE), without requiring the NRC to review each heat loading pattern via a certificate of compliance amendment. The draft SE documents the technical review and approval of the MOEs. The NRC staff anticipates making a decision on the acceptability of the topical report by the third quarter of 2021.
Revision of Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2021: Proposed Rule; 10 CFR Parts 15, 170 and 171 (NRC-2018-0292; RIN 3150-AK24)
On February 22, 2021, the NRC published a notice in the Federal Register (86 FR 10459) proposing to amend the licensing, inspection, special project, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. These proposed amendments are necessary to implement the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA), which, starting in FY 2021, requires the NRC to recover, to the maximum extent practicable, approximately 100 percent of its annual budget less certain amounts excluded from this fee-recovery requirement. In addition, the NRC is also proposing improvements associated with fee invoicing to implement provisions in NEIMA. Comments are requested by March 24, 2021.
NMSS Staff Approved an Indirect Transfer of Control of Water Remediation Technology, LLC On February 23, 2021, the NRC staff approved an indirect transfer of control of Water Remediation Technology, LLCs (WRTs) parent company (ADAMS Accession No. ML21029A196). WRT, License No. SUC-1591, is a multi-site service provider that removes uranium from drinking water at community water systems and from other water resources, such as contaminated groundwater or surface waters, to assist entities in complying with environmental regulations. The transferee, controlled by a current minority shareholder in WRTs parent company, is seeking to acquire majority control of WRTs parent company. After the change of control, WRT will remain the licensee.
MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE D
Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)
Items of Interest Week Ending FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Staff Participates in Government-wide Meeting on Emergency Preparedness On February 23, 2021, the NRC staff participated in a Risk-Informed Emergency Preparedness (EP) Workshop sponsored jointly by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Large Light Water Reactor Consensus Committees Subcommittee on Emergency Planning and Response and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers/ANS Joint Committee on Nuclear Risk Managements Subcommittee on Risk Applications. The workshop focused on the application of risk analysis methods and insights to performance-based EP programs for nuclear power plants. NSIR staff provided a presentation on the regulatory perspectives on risk-informed EP.
Among those in attendance who gave presentations were members of the ANS subcommittee, and representatives from industry and the Idaho, Oak Ridge, and Sandia National Laboratories.
MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE E
Office of Administration (ADM)
Items of Interest Week Ending FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Contract Awarded to Support Radiological Assessment System for Consequence Analysis and Radiation Protection Computer Code Analysis and Maintenance Program On February 22, 2021, contract 31310021C0003 was awarded to Athey Consulting located in Charles Town, WV to support the Radiological Assessment System for Consequence Analysis (RASCAL) and Radiation Protection Computer Code Analysis and Maintenance Program (RAMP). The period of performance is February 16, 2021 through February 26, 2026. The total potential value of the contract can be up to $873,031.
MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE F
Office of the Secretary (SECY)
Items of Interest Week Ending FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Document Released to Public Date of Document Subject Decision Documents
- 1. SECY-21-0013 02/09/21 Rulemaking Plan to Establish Requirements for Rubidium-82 Generators and Emerging Medical Technologies Information Papers
- 1. SECY-21-0009 02/05/21 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Implementation Plan for the Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force Report
- 2. SECY-21-0019 02/22/21 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending 02/05/2021
- 3. SECY-21-0021 02/23/21 Weekly Information Report - Week Ending 02/12/2021 Memoranda
- 1. Staff Requirements Memorandum M210211 02/19/21 Discussion of NRC's Regulatory Framework for Dry Cask Storage and Transportation of Spent Nuclear Fuel and Related Research Activities Commission Correspondence
- 1. Letter to the Honorable Thomas R. Carper and Frank Pallone, Jr., submits the report for the first quarter in Fiscal Year 2021 on the licensing activities and regulatory duties of the NRC (for the reporting period of October 1 - December 31, 2020), dated February 16, 2021.
- 2. Letter to Susan Rice, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, provides NRCs response to Executive Order 13977, regarding Implementation of Order and Analyzing Qualified Persons' Ability to Carry a Concealed Firearm under the LEOSA, dated February 17, 2021.
Federal Register Notices Issued
- 1. None.
MARCH 16, 2021 ENCLOSURE G