ML20207C032

Forwards Fifth Rept Which Covers Month of Apr 1999. Commission Approved Transfer of TMI-1 Operating License from Gpu to Amergen & Transfer of Operating License for Pilgrim Station from Beco to Entergy Nuclear Generating Co

ML20207C032
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs, Oconee, Pilgrim, Crane
Issue date:	05/18/1999
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	J. J. Barton, Domenici P, Inhofe J, Packard R HOUSE OF REP., APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF REP., ENERGY & COMMERCE, SENATE, SENATE, APPROPRIATIONS, SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS
Shared Package
ML20207C036	List: ML20207C032 ML20207C041 ML20207C048 ML20207C057
References
NUDOCS 9906020176
Download: ML20207C032 (10)

Text

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UNITED STATES e

~4 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON. D.C. 20555-0001 r

May 18, 1999 CeliMMAN The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 1

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The Fiscal Year 1999 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Senate Report 105-206, directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide a monthly report on the status of its licensing and regulatory duties. I am pleased to transmit the fifth report which covers the month of April (enclosed).

We continue to make substantial progress on licensing and regulatory improvement initiatives.

The trends for licensing action age and completion rates are favorable and continue to show improvement. All activities associated with the review of the Calvert Cliffs and Oconee license renewal applications are on schedule. The safety evaluation report representing the results of the NRC's safety review of the Calvert Cliffs license renewal application was issued on March 21,1999. The Commission also affirmed a decision of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board for the Oconee license renewal proceeding, which denied the contentions submitted by the petitioners and terminated the proceeding. The petitioners sought to challenge the application by Duke Energy Corporation (" Duke Energy") to renew for an additional 20-year period the operating licenses for its three Oconee Nuclear Station units. The Licensing Board found that the petitioners had standing to challenge the proposed license renewal, but that they had not submitted an admissible ~ontention. The Board accordingly denied their request for hearing, and the Commission affirmed the Board's decision in its entirety.

The Commission also approved the transfer of Three Mile Island Unit 1 operating license from GPU to AmerGen and the transfer of the operating license for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station from Boston Edison Company to Entergy Nuclear Generation Company. Of the federal and State agencies that are required to review proposed license transfers, NRC was among the first to complete its review and grant approval in each case.

On April 16,1999, the Commission approved staff recommendations concerning improvements to the Senior Management Meeting (SMM) process.' The approved recommendations include the elimination of the Agency's Watch List. The Commission guidance concerning the SMM process was implemented at the April 20 and 21,1999, SMM. Senior management decisions from the SMM regarding oversight of facilities have been reviewed and approved by the Commission.

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2 Since the last report, the Commission and NRC staff also:

forwarded the AP600 design certification rule to the Commission two months ahead of schedule

. issued improved standard technical specifications for Wolf Creek nuclear power station completed evaluation of the Department of Energy's topical report on the tritium production core amended regulations to provide an expanded role for nuclear power plant licensees in certifying reactor operators issued a preliminary safety evaluation report and Certificate of Compliance for the

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National Assurance Corporation international Multi Purpose Canister (for spent nuclear fuel) and initiated a rulemaking to amend 10 CFR Part 72 issued the Certificate of Compliance to Holtec International for the Hi-STAR 100 dual-purpose Cask forwarded to the Commission recommendations for revising guidance for expanding disposal capability of uranium mill tailings impoundments and resolving other policy issues I have enclosed the April update to the Tasking Memorandum which delineates the specific initiatives completed by the agency since August 1998 and future milestones.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may provide additional information.

Sincerely, I

Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosures:

1. April Monthly Report

2. Tasking Memorandum cc: Senator Bob Graham i

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May 18, 1999 CHAIRMAN

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i The Honorable Joe Barton, Chairman i

Subcommittee on Energy and Power Committee on Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The Fiscal Year 1999 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Senate Report 105-206, directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide a monthly report on the status of its licensing and regulatory duties. I am pleased to transmit the fifth repc't which covers the month of April (enclosed).

We continue to make substantial progress on licensing and regulatory improvement initiatives.

The trends for licensing action age and completion rates are favorable and continue to show improvement. All activities associated with the review of the Calvert Cliffs and Oconee license renewal applications are on schedule. The safety evaluation report representing the results of the NRC's safety review of the Calvert Cliffs license renewal application was issued on March 21,1999. The Commission also affirmed a decision of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board for the Oconee license renewal proceeding, which denied the contentions submitted by the petitioners and terminated the proceeding. The petitioners sought to challenge the application by Duke Energy Corporation (" Duke Energy") to renew for an additional 20-year period the operating licenses for its three Oconee Nuclear Station units. The Licensing Board found that the petitioners had standing to challenge the proposed license renewal, but that they had not submitted an admissible contention. The Board accordingly denied their request for hearing, and the Commission affirmed the Board's decision in its entirety.

The Commission also approved the transfer of Three Mile Island Unit 1 operating license from GPU to AmerGen and the transfer of the operating license for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station from Boston Edison Company to Entergy Nuclear Generation Company. Of the federal and State agencies that are required to review proposed license transfers, NRC was among the first to complete its review and grant approval in each case.

On April 16,1999, the Commission approved staff recommendations concerning improvements to the Senior Management Meeting (SMM) process. The approved recommendations include the elimination of the Agency's Watch List. The Commission guidance concerning the SMM process was implemented at the April 20 and 21,1999, GMM. Senior management decisions from the SMM regarding oversight of facilities have been reviewd and approved by the l

Commission.

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2 Since the last report, the Commis.=!an and NRC staff also:

forwarded the AP690 design certification rule to the Commission two months ahead of schedule issued improved standard technical specifications for Wolf Creek nuclear power station completed evaluation of the Department of Energy's topical report on the tritium production core amended regulations to provide an expanded role for nuclear power plant licensees in certifying reactor operators issued a preliminary safety evaluation report and Certificate of Compliance for the National Assurance Corporation international Multi-Purpose Canister (for spent nuclear fuel) and initiated a rulemaking to amend 10 CFR Part 72 issued the Certificate of Compliance to Holtec International for the Hi STAR 100 dual-purpose Cask forwarded to the Commission recommendations for revising guidance for expanding disposal capability of uranium mill tailings impoundments and resolving other policy issues I have enclosed the April update to the Tasking Memorandum which delineates the specific initiatives completed by the agency since August 1998 and future milestones.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may provide additional information.

Sincerely, b

Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosures:

1. April Monthly Report

2. Tasking Memorandum cc: Representative Ralph M. Hall i

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l

UNITED STATES WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 May 18, 1999 CHAIRMAN

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The Honorable Ron Packard, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Committee on Appropriations United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 j

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The Fiscal Year 1999 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Senate Report 105-206, directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide a monthly report on the status of its licensing and regulatory duties. I am pleased to transmit the fifth report which covers the month of April (enclosed).

We continue to make substantial progress on licensing and regulatory improvement initiatives.

The trends for licensing action age and completion rates are favorable and continue to show improvement. All activities associated with the review of the Calvert Cliffs and Oconee license renewal applications are on schedule. The safety evaluation report representing the results of the NRC's safety review of the Calvert Cliffs license renewal application was issued on March 21,1999. The Commission also affirmed a decision of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board for the Oconee license renewal,roceeding, which denied the contentions submitted by the petitioners and terminated the proceeding. The petitioners sought to challenge the application by Duke Energy Corporation (" Duke Energy") to renew for an additional 20-year period the operating licenses for its three Oconee Nuclear Station units. The Licensing Board found that the petitioners had standing to challenge the proposed license renewal, but that they had not submitted an admissible contention. The Board accordingly denied their request for hearing, and the Commission affirmed the Board's decision in its entirety.

The Commission also approved the transfer of Three Mile Island Unit 1 operating license from GPU to AmerGen and the transfer of the operating license for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station from Boston Edison Company to Entergy Nuclear Generation Company. Of the federal and State agencies that are required to review proposed license transfers, NRC was among the first to complete its review and grant approval in each case.

On April 16,1999, the Commission approved staff recommendations concerning improvements to the Senior Management Meeting (SMM) process. The approved recommendations include the elimination of the Agency's Watch List. The Commission guidance concerning the SMM process was implemented ct the April 20 and 21,1999, SMM. Senior management decisions from the SMM regarding oversight of facilities have been reviewed and approved by the Commission.

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Since the last report, the Commission and NRC staff also:

forwarded the AP600 design certification rule to the Commission two months ahead of schedule issued improved standard technical specifications for Wolf Creek nuclear power station completed evaluation of the Department of Energy's topical report on the tritium production core nmended regulations to provide an expanded role for nuclear power plant licensees in l

certifying reactor operators issued a preliminary safety evaluation report and Certificate of Compliance for the

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Nationai Assurance Corporation International Multi-Purpose Canister (for spent nuclear i

fuel) and initiated a rulemaking to amend 10 CFR Part 72 issued the Certificate of Compliance to Holtec International for the HI-STAR 100 dual-purpose Cask forwarded to the Commission recommendations for revising guidance for expanding disposal capability of uranium mill tailings impoundments and resolving other policy issues I have enclosed the April update to the Tasking Memorandum which delineates the specific initiatives completed by the agency since August 1998 and future milestones.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may provide additional information.

Sincerely,

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Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosures:

1. ' April Monthly Report i

2. Tasking Memorandum l

. cc: Representative Peter J. Visclosky l

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UNITED STATES

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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20565-0001 k

May 18, 1999 g*...

CHAIRMAN The Honorable Pete V. Domenici, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The Fiscal Year 1999 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Senate Report 105-206, directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide a monthly report on the status of its licensing and regulatory duties. I am pleased to transmit the fifth report which covers the month of April (enclosed).

We continue to make substantial progress on licensing and regulatory improvement initiatives.

The trends for licensing action age and completion rates are favorable and continue to show improvement. All activities associated with the review of the Calvert Cliffs and Oconee license renewal applications are on schedule. The safety evaluation report representing the results of the NRC's safety review of the Calvert Cliffs license renewal application was issued on March 21,1999. The Commission also affirmed a decision of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board for the Oconee license renewal proceeding, which denied the contentions submitted by the petitioners and terminated the proceeding. The petitioners sought to challenge the application by Duke Energy Corporation (" Duke Energy") to renew for an additional 20-year period the operating licenses for its three Oconee Nuclear Station units. The Licensing Board found that the petitioners had standing to challenge the proposed license renewal, but that they had not submitted an admissible contention. The Board accordingly denied their request for hearing, and the Commission affirmed the Board's decision in its entirety.

The Commission also approved the transfer of Three Mile Island Unit 1 operating license from GPU to AmerGen and the transfer of the operating license for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station from Boston Edison Company to Entergy Nuclear Generation Company. Of the federal and State agencies that are required to review proposed license transfers, NRC was among the first to complete its review and grant approval in each case.

On April 16,1999, the Commission approved staff recommendations concerning improvements to the Senior Management Meeting (SMM) process. The approved recommendations include the elimination of the Agency's Watch List. The Commission guidance concerning the SMM process was implemented at the April 20 and 21,1999, SMM. Senior management decisions from the SMM regarding oversight of facilities have been reviewed and approved by the Commission.

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Since the last report, the Commission and NRC staff also:

forwarded the AP600 design certification rule to the Commission two months ahead of schedule issued improved standard technical specifications for Wolf Creek nuclear power station j

completed evaluation of the Department of Energy's topical report on the tritium

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production core J

amended regulations to provide an expanded role for nuclear power plant licensees in certifying reactor operators issued a preliminary safety evaluation report and Certificate of Compliance for the i

=

National Assurance Corporation international Multi-Purpose Canister (for spent nuclear i

fuel) and initiated a rulemaking to amend 10 CFR Part 72 issued the Certificate of Compliance to Holtec International for the Hi-STAR 100 dual-purpose Cask forwarded to the Commission recommendations for revising guidance for expanding disposal capability of uranium mill tailings impoundments and resolving other policy issues I have enclosed the April update to the Tasking Memorandum which delineates the specific initiatives completed by the agency since August 1998 and future milestones.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may provide additional information.

Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosures:

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1. April Monthly Report

2. Tasking Memorandum cc: Senator Harry Reid i

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r UNITED STATES 4

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f". d,

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 g

,8, May 18, 1999 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Pete V. Domenici United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Domenici:

The Fiscal Year 1999 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Senate Report 105-206, directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide a monthly report on the status of its licensing and regulatory duties. I am pleased to transmit the fifth report which l

covers the month of April (enclosed).

j i

We continue to make substantial progress on licensing and regulatory improvement initiatives.

The trends for licensing action age and completion rates are favorable and continue to show improvement. All activities associated with the review of the Calvert Cliffs and Oconee license renewal applications are on schedule. The safety evaluation report representing the results of the NRC's safety review of the Calvert Cliffs license renewal application was issued on March 21,1999. The Commission also affirmed a decision of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board for the Oconee license renewal proceeding, which denied the contentions submitted by the petitioners and terminated the proceeding. The petitioners sought to challenge the application by Duke Energy Corporation (" Duke Energy") to renew for an additional 20-year period the operating licenses for its three Oconee Nuclear Station units. The Licensing Board i

found that the petitioners had standing to challenge the proposed license renewal, but that they had not submitted an admissible contention. The Board accordingly denied their request for hearing, and the Commission affirmed the Board's decision in its entirety.

The Commission also approved the transfer of Three Mile Island Unit 1 operating license from GPU to AmerGen and the transfer of the operating license for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station from Boston Edison Company to Entergy Nuclear Generation Company. Of the federal and State agencies that are required to review proposed license transfers, NRC was among the first to complete its review and grant approval in each case.

On April 16,1999, the Commission approved staff recommendations concerning improvemsnu, to the Senior Management Meeting (SMM) process. The approved recommendations include the elimination of the Agency's Watch List. The Commission guidance concerning the SMM process was implemented at the April 20 and 21,1999, SMM. Senior management decisions from the SMM regarding oversight of facilities have been reviewed and approved by the l

Commission.

I

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Since the last report, the Commission and NRC staff also-forwarded the AP600 design certification rule to the Commission two months ahead of schedule issued improved standard technical specifications for Wolf Creek nuclear power station completed evaluation of the Department of Energy's topical report on the tritium production core amended regulations to provide an expanded role for nuclear power plant licensees in certifying reactor operators issued a preliminary safety evaluation report and Certificate of Compliance for the

=

National Assurance Corporation international Multi-Purpose Canister (for spent nuclear fuel) and initiated a rulemaking to amend 10 CFR Part 72 issued the Certificate of Compliance to Holtec International for the HI-STAR 100 dual-purpose Cask forwarded 'o the Commission recommendations for revising guidance for expanding disposal capability of uranium mill tailings impoundments and resolving other policy issues I have enclosed the April update to the Tasking Memorandum which delineates the specific initiatives completed by the agency since August 1998 and future milestones.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may provide additionalinformation.

Sincerely, bM Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosures:

1. April Monthly Report

2. Tasking Memorandum