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INFORMATION REPORT SECY-08-0151 October 16, 2008
Contact: Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) Public Meeting on Steam Generator Tube H-star Analysis On October 1, 2008, the staff participated in a Category 2 Public Meeting with industry at Westinghouse Electric's Waltz Mill facility in Madison, Pennsylvania to discuss the status of the industry’s H-star analysis approach, which is being used to develop the technical basis for limiting the extent of inspections in the tubesheet region in units with thermally-treated Alloy 600 steam generator tubes. The discussion included the staff’s technical issues with H-star and the industry’s schedule for completion of activities and submission of documentation. Public Meeting to Discuss Current Lessons Learned from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 805 Pilot License Amendment Request (LAR) Reviews On October 3, 2008, the staff held a public meeting (Category 2) to discuss the lessons learned from the NFPA 805 pilot plant LAR reviews. The topics of discussion included the NFPA 805 transition process, the acceptance review process used to evaluate NFPA 805 LARs in accordance with LIC-109, “Acceptance Review Procedures,” the update to Regulatory Guide 1.205, Revision 1, and the status of the pilot plants LAR review. The primary focus of the meeting was the NFPA 805 draft Standard Review Plan (SRP) chapter under development. Copies of the draft SRP chapter were provided to the meeting attendees. The staff also presented for discussion several technical issues related to the NFPA 805 transition process. The public was given an opportunity to ask questions to the staff in regard to the meeting topics and materials. The next step with regard to the NFPA 805 SRP chapter development is for the staff to publish the draft SRP chapter for public comments before June 30, 2009. Operator Licensing Regional Counterparts and Industry Focus Group Meetings On October 7, 2008, the staff conducted a counterpart meeting with the Regional Operator Licensing Branch Chiefs to review a number of issues related to the operator licensing program. The discussion topics included simulator fidelity and testing, initial licensing examinations, requalification inspections, and various administrative issues. The meeting was followed, on October 8, 2008, by a public meeting with the Industry Focus Group on Operator Licensing and the Nuclear Energy Institute to review a similar set of topics. The Division of Inspection and Regional Support hosted the public meeting with support from the Regional Operator Licensing Branch Chiefs and representatives from the Office of New Reactors. Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Request for Additional Information on Yucca Mountain License Application On October 3, 2008, NRC staff held a public conference call on a potential Request for Additional Information on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) license application for a high-level waste repository. NRC and DOE staff discussed a request from NRC staff for more information concerning possible effects on repository operations and performance from activities that will protect endangered species and cultural resources within the geologic operations area. The purpose of this conference call was to ensure that DOE understood the scope and expectations of the request. Members of the public and other interested stakeholders listened to the call. Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs (FSME) Overview of NRC’s Integrated Effort on Cesium Chloride (CsCl) Security On October 6, 2008, FSME staff presented an overview of NRC’s integrated effort on CsCl security at the Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards annual meeting. The meeting was held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland. NRC was invited to address current and potential issues regarding the use and security of CsCl, which is used worldwide for calibration of radiation measuring instruments. Ensuring U.S. Medical Isotope Supply and Minimizing Risks of Nuclear Terrorism On October 6, 2008, FSME staff attended a luncheon discussion on “Ensuring U.S. Medical Isotope Supply and Minimizing Risks of Nuclear Terrorism” at the Senate Dirksen Office Building. The luncheon was hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. West Valley Demonstration Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement On October 6, 2008, the FSME Office Director and staff members attended a meeting at DOE’s Forrestal Building on the West Valley Demonstration Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This session was part of a week-long concurrence meeting that represents the culmination of the work done by the West Valley core team. Categorical Exclusion from Environmental Review; Proposal to Amended Requirements (RIN 3150-AI27), 10 CFR Part 51.22 On October 9, 2008, NRC published the categorical exclusion proposed rule in the Federal Register (73 FR 59540‑59547). The proposed rule would amend the regulations describing the categories of actions which do not require an environmental review under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 because they have no significant effect on the human environment. The proposed rule would eliminate the preparation of environmental assessments for NRC actions that are minor, administrative, or procedural in nature. The proposed rule has a 75-day comment period. Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) Life Beyond 60 Meeting with the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) On October 7, 2008, RES staff met with EIA staff to discuss research activities related to preparing for potential second-round license renewal requests (i.e., “Life Beyond 60”). RES staff described the history of research in support of the initial License Renewal Rule (10 CFR Part 54), and the technical areas that are being considered for additional research to ensure their continued functionality during extended operating periods (e.g., reactor vessel and internals, electric cable insulation, buried/submerged structures, concrete exposed to high temperature and radiation, and coatings). Office of Administration (ADM) Contract Award for Lease of Copiers On September 23, 2008, as a result of a competitive acquisition under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule, a fixed price delivery order, NRC-DR-10-08-412, was awarded to Konica Minolta Business Solutions of Arlington, Virginia for the lease of copiers and maintenance required to support the equipment. The total value of the order, inclusive of options, is $989,573.40, and the period of performance is from October 23, 2008 - October 22, 2009, with four one year options. Industry Codes and Standards; Amended Requirements; Correction (10 CFR Part 50, RIN 3150-AH76) On October 2, 2008, the NRC published a correction (73 FR 57235) to a final rule (73 FR 52729) that appeared in the Federal Register on September 10, 2008. The final rule amended the NRC's regulations to incorporate by reference the 2004 Edition of Section III, Division 1, and Section XI, Division 1, of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and the 2004 Edition of the ASME Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants to provide updated rules for constructing and inspecting components and testing pumps, valves, and dynamic restraints (snubbers) in light-water nuclear power plants. The final rule also incorporated by reference ASME Code Cases N-722 and N‑729-1. The correction is effective October 2, 2008; the final rule changes are effective October 10, 2008. Contract Award for Research Analysis Technical Services On October 2, 2008, as a result of a competitive acquisition under the General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedule, a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), NRC-DR-04-08-0145, was awarded to Batelle Memorial Institute of Richland, Washington for consulting services to provide research analysis on reactor coolant boundaries. Individual orders may be issued on a fixed price or labor hour basis. The total estimated ceiling of the BPA is $823,721.00, and the period of performance is from October 3, 2008 - October 2, 2011, with no options. Medical Use of Byproduct Material—Amendments/Medical Event Definitions; Proposed Rule, Extension of Comment Period (10 CFR Part 35, RIN 3150-AI26) On October 6, 2008, the NRC published a document (73 FR 58063) in the Federal Register extending the public comment period for a proposed rule (73 FR 45635) published on August 6, 2008, that would amend its regulations in 10 CFR Part 35, “Medical Use of Byproduct Material.” The public comment period for the proposed rule was to have expired on October 20, 2008. By letter dated September 16, 2008, the NRC’s Advisory Committee on the Medical Use of Isotopes (ACMUI) requested an extension to November 7, 2008. As explained in the letter, the fall meeting of the ACMUI is scheduled for October 27 and 28, 2008, and the subject matter in the proposed rule is on the agenda for discussion at this public meeting. ACMUI believes that it will be able to provide better comment on the proposed rule following this discussion. Due to the complex nature of the proposed medical rule and the high public interest of the medical community, the NRC has decided to extend the comment period until November 7, 2008. Office of Information Services (OIS) Notification of Publication of a 30-Day Federal Register Notice On October 2, 2008, the Information and Records Services Division (IRSD) received notification that a 30-day Federal Register Notice was published for “10 CFR Part 74, Material Control and Accounting of Special Nuclear Material.” Submission of Two Information Requests On October 7, 2008, the IRSD submitted two information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The ICRs are titled, “10 CFR Part 74, Material Control and Accounting of Special Nuclear Material” and “Voluntary Reporting of Performance Indicators.” Collaboration on Encrypted Transfer of Personally Identifiable Information On October 7, 2008, the IRSD and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) collaborated on the final stages of preparation for the encrypted transfer of Personally Identifiable Information records from the Radiation Exposure Information and Reporting System to NARA. The NRC’s Records Officer signed the SF 258, Agreement to Transfer Records to the National Archives of the United States. Following receipt of this form, NARA will work with the IRSD contractor to process the initial electronic transfer and decryption. After the successful receipt and decryption, NARA will register the SF 258 with an accession number to cover the transfer. This facilitates the first electronic transfer to NARA from the Radiation Exposure Information and Reporting System since August 1990. Session Held on Office of Management and Budget’s Approval Process On October 8, 2008, staff from the IRSD attended a monthly rule-making project managers (PM) meeting held by the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. During the meeting, IRSD conducted a one-hour training session for PMs on the Office of Management and Budget’s approval process. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Requests Received During the Period of October 3, 2008 through October 9, 2008:
*CON = Consultation (referral) requests from other agencies: a new DOJ requirement to track referrals separately from FOIA/PA requests. Office of Human Resources (HR)
Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity Management Course From October 8-9, 2008, the staff from the Offices of SBCR, General Counsel, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission conducted mandatory EEO and Diversity Management training for new supervisors and newly selected employees of the Leadership Potential Program. The course is designed to provide information regarding management’s role and responsibilities to promote a discrimination-free work environment, the EEO compliant process, and an overview of NRC’s Comprehensive Diversity Management Plan and performance measures. Office of Public Affairs (OPA) OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following: NRC special inspection report on cooling towers at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant near Burlington, Vermont; adequacy of plant’s decommissioning fund New Jersey’s application to become an “Agreement State” The Commission’s Waste Confidence proposal The effects of the Fiscal Year 2009 Continuing Resolution on our licensing review of Yucca Mountain Entergy’s restructuring proposal and a New York court ruling for disclosure of decommissioning funds NRC’s denial of environmental groups’ license renewal petition Other Public Affairs Items; OPA arranged an interview to discuss the latest inspections at the Palo Verde nuclear power plant, near Phoenix, Arizona. OPA supp
Office of the Secretary (SECY)
Commission Correspondence
Federal Register Notices Issued
Region II (RII) V.C. Summer Nuclear Power Plant Site Visit On October 6, 2008, the Regional Administrator conducted a site tour of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Power Plant in Jenkinsville, South Carolina. The 1st Construction Inspector Counterpart Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia On October 7-8, 2008, Region II and the Office of New Reactors (NRO) staff conducted the first construction inspector counterpart meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The Regional Administrator and the Director of New Reactors (NRO) briefed the staff on the status of new reactor licensing activities. The Region II and NRO staff discussed the status of the construction inspection program development, infrastructure development, construction experience, and current activities. Special Inspection at Nuclear Fuel Services, Irwin, Tennessee On October 8, 2008, Region II initiated a Special Inspection at Nuclear Fuel Services in Irwin, Tennessee, to evaluate the licensee's actions associated with a failure to conduct an adequate search of a package delivered inside the Protected Area. Region II (RII) Proposed Rule Signed by EDO On October 7, 2008, the Executive Director for Operations approved a proposed rule which revises 10 CFR Part 72.214, “List of approved spent fuel storage casks,” by revising the NAC‑UMS Universal Storage System listing to include Amendment No. 5. This addition will modify the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to incorporate certain high burnup pressurized water reactor fuel as approved contents and to reflect those changes in the associated Technical Specifications (TS). In addition, the amendment to the CoC will include several other changes to the TS and the Final Safety Analysis Report to enhance the loading and storage operation of the NAC-UMS Universal Storage System. |
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