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INFORMATION REPORT SECY-07-0218 December 14, 2007
Contact: L. Rakovan, OEDO Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) Meeting with Boiling Water Reactors (BWR) Owners Group on Sump Strainer Clogging Issues On November 27, 2007, NRR and Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research staff met with the BWR Owners Group to discuss disparities in treatment of emergency core cooling system strainer clogging issues for BWRs and Pressurized Water Reactors. The staff discussed a number of subject areas related to strainer performance in which, for various reasons, there has been disparate treatment for the two reactor types. The BWR Owners Group discussed actions it has taken or plans to take to address certain subject areas, though it believes some areas identified by the staff need no further action. The attendees agreed to a follow-on meeting in spring 2008. Letter to Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Regarding Generic Letter 2004-02 On November 30, the staff sent a letter to NEI authorizing licensees until February 29, 2008, to provide supplemental responses to Generic Letter (GL) 2004-02, "Potential Impact of Debris Blockage on Emergency Recirculation during Design Basis Accidents at Pressurized-Water Reactors." The NRC had previously expected these responses to be submitted by December 31, 2007. Licensees have experienced challenges in completing testing and analyses required to show that GL 2004-02 has been satisfactorily addressed. The staff considers the additional time to provide the documentation to be of little safety impact. Canadian Inspector Visit to Share Information on Inspection and Operating Experience Programs On December 3, 2007, the staff briefed two inspectors from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP). The briefings focused on inspection program development, the significance determination process, performance indicators, the licensee assessment process, the ROP self-assessment process, and the operating experience program. The Canadian inspectors also shared their experiences and inspection methods with the NRC staff. Generic Fundamentals Examination Administration On December 5, 2007, the NRC administered its Generic Fundamentals Examination (GFE) to 108 licensed operator applicants in 15 utilities across all four Regions. The GFE measures applicant knowledge in components, reactor theory, and thermodynamics, and is the first examination that licensed operator applicants must take and pass before they can proceed to their site specific training and subsequently take the NRC site specific license examination. Fire Protection Working Group Public Meeting On December 5, 2007, the NRC Fire Protection Steering Committee held a Category 2 public meeting with the NEI Fire Protection Working Group. Topics discussed were the resolution of fire-induced multiple spurious circuit actuations and the status of pilot plants' transition to the National Fire Protection Association Standard 805 (NFPA 805). NEI also presented and discussed the results of an NFPA 805 enforcement discretion survey of non-pilot transitioning plants. Office of New Reactors (NRO) Pre-Submittal Quality Assurance Audit of Mitsubishi’s US-APWR Design Certification Application During the week of November 26, 2007, the staff conducted a pre-submittal audit of the draft safety analysis report (also referred to as the design control document or DCD) of Mitsubishi’s US-APWR Design Certification Application. The audit team reviewed the quality assurance (QA) processes in place to prepare the DCD as well as its content using the combined license application regulatory guidance (Regulatory Guide 1.206). Observations were verbally communicated to Mitsubishi staff and management and will be documented internally to facilitate the staff’s preparation and conduct of the acceptance review of the US-APWR design certification application. Mitsubishi revised the DCD submission date from December 14, 2007, to December 31, 2007. South Texas Project Combined License (COL) Application Found Acceptable for Docketing By letter dated November 29, 2007 (ML073320290), the staff informed South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company that the combined license application for the South Texas Project, Units 3 and 4 is acceptable for docketing. The application was docketed without a formal review schedule because gaps in information in the application prevented the staff from issuing a schedule for the technical review at this time. The docket nos. for Units 3 and 4 are 52-012 and 52-013, respectively. North Anna COL application available to public On December 7, 2007, the North Anna COL application, tendered on November 27, 2007, was made publicly available in ADAMS and the "North Anna Unit 3" page was posted on the public website with active links to the COL application and related documents. A forthcoming Federal Register Notice will announce receipt and availability of the application. Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Meeting with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on Status of Diablo Canyon Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) On December 4, 2007, staff from the Division of Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation and Region IV, met with staff from PG&E to discuss the status of the Diablo Canyon ISFSI. NRC issued a site-specific license for the ISFSI in March 2004. PG&E expects to complete ISFSI construction this month, and modifications to the fuel handling building (FHB) crane and other support equipment by June 2008. Initial cask loading is scheduled for August through November 2008. PG&E described several design changes it plans to make in accordance with 10 CFR 72.48. Office of Administration (ADM) Contract Award On November 28, 2007, Contract No. NRC-09-08-327 was awarded to Comter, Inc. as an 8a set aside. The contractor will provide operations and maintenance services to the Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS) and the Cost Accounting System (CAS). The total value of the contract including all options is $2,851,022. The period of performance is November 28, 2007, through March 31, 2008, with one additional six month optional period and two one-year optional periods. Expanded Definition of Byproduct Material; Notification of Waiver Termination (AH84 – 10 CFR Chapter I) On December 4, 2007 (72 FR 68043), the NRC published a document in the Federal Register that announced the termination of a time-limited waiver of certain Energy Policy Act of 2005 requirements. In accordance with the transition plan issued to facilitate the orderly transition of regulation resulting from the expanded definition of byproduct material provided in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Commission has determined that specified States have a program to license byproduct material that is adequate to protect public health and safety. Occupational Dose Records, Labeling Containers, and the Total Effective Dose Equivalent (AH40 - Parts 19, 20, and 50) On December 4, 2007 (72 FR 68043), the NRC published a final rule in the Federal Register that makes several amendments to the regulations pertaining to radiation protection. The final rule limits the routine reporting of annual doses to workers to those whose annual dose exceeds a specific threshold, amends the definition of the total effective dose equivalent to be consistent with current Commission policy, modifies the labeling requirements for certain containers, and removes the requirement that licensees obtain cumulative exposure records for workers unless the individuals are authorized to receive a planned special exposure. The final rule becomes effective January 3, 2008. Office of Information Services (OIS) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Requests Received During the Period of November 30 through December 6, 2007:
Office of Public Affairs (OPA) OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following Recent event report on Farley nuclear plant in Alabama regarding a defect associated with circuit breakers. Concerns about seismic and terrorism issues not being considered during the NRC's relicensing review process for nuclear plants. Status of resolution for the new siren system at the Indian Point nuclear plant in New York. Updates on efforts to stop leakage from the Pennsylvania State University's research reactor. Other Public Affairs Items OPA facilitated an interview of Chairman Klein by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on several topics, including the impact of a continuing budget resolution on the NRC and the latest problems at Farley nuclear plant in Alabama. OPA coordinated interviews with USA Today on a variety of topics including reactor safety, the reactor oversight process, and new reactors. OPA facilitated an interview with Diversity Careers in Engineering and IT magazine on NRC's hiring initiatives and strategies for obtaining engineers and scientists of diverse backgrounds in preparation for new nuclear plant applications.
Office of the Secretary (SECY)
Commission Correspondence
Federal Register Notices Issued
Region II (RII) Robinson Emergency Exercise On December 4, 2007, RII participated in the Robinson biennial emergency exercise. RII participation included a Base Team, led by the Deputy Director, Division of Reactor Projects and a Site Team, led by the Acting Director, Division of Reactor Projects, at the Emergency Operating Facility and Technical Support Center, in Hartsville, SC. A public affairs officer also participated at the Joint Information Center in Florence, SC. Region IV (RIV) Senior Management Change at River Bend Station Entergy Operations Inc. announced that Mr. Michael Perito, currently the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Plant Manager, Nuclear Operations has accepted a position as the River Bend Station, Site Vice President, Nuclear Operations. Mr. Perito is expected to arrive at River Bend Station in early January 2008. Mr. Joseph Venable, currently the River Bend Station Site Senior Vice President, has also been serving in the capacity as the Site Vice President, Nuclear Operations. Mr. Venable will continue to serve as the Site Senior Vice President. |
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