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INFORMATION REPORT SECY-08-0112 August 4, 2008
Contact: Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) Symposium on Valves, Pumps, and In-Service Testing On July 14 and 15, 2008, the NRC and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) jointly sponsored the Tenth NRC/ASME Symposium on Valves, Pumps, and In-Service Testing in Washington, DC. This Symposium is conducted every two years to provide for the exchange of information on technical, programmatic, and regulatory issues associated with the testing of valves and pumps used in nuclear power plants. Approximately 170 individuals from the U.S. and other countries participated in the Symposium representing nuclear power plant licensees, consultants, valve and pump vendors, and regulators. The NRC keynote speaker was James T. Wiggins, Deputy Director, NRR. During the Symposium, NRC staff members from the NRR Division of Component Integrity (DCI) and Office of New Reactor Licensing Division of Engineering presented several papers on valve and pump performance, plant operating experience, and new reactor licensing. The Symposium also included an interactive session where an NRC staff panel discussed established regulatory positions related to valves, pumps, and in-service testing. Conference papers were published in NUREG/CP-0152, Volume 7. Meeting with Industry on Mitigation of Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking On July 16, 2008, members of DCI participated in a meeting with industry on mitigation of primary water stress corrosion cracking. This meeting was organized by the Office of Regulatory Research (RES). Industry representatives presented detailed technical information on mitigation approaches such as optimized weld overlays, cladding and onlays of the weld inside surface, and the mechanical stress improvement process. RES contractors presented the results of assessment studies performed to date. The staff will be meeting with industry representatives to discuss regulatory requirements for implementing some of the mitigation approaches including whether some of these mitigation approaches can be performed under 10 CFR 50.59. ASME Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants Meeting On July 16 to 18, 2008, the staff participated in committee meetings with members of the ASME Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code) in Washington, DC. Highlights of the meeting were discussions regarding: (1) publication of the next edition of the OM Code; (2) an update on efforts of the subgroup on pumps to resolve long-standing issues related to pump testing as discussed with the NRC in a public meeting in June 2007; (3) progress towards publication of code cases related to testing of pressure relief devices; and (4) a presentation on development of a new standard for alternate treatment of low-risk significant safety-related structures, systems and components when implementing a risk-informed program as allowed by 10 CFR 50.69. In addition, representatives of Tokyo Electric Power Company gave an informative presentation on progress towards resolving seismic qualification issues in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station on July 16, 2007. The staff also presented a report on current NRC activities related to in-service testing of pumps, valves and snubbers. Public Meeting Regarding Steam Generator Tube Inspection License Amendments (H*/B*) On July 17, 2008, DCI staff participated in a Category 2 Public Meeting with Industry and the Nuclear Energy Institute Expert Panel to further discuss the technical issues associated with the permanent H*/B* approach that have been identified by the staff. During this meeting the Industry discussed coefficient of thermal expansion data and their overall plans and schedule. The DCI staff is currently determining the acceptability of the Industry's proposed plans and schedule, and will continue to interact with the Industry on these technical issues. The staff's goal is to complete review of this issue in time to support decisions for Spring 2009 outages. Briefing to the Commission on Fire Protection Topics On July 17, 2008, the Division of Risk Assessment (DRA) staff participated in a public Commission briefing on fire protection topics. The NRC meeting participants included the full Commission, senior NRC staff, industry representatives, and a public stakeholder. The briefing topics included the transition to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 805, fire probabilistic risk assessment tools, fire-induced circuit failures, post-fire operator manual actions, compensatory measures, and fire barrier performance. The NRC staff presented a closure plan with milestones and deliverables for key fire protection topics. The NRC staff is finalizing the closure plan for submittal to the Commission. Meeting with Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Regarding Station Blackout On July 18, 2008, NRR Electrical Engineering Branch, Division of Engineering, conducted a public meeting with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) to discuss NEI's comments on the draft interim staff guidance (ISG) LR-ISG-2008-01. The proposed ISG clarifies the existing guidance provided in the standard review plan for license renewal regarding the scoping of structures and components for the offsite power source recovery path meeting the requirements of the station blackout rule. The staff answered the NEI questions and clarified the staff position during this meeting. The staff position is that unless compliance with the provisions of general design criteria 17 or equivalent plant-specific principal design criteria and 10 CFR 50.63 off site power recovery paths are specifically excluded from the plant's current licensing basis, as they relate to the capability to achieve and maintain safe shutdown (non-DBA) in the event of a station blackout, for the purpose of license renewal scoping, the boundary of the offsite source to the plant is the first breaker at the transmission system voltage. The NEI expressed disagreement with the staff's position. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP) Hearing On July 21, 2008, Division of License Renewal (DLR) staff supported an ASLBP hearing in Newfane, Vermont, associated with the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station license renewal application. The federal hearing was on several contentions raised by the New England Coalition, with the Vermont Department of Public Service joining the challenge. Members of the ASLB questioned expert witnesses from Entergy Nuclear and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff. Based on information learned at the hearing, the ASLB will determine whether it will endorse the license renewal recommendation that has been issued by the NRC staff. After the ASLB issues the decision, parties may still appeal to the Commissioners of the NRC. International Presentations at the University of Tokyo, Japan On July 23 to 25, 2008, DLR staff made presentations at the "International Workshop on Nuclear Research and Education for Maintenance and Aging Management of Light Water Reactors" and "ISaG2008 International Symposium of the Aging Management and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants" at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Office of New Reactors (NRO) Status of Bellefonte Combined License (COL) Review Schedule By letter dated July 17, 2008 (ML081910814), the staff informed the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the applicant for the Bellefonte Units 3 and 4 COL application, that their COL review schedule in the area of seismology is extended by one month due to TVA's delayed response to the staff's request for additional information. The letter also informed TVA that their COL review schedule in the area of hydrology is likely to be delayed 8 – 12 months due to TVA's inability to meet interim commitments made to address issues identified by the staff earlier this year. The staff plans to re-evaluate the hydrology schedule in December 2008 before a specific schedule for this portion of the review is re-established. Meeting with South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) On July 23, 2008, the staff met with STPNOC to discuss the results of their due diligence review of Toshiba, Inc.'s, ability to provide a design for the U.S. certified Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR). STPNOC determined that Toshiba, Inc., is capable of supplying a design for, and supporting through its operating life, the U.S. certified ABWR. STPNOC plans to submit a summary of their due diligence efforts for NRC review in mid August 2008 and a revision to the COL application before the end of calendar year 2008. Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Public Meeting with General Electric-Hitachi on Uranium Enrichment Plant On July 17, 2008, staff from the Offices of NMSS, the Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs, General Counsel, and Region II held a public meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina, on the licensing process for General Electric-Hitachi's proposed uranium enrichment plant. Staff discussed the NRC's regulatory role, the licensing process for uranium enrichment facilities, the process for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement, and NRC's inspection program. Over 100 people attended the public meeting. Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs (FSME) Meetings Regarding GE-Hitachi's Proposed Uranium Enrichment Facility From July 14 – 17, 2008, FSME staff met with Federal, State, and local agencies in North Carolina regarding GE-Hitachi's proposed uranium enrichment facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Staff met with representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, New Hanover County, and Cape Fear Riverwatch. Staff discussed the NRC environmental review process, and gathered information about local concerns and State and County regulatory requirements. Advisory Committee on the Medical Use of Isotopes (ACMUI) Teleconference On July 21, 2008, the ACMUI held a public teleconference meeting. ACMUI discussed SECY‑08-0080, "Proposed Rule: Medical Use of Byproduct Material – Amendments/Medical Event Definitions." Some ACMUI members noted concern over possible interpretations of the draft proposed rule language, and ACMUI intends to provide comments during the comment period, if the proposed rule is published. Management Review Board Meetings On July 21, 2008, a Management Review Board meeting was held as part of the Arizona Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP) review. On July 22, 2008, a Management Review Board meeting was held as part of the Washington Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP) review. Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities On July 28, 2008, FSME staff noticed the availability of NUREG-1910, "Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities: Draft Report for Comment" (Draft GEIS). The notice of availability also provided notice of eight public meetings to be held in August and September to receive public comment on the Draft GEIS. These meetings will be held in Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, and New Mexico. The public comment period on the Draft GEIS ends on September 26, 2008. Meeting with Australian Senior Official On July 25, 2008, staff from several offices including the Office of the Executive Director for Operations met with Dr. John Loy, Head of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency at NRC Headquarters. Topics discussed included: fuel rod complications in the OPAL research reactor, the status and review process of the Yucca Mountain license application, and radioactive source safety and security including the National Source Tracking System. Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) Publication of Regulatory Guide (RG) 6.2, "Integrity and Test Specifications for Selected Brachytherapy Sources" On July 14, 2008, the staff published Revision 2 of RG 6.2, which provides guidance on methods and procedures for leak testing integrity testing of selected brachytherapy sources in accordance with 10 CFR Parts 30 and 35. RG 6.2 is available on the NRC website at: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/reg-guides/products/active/. Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR) PNO-I-08-009B – Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. SUBJECT: Update - Water Leak in a Cooling Tower At Vermont Yankee On July 22, Entergy returned Vermont Yankee's east cooling tower to service. The east tower is available for use, if needed to meet the State required thermal discharge limits; however, the tower is not currently needed because of favorable river conditions (i.e., flow and temperature). The NRC Senior Resident Inspector completed a walk down of the east tower on July 20, prior to the licensee initiating a wetting and 24 hour soak, and identified no issues or concerns. FEMA-sponsored Emergency Preparedness (EP) Focus Group Forums On July 18th, NRC staff attended the 10th in a series of FEMA-sponsored EP focus group forums, with discussions of draft preliminary language regarding proposed changes to scenario demonstration criteria that will support FEMA and NRC EP rulemaking changes. The focus group was conducted in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was attended by representatives from: Radiological Health and Emergency Management agencies for the States of Tennessee and Alabama; plume exposure and ingestion pathway counties; and licensee representatives. In general, comments were supportive of the proposed changes to make scenarios more challenging and less predictive. Specific comments involved providing State and local agency flexibility in demonstrating objectives. The State of Tennessee indicated that they would prefer to go to a General Emergency each time for training purposes, but agree with changes if they allow flexibility. On July 24, NRC staff attended the 11th in a series of FEMA-sponsored Emergency Preparedness (EP) focus group forums, with discussions of draft preliminary language regarding proposed changes to scenario demonstration criteria that will support FEMA and NRC EP rulemaking changes. The focus group was conducted in Albany, New York, and was attended by representatives from New York State Radiological Health and Emergency Management agencies, three plume exposure county and local fire representatives for Indian Point and Fitzpatrick/Nine Mile Point Stations, and licensee representatives. In general, comments were supportive of the proposed changes to make scenarios more challenging and less predictive. Specific comments involved providing State and local agency flexibility in demonstrating objectives, including demonstrating objectives without going to a General Emergency. Office of Administration (ADM) Consideration of Petition for Rulemaking Process (PRM‑71-13) On July 16, 2008, NRC published a document (73 FR 40767) in the Federal Register stating that the NRC will consider the issues raised in a petition for rulemaking submitted by Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the State of Washington, in the NRC's rulemaking process. The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations to require the use of global positioning satellite (GPS) for tracking vehicles transporting highly radioactive mobile or portable radioactive devices. The petitioner also stated that another alternative was for the Commission to grant States the flexibility to impose more stringent requirements than those required under NRC's current increased controls. Further information on this rulemaking may be tracked through http://www.regulations.gov Contract Award for NRC Data Center Disaster Recovery Planning As a result of a competition under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule, a firm-fixed price Delivery Order, NRC-DR-33-08-358, was awarded to American Systems of Chantilly, VA on July 18, 2008 for NRC Data Center Disaster Recovery Planning. The contractor will develop a "Data Center Disaster Recovery Plan" that will outline resources, actions, tasks, and data to enable the NRC to mitigate disaster-related risks and to restore NRC Data Center Information Technology services in the event such risks actually occur. The total amount of the contract is $525,850 with a period of performance of one year from July 18, 2008 - July 17, 2009. Office of Information Services (OIS) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Requests Received During the Period of July 18, 2008 through July 24, 2008:
* CON = Consultation (referral) requests from other agencies: new DOJ requirement to track separately referrals from FOIA/PA requests. Office of Human Resources (HR)
Office of Public Affairs (OPA) OPA Received Significant Media Inquiries on the Following: Update on cooling tower issues at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant (Vermont); status of license renewal application. NRC response to recent transportation event involving shipment of Areva fuel cleaning equipment from Lynchburg to Tennessee at the License Performance Review on Thursday. Commission vote in the Shearon Harris motion and Dr. Jacob Paz motion to reject the DOE Application to Construct a Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain (Nevada). Other Public Affairs Items: OPA organized a press conference by Chairman Klein at the conclusion of his visit to Westinghouse's international headquarters regarding standardization for new plant designs and the disposal of nuclear waste; several local media outlets and national Public Radio covered the conference. OPA op-ed response to inaccurate comments on NRC's safety mission found in an opinion column in Opinion Journal. OPA participated as a panelist in a "Best Practices in Hispanic Public Affairs and Media Relations Roundtable" at the National Press Club. OPA participated Tuesday in a graded emergency exercise for Dominion Energy's two-unit North Anna nuclear power plant (Virginia). OPA did an interview with The Breeze radio station (NJ) on the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decision to reject the admission of a new contention on the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant application. OPA facilitated an interview with Nuclear Weapons and Materials Monitor about quality control issues identified with rebar used in construction of the mixed oxide facility at the Savannah River site near Aikeu, South Carolina.
Office of the Secretary (SECY)
Commission Correspondence
Federal Register Notices Issued
Region
II (RII) North Anna Ingestion Pathway Exercise On July 22, 2008, Region II participated in the North Anna Emergency Preparedness Exercise. Region II had a full Base Team led by the Director, Division of Fuel Facility Inspection as the Base Team Director. A full site team was sent to the North Anna site with the Director, Division of Reactor Projects as the Site Team Director. This was an agency full participation exercise and the Headquarters Executive Team was led by Commissioner Svinicki. Region
IV (RIV) Waterford-3 Steam Electric Station End-of-Cycle Public Meeting On July 24, Region IV conducted a public meeting in Killona, Louisiana, with representatives of Entergy to discuss the annual assessment of the Waterford-3 Steam Electric Station for 2007. Members of the public and the local media attended. Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)
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under the Docket ID NRC-2008-0120.