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THIS COMMISSION PAPER HAS BEEN COMBINED FOR THE WEEKS ENDING DECEMBER 26, 1997 AND JANUARY 2, 1998.

SECY 98-004

January 8, 1998

ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Items of Interest
Week Ending January 2, 1998

U.S. Enrichment Corporation Petition Submittal

On December 30, 1997, the U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC) submitted a Petition to the Commission requesting Commission review of the Director's December 8, 1997, decision denying in part USEC's July 31, 1997, Certificate Amendment Request regarding Paducah Plant Seismic Upgrades. Although the Director granted an 18 month extension of the original December 31, 1997, Compliance Plan Commitment completion date, the Director denied USEC's request that the 18 months extension run from the time that the Staff completes its review of the final design information, updated SAR seismic analyses and updated seismic risk analysis. The staff has not committed to performing a review of the final design information as part of the resolution to the Paducah Compliance Plan Issue 36. Given the significance of the seismic risk (identified structural vulnerabilities with the existing structure) and the earlier Compliance Plan commitment to complete this modification as a condition of certification, the Director concluded that further delay presents an unacceptable risk and is contrary to the public health and safety.

ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer
Items of Interest
Week Ending January 2, 1998

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Requests Received during the 4-Day Period of December 25, 1997 - January 1, 1998:

Horsepower needed for 100 MW to 2.1 GW unit, and the type and size of the generator. (FOIA/PA-97-492)

Gutierrez-Palmenberg, Inc. license package. (FOIA/PA-97-493)

So. Texas Project, 1997 investigations regarding alleged discrimination. (FOIA/PA-97-494)

Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, characterization report document referenced on page 8-3. (FOIA/PA-97-495)

Waste Control Specialists, Inc., LLRW disposal site in Andrews County, TX. (FOIA/PA-97-496)

ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources
Items of Interest
Week Ending January 2, 1998

ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs
Items of Interest
Week Ending January 2, 1998

ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary
Items of Interest
Week Ending January 2, 1998

ENCLOSURE P

Region II
Items of Interest
Week Ending January 2, 1998

Duke Energy Corporation -- Oconee

On December 28, 1997, Oconee Unit 1 was shutdown from 54 percent power upon confirmation of primary-to-secondary leakage in the 1A steam generator in excess of the Technical Specification leakage limit of 150 gallons per day (gpd). The unit was in power escalation, returning from a refueling outage, when the 400 gpd leakage was detected. Subsequent licensee inspection of the 1A steam generator revealed leakage from two welded plugs and nine tube-to-tube sheet welds. These deficiencies have been resolved and post-maintenance testing is currently underway. Region II has been following the licensee's corrective actions.

Duke Energy Corporation -- Catawba

At 7:22 p.m. on December 30, 1997, the Catawba Nuclear Station declared a Notice of Unusual Event due to excessive reactor coolant leakage from Unit 1 reactor facility. The plant was increasing reactor coolant system temperature and pressure in preparation for restart after a refueling outage. The leakage was detected when reactor coolant drain tank level, temperature, and pressure experienced step increases. After the plant was partially cooled down and depressurized, the licensee identified the cause of the excessive leakage to be two partially open reactor coolant loop drain valves. No leakage was detected after these two valves were shut. There was no radioactive release outside of the reactor containment facilities due to this leakage. The NRC resident inspectors monitored the licensee's investigation and corrective actions to the leakage, including 24-hour coverage at the time of the leakage.

South Carolina Electric and Gas Company -- Summer

On January 2, 1998, the unit was shutdown from 100 percent power when a Technical Specification 72-hour LCO for the A emergency diesel generator expired. The EDG failed the TS surveillance test on December 30, 1997, due to oscillations in generator frequency after the output breaker was opened following the one hour full load run. This was the fourth failure of the A EDG since November 12, 1997. The three previous failures were caused by oscillations in generator load (kilowatt) when tied to the grid for testing. The licensee indicated that the previous failures were caused by problems with the electrical governor control unit and a relay in the isochronous/droop circuit.

For the current failure the licensee has replaced the mechanical unit of the Woodward governor and a transition arm associated with the fuel racks. Based on its investigations and the problems identified with each of the failures the licensee believes the four failures are independent. Testing of the A EDG was completed satisfactorily and the A EDG was declared operable on January 5, 1998. A conference call with the licensee and Region II staff was held on January 4, 1998, to discuss the licensee's repair efforts and future plans.

ENCLOSURE P

Region III
Items of Interest
Week Ending January 2, 1998

American Electric Power Management Change -- D. C. Cook Nuclear Power Station

On January 2, 1998, American Electric Power announced a management change affecting the D. C. Cook Nuclear Power Station. Douglas E. Cooper will join the utility's nuclear generation group as Plant Manager of D. C. Cook. He will report to Site Vice-President John Sampson. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Cooper was Nuclear Division Corrective Action Manager at Commonwealth Edison Company. The appointment is effective January 5, 1998.