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SECY 98-285

December 10, 1998

Contact: D. Lange, OEDO

ENCLOSURE A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Indian Point 3

On November 19, 1998, Indian Point 3 was forced to shut down by their technical specifications. While performing an extent of condition evaluation regarding leakage through a containment isolation valve, the licensee determined that, for seven valves, the Type C valve testing they performed during last summer's outage did not meet the technical specifications.

On November 25, 1998, and November 27, 1998, the licensee submitted an emergency amendment request that would allow them to restart the plant. The amendment, which was issued on November 27, 1998, will allow the plant to operate until refueling outage 10 (scheduled to begin in September 1999) having performed Type C leakage testing on seven containment isolation valves by pressurizing them with nitrogen over water as opposed to pressurizing them with nitrogen as required by the technical specifications.

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES) Units 1 And 2

On November 18, 1998, the NRC staff met with representatives of PP&L, Inc., to discuss the resumption of activities for constructing and eventually operating an ISFSI at the SSES site.

Initially, the process to construct the ISFSI started in December 1994, but was halted in January 1997 because of QA issues with the contractor (VECTRA Technologies). In the intervening period, Transnuclear Corp. bought VECTRA. The QA issues were resolved and Transnuclear was approved to restart fabrication in the spring of 1998.

The ISFSI facility will be built on the northwest side of the SSES site within the protective boundary. The pad is sized for 120 horizontal storage modules (expandable to 150). Loading of the first dry shielded canisters is scheduled for August 1999.

As a contingency, should the August 1999 schedule slip, PP&L, Inc. has established a plan to rerack the Unit 1 and 2 fuel pools with high density racks (currently the density is 20 increasing to 40). PP&L placed an engineering contract (October 1998) with Holtec International to begin fabricating the racks if needed. Should it be necessary, the new racks can be installed into the Unit 1 fuel pool in June 2000.

Subsequent to the meeting, Region I was provided several key milestones on the ISFSI in advance of the licensee's schedule that can be used for Region I inspection planning purposes.

Seabrook 1

Earlier this year, North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation (NAESCO) submitted 4 license amendment requests to change the interval of a variety of surveillance tests from 18 months to 24 months. Subsequently, the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League (SAPL) opposed the change and the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel granted intervention. The Commission took sua sponte review of the issues and of the Board's rulings. NAESCO and SAPL entered into negotiations to resolve the issues outside of a hearing. However, the parties failed to settle the case and counsel for NAESCO filed a motion to withdraw the license amendment requests at issue and to terminate the proceedings. On November 24, 1998, the Commission issued an order granting NAESCO's motion to withdraw its proposed amendments and also dismissing the related adjudicatory proceedings as moot.

LaSalle Units 1 and 2

ComEd announced a decision to increase electric output at LaSalle Units 1 and 2 by more than 50 mW for each unit. The project, including modifications to the turbine generators, is expected to be completed by summer 2000 for Unit 1 and mid-2001 for Unit 2. The increased capacity will improve the utility's ability to provide power during the peak summer months which has been a problem in recent years. The licensee plans to submit an application for a license amendment for the power uprate in mid-1999. ComEd management has stated that the decision to increase LaSalle's capacity demonstrates their confidence in the improved performance of the ComEd nuclear program. Both units at LaSalle were shut down in September 1996 and Unit 1 was only restarted in July 1998. Unit 2 is expected to restart in Spring 1999.

Observation of National Nuclear Accrediting Board Meeting

On November 18 and 19, 1998, Dr. Garmon West, Jr., Engineering Psychologist of Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch, observed the November meeting of the National Nuclear Accrediting Board at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation's (INPO's) offices in Atlanta, Georgia. During the meeting, the Board reviewed selected utilities' training programs for renewal of accreditation. The Board asked probing questions and challenged the utility representatives to achieve excellence in their training programs. Observation of these meetings is one of the ways in which the NRC monitors the industry's performance in implementing the NRC's training requirements in 10 CFR 50.120 and 10 CFR 55.

Management Changes

On November 19, 1998, Vic Parrish, the CEO of Washington Public Power Supply System, announced a minor reorganization based on the establishment of a new position, the Vice President-Generation/Nuclear Plant General Manager. The new position combines the existing position of Vice President Nuclear Operations, recently vacated by the resignation of Paul Bemis, and the position of WNP-2 General Manager, currently held by Greg Smith. Greg Smith has been appointed to the new position and will be responsible for plant operations, engineering systems, training, maintenance, outage management and maintenance support, and the Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project. In addition to creating the new position, Mr. Parrish announced that he has reassigned a number of responsibilities among senior management to balance workloads and to provide growth opportunities.

ENCLOSURE B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Shipment of Trojan Reactor Vessel Package

On November 23, 1998, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an Exemption for the shipment by barge of Portland General Electric Company's (PGE) Trojan Reactor Vessel Package (TRVP) up the Columbia River to the Port of Benton, Washington, and from there, by heavy-haul transporter, to US Ecology's Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility near Richland, Washington. By letter dated November 24, 1998, the State of Washington's Department of Health also approved the disposal of the TRVP, including internal components, at the US Ecology facility.

Together with approvals previously obtained from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Oregon State Office of Energy, PGE has now obtained all necessary approvals to ship the TRVP in August 1999.

Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board Annual Report

In late November, the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (NWTRB) submitted its 1998 Annual Report to Congress, as required by law. The NWTRB evaluates the technical and scientific validity of activities undertaken by the Department of Energy (DOE) to characterize Yucca Mountain (YM) in Nevada for its suitability as a location for a repository for high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel. The Annual Report contains the NWTRB evaluation of major features that affect performance of a repository at YM, as well as its evaluation of the major sources of uncertainty in projections of performance. (The report is not a review of the forthcoming DOE YM Viability Assessment.)

The NWTRB Annual Report discusses the connection between the critical natural features of the repository system in an unsaturated environment, the high level of uncertainty about seepage into the repository and the volume and geometry of the water that may reach waste packages (WP) causing WP corrosion, and transport of radionuclides to the saturated zone. Recommendations are made on how uncertainty may be reduced, with emphasis on the unsaturated zone, the engineered barrier system, and the saturated zone.

Finally, the report recognizes that, at the time a decision on site suitability is made, not all uncertainties about the YM repository will have been fully resolved. The NWTRB strongly supports continuing focused studies of both the natural and engineered barriers at YM to attain a "defense-in-depth" repository design and to increase confidence in predictions of potential health effects in the future. Under the current schedule, DOE would advise the President in the year 2001 on YM site suitability.

Meeting to Discuss Results of Groundwater Corrective Action Program

On November 17, 1998, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff attended a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Open House" (informal meeting) held at the Pinedale Chapter House on the Navajo Reservation near Gallup, New Mexico. The meeting was held to discuss the results of the Five-Year Review of the Groundwater Corrective Action Program (CAP) at United Nuclear's Church Rock uranium mill tailings site, which is being reclaimed under NRC license SUA-1475. The site was placed on EPA's Superfund list prior to NRC assuming licensing responsibility in 1986, and the NRC is the lead Federal Agency for site licensing under an NRC-EPA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The "Open House", heavily advertised by EPA in newspapers, radio, and through flyers to interested parties, was lightly attended. Discussion at the meeting indicated that changes need to be made to the CAP, including revisions to some background concentrations and groundwater extraction systems. Under the MOU, EPA must revise its Record of Decision to initiate the process which will result in appropriate changes to the CAP required by the NRC license.

Secretary of the Interior Visits Atlas Site

On November 23, 1998, the Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, and the Governor of Utah visited the Atlas uranium mill tailings site in Moab, Utah, to gather information about the site. An article in the Salt Lake City Tribune, entitled "Pressure Is On to Move Tailings Pile Near Moab", reported opinions of Secretary Babbitt and others regarding the Atlas site and reported interest by both "60 Minutes" and "Dateline NBC" in the tailings site. (The article can be viewed at the Tribune's website: www.sltrib.com under the "Utah" section.)

Meeting with West Valley Citizen Task Force

On November 17, 1998, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff participated in person and by video/audioconference in a meeting of the West Valley Citizen Task Force (CTF), held near the West Valley site, south of Buffalo, New York, to discuss NRC staff recommendations to the Commission on West Valley decommissioning criteria (SECY 98-251). CTF was briefed on the content of the Commission Paper and the process by which the Commission will review the staff recommendations, including plans for a Commission meeting with stakeholders. Although CTF appreciated receiving the NRC recommendations, they expressed dissatisfaction with: (1) the lack of finality of the criteria; and (2) the open-ended flexibility in the Commission Paper for consideration of long-term institutional control alternatives. The Department of Energy (DOE) representative on the CTF indicated appreciation of the flexibility. The CTF decided to request delay of the Commission meeting with stakeholders until January 1999, to allow CTF time to develop meaningful comments on the NRC staff recommendations, and established a working group to develop the comments and draft a presentation for the Commission meeting.

Meeting with the Department of State on International Radioactive Source Management

On December 2, 1998, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff attended, and gave presentations at, a meeting called by the Department of State (DOS) to address the International Radioactive Source Management (IRSM) initiative. This initiative is being headed by DOS in response to international requests for assistance in the areas of orphan source clearance and management, and is intended to develop a program for prevention, identification, tracking, response to, and remediation of radioactive materials being illegally imported and exported. The NRC staff presentations concentrated on previous initiatives in this area, as well as on current activities including rulemakings for clearance, control and accountability of generally licensed devices, and work in the areas of orphan sources and recycling of contaminated materials. Other presenters included Government Agencies, the Conference of Radiation Program Control Directors, and representatives of private industry. Other Agencies, State representatives, and industry groups were in attendance. The DOS requested that each of the Agencies and stakeholders in attendance consider the initiative and determine what and how they could contribute to it in order to develop and provide a "template" program for other countries to use in management of illegal shipments of radioactive materials.

ENCLOSURE C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Coupled Thermal-Hydraulic and 3D Neutron Kinetics Codes

The NRC version of the 3D neutron kinetics code, called the Purdue Advanced Reactor Core Simulator (PARCS), was recently coupled to the NRC thermal-hydraulic code RELAP5 using the Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) software. The work was performed by two NRC contractors, Scientech Inc. and Purdue University, and the installation package will be made available to NRR and other authorized organizations including Code Application and Maintenance Program (CAMP) members. In addition, the two contractors have delivered a preliminary version of the coupled NRC thermal-hydraulic code TRAC and the PARCS code. The final version of the coupled TRAC/PARCS code is scheduled to be completed at the end of the current fiscal year. When completed, the coupled codes are planned to audit licensee safety analysis submittals where 3D spatial kinetics and thermal-hydraulic effects are important such as rod ejection/drop accidents, Anticipated Transients Without Scram events, Main Steam Line Beak transients, Main Steam Isolation Valve closure as well as other events. These developments will enhance independent review capability by providing tools that broaden NRC's in-house analytical expertise.

Meeting with Westinghouse to Exchange Information on Steam Generator Integrity Research

On December 2, 1998, RES/Division of Engineering Technology and NRR/Division of Engineering staff met with representatives from Westinghouse at its Waltz Mill facility in Madison, PA. to discuss research and technology related to steam generator (SG) tube degradation, integrity, and inspection. The meeting was also attended by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) staff members working on the NRC-sponsored steam generator tube integrity research program. The meeting was organized by RES/DET to exchange information with Westinghouse, who is a participant in NRC's international cooperative research program on steam generator tube integrity, in a continuing effort to maintain awareness of industry efforts in this technical area.

Technical presentations from the Westinghouse staff covered: (1) production of cracked tubes from accelerated corrosion testing; (2) review of model boiler operating experience; (3) review of pulled tube data; (4) laser welded sleeving; (5) SG tube NDE techniques and; (6) pressure and leak testing of SG tubes. As part of the meeting NRC and ANL were also given a demonstration of SG tube burst and leak testing and a tour of the Westinghouse remote eddy current analysis center.

Specific items of interest to the staff included: (1) potential for eliminating post weld heat treatment for laser welded sleeves; (2) advancements in NDE probes including a combination ultrasonic test (UT)/ eddy current (EC) probe for sleeve inspection and the Cecco-5 probe which combines features of both bobbin and rotating pancake coil (RPC) inspection techniques; (3) details of SG tube pressure testing including use of lubricated foils in conjunction with internal bladders.

ENCLOSURE F

Office of Administration
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Procurement Reinvention Laboratory

On November 24, 1998, DCPM staff attended the first meeting of the Performance Measurement Subcommittee of the Procurement Executives Council (PEC). This subcommittee is tasked with reviewing alternatives and making recommendations for the PEC to consider for uniform procurement performance measures.

Acquisition Training

On December 1, 1998, the Division of Contracts and Property Management conducted its Acquisition for Project Mangers module, "Closing Out the Contract." This module focuses on the NRC policies and procedures for deobligation of excess funds; closing contracts and DOE laboratory agreements; and evaluating the performance of the contractor. Each participant received a course manual that will serve as a reference tool for PMs.

Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) Conference

On November 16-19, 1998, a Division of Facilities and Security representative attended the EKMS/Security Management Infrastructure Conference in Anaheim, CA. EKMS is the Federal government's new method for controlling and distributing cryptographic key for secure systems used for classified communications. The Conference included discussions on bringing EKMS on line, the proposed implementation of the Defense Message System, Federal public key infrastructure, secure terminal equipment, and key management infrastructure.

U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC)

On November 30, 1998, a DFS staff member and a representative from the OCIO staff conducted a security inspection of the USEC's headquarters facility in Bethesda, MD. The purpose of the inspection was to review the implementation of USEC's NRC approved classified matter security plan. A report of the inspection is being prepared.

Drug Testing Program

On December 1-2, 1998, a DFS staff member met with the EAP Manager to review written comments from NRC staff who reviewed the pilot supervisory training session on Drug-Free Workplace and Threats and Violence in the Workplace. The comments will be used to make modifications to the course presentation and its training manual. The final version of this course, required to be taken by all NRC supervisors, will be ready in January 1999.

OWFN Front Entrance Project

The contractor's schedule for this project has been received. Following delivery of all necessary materials to complete the project, the demolition of the existing front entrance-way will begin on approximately January 18, 1999, at which time the OWFN front entrance will be closed. An employee announcement will be issued describing the temporary entrance changes. The actual construction is expected to take less than 30 days.

Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, Establishment of Two New Systems of Records

A document announcing NRC's intent to establishment two new systems of records in accordance with the Privacy Act was published in the Federal Register on November 27, 1998 (63 FR 65620). The two new systems of records are NRC-43, "Employees Health Center Records" and NRC-44, Employee Fitness Center Records." These systems of records become effective January 6, 1999.

Requirements for Those Who Possess Certain Industrial Devices Containing Byproduct Material To Provide Certain Information (Part 31)

A proposed rule that would add an explicit requirement that general licensees who possess certain measuring, gauging, or controlling devices that contain byproduct material provide the NRC with certain information concerning these devices was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1998 (63 FR 66492). The NRC intends to request information about devices that present a comparatively higher risk of exposure to the public or property damage. The proposed rule would help to ensure that devices containing byproduct material are properly maintained, transferred, and are not inadvertently discarded. The comment period on the proposed rule closes February 16, 1999.

Comprehensive Quality Assurance in Medical Use and a Standard of Care (Part 35)

A document withdrawing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that requested public comments on questions related to comprehensive quality assurance and a standard of care in medical uses of byproduct material was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1998 (63 FR 66496).

Steam Generator Tube Integrity for Operating Nuclear Power Plants (Part 50)

A document withdrawing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that requested public comments on the Commission's regulations pertaining to steam generator tube integrity was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1998 (63 FR 66496).

Reporting Reliability and Availability Information for Risk-Significant Systems and Equipment (Part 50)

A document withdrawing a proposed rule that would have required licensees for commercial nuclear power reactors to report plant-specific summary reliability and availability data for certain risk-significant systems and equipment to the NRC was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1998 (63 FR 66497).

Elimination of Inconsistencies Between NRC Regulations and EPA High-Level Waste Standards (Part 60)

A document withdrawing a proposed rule that would have eliminated several inconsistencies with the generic EPA standards to be developed for the disposal of high-level waste in geologic repositories was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1998 (63 FR 66498).

Streamlined Hearing Process for NRC Approval of License Transfers (Parts 2 and 51)

A final rule that provides specific procedures and rules of practice for handling requests for hearings associated with license transfer applications involving both material and reactor licensees as well as licenses issued under regulations governing the independent storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 1998 (63 FR 66721 ). The final rule provides for public participation and opportunity for an informal hearing on matters relating to license transfers, specifies filing and docketing procedures for license transfer applications, and assigns appropriate authorities for issuance of administrative amendments to reflect approved license transfers. The final rule became effective December 3, 1998.

Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities; Public Workshop Meeting (Part 50)

A document providing advance public notice of a workshop meeting to be held concerning contemplated amendments to the Commission's regulations governing the domestic licensing of production and utilization facilities was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 1998 (63 FR 66772). The workshop concerns the Commission's request that the NRC staff develop and assess options on incorporating risk insights in 10 CFR 50.59). The public workshop will be held January 19, 1999.

ENCLOSURE G

Chief Information Officer
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Requests received during the 5-Day Period of November 27, 1998 - December 3, 1998:

ENCLOSURE I

Office of Human Resources
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

ENCLOSURE M

Office of Public Affairs
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Media Interest

Commissioner Dicus was interviewed by a CBS-TV affiliate in Syracuse on radiation and infant mortality studies.

Peter Crane, OGC, was interviewed by WBUR-radio in Boston on the potassium iodide issue.

ENCLOSURE N

Office of International Programs
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

IAEA Board of Governors and Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee and Bilateral Coordination Meetings

OIP (Jodi Lieberman) participated in the IAEA Board of Governors and Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee (TACC) meetings in Vienna the week of November 23. Key issues during that meeting included approval of the 1999 TC program and evaluation of the Director General's plan to address proliferation concerns related to neptunium and americium. The issue was undecided and remanded to further consideration at the March Board meeting. During the BOG, the Indian delegation made reference to current policies of the U.S. and Japan to refuse visas to Indian and Pakistani visitors, both bilaterally and through IAEA training courses held in those two countries as a result of recent nuclear tests.

The following week (November 30-December1), OIP participated in a two-day bilateral coordination meeting, alongside DOE, with members of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Technical Cooperation. The purpose of the meeting was to improve coordination between bilateral nuclear reactor safety assistance activities and those which the IAEA offers. OIP and DOE representatives presented their respective bilateral nuclear safety assistance programs with the CEEC and NIS countries. It was decided that such bilateral coordination meetings were useful to hold on an annual basis.

ENCLOSURE O

Office of the Secretary
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Representative Thomas Bliley dated November 24, 1998 provides an update on NRC program activities.
   
   
2. Letter to Dr. Gueorgui Kastchiev, Bulgarian Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes, dated November 24, 1998 concerns a proposed visit to the U.S. (incoming dated October 24, 1998 also released).
   
   
3. Letter to Dr. William Casarella, American Board of Radiology, dated November 24, 1998 responds to request for extension of comment period for 10 CFR Part 35, "Medical Use of Byproduct Material" (Incoming dated November 5, 1998 also released).
   
   
4. Letter to Dr. Marvin Cohen, American College of Nuclear Physicians, dated November 24, 1998 responds to request for extension of comment period for 10 CFR Part 35, "Medical Use of Byproduct Material" (incoming dated November 9, 1998 also released).
   
   
5. Letter to Keith Dinger, Health Physics Society, dated November 24, 1998 responds to request for extension of comment period for 10 CFR part 35, "Medical Use of Byproduct Material" (incoming dated November 6, 1998 also released).
   
   
6. Letter to David Nichols, American College of Nuclear Physicians/Society of Nuclear Medicine, dated November 24, 1998 responds to request for extension of comment period for 10 CFR Part 35, "Medical Use of Byproduct Material (incoming dated October 30, 1998 also released).
   
   
7. Letter to Roland Fletcher, Organization of Agreement States, dated November 24, 1998 responds to request for extension of comment period for 10 CFR Part 35, "Medical Use of Byproduct Material (incoming dated November 6, 1998 also released).

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. 10 CFR Parts 2 and 51; Streamlined Hearing Process for NRC Approval of License Transfers; Final Rule.
   
   
2. Cabot Performance Materials; Docket No. 40-9027-MLA; Designation of Presiding Officer (Bloch).
   
   
3. Advanced Medical Systems, Inc.; Docket No. 30-16055-ML; Notice of Reconstitution (Bechhoefer to replace Cotter).
   
   
4. Advanced Medical Systems, Inc.; Docket No. 30-16055-ML-REN; Notice of Reconstitution (Bechhoefer to replace Cotter).

ENCLOSURE P

Region II
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Chairman Jackson visited Savannah River Plant

On December 3 and 4, 1998, Chairman Jackson toured the DOE Savannah River Site. Included on the tour were the Receiving Basin for Offsite Fuel (the subject of NRC oversight pilot project at SRS), the tritium facility, the defense waste processing facility, the K-reactor area and the closed tanks at the F-area tank farm. Chairman Jackson also conducted a news conference during her visit.

Carolina Power and Light Company - Commissioner Dicus Visited Harris Site

On December 3, 1998, Commissioner Dicus and the Regional Administrator visited the Harris site and met with key licensee representatives and toured the facility.

ENCLOSURE P

Region III
Items of Interest
Week Ending December 4, 1998

Management Meeting with Wisconsin Electric Power Company

On December 2, 1998, a management meeting was conducted in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, between management representatives from Wisconsin Electric Company and members of the NRC staff. The meeting discussion focused on Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant's engineering improvements, equipment condition and the status of ongoing program upgrades. Acting Regional Administrator James Caldwell participated in the meeting.