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INFORMATION REPORT SECY-01-0095 May 30, 2001
Contact: S. Morris, OEDO
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Comanche Peak On May 21, 2001, the NRC staff met with TXU Electric, the Comanche Peak Unit 1 and 2 licensee, to discuss a corporate restructuring. In response to a Texas state law, requiring segregation of electric utility generation and transmission assets, TXU is proposing to transfer the Comanche Peak Facility Operating Licenses to an as-yet unnamed generating entity. The application for license transfer is expected to be submitted by the end of June 2001. Texas state law requires that the transfer be completed by December 31, 2001. Power Uprate Activities The staff is reviewing three power uprate applications from three facilities, including Duane Arnold, Dresden 2 and 3, and Quad Cities 1 and 2. The staff's schedule for completing the Duane Arnold review is October 2001, while the Quad Cities and Dresden reviews are scheduled to be completed by November 2001. Standard Technical Specifications On May 17, 2001, publication of Revision 2 to the improved Standard Technical Specifications (STS) for all five vendor types was approved. These publications consolidate more than 300 changes to the technical specifications since the last formal publication of Revision 1 in 1995. The changes reflected in Revision 2 resulted from the experience gained from license amendment applications to convert to the improved STS or to adopt partial improvements to existing technical specifications. The five NUREG two volume series will be available in hard copy format in July 2001. The electronic files are available for public information and use by NRC staff on the external web site at (www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/techspecs.html) as well as in ADAMS. This will be the last revision of this publication printed in hard copy format. Subsequent revisions will be in electronic PDF format available through the web site. On May 24, 2001 the staff met with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Risk Informed Technical Specification Task Force. Subjects discussed included: a just-completed NEI White Paper on the integration of initiatives to risk-inform technical specifications, the status of eight industry proposals, some of which are under active staff review, and plans to seek public comment on the initiatives through the consolidated line item improvement process. NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2001-12: Nonconservatism in Pressurized Water Fuel Storage Pool Reactivity Equivalencing Calculations, dated May 18, 2001 The NRC issued this regulatory issue summary to notify pressurized water reactor licensees of a possible nonconservatism in the practice of equating the reactivity of spent fuel to the reactivity of fresh fuel in spent fuel storage pool calculations using burnup credit. Reactor Oversight Process The Inspection Program Branch conducted a public meeting with industry's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) working group on May 16, 2001, to discuss and review issues associated with Safety System Unavailability (SSU) performance indicators. Further meetings are planned to discuss improving these indicators. The long-term objective of the meetings is to develop a consistent definition for unavailability for use in the ROP, maintenance rule, WANO, PRAs, and other pertinent programs.
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency on Scrap Metal Monitoring On May 17, 2001, staff met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss the EPA Pilot Program to monitor imported scrap metal. The program will be conducted in Darrow, Louisiana (located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge). The limited purpose of the study is to identify unauthorized imports of contaminated scrap metal. EPA explained that they do not intend to develop any new policy or clearance criteria in connection with this program. The 3-month pilot program is projected to run from August-October 2001. EPA is now arranging for procurement and installation of the monitoring equipment. Once monitoring is initiated, an EPA representative will be onsite to respond to alarms. Contaminated scrap will be diverted to a designated area, and the State of Louisiana will be contacted. Louisiana has agreed to follow up in accordance with normal procedures. EPA will be the lead Federal agency if a Federal emergency response is needed. EPA agreed to keep NRC informed on this pilot program. The Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards will serve as the NRC contact point and keep other NRC offices informed. Meeting with NAC International and Yankee Atomic Electric Company On May 18, 2001, staff from the Spent Fuel Project Office met with NAC International and Yankee Atomic Electric Company to discuss the recent exemption and amendment requests for the NAC multi-purpose canister system for spent fuel storage. The requests include changes to the technical specifications for the maximum time a canister can be in vacuum drying and in the transfer cask which would be used at the Yankee Rowe plant. Nuclear Energy Agency Working Party on Decommissioning and Dismantling On May 17-18, 2001, a representative from the Division of Waste Management participated in the first meeting of the Nuclear Energy Agency's (NEA's) Working Party on Decommissioning and Dismantling (WPDD). The NEA is forming the WPDD as a working group of regulators and decommissioning "implementors" to address decommissioning issues under NEA's standing Radioactive Waste Management Committee. The WPDD will develop decommissioning-focused documents; analyze and comment on policies and strategies for decommissioning (including technical, financial and societal aspects of decommissioning, as well as recycle, reuse, clearance, and disposal); make the experience of decommissioning implementors available to other crosscutting NEA bodies; and facilitate multilateral communication among WPDD regulators and implementors. Fourteen NEA Member States, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Commission, and the NEA Secretariat were represented at the first WPDD meeting. Discussion at the two-day meeting centered on formation of the WPDD, followed by presentations on the experience of waste management organizations, decommissioning implementors, regulatory agencies, policy developers, and municipal representatives on decommissioning projects. Participants agreed to meet again in early December to develop a program of work for the WPDD, and to include decommissioning topical presentations in their next meeting. Resolving Igneous Activity Issues at Yucca Mountain On May 18, 2001, staff from the NRC and the Department of Energy (DOE) conducted an "Appendix 7" meeting on Igneous Activity in Las Vegas, Nevada. The purpose of this meeting was for NRC to present the results of a recent analysis concerning magma interactions with a potential repository and waste package response to igneous activity. This analysis, which was conducted by the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, presents three scenarios of what could occur if an igneous dike intersects a repository. The analysis provides the rationale and mathematical basis for the scenarios. At present, DOE has only considered one of the scenarios in their performance assessment. The NRC staff believes that all three scenarios need to be considered because they have significantly different risk implications. After review of the scenarios and their implications, DOE agreed to discuss how they will address the concerns at a technical exchange presently scheduled for June 21-22, 2001. Technical Exchange on Features, Events, and Processes On May 15-17, 2001, Division of Waste Management (DWM) staff conducted a Technical Exchange in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Department of Energy (DOE) staff, to discuss the results of the DWM staff review of DOE's scenario analysis methodology. DOE, as part of its total system performance assessment (TSPA) of a potential geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, is required, under proposed 10 CFR Part 63, to provide a technical basis for either including or excluding those features, events, and processes (FEPs) that might potentially affect geologic repository performance. Proposed Part 63, however, does not specify the manner in which DOE should investigate FEPs. NRC and DOE reached a number of preliminary agreements which will be carried forward to the June 25-29, 2001, Total System Performance Assessment and Integration Technical Exchange and Management Meeting. In addition, at the June Technical Exchange, DOE indicated it would also discuss the overall role of the FEPs screening process as part of its TSPA methodology. NRC agreed that this was an acceptable approach and that NRC staff would clarify details in telephone conversations preparing for the June Technical Exchange. Department of Defense Low-Level Radioactive Waste Generators Conference On May 22-23, 2001, NRC staff participated in the annual Department of Defense (DOD) conference held in St. Louis, Missouri, for its low-level waste generators. The conference addressed a wide variety of topics related to radioactive waste management and disposal, including sessions with disposal facility operators on their plans for the future, remediation and disposal practices for the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, use of in-situ gamma spectroscopy for waste characterization, and the planned National Academy of Sciences study on low-activity waste. NRC staff discussed agency initiatives that could affect the DOD generators, such as site cleanup standards and future disposal options. Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility Petitions for Hearing On May 18, 2001, the final date for submitting a hearing request, the NRC received four petitions for a hearing on the mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility project. Petitions were submitted by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, Environmentalists, Inc., Georgians Against Nuclear Energy, and Ms. Edna Foster. Implementation of International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards at U.S. Facilities On May 18, 2001, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards staff met with representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to discuss the implementation of IAEA safeguards at U.S. facilities. The morning session addressed safeguards implementation at Department of Energy facilities, and the afternoon session addressed safeguards implementation at the BWXT Downblending Facility. The meeting focused on issues associated with timely transfer of data. Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Licensee Performance Review Public Meeting On May 17, 2001, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards and Region III conducted a performance review of licensee activities at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) in Paducah, Kentucky. This review covered the period from October 1, 1998, to December 31, 2000. PGDP performance was evaluated in five areas: (1) safety operations; (2) nuclear material safeguards; (3) radiological controls; (4) facility support; and (5) special topics. The NRC concluded that PGDP continued to conduct its activities safely and securely during the review period. Strengths were noted in each of the five areas, and four areas needing improvement were identified. PGDP then presented their plans to address the areas needing improvement. The meeting was attended by representatives from DOE and the State of Illinois, and a small number of interested citizens. Revision of the Oversight Program for Fuel Cycle Facilities On May 16, 2001, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards conducted the second in a series of local public meetings in Paducah, Kentucky, concerning how the NRC plans to revise and improve its oversight program for nuclear fuel cycle facilities. In addition to discussing the oversight program revision, the staff's presentation introduced the NRC to local stakeholders, and provided information on how they can provide input to the oversight revision process. The meeting was attended by representatives from the DOE and the State of Illinois, and a small number of interested citizens. Honeywell Licensee Performance Review Public Meeting On May 16, 2001, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards and Region III conducted a performance review of licensee activities at the Honeywell conversion facility in Metropolis, Illinois. This review covered the period from February 20, 1999, to January 31, 2001. Honeywell performance was evaluated in five areas: (1) safety operations; (2) nuclear material safeguards; (3) radiological controls; (4) facility support; and (5) special topics. The NRC concluded that Honeywell continued to conduct its activities safely and securely during the review period. Strengths were noted in one of the five areas, and two areas needing improvement were identified. Honeywell presented an overview of new programs and procedures which were put in place to strengthen their performance in the areas needing improvement. The meeting was attended by representatives from the State of Illinois and a small number of interested citizens. NRC Denies Duke Cogema Stone & Webster Proposal to Perform Early Site Work On April 30, 2001, Duke Cogema Stone & Webster (DCS) submitted a request to perform early site work at the proposed mixed-oxide fuel facility located at the DOE Savannah River site. The proposed work would include moving electrical power lines; clearing the proposed construction site of utilities and temporary facilities; and construction of the administration building, warehouse, diesel generator building, and a motor control center slab. By letter dated May 15, 2001, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff informed DCS that the proposed activities go beyond the scope of what is allowed under 10 CFR Part 70, and that, if they wanted to pursue this issue further, DCS would need to file for an exemption pursuant to Subpart B of Part 70.
Incident Response Operations Preliminary Notifications
Office of Administration List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: HI-STAR 100 Revision; Confirmation of Effective Date (Part 72) A document confirming the effective date of May 29, 2001, for a direct final rule that revised the HI-STAR 100 cask system listing within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks was published in the Federal Register on May 24, 2001 (66 FR 28641).
Chief Information Officer Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Requests received during the Period of May 18, 2001 through May 24, 2001:
Office of Human Resources Graduation Ceremony Held for Members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program on May 22, 2001 On May 22, 2001, a graduation ceremony for the 23 members of the SES Candidate Development Program, Class of 2001, was held in the Two White Flint Auditorium. Program participants included Eileen Mason, Team Leader, Human Resources Development; Elmo Collins, Deputy Director, Division of Reactor Projects, Region IV; Chairman Richard A. Meserve; and Patricia Norry, Deputy Executive Director for Management Services. The 23 graduates were presented certificates by the Chairman and Mrs. Norry.
Office of Public Affairs Media Interest: NBC's "Dateline" program is scheduled to air an hour-long special by the end of July on "Three Mile Island Revisited," a day-by-day look at the 1979 accident. Harold Denton, former NRC Director of the Office of Reactor Regulation, and former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh reportedly are among those who have been interviewed for the program. In addition, the show is scheduled to include excerpts of phone conversations, as well as local and national television coverage from the event. There was media interest in the OI investigation concerning the missing fuel rods from Millstone 3 spent fuel pool. The proceeding on the license amendment for adding spent fuel to the pool is being delayed until after completion of the investigation in late summer.
Office of the Secretary
Federal Register Notices Issued
Region I Calvert Cliffs Special Inspection - Turbine Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump Failure: After consultation with the NRR Divisions of Licensing Project Management and Events Assessment and Generic Communications, the Region plans to conduct a special inspection to review the recent failure of the #11 turbine driven auxiliary feedwater pump (TDAFWP) at Calvert Cliffs Unit 1. The #11 TDAFWP was secured during surveillance testing on May 17, following identification of elevated temperatures on the turbine outboard bearing. The licensee's maintenance staff identified the cause of the temperature increase to be bearing casing sealant (Permatex) particles in the lubricating oil building up on the bearing surfaces. A preliminary root cause determination concluded that the sealant was misapplied, causing the excess to enter the bearing lube oil sump. Licensee extent-of-condition reviews identified that the #12, 21, and 22 TDAFWPs were similarly vulnerable to sealant entrainment, but due to the limited time in service and actual run time on the turbines, the sealant had not embrittled and flaked-off into the lube oil sumps. All TDAFWPs were removed from service and the bearing upper casings removed, excess sealant removed, lube oil sumps cleaned and refilled, and new sealant properly applied with the assistance of a vendor representative. The inspection will commence following the licensee's completion of A the root cause investigation. Millstone Regulatory Performance Meeting On Tuesday, May 22, 2001, a regulatory performance meeting was held to discuss Dominion Nuclear Connecticut's response to issues relating to the mitigating systems degraded cornerstone, and cross-cutting issues related to human performance and corrective actions. The meeting was held at Millstone's Nuclear Training Center, and was attended by Dominion Nuclear management, the NRC Region I Director of the Division of Reactor Projects (DRP), the DRP Branch Chief responsible for Millstone, and the Millstone Resident Inspectors. The meeting was observed by several members of the general public and various Millstone site personnel. The meeting was orderly, lasted for approximately one hour, and concluded with Dominion Nuclear presenting its view that: (1) their performance regarding corrective action implementation identified in the November regulatory conference held at Region I, as well as the recent PI&R and 95002 inspections is improving; (2) they have targeted key areas of their corrective action process for improvement; and (3) they have implemented various actions to ensure a continued focus on management monitoring of performance, equipment reliability, and human performance improvement. Following the meeting, NRC staff answered questions raised by members of the public in attendance.
Region II Virginia Electric and Power Company - Visits by United Kingdom Representatives On May 21, 2001, the Regional Administrator accompanied two visitors from the United Kingdom to the Surry nuclear plant in Virginia. On May 22, the Deputy Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation accompanied these visitors to the North Anna nuclear plant. The visits included tours of the facilities and discussions regarding the NRC's oversight of nuclear power reactor facilities. Office of the Inspector General's Annual Information and Planning Conference On May 21, 2001, representatives from the Region II Office observed the Office of the Inspector General's Information and Planning Conference via video conferencing. There were no members of the public in attendance in the Region II Office. Region II Management Retreat On May 22-23, 2001, the Regional Administrator, Deputy Regional Administrator, all regional Senior Managers and Branch Chiefs held a Management Retreat near the Region II Office. The theme was "creating change". Discussion areas included a session on diversity led by the Director of the NRC Office of Small Business and Civil Rights. Quality Assurance (QA) Counterpart Meeting for Region II Licensees On May 24, 2001, the Regional Administrator was a speaker at the Region II QA Managers Counterpart meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The talk included a discussion of current initiatives in the Reactor Oversight Program and the results of the Initial Implementation Evaluation Panel's report. State of Mississippi Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program A team consisting of representatives of the Office of State and Tribal Programs, Region II, and an Agreement State conducted an IMPEP review of the State of Mississippi's Agreement State Program. There was an exit held on May 25, 2001. Westinghouse Electric Company - Fuel Fabrication Facility On May 21, 2001, the licensee reported a failure of engineered criticality safety controls for a portion of the lines used to process uranium enriched in uranium-235 at the fuel fabrication facility in Columbia, SC. The failure was due to a problem with programmable logic controllers (PLC) associated with valves in the process line. The licensee shut down all processing lines affected by the failure in the PLCs. The NRC dispatched a Special Team Inspection to the Westinghouse fuel fabrication facility on May 24, 2001, to evaluate the licensee's response to the failure and to assess its safety significance. The team is led by a representative from the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) and has team members from both NMSS and Region II. A Preliminary Notification was issued on May 23, 2001. Florida Power and Light - Turkey Point On May 25, 2001, the NRC completed the first license renewal inspection at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant. The inspection team assessed the adequacy of the licensee's scoping of components, systems and structures into the program for aging management review.
Region III Meeting on Crane Issues at Dresden On May 23, 2001, Region III staff members met in the regional office with representatives of Exelon Nuclear Generating Company to discuss issues related to the overhead crane at Dresden 2 and 3. The crane will be used during the loading and movement of spent fuel storage casks. Meeting with Nuclear Management Company on Monticello ISI/IST issues On May 25, 2001, Region III staff members met with representatives of Nuclear Management Company on recent in-service inspection and in-service testing and design basis issues at the Monticello Nuclear Power Plant.
Region IV Commissioner Dicus Visit to Region IV On May 22, 2001, Commissioner Greta J. Dicus visited the Region IV office. During the visit, the Commissioner addressed the Region IV resident inspector counterpart meeting and met with Region IV management and staff. Commissioner Dicus Visit to Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station On May 23, 2001, Commissioner Greta J. Dicus and her technical assistant toured the Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station. The Commissioner was accompanied by the Region IV Regional Administrator. Activities included a tour of the facility and a discussion with licensee management. Chairman Meserve and Commissioner Dicus Visit Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) On May 24, 2001, the Chairman and Commissioner Dicus visited ANO. They were accompanied by the Region IV Regional Administrator and Regional State Liaison Officer. While on site, they toured the facility and met with licensee senior management after which Commissioner Dicus departed to meet with state officials. The Chairman addressed an employee forum regarding current NRC Initiatives and held a press conference at the facility.
Office of Congressional Affairs
Note: Congress is in recess until Monday, June 4th.
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