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INFORMATION REPORT

SECY-01-0189

October 18, 2001

Contact: D. Loveless, OEDO

ENCLOSURE A

Public Meeting on Tritium Production at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Reactors

A public meeting was held on October 2, 2001, at Rhea County High School in Evensville, Tennessee to discuss the NRC role in production of tritium in the Watts Bar and Sequoyah reactors. In addition, members of the NRC's Division of Licensing Project Management, Office of General Council staff, representatives of TVA, and the Department of Energy (DOE ) participated. Approximately 35 members of the public attended the meeting and there was significant media coverage. The NRC Project Manager for Watts Bar explained details of the license amendment process, the status of our review of the recently-received Watts Bar and Sequoyah license amendment requests, and the public's opportunities to participate in the process. Members of the public were given opportunities to ask questions and provide comments after each of the three presentations (one by DOE, one by NRC, and one by TVA). The staff agreed to provide answers in the meeting summary to a number of questions that were not answered during the meeting. Many of the commenters voiced opposition to DOE's planned use of the TVA reactors to produce tritium. A transcript was made of the proceedings and will be made available upon request.

ENCLOSURE B

Environmental Review Guidance Released

On October 10, 2001, the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) released NUREG-1748, "Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs," for interim use and comment, for approximately 1 year. NUREG-1748 provides general procedures for determining the level of NEPA review and documentation required for the environmental review of licensing actions undertaken by NMSS. Such licensing actions include fuel cycle, uranium recovery, spent nuclear fuel storage, waste disposal facilities, and sites undergoing decommissioning. The document contains guidance for the staff to consider in preparing categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements, as well as information for applicants/licensees to consider in submitting environmental reports.

Incidental Waste Review Kick-Off Meeting

On October 9, 2001, Division of Waste Management (DWM) staff held a videoconference with staff from the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss INEEL's recent submittal of its "Sodium Bearing Waste [SBW] - Waste Incidental to Reprocessing Determination Report." The Department of Energy (DOE) asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to review the report and provide comments. There will be a subsequent NRC review of an INEEL incidental waste analysis for tank closure. An NRC/DOE Interagency Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding was signed on September 7 and 8, 2001, to support these reviews.

ENCLOSURE C

Production of 18 Rev 3i SPAR models in FY01.

The Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) produced and made available for staff use, seven Level 1, Revision 3i (i stands for interim) Standardized Plant Analysis Risk (SPAR) models. Models for the Byron 1 & 2, Hatch 1 & 2, Indian Point 2, McGuire 1 & 2, Point Beach 1 & 2, Robinson 2, and Wolf Creek plants are now available on the NRC's network for use by staff analysts. With the addition of these seven models, 48 Revision 3i models (out of a total of 70) have now been produced. To accommodate those staff in the field and approved NRC contractors, these models are also accessible through the SAPHIRE Users Group website. The project produced 18 Revision 3i SPAR models during FY 2001, which exceeded the goal of producing 17 models.

High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGR) Research Issues Workshop

On October 10-12, 2001, the Office of Research held a workshop to explore HTGR safety and research issues. HTGR experts from Germany, Japan, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom, China, and IAEA participated along with consultants and experts from the U.S. National Laboratories. The meeting focused on dominant accident scenarios for HTGRs, and research needs (including ongoing research programs) for high-priority safety issues. Participants generated a list of both research that is currently available, and research that is needed either to confirm or understand better available safety margin. Research that appeared critical to the NRC regulatory process was designated high priority, followed by a discussion of the technical basis for the priority and level of effort. The following areas were found to contain high priority research items: treatment of air ingress events; high temperature materials; graphite behavior; fuel performance; loss of forced circulation; seismic and code development and assessment. The staff plans to capitalize on the identified available international research, in establishing the research plan for HTGR.

ENCLOSURE D

Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee Meeting

On October 4-5, 2001, staff from Incident Response Operations and the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation attended a meeting of the Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee (FRPCC). The meeting was a routinely scheduled session of the federal agencies who comprise the FRPCC. Topics discussed at the meeting included: (1) updates of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) actions following the September 11, 2001 terrorist's attacks; (2) information from other agencies on their actions; (3) reports from the various FRPCC subcommittees including the KI subcommittee chaired by NRC; and (4) an international workshop on radiological emergency preparedness. Following the normal meeting, the FRPCC held a one-and-a-half day workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to look at different radiological events to see how well the coordination under Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan (FRERP) would work. The workshop resulted in several action items for follow up by the FRPCC and individual agencies.

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-I-01-26A, Edgewater Manor Apartments, BROKEN TRITIUM EXIT SIGN - UPDATE.

2. PNO-I-01-027, Ion Beam Applications, Inc., SOURCE RACK IN A PANORAMIC WET-STORAGE IRRADIATOR STUCK IN UNSHIELDED POSITION

3.. PNO-I-01-028A, Accurate Technologies, Inc., UPDATE ON RADIOGRAPHY OVEREXPOSURE.

4. PNO-II-2001-034, Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., APPARENT EMPLOYEE INTERNAL EXPOSURE IN EXCESS OF REGULATORY LIMIT.

5. PNO-III-01-033, Research Medical Center, MEDICAL MISADMINISTRATION INVOLVING FAILURE TO REMOVE A IRIDIUM-192 SEED UPON COMPLETION OF PROCEDURE

6. PNO-IV-01-043, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Inc. - MEDICAL MISADMINISTRATION

7. PNO-IV-01-044, AMEC Earth and Environment, STOLEN PORTABLE MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE.

8. PNO-IV-01-045, Leighton and Associates, STOLEN PORTABLE MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE.

9. PNO-IV-01-046, Arizona Public Service Co., UNIT 2 ENTRY INTO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.03 AND SHUTDOWN FOR POTENTIAL CONTROL ELEMENT ASSEMBLY (CEA) TIP DEGRADATION.

10. PNO-IV-01-047, United States Air Force, MISSING TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS.

11. PNO-IV-01-47A, United States Air Force, UPDATE ON MISSING TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS.

ENCLOSURE F

Interim Storage for Greater Than Class C Waste (Parts 30, 70, 72, and 150)

A final rule to allow licensing for the interim storage of greater than class C waste (GTCC) in a manner that is consistent with the interim storage of spent fuel was published in the Federal Register on October 11, 2001(66 FR 51823). The final rule applies only to the interim storage of GTCC waste generated or used by commercial nuclear power plants and maintains Federal jurisdiction for storage of reactor-related GTCC. The final rule becomes effective November 13, 2001.

Nuclear Energy Institute; Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-50-74)

A document announcing the receipt of a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Nuclear Energy Institute (PRM-50-74) was published in the Federal Register on October 11, 2001 (66 FR 51884). The petitioner requests that the NRC amend the provisions concerning emergency core cooling systems evaluation models to permit voluntary licensee adoption of the most current consensus standard for decay heat power and to permit licensees to adopt subsequent NRC-endorsed revisions to this standard without further rulemaking. The comment period on this action closes December 26, 2001.

Robert H. Leyse; Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-50-73)

A document announcing the receipt of a petition for rulemaking submitted by Robert H. Leyse (PRM-50-73) was published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2001 (66 FR 52065). The petitioner requests that the NRC amend the acceptance criteria for emergency core cooling systems for light-water nuclear power reactors to address the impact of crud on cooling capability during a fast moving, large break, loss of cooling accident. The comment period on this action closes December 26, 2001.

ENCLOSURE G

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Requests received during the Period of October 5, 2001 through October 11, 2001:

ENCLOSURE I

ENCLOSURE M

Media Interest

There was interest in the agency's decision to shut down its public web site for a review of documents to identify information that could potentially be of use to terrorists.

There was continuing interest in preparations undertaken at nuclear plants to strengthen security.

ENCLOSURE O

Commission Correspondence

1. Letters to Congress dated October 5, 2001 provided views on amendments discussed at the Committee's October 3^rd markup of antiterrorism legislation.

2. Letter to Representative Jim Saxton dated October 4, 2001 concerns request on the status of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station's expansion of its nuclear waste storage facilities and NRC's role in ensuring that safety guidelines are followed.

3. Letter to David A. Lochbaum, UCS, dated October 3, 2001 concerns SECY-01-0137, "Enhancing Public Participation in NRC Meetings."

4. Letter to Representative Sue W. Kelly dated October 2, 2001 concerns SECY-01-0137, "Enhancing Public participation in NRC Meetings."

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Availability of Official Records, proposed rule, 10 CFR Part 2 RIN 3150-AC07.

2. Operator License Eligibility and Use of Simulation Facilities in Operator Licensing, final rule, 10 CFR Part 55, RIN 3150-AG40.

3. Entombment Options for Power Reactors, 10 CFR parts 20 and 50, RIN 3150-AG89.

4. International Uranium (USA) Corporation, Docket No. 40-8681-MLA-10, ASLBP No. 02-793-01-MLA, Notice of Reconstitution.

5. ACRS Subcommittee Meeting on Thermal-Hydraulic Phenomena, notice of meeting.

REGION I

Region I
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 12, 2001

Exposure of Radiographer in Excess of Regulatory Limits

On September 25, 2001, a radiographer employed by Accurate Technologies of Tinton Falls, NJ, was working in Baltimore, MD and received an exposure in excess of regulatory limits while using an Amersham 660A radiography camera containing 58.4 curies of Iridium-192. The individual's hands have exhibited erythema and swelling and he has been referred by Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) to a specialist for medical treatment. An NRC inspector accompanied the State of Maryland during a re-enactment of the event. The State has suspended Accurate Technologies' license. The NRC issued a Confirmatory Action Letter and an amended Confirmatory Action Letter to the licensee. The NRC performed an inspection of the licensee's facilities in New Jersey on October 10.

REGION II

Rotational Assignment to Region II

The Manager, Affirmative Action Program in the Office of Small Business and Civil Rights, in Headquarters, is on a rotational assignment to the Division of Resource Management and Administration in the Region II Office for the period of two months beginning October 8, 2001.

Carolina Power and Light Company - H. B. Robinson Full Scale Exercise

On October 8-11, the Regional State Liaison Officer participated as a member of the Regional Assistance Committee in the H. B. Robinson full scale exercise, involving officials of the State of South Carolina and the applicable local governments.

Region II Awards Ceremony

Region II conducted an Awards Ceremony on October 11. The awards were presented to employees for performance as part of the Region II process to invest in human capital.

Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. - Special Inspection

Nuclear Fuels Services, (NFS) notified NRC on October 5, 2001, of preliminary indications that an employee may have received an internal exposure resulting in a committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) in excess of 25 rem. Region II, in coordination with the Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards, dispatched a Special Inspection Team to the NFS site on October 10.

Westinghouse

On October 10, the licensee conducted an Emergency Preparedness Exercise with the State of South Carolina. The exercise was evaluated by Region II.

REGION III

Regional Administrator Presents Operator Certificates for the Quad Cities Plant

On October 12, 2001, the Regional Administrator toured the Quad Cities (Illinois) Nuclear Power Plant and later that day presented certificates to two recently licensed reactor operators and four senior reactor operators who work at the plant. The operators were issued their licenses on August 27, 2001. The certificates were presented during a dinner in Davenport, Iowa.

ENCLOSURE R

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