| |
Search Options | |||
| Index | Site Map | FAQ | Facility Info | Reading Rm | New | Help | Glossary | Contact Us | |
|||
|
INFORMATION REPORT SECY-05-0171 September 26, 2005
Contact: U. Shoop, OEDO Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) Week Ending September 16, 2005 Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Operation Above the Licensed Power Limit On September 12, 2005, NRC staff was informed by Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, LLC that both units had been operating above their current licensed operating limit of 2700 Megawatts thermal as a result of a Crossflow system error which underestimated the feedwater flow rates. The licensee detected the error through lithium tracer tests and subsequently reduced power to account for the error. The licensee began using the Crossflow system in July 2003. Use of this system does not require NRC approval. The Crossflow system was designed to provide a more accurate measure of flow rates, reducing the uncertainty in the plant instrumentation measurement. The licensee used the Crossflow data to determine a correction factor for each of the feedwater flow venturi measurements in the plant computer which is used to calculate reactor power. On September 13, 2005, the licensee identified that it had been limiting the maximum applied correction factor. Preliminary estimates indicate that the units were operating between 0.6 and 1.1 percent above their licensed power limit. The licensee continues to investigate this issue and the staff will monitor the licensee actions. River Bend - Issuance Of An Exigent Technical Specification Amendment On September 15, 2005, the NRC issued an exigent amendment to the River Bend Technical Specifications (TS). The TS amendment corrects certain requirements for the loss of power (LOP) instrumentation that were inadvertently introduced in the TS in 1995 when the BWR/6 Standard TS (STS) were adopted. The STS includes instrumentation testing that is impractical to implement with the current plant configuration. The amendment revises the number of required channels per division for the LOP time delay functions and deletes the requirement to perform a monthly Channel Function Test on certain LOP time delay functions on a one-time basis. The TS change will be applicable through June 1, 2006. Meeting on Implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 On September 12, 2005, NRR and the Office of the General Counsel staff met with representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) to discuss provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which direct DOE to develop a standby support program for up to six entities who apply for a Combined Operating License (COL) under 10 CFR Part 52. The program will create an insurance fund which will pay unexpected licensee costs incurred from a regulatory or litigation delay in the COL process that is beyond the licensees control. The NRC staff provided DOE with an overview of the Part 52 combined license process. DOE discussed the anticipated timeline for rulemaking to implement the legislation and requested NRR staff participation in a future DOE public workshop on the rulemaking. Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Quarterly Management Meeting with USEC Inc. On September 13, 2005, staff from the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, the Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, and the Office of the General Counsel met with USEC Inc. (USEC) to discuss the status and schedule of NRC’s review of USEC’s license application for the American Centrifuge Plant dated August 23, 2004. Issues discussed include the status of NRC’s safety, safeguards, and environmental reviews. A public meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be held in Piketon, Ohio, on September 29, 2005. NRC indicated that the Environmental Impact Statement remains on a 20-month review schedule (expected publication in April 2006) while its Safety Evaluation Report remains on an 18-month review schedule (expected publication in February 2006). Westinghouse Electric Company License Renewal Meeting On September 12, 2005, the Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards staff participated in an open meeting with Westinghouse staff to discuss the submittal of a revised license renewal application for the Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility. Westinghouse withdrew the original application in May 2005, after the staff determined that it did not adequately address the requirements of 10 CFR Part 70. The current license expires on November 30, 2005. Westinghouse intends to submit a revised application by October 31, 2005. Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) Federal Agencies Comment on the National Academies BEIR VII Report On September 12, 2005, staff discussed the NRC’s plans to review the National Academies report on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VII), at a meeting of the National Academies’ Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy (DOE) attended the meeting. International Atomic Energy Agency Research (IAEA) Coordination Meeting on Evaluation of High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors From September 5-9, 2005, staff attended the subject meeting in Vienna, Austria. Information gained from the meeting will support technical reviews of Next Generation Nuclear Plants and future HTGR infrastructure activities. Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR) Preliminary Notifications
Office of Administration (ADM) Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking (PRM-54-3) from Joseph Scarpelli, Mayor of Brick Township, NJ On September 14, 2005, the NRC published a notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 54310) announcing the receipt of the subject petition for rulemaking. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend regulations pertaining to a renewed nuclear power plant operating license. The petitioner believes that a renewed operating license should only be granted after a plant demonstrates compliance with all regulatory requirements that are applicable for a new plant operating license. The comment period for this action closes November 28, 2005. Contract Awards On September 13, 2005, a competitive delivery order was awarded under the General Service Administration's Federal Supply Schedule to Bert W. Smith Jr. and Company. The contractor will conduct "Internal Control Reviews" for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The period of performance is for 2.5 years. The estimated cost of the delivery order is $402,978.83. Office of Information Services (OIS) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act Requests Received During the Period of September 9 through September 15, 2005:
Office of Human Resources (HR)
Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR) Dress for Success Seminar On September 13, 2005, the Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR) sponsored a “Dress for Success” seminar. Ms. Theresa Brito, an Image Consultant from Nordstrom Stores, Bethesda, Maryland, and several of her associates were on hand to discuss and demonstrate some of the latest fashion in business attire. Office of Public Affairs (OPA) The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) received significant media inquiries on the following: The Commission’s decision to authorize a license for Private Fuel Storage. The condition of the warning sirens at Indian Point. NRC’s effort to coordinate control of radioactive materials with Agreement States. NRC’s new study on how spent fuel transportation casks might fare in a Baltimore Tunnel fire situation. Other Public Affairs Items: OPA staff facilitated a technical briefing for reporters on the Baltimore Tunnel fire study and its implications for future transportation of spent fuel.
Office of the Secretary (SECY)
Commission Correspondence
Federal Register Notices Issued
Region I (RI) Government Accountability Office (GAO) Audit Meeting at the Region I Office On September 13, 2005, Region I staff and management met with representatives of GAO in the Region I office as part of the GAO audit of the Reactor Oversight Program (ROP). Topics discussed include implementation of the ROP, the Significance Determination Process, and deviations to the ROP. The current deviation for heightened oversight of the Salem/Hope Creek site was used for illustration. Regional Utilities Group (RUG) Meeting On September 14, 2005, Region I staff participated in a Regional Utilities Group meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ROP implementation including the significance determination process, cross cutting issues, emergency preparedness, and security. The meeting was attended by fourteen utility representatives and two NRC staff members. On September 15, 2005, the Region I Senior Risk Analysts (SRAs) conducted a workshop on Manual Chapter 0609, “Significance Determination Process” and Management Directive 8.3, “NRC Incident Investigation Program.” Maryland Outreach Meeting On September 15, 2005, the Regional Administrator and staff met with senior Maryland emergency response personnel in preparation for the scheduled September 27 Calvert Cliffs exercise. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information on expected team interactions. Region III (RIII) NRC Issued a Final White Finding to Kewaunee Plant On September, 2005, NRC issued a white finding and notice of violation to the Kewaunee Nuclear Plant located in Kewaunee, WI. The finding resulted from a flaw in the AFW system design which would not have protected the pumps from air ingress and subsequent cavitation during seismic events. FirstEnergy Paid $5.45 Million Civil Penalty for Violations at the Davis-Besse Plant On September 14, 2005, FirstEnergy paid a $5.45 million fine levied by the NRC in April for the utility’s actions that led to the reactor vessel head degradation discovered at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Plant in 2002 and for providing the NRC with inaccurate information about the condition of the reactor vessel head prior to the discovery of the corrosion. Region IV (RIV) Chairman Diaz' visit to San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station On September 10, Chairman Diaz visited the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station. The NRC Resident Inspectors accompanied the Chairman during a licensee conducted tour of the facility, which focused on emergency planning and security enhancements. Public Meeting with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) On September 15, Region IV staff held a public meeting with representatives of PG&E in Eureka, California. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the results from NRC's inspection of the circumstances surrounding the licensee identified, loss of special nuclear material from the Humboldt Bay spent fuel pool inventory. Approximately 30 individuals attended the meeting, including local media coverage. On September 16, the Eureka Times Standard published an article on the meeting. Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Privacy Policy |
Site Disclaimer |
