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INFORMATION REPORT

SECY-05-0193

October 26, 2005

Contact: A. Huffert, OEDO

Enclosure A

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC) Meeting

From October 4-6, 2005, staff participated in a meeting of the NUPIC in Norfolk, Virginia. The staff presented an overview of a recently released safety evaluation, which approves an alternate method for qualifying commercial-grade calibration service providers. The alternate method accepts accreditations issued by the National Institute of Science and Technology or the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, based on international standards. Several licensees plan to adopt the alternative which increases the number of calibration service providers available to them.

Vermont Yankee License Renewal Application

By letter dated October 7, 2005, Entergy Nuclear, Inc., notified the NRC of its intent to submit a license renewal application for its Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in January 2006. Vermont Yankee is located approximately 5 miles south of Brattleborro, Vermont, and its current operating license expires on March 21, 2012. The Vermont Yankee application would be submitted concurrently with Entergy's application for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. The announcement of the two Entergy applications in January 2006 does not impact schedule or resources as two Entergy applications were already included in the NRC's projected receipt of applications for January 2006.

Enclosure B

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

U.S. Governmental Agencies Submit U.S. National Report to the International Atomic Energy Agency

On October 11, 2005, the Department of Energy (DOE) electronically transmitted the second "U.S. National Report," as required by the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. This report was prepared in cooperation with NRC, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of State. It is an obligation of the Joint Convention to prepare such a report on a 3-year cycle. In addition to the preparation of the "U.S. National Report," the participating U.S. Federal agencies will review the national report of the 33 other nations that have ratified the Joint Convention. The report is available from ADAMS at ML052840376. DOE will post it on its public website shortly.

Staff Observation of EPA's Public Meetings on Proposed Yucca Mountain Standards

From October 3-6, 2005, (in Las Vegas, NV) and October 11, 2005, (in Washington, D.C.) Staff observed the EPA's public meetings on the proposed revisions to the Yucca Mountain standards. EPA held these public meetings to solicit comment on its proposal for individual protection standards applicable for the time period after 10,000 years. It received comments from a variety of stakeholders, such as State and local authorities, environmental and industry groups, and private citizens.

IAEA/NEA International Conference on Safety of Radioactive Waste Disposal

From October 2-7, 2005, staff participated in the International Atomic Energy Agency/Nuclear Energy Agency (IAEA/NEA) International Conference on Safety of Radioactive Waste Disposal, held in Tokyo, Japan. Topics of NRC presentations included the U.S. Framework for safe disposal fo radioactive waste and communicating the safety of radioactive waste disposal. Over 400 representatives of more than 60 countries attended the conference. Conference topics included: (1) international and national perspectives on disposal safety; (2) the safety case and confidence building; (3) the safety of geologic disposal and near-surface disposal; (4) options for disposal of intermediate level waste; (5) regulatory control; and (6) communicating the safety of waste disposal. While in Tokyo, staff members met with Japanese regulators to discuss various waste-disposal issues, including the progress of Japan's voluntary siting program, the International Commission on Radiological Protection's radiation protection recommendations, and geotechnical issues, such as volcanism and seismicity. Staff members agreed, with their Japanese counterparts, to continue this dialogue, as topics of mutual interest arise.

Enclosure C

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Support of OIS Grid Computing Project

From November 14-18, 2005, the staff plans to support the Office of Information Services (OIS) in a test of grid computing which will include security issue evaluations. Test results may provide the NRC with additional capabilities to run large, complex computer codes more efficiently.

Enclosure D

Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Preliminary Notifications

1. PNO-IV-05-014, Department of the Army - PANORAMIC IRRADIATOR SEALED SOURCE STUCK IN UNSHIELDED POSITION.

2. PNO-IV-05-015, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 3 - SHUTDOWN TO REPAIR REACTOR COOLANT PUMP OIL SEAL.

3. PNO-IV-05-016, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 2 and 3 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQUIRED SHUTDOWN OF PALO VERDE UNITS 2 AND 3.

Enclosure F

Office of Administration (ADM)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Contract Awards

On October 7, 2005, an 8(a) contract was awarded to INFOZEN, INC., for "Reactor Core and Containment Mitigation Strategy Studies." The period of performance is October 7, 2005, through October 6, 2006. The amount of the contract is $1,713,596.

Enclosure G

Office of Information Services (OIS)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act Requests Received During the Period of October 6 through October 13, 2005:

Enclosure I

Office of Human Resources (HR)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Enclosure M

Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) received significant media inquiries on the following:

The American Broadcast Corporation report on security at research reactors.

Shutdown at the Palo Verde nuclear plant.

NRC's conditions to Entergy on Vermont Yankee's uprate request.

Office of International Programs (OIP)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Representative Meets with Commission Members to Discuss Regulatory Safety Policy

Mr. Katsuhiko Suetsugu, a member of the Advisory Council to the METI of Japan met with available Commission members to discuss issues related to the NRC's role in the safe operation of nuclear facilities and its commitment to public outreach programs.

Enclosure O

Office of the Secretary (SECY)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Commission Correspondence

1. Letter to Congress, dated October 4, 2005, provides the August 2005 report on the status of NRC's licensing and other regulatory activities.

2. Letter to Dirk Kempthorne, Governor of Idaho, dated October 3, 2005, concerns appointment of a State Liaison Officer to provide a communication channel between the States and the NRC.

3. Letter to Ernie Fletcher, Governor of Kentucky, dated October 3, 2005, concerns appointment of a State Liaison Officer to provide a communication channel between the States and the NRC.

Federal Register Notices Issued

1. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), notice of meeting (11/3-5/05).

2. ACRS Subcommittee Meeting on Planning and Procedures, notice of meeting (11/2/05).

3. Establishment of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, Pa'ina Hawaii, LLC (Honolulu, Hawaii Irradiator Facility).

Enclosure P

Region II (RII)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Regional Administrator Visit to Crystal River Nuclear Plant

On October 12, 2005, the Regional Administrator visited the Crystal River Nuclear Plant for a site tour with the Resident Inspectors.

Regional Administrator Attends Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX FFF) Commemoration Ceremony

On October 14, 2005, the Regional Administrator attended the MOX FFF commemoration ceremony at the Savannah River Site.

Enclosure P

Region III (RIII)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

Public Meeting at Perry Nuclear Power Plant

On October 12, 2005, NRC staff held a public meeting in Painesville, Ohio, to review the status of Perry's improvement initiative and discuss the Confirmatory Action Letter.

Enclosure R

Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA)
Items of Interest
Week Ending October 14, 2005

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