Nuclear Regulatory Commission September 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to incorporate by reference the 2004 Edition of Section III, Division 1, and Section XI, Division 1, of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPV Code), and the 2004 Edition of the ASME Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code) to provide updated rules for constructing and inspecting components and testing pumps, valves, and dynamic restraints (snubbers) in light-water nuclear power plants. The NRC also is incorporating by reference ASME Code Cases N-722, ``Additional Examinations for PWR [pressurized water reactor (PWR)] Pressure Retaining Welds in Class 1 Components Fabricated with Alloy 600/82/182 Materials, Section XI, Division 1,'' and N-729-1, ``Alternative Examination Requirements for PWR Reactor Vessel Upper Heads With Nozzles Having Pressure-Retaining Partial-Penetration Welds, Section XI, Division 1,'' both with conditions. The amendment also removes certain obsolete requirements specified in the NRC's regulations. This action is in accordance with the NRC's policy to periodically update the regulations to incorporate by reference new editions and addenda of the ASME Codes and is intended to maintain the safety of nuclear reactors and make NRC activities more effective and efficient.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has announced the following appointments to the NRC Performance Review Boards. The following individuals are appointed as members of the NRC Performance Review Board (PRB) responsible for making recommendations to the appointing and awarding authorities on performance appraisal ratings and performance awards for Senior Executives and Senior Level employees: Darren B. Ash, Deputy Executive Director for Corporate Management, Office of the Executive Director for Operations. R.W. Borchardt, Executive Director for Operations. Elmo E. Collins, Jr., Regional Administrator, Region IV. Karen D. Cyr, General Counsel. Margaret M. Doane, Director, Office of International Programs. James E. Dyer, Chief Financial Officer. Timothy F. Hagan, Director, Office of Administration. Michael R. Johnson, Director, Office of New Reactors. Eric J. Leeds, Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Bruce S. Mallet, Deputy Executive Director for Reactor and Preparedness Programs, Office of the Executive Director for Operations. Charles L. Miller, Director, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs. Martin J. Virgilio, Deputy Executive Director for Materials, Waste, Research, State,Tribal, and Compliance Programs. The following individuals will serve as members of the NRC PRB Panel that was established to review appraisals and make recommendations to the appointing and awarding authorities for NRC PRB members: Stephen G. Burns, Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel. Brian W. Sheron, Director, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. Roy P. Zimmerman, Director, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. All appointments are made pursuant to Section 4314 of Chapter 43 of Title 5 of the United States Code.