94-29197. DOE Response to Recommendation 94-4, Deficiencies in Criticality Safety at Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page ]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-29197]
    
    
    [Federal Register: November 28, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    
    DOE Response to Recommendation 94-4, Deficiencies in Criticality 
    Safety at Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, of the Defense Nuclear Facilities 
    Safety Board.
    
    AGENCY: Department of Energy.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: Section 315(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 
    42 U.S.C. 2286d(b) requires the Department of Energy to publish its 
    response to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board recommendations for 
    notice and public comment. The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 
    published Recommendation 94-4, concerning deficiencies in criticality 
    safety at Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, in the Federal Register on October 5, 
    1994 (59 FR 50732).
    
    DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's 
    response are due on or before December 28, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the 
    Secretary's response to: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 
    Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20004.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Mr. Victor H. Reis, Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs, 
    Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 
    20585.
    
        Issued in Washington, D.C., on November 21, 1994.
    Mark B. Whitaker,
    Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
    Board.
    
    November 18, 1994
    The Honorable John T. Conway
    Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Suite 700, 625 
    Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004
    
        Dear Mr. Chairman: On September 27, 1994, the Defense Nuclear 
    Facilities Safety Board issued Recommendation 94-4, dealing with 
    deficiencies in Criticality Safety at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. The 
    Department accepts the recommendation.
        The Department has initiated actions to resolve nuclear 
    criticality safety and conduct of operations deficiencies at the Y-
    12 Plant. Shutdown nuclear operations will not resume until all 
    necessary corrective and compensatory measures are in place. The 
    Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs has provided, under 
    separate cover, a plan detailing specific requirements for restart 
    of operations, as well as a report explaining how the deficiencies 
    remained undetected.
        In addition, the Department will develop an implementation plan 
    to: 1) evaluate compliance with Operational Safety Requirements and 
    Criticality Safety Approvals; 2) comprehensively review the Y-12 
    Plant's nuclear criticality safety program; 3) assess the current 
    level of conduct of operations at the Y-12 Plant; 4) evaluate the 
    experience, training, and performance of key Department of Energy 
    and contractor personnel involved in safety-related activities at 
    the Y-12 Plant; and 5) correct any identified deficiencies.
        We will work closely with you and your staff to develop a 
    responsive Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan will be 
    forwarded to you in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 22864. The 
    Implementation Plan will provide specific milestones for 
    accomplishing the commitments described in the preceding paragraph.
          Sincerely,
    Hazel R. O'Leary.
    [FR Doc. 94-29197 Filed 11-25-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6450-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
11/28/1994
Department:
Energy Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
94-29197
Dates:
Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's response are due on or before December 28, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (None pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: November 28, 1994