[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5791-5792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2688]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reimbursement for Costs of Remedial Action at Active Uranium and
Thorium Processing Sites
AGENCY: Office of Environmental Management, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of the acceptance of claims and the availability of
funds for reimbursement in fiscal year 1998.
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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the Department of Energy acceptance of
claims for reimbursement. Approximately $40 million in funds for fiscal
year 1998 are available for reimbursement of certain costs of remedial
action at eligible active uranium and thorium processing sites pursuant
to Title X of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
In fiscal year 1998, the Department will be implementing a new
schedule for payment of claims. Fiscal year 1998 funds will be applied
to outstanding approved claims from fiscal year 1997 and prior years.
Since the outstanding approved claims from fiscal year 1997 and prior
fiscal years exceed $40 million, they will be subject to prorated
payment in fiscal year 1998. Beginning in fiscal year 1998, current
year claims will be reviewed for acceptability and eligible for payment
in the following fiscal year, e.g., claims will be submitted by May 1
and technical and financial reviews will be completed and final
determinations made within one year with reimbursements made by April
30 of the following year, pending congressional appropriations for such
purpose.
After the payment of fiscal year 1998 funds against outstanding
approved claims through fiscal year 1997, there will be remaining
unpaid outstanding approved claims. Thus, any approved claim amounts
for fiscal year 1998 will be added to the outstanding balances and
eligible for prorated payment in fiscal year 1999 based on the
availability of funds from congressional appropriations.
DATES: The Department will process payments of approximately $40
million against outstanding approved claims through fiscal year 1997 by
April 30, 1998. The closing date for the submission of claims in fiscal
year 1998 is May 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Claims should be forwarded by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, to the U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque
Operations Office, Environmental Restoration Division, P.O. Box 5400,
Albuquerque, NM, 87185-5400, or by express mail to the U.S. Department
of
[[Page 5792]]
Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office, Environmental Restoration
Division, H and Pennsylvania Streets, Albuquerque, NM, 87116. All
claims should be addressed to the attention of Mr. James B. Coffey. Two
copies of the claim should be included with each submission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Messrs. James Coffey (505-845-4026) or
Gil Maldonado (505-845-4035), U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque
Operations Office, Environmental Restoration Division.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Energy published a final
rule under 10 CFR part 765 in the Federal Register on May 23, 1994 (59
FR 26714) to carry out the requirements of Title X of the Energy Policy
Act of 1992 (sections 1001-1004 of Pub. L. 102-486, 42 U.S.C. 2296a et
seq.) and to establish the procedures for eligible licensees to submit
claims for reimbursement. Title X requires the Department of Energy to
reimburse eligible uranium and thorium licensees for certain costs of
decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, and other remedial
action incurred by licensees at active uranium and thorium processing
sites to remediate byproduct material generated as an incident of sales
to the United States Government. To be reimbursable, costs of remedial
action must be for work which is necessary to comply with applicable
requirements of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978
(42 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) or, where appropriate, with requirements
established by a state pursuant to a discontinuance agreement under
section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2021). Claims
for reimbursement must be supported by reasonable documentation as
determined by the Department of Energy in accordance with 10 CFR part
765. Funds for reimbursement will be provided from the Uranium
Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund established at the
United States Department of Treasury pursuant to section 1801 of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2297g). Payment or obligation of
funds shall be subject to the requirements of the Anti-Deficiency Act
(31 U.S.C. 1341).
Authority: Section 1001-1004 of Pub. L. 102-46, 106 Stat. 2776
(42 U.S.C. 2296a et seq.).
Issued in Washington D.C. on this 28th of January, 1998.
David E. Mathes,
Leader, UMTRA/Surface Ground Water Team, Office of Southwestern Area
Programs, Environmental Restoration.
[FR Doc. 98-2688 Filed 2-3-98; 8:45 am]
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