[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36789-36790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17621]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
DOE Response to Recommendation 95-1 of the Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board, Improved Safety of Cylinders Containing
Depleted Uranium
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board published
Recommendation 95-1, concerning
[[Page 36790]]
Improved Safety of Cylinders Containing Depleted Uranium, in the
Federal Register on May 15, 1995 (60 FR 25893). Section 315(b) of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2286d(b) requires the
Department of Energy to transmit a response to the Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board by June 29, 1995. The Secretary's response
follows.
DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's
response are due on or before August 17, 1995.
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. Ray Hunter, Deputy Director of the
Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, Department of Energy,
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, D.C. 20585.
Issued in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 1995.
Mark B. Whitaker,
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety
Board.
June 29, 1995.
The Honorable John T. Conway,
Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana
Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Mr. Conway: On May 5, 1995, you provided Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board Recommendation 95-1 concerning improved
safety of cylinders containing depleted uranium. Before receiving
your recommendation, we were reviewing actions to be taken with
respect to the safe storage of the inventory of depleted uranium
hexafluoride. This material is stored at Portsmouth, Ohio; Paducah,
Kentucky, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The elements of your recommendation that relate to renewing the
protective coating of the depleted uranium hexafluoride cylinders
and the exploration of additional measures to protect and handle
these cylinders represent one part of the actions necessary for the
program. The Department will focus on the following activities:
Relocating cylinders from contact with the ground and
keeping all cylinders from further ground contact;
Relocating all cylinders into adequate inspection
configuration, and maintaining them as such;
Repainting cylinders as needed to avoid excessive
corrosion;
Updating handling and inspection procedures and site-
specific Safety Analysis Reports; and
Completion of an ongoing study that will include an
analysis of alternative chemical forms for the material.
With respect to the last item, the Department began the long-
term strategy selection process in November 1994. This process
includes engineering and cost analyses of various alternatives and
appropriate documentation under the National Environmental Policy
Act. As part of this effort, safety analyses of alternative chemical
forms will be performed.
We have identified a plan for the cylinders containing the
depleted uranium hexafluoride that will protect public health and
safety and lead to an environmentally sound long-term strategy for
managing the material. We also have a good understanding of the cost
of this program. We accept Recommendation 95-1.
Mr. Ray Hunter, Deputy Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy,
Science and Technology, is the responsible senior manager for the
preparation of the implementation plan. He can be reached at (202)
586-2240.
Sincerely,
Hazel R. O'Leary.
[FR Doc. 95-17621 Filed 7-17-95; 8:45 am]
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