95-21155. Tritium Supply and Recycling Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 165 (Friday, August 25, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 44327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21155]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Tritium Supply and Recycling Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of limited reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating alternatives for 
an assured, long-term supply of tritium, a radioactive gas which is a 
necessary component of every nuclear weapon in the Nation's stockpile. 
On March 17, 1995, the DOE announced the availability of the Tritium 
Supply and Recycling Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 
(PEIS) (60 FR 14433, March 17, 1995). Public hearings to receive 
comments on the draft PEIS were held and the public comment period 
closed on May 15, 1995. The purpose of this notice is to reopen the 
comment period for 21 days in order to solicit comments on the 
Department's intention to consider utilizing a commercial reactor or 
reactors (either by purchasing a reactor or securing irradiation 
services) as a reasonable alternative in the Tritium Supply and 
Recycling Final PEIS.

DATES: Comments on using commercial reactors to produce tritium, 
including the additional comments on the analysis of potential 
environmental impacts described in the Tritium Supply and Recycling 
Draft PEIS, are invited from the public. To ensure consideration in the 
preparation of the final PEIS, comments must be postmarked by September 
15, 1995. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: General questions concerning the Tritium Supply and 
Recycling program and/or comments on this notice can be asked by 
calling the toll-free telephone number at 1-800-776-2765, or by writing 
to: Stephen M. Sohinki, Director, Office of Reconfiguration, U.S. 
Department of Energy, P.O. Box 3417, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    As an alternative, comments can also be submitted electronically by 
using the Federal Information Exchange bulletin board and following the 
instructions listed below:

Modem: Dial Toll Free [phone]. Local [phone]. (Modem 
parameters set at: `8' data bits, `1' stop bit and `N' parity at 1200, 
2400 or 9600 baud.)
InterNet: Telenet or Gopher to: fedix.fie.com or 192.111.228.33
Hours: Available 24 hours a day. A Help Line, [phone], is 
available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST, except Federal 
holidays.
Costs: Free, no cost to users. No telephone, registration, access, or 
downloading fees.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the DOE 
NEPA process, please contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of 
NEPA Policy and Assistance, EH-42, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585, [phone] or 1-
800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tritium Supply and Recycling Draft PEIS 
considered utilizing commercial reactors to supply tritium, but 
eliminated this alternative from detailed study because the Department 
thought that: (1) the production of tritium for defense purposes in 
nuclear reactors that generate electricity for commercial sale would be 
contrary to the long-standing policy of the United States that civilian 
nuclear facilities should not be utilized for military purposes; and 
(2) such utilization of commercial reactors would make the United 
States' nonproliferation efforts much more difficult. Despite these 
concerns, the Draft PEIS included an evaluation of the environmental 
impacts of using an existing commercial reactor to make tritium because 
there were two scenarios mentioned in the Draft PEIS in which the 
Department was prepared at that time to consider using such a reactor. 
Under the first scenario, the Department would purchase an existing 
commercial reactor and convert it to defense purposes rather than 
construct a new tritium supply facility. Under the second scenario, the 
Department would purchase irradiation services as a contingency source 
of tritium in the event of a national emergency. Under both of these 
scenarios, the reactor would continue to produce electricity for sale.
    During the public comment period, several commentors asserted that 
both scenarios described in the Draft PEIS have the potential to be a 
low-cost option and should be considered reasonable. Commentors 
asserted that use of an existing commercial reactor to produce tritium 
would not violate any law nor weaken nonproliferation efforts, and that 
any past policy objections should be reconsidered.
    After further evaluation of this issue, and in response to public 
comments, the Department has determined that both scenarios involving 
commercial reactors should be treated as reasonable alternatives in the 
final PEIS. The environmental impacts of using an existing commercial 
reactor to produce tritium, which are already described in Sec. 4.10 of 
the Draft PEIS, are the same regardless of whether irradiation services 
are purchased (either as a contingency or as a primary option) or a 
commercial reactor is purchased and converted to defense purposes. The 
Department invites comment on the proposal to include the two scenarios 
for using commercial reactors to produce tritium as reasonable 
alternatives. In addition, the Department invites any additional 
comment on the analysis contained in Sec. 4.10 of the Draft PEIS.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. this 21st day of August 1995, for the 
United States Department of Energy.
Everet H. Beckner,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-21155 Filed 8-24-95; 8:45 am]
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