[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47356-47357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22627]
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[[Page 47357]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Intent To Award a Grant to the Underground Injection Practices
Research Foundation
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy, Metairie Site Office.
ACTION: Notice of non-competitive financial assistance (grant).
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), Metairie Site Office announces
that it intends to make a Non-Competitive Financial Assistance Award
(Grant) through the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center to the
Underground Injection Practices Research Foundation (UIPRF) of the
Ground Water Protection Council (UIPRF). The action is necessary to
continue work related to Class II injection well operations in various
states throughout the country. The effort will continue implementation
of a Risk-Based Data Management System (RBDMS), conduct Class II
injection well Area of Review (AOR) workshops, and conduct a RBDMS
workshop.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh
Energy Technology Center, Acquisition and Assistance Division, P.O. Box
10940, MS 921-143, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, Attn.: Eric T. Bell,
Telephone: (412) 892-5802
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The UIPRF has proposed a three-task project
relating to Class II injection well operations in various states
throughout the country. Task I of the proposed project is designed to
continue implementation of a Risk-Based Data Management System (RBDMS).
Task 2 of this project is designed to develop and conduct workshops
using the guideline document developed by an UIPRF committee. These
workshops will be held in various locations to further assist the
regulator and industry in establishing Area of Review (AOR) variance
programs across the country. Task 3 of this project involves one
workshop on the RBDMS.
The Underground Injection Practices Council (UIPC) was formed in
1985 to work with various federal agencies, state underground injection
control (UIC) officials, municipal and county officials,
representatives of environmental groups, industry, scientists, and
others on safe and effective methods for waste disposal. The UIPC,
through its Research Foundation, conducts a comprehensive program of
original research and data collection and serves as a clearinghouse for
information on underground injection. The UIPC also conducts a variety
of educational programs and serves as a forum for the development of
more sound regulations and technical standards.
Greater emphasis is currently being placed on the ability of states
to justify their regulatory decisions, with interest in developing
reliable procedures for assessing the risks posed by oil and gas
injection wells increasing rapidly. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act,
agencies that implement UIC programs are required to prevent subsurface
injection that endangers an underground source of drinking water
(USDW).
In 1993 the UIPRF completed a grant from DOE that involved the
investigation of state environmental, oil, and gas data, and data
management systems that pertain to underground injection control. The
primary goal of this research was to increase the base of technical and
environmental knowledge related to the application of the UIPRF model
that has been developed to assess the risk of injection water
contaminating a USDW. The project involved four major tasks: (1)
conducting an inventory and needs assessment of the database management
systems of the 21 states that have primacy to supplement the UIC
requirements for Class II wells, (2) conducting investigations of six
state's data management system capabilities and making hardware and
software improvements, (3) conducting a Technical Symposium on Class II
injection wells relating to the application of the UIPRF model that was
developed to assess risk of injection water contaminating USDWs, and
(4) conducting investigations of four states' data management system
capabilities and making hardware and software improvements.
In 1994 the UIPRF initiated a two-task DOE-funded project. Task 1
of the project was designed to extend the implementation of a Risk-
Based Data Management System (RBDMS) in four states. Alaska,
Mississippi, Montana, and Nevada were given assistance with converting
data from existing data management systems; coding and internal testing
of the RBDMS; preparing documentation, training, and technology
transfer; and project management. Task 2 of the project offered
assistance in conducting four regional workshops related to Area of
Review (AOR) investigations and environmental compliance.
In accordance with 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2)(i) criteria (A) and (D), a
noncompetitive Financial Assistance Award to the UIPRF is justified.
This effort is a continuation of the two previous mentioned grants.
Competing this action would have a significant adverse effect on
continuity of the on-going program. The Applicant has exclusive
domestic capability to perform this activity successfully, based upon
the unique technical expertise of the UIPRF which will ensure maximum
utilization of existing state, federal, industry, and commercial
sources of data necessary to complete the study. This effort therefore
is considered suitable for noncompetitive financial assistance. A
competitive solicitation would be inappropriate.
DOE funding for this research is estimated to be $1,070,000 for the
24 month duration of the project. These funds will be used to pay for
the cost of research staff, administrative support personnel,
consultants, experts, and printing costs as necessary for the research
project.
Issued in Pittsburgh, PA, on August 31, 1995.
Richard D. Rogus,
Contracting Officer.
[FR Doc. 95-22627 Filed 9-11-95; 8:45 am]
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