[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 222 (Friday, November 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28567]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Office of Contractor Employee Protection; Availability of New 
Whistleblower Initiatives

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy today is giving notice that new 
Whistleblower Initiatives are available for public comment. The 
Initiatives are designed to strengthen the ability of the DOE's Federal 
and contractor employees to raise concerns relating to waste, fraud, or 
abuse; environment; safety and health; and other matters. Written 
comments provided during this period will be considered in the 
formulation of the final policies.

DATES: Parties wishing to comment on the Initiatives should do so in 
writing to the address given below by December 19, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments are to be submitted to the Office of 
Contractor Employee Protection, FM-40, Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585.
    A copy of the Initiatives is on display at the Department of Energy 
Reading Room, Room Number 1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585. The Reading Room is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays. A copy of the 
Initiatives also may be obtained by calling (202) 586-8289.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra L. Schneider or Richard S. Fein 
(202) 586-8289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The issuance of the new Initiatives follows 
through on a commitment the Secretary of Energy made at the June 27, 
1994, openness press conference to assure that DOE federal and 
contractor employees may express their views without fear of reprisal. 
The proposals include (1) measures to ensure that whistleblowers are 
not retaliated against by misuse of security clearance procedures; (2) 
provisions to limit the payment of contractor litigation costs in 
whistleblower cases; (3) enhanced use of alternative dispute 
resolution; (4) plans for an independent organization to conduct a 
comprehensive study of old cases to determine possible mechanisms ``to 
right past wrongs,'' and (5) establishment of an enhanced Department of 
Energy Employee Concerns Program.
    The Department has been encouraged by a number of successes that 
have been achieved since Secretary O'Leary met with 30 whistleblowers 
in November of last year. These have included settlement of long-
standing whistleblower complaints, resolution of security clearance 
issues, and ending contractor appeals in on-going litigation. The new 
Initiatives are intended to implement fully the Department's policy of 
``Zero Tolerance for Reprisal.''

    Issued in Washington, D.C., on November 14, 1994.
Sandra L. Schneider,
Director, Office of Contractor Employee Protection.
[FR Doc. 94-28567 Filed 11-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P