[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29197]


[Federal Register: November 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DOE Response to Recommendation 94-4, Deficiencies in Criticality 
Safety at Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, of the Defense Nuclear Facilities 
Safety Board.

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 315(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2286d(b) requires the Department of Energy to publish its 
response to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board recommendations for 
notice and public comment. The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 
published Recommendation 94-4, concerning deficiencies in criticality 
safety at Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, in the Federal Register on October 5, 
1994 (59 FR 50732).

DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's 
response are due on or before December 28, 1994.

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. Victor H. Reis, Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs, 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 
20585.

    Issued in Washington, D.C., on November 21, 1994.
Mark B. Whitaker,
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board.

November 18, 1994
The Honorable John T. Conway
Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Suite 700, 625 
Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004

    Dear Mr. Chairman: On September 27, 1994, the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board issued Recommendation 94-4, dealing with 
deficiencies in Criticality Safety at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. The 
Department accepts the recommendation.
    The Department has initiated actions to resolve nuclear 
criticality safety and conduct of operations deficiencies at the Y-
12 Plant. Shutdown nuclear operations will not resume until all 
necessary corrective and compensatory measures are in place. The 
Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs has provided, under 
separate cover, a plan detailing specific requirements for restart 
of operations, as well as a report explaining how the deficiencies 
remained undetected.
    In addition, the Department will develop an implementation plan 
to: 1) evaluate compliance with Operational Safety Requirements and 
Criticality Safety Approvals; 2) comprehensively review the Y-12 
Plant's nuclear criticality safety program; 3) assess the current 
level of conduct of operations at the Y-12 Plant; 4) evaluate the 
experience, training, and performance of key Department of Energy 
and contractor personnel involved in safety-related activities at 
the Y-12 Plant; and 5) correct any identified deficiencies.
    We will work closely with you and your staff to develop a 
responsive Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan will be 
forwarded to you in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 22864. The 
Implementation Plan will provide specific milestones for 
accomplishing the commitments described in the preceding paragraph.
      Sincerely,
Hazel R. O'Leary.
[FR Doc. 94-29197 Filed 11-25-94; 8:45 am]
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