[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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