[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45150-45151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21536]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Nonproliferation and National Security; Study on the 
National Ignition Facility and the Issue of Nonproliferation

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Study, Request For Comment, and 
Public Meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Energy has committed the Department of Energy 
to resolve the question of whether the National Ignition Facility (NIF) 
will aid or hinder U.S. nonproliferation efforts. The Secretary 
directed the Department's Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 
in the Office of Nonproliferation and National Security, which has no 
programmatic responsibility for the NIF, to draft a study to examine 
its nonproliferation implications. Earlier this year, the Department 
held three public meetings in Oakland and Livermore, California, and 
Washington, DC, to solicit public comments on the draft outline of the 
NIF nonproliferation study (59 FR 67284, 60 FR 7180). As a result of 
these meetings and the comments received, the study was broadened from 
a technical analysis to include the arms control and nonproliferation 
policy implications of NIF.
    Today's notice is to announce that the draft study is now available 
for public review. The Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation will 
hold public meetings to provide the public with an opportunity to ask 
questions of DOE officials about the study; provide comments on strong 
and weak points of the draft study; and make suggestions for ways the 
Department could manage vertical and horizontal proliferation concerns 
at NIF. Each meeting will consist of an overview by DOE 
representatives, interactive discussion groups and a summary session.

DATES: Meetings will be held at each of the following sites: September 
21, 1995, in Washington, DC starting at 10 am and concluding at 3:30 pm 
and September 28, 1995, in Livermore, CA, with a daytime session at 9 
am until 1 pm and a repeat session in the evening from 6 pm until 10 
pm. In addition, written comments (8 copies) will be received by the 
Department until September 28, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at the following locations:

Washington, DC, September 21, 1995: U.S. Department of Energy, Main 
Auditorium, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
Livermore, CA, September 28, 1995: Research Drive Conference Center, 
2140 Research Drive, Livermore, CA

    Written comments (8 copies) should be addressed to: Lisa J. 
Evanson, NN-40, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20585.
    In the event any person wishing to submit a written comment cannot 
provide 8 copies, alternate arrangements can be made in advance by 
calling (202) 586-3012. It would be helpful if the following format 
were followed for written comments: (1) Note strong points of the 
study, (2) note weak points, and (3) provide your suggestions for ways 
to manage the vertical and horizontal proliferation concerns at NIF.
    Copies of the study will be available for reading and copying at 
the following locations:

U.S. Department of Energy, Freedom of Information Reading Room, Room 
1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-
6020, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Visitor's Center, East Gate and 
Greenville Road, Livermore, CA

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: After receiving comments from the public on 
the draft study, the Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation will 
revise the study and provide it, along with a compilation of public 
comment, to the Secretary for her decision.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the draft study and further 

[[Page 45151]]
information on the public meetings can be obtained from the Department 
by calling Andi Kasarsky at (202) 586-3012.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 24, 1995.
John J. Nettles, Jr.,
Acting Principal Deputy Director, Office of Nonproliferation and 
National Security.
[FR Doc. 95-21536 Filed 8-29-95; 8:45 am]
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