[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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