[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47551-47552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22756]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Chicago Operations Office; Award Based on Acceptance of an 
Unsolicited Application

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Financial Assistance Award in Response to an 
Unsolicited Financial Assistance Application.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy announces that pursuant to 10 
CFR 600.14(e), it plans to negotiate and award Grant Number DE-FG02-
95CH10846 to the Equity Research Corp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The anticipated objective of the award is to 
provide for the application of ``Best Available Science'' (BAS) to the 
reevaluation of assessment methods based on scientific knowledge rather 
than opinions or value judgements. This proposal provides for a unique 
approach to choose the best available scientific information in that it 
suggests a clear separation of science from societal goals to enhance 
the accuracy of estimating environmental risks in an attempt to limit 
costly adverse effects. These goals will provide scientifically based 
data for others to utilize in pursuing environmental issues in the 
education arena and provide the general public as well as the 
professional societies, knowledge of how risk factors were determined 
by making consensus reports more accessible. This proposal provides a 
public service by providing the public with the best and most accurate 
scientific information with respect to utilizing the Best Available 
Science. DOE's Office of Environmental Management believes that there 
is a high probability of achieving the objectives.
    The public is greatly served if environmental decisions would be 
based on BAS. It is the belief of the grantee that objectively computed 
risks will be somewhat lower than those based upon societal objectives. 
The lower the risk, the smaller the costs for adverse effects caused 
within the human health and environmental areas. It is likely that if 
this approach is successful the cost of environmental protection would 
be significantly reduced. Consequently, a higher level of environmental 
protection could be achieved by the current level of funding. 
Additional benefits of this project are enhancement of public and 
university education and increases in the availability of relevant 
published scientific formation. Through the introduction of the 
publication, ``Technology'' and the first volume of ``Encyclopedia of 
Environment'' the public will have easier access to data presented in 
relevant papers and consensus reports regarding BAS. Education will be 
enhanced by the utilization of high school or community college 
minority students in researching environmental issues while applying 
BAS, participating with professional organizations in providing 
environmental courses, participation in technical conferences to 
discuss BAS for environmental issues, as well as participating in 
technical panels and making presentations to various groups regarding 
BAS in human health and environmental concerns.
    The grantee plans to obtain this objective by educating students 
and professional organizations about the benefits and needs of BAS in 
relation to existing practices; and the dissemination of scientific 
information through the Technology publication and the new Encyclopedia 
of Environment. To assure reliance upon BAS the grantee proposes the 
utilization of not-for-profit professional organizations which include 
the following: (1) the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); 
(2) the American Association for the Advancement of Technology (AAAT); 
(3) the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES); and (4) 
the National Council and Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRPM). 
These organizations can provide peer-review of scientific aspects of 
the societal decisions, can reach a consensus on scientific subjects 
related to protection of human health and the environment, and can 
support the publication of relevant BAS. In addition, and in accordance 
with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), an organization 
was formed and is known by its Spanish acronym ``CEPA'' which is 
composed of Universities in Mexico and the U.S. which pursue 
environmental protection in Mexico. The proposed approach permits the 
development of relevant information based on scientific consensus, 
education of the professionals and high school students, 

[[Page 47552]]
and publication of relevant materials for the benefit of the scientific 
community, regulators, legislators, and above all, the general public.
    The technical team is led by an outstanding and uniquely qualified 
individual, Dr. A. Alan Moghissi, Ph.D., Vice President for Science and 
Education at Equity Research Corporation. He has broad regulatory 
experience and has served as a Senior Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) policy official. His interaction with industry over the years has 
fulfilled a critical need in obtaining an industry perspective. He has 
gained credibility with the intervener community and Congress as a 
credible spokesman in the area of technical assessment of societal 
decisions. For the past 11 years under grants for this effort, Dr. 
Moghissi has gained unique experience and specialized knowledge in the 
reevaluation of risk assessments for human health and the environment. 
An example of the kind of accomplishments he has made is evident in the 
regulatory change that was made for tritium standards in drinking 
water. Moghissi, because of his unique past experience as stated above, 
is uniquely qualified to perform the proposed research.
    This award meets the criteria for selection of an unsolicited 
application as specified under 10 CFR 600.14(e) (i) and (ii). Under 
subparagraph (i) the application is meritorious based on the foregoing 
general evaluation which is required by 10 CFR 600.14(d). Under 
subparagraph (ii) the proposed project represents a unique, innovative 
idea, method and approach which would not otherwise be eligible for 
funding under any other known recent, current, or planned solicitation 
and a competitive solicitation would be inappropriate. This award would 
be for approximately 5 years at an estimated total cost of 2.9 million 
dollars.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Ramirez, Contract Specialist, 
(708) 252-2133; U.S. Department of Energy, 9800 South Cass Avenue, 
Argonne, Illinois 60439.

    Issued in Chicago, Illinois on August 31, 1995.
Cherri J. Langenfeld,
Manager, Chicago Operations Office.
[FR Doc. 95-22756 Filed 9-12-95; 8:45 am]
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