[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 230 (Thursday, November 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61542-61543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29255]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

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

AGENCY: U.S. 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-
96CH10851 to the Institute of Regulatory Science

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 
educational 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 expand the availability of relevant published 
scientific information. The public will have easier access to data 
presented in relevant papers and consensus reports regarding BAS 
through their publication in the journal ``Technology:Journal of the 
Franklin Institute'' and a new ``Encyclopedia of Environment.'' 
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 

[[Page 61543]]
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, 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 a uniquely qualified individual, Dr. 
A. Alan Moghissi, Ph.D., President of the Institute for Regulatory 
Science. 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. Dr. 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) & (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 three 
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 November 21, 1995.
F.T. Sienko,
Acquisition & Assistance Group Acting Manager.
[FR Doc. 95-29255 Filed 11-29-95; 8:45 am]
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