[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66269-66270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31961]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DOE Response to Recommendation 96-1 of the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board, In-Tank Precipitation System of the Savannah 
River Site

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board published 
Recommendation 96-1, concerning the In-Tank Precipitation System at the 
Savannah River Site, in the Federal Register on August 23, 1996 (61 FR 
43534). 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 October 7, 
1996. The Secretary's response follows:

DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's 
response are due on or before January 16, 1997.

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. Lee Watkins, Assistant Manager for High Level Waste, Department of 
Energy, Savannah River Operations Office, Road 1, Aiken, South Carolina 
29801.

    Issued in Washington, D.C., on October 8, 1996.
Mark B. Whitaker,
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board.

September 16, 1996.
The Honorable John T. Conway,
Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana 
Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20004.

    Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your August 14, 1996, letter 
transmitting the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's 
Recommendation 96-1. The Department accepts Recommendation 96-1.
    Safe operation of the In-Tank Precipitation System is vital to 
the success of the entire high-level waste system at the Savannah 
River Site, and an adequate understanding of benzene generation and 
release is necessary for safe operation. We appreciate your offer to 
allocate priority resources to join in the expedited development of 
a mutually acceptable Implementation Plan, and we look forward to 
your assistance in this matter.
    The Savannah River Operations Office has directed that necessary 
modifications are completed and approval of a revised safety basis 
be obtained prior to resuming process operations of the In-Tank 
Precipitation System. Discussions between the Board, Board staff 
members, and Savannah River personnel on August 28, 1996, were 
beneficial in clarifying expectations for:
     The identification of catalysts that contribute to 
benzene generation in the facility;
     Investigation of the chemical and physical mechanisms 
that could influence the retention or release of benzene in the 
waste slurry;
     Adequacy of safety measures, including the 
Authorization Basis, for in-plant testing and full operation of the 
system; and
     Laboratory testing to improve the understanding of the 
tetraphenylborate chemistry in the waste slurries.
    As stated in the Recommendation, the Department and Westinghouse 
Savannah River Company have brought substantial expertise to bear on 
understanding the science of the In-Tank Precipitation System 
process, and we will continue to do so as we work to ensure a 
successful resolution of this Recommendation.
    Given the site-specific nature of the Recommendation, I have 
designated Mr. Lee Watkins, the Assistant Manager for High Level 
Waste, Savannah River Operations Office, as the responsible manager 
for the preparation of the Implementation Plan. Mr. Watkins can be 
reached on (803) 208-6053.


[[Page 66270]]


        Sincerely,
Hazel R. O'Leary
[FR Doc. 96-31961 Filed 12-16-96; 8:45 am]
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