[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5791-5792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2688]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Reimbursement for Costs of Remedial Action at Active Uranium and 
Thorium Processing Sites

AGENCY: Office of Environmental Management, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the acceptance of claims and the availability of 
funds for reimbursement in fiscal year 1998.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the Department of Energy acceptance of 
claims for reimbursement. Approximately $40 million in funds for fiscal 
year 1998 are available for reimbursement of certain costs of remedial 
action at eligible active uranium and thorium processing sites pursuant 
to Title X of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
    In fiscal year 1998, the Department will be implementing a new 
schedule for payment of claims. Fiscal year 1998 funds will be applied 
to outstanding approved claims from fiscal year 1997 and prior years. 
Since the outstanding approved claims from fiscal year 1997 and prior 
fiscal years exceed $40 million, they will be subject to prorated 
payment in fiscal year 1998. Beginning in fiscal year 1998, current 
year claims will be reviewed for acceptability and eligible for payment 
in the following fiscal year, e.g., claims will be submitted by May 1 
and technical and financial reviews will be completed and final 
determinations made within one year with reimbursements made by April 
30 of the following year, pending congressional appropriations for such 
purpose.
    After the payment of fiscal year 1998 funds against outstanding 
approved claims through fiscal year 1997, there will be remaining 
unpaid outstanding approved claims. Thus, any approved claim amounts 
for fiscal year 1998 will be added to the outstanding balances and 
eligible for prorated payment in fiscal year 1999 based on the 
availability of funds from congressional appropriations.

DATES: The Department will process payments of approximately $40 
million against outstanding approved claims through fiscal year 1997 by 
April 30, 1998. The closing date for the submission of claims in fiscal 
year 1998 is May 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Claims should be forwarded by certified or registered mail, 
return receipt requested, to the U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque 
Operations Office, Environmental Restoration Division, P.O. Box 5400, 
Albuquerque, NM, 87185-5400, or by express mail to the U.S. Department 
of

[[Page 5792]]

Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office, Environmental Restoration 
Division, H and Pennsylvania Streets, Albuquerque, NM, 87116. All 
claims should be addressed to the attention of Mr. James B. Coffey. Two 
copies of the claim should be included with each submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Messrs. James Coffey (505-845-4026) or 
Gil Maldonado (505-845-4035), U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque 
Operations Office, Environmental Restoration Division.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Energy published a final 
rule under 10 CFR part 765 in the Federal Register on May 23, 1994 (59 
FR 26714) to carry out the requirements of Title X of the Energy Policy 
Act of 1992 (sections 1001-1004 of Pub. L. 102-486, 42 U.S.C. 2296a et 
seq.) and to establish the procedures for eligible licensees to submit 
claims for reimbursement. Title X requires the Department of Energy to 
reimburse eligible uranium and thorium licensees for certain costs of 
decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, and other remedial 
action incurred by licensees at active uranium and thorium processing 
sites to remediate byproduct material generated as an incident of sales 
to the United States Government. To be reimbursable, costs of remedial 
action must be for work which is necessary to comply with applicable 
requirements of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 
(42 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) or, where appropriate, with requirements 
established by a state pursuant to a discontinuance agreement under 
section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2021). Claims 
for reimbursement must be supported by reasonable documentation as 
determined by the Department of Energy in accordance with 10 CFR part 
765. Funds for reimbursement will be provided from the Uranium 
Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund established at the 
United States Department of Treasury pursuant to section 1801 of the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2297g). Payment or obligation of 
funds shall be subject to the requirements of the Anti-Deficiency Act 
(31 U.S.C. 1341).

    Authority: Section 1001-1004 of Pub. L. 102-46, 106 Stat. 2776 
(42 U.S.C. 2296a et seq.).

    Issued in Washington D.C. on this 28th of January, 1998.
David E. Mathes,
Leader, UMTRA/Surface Ground Water Team, Office of Southwestern Area 
Programs, Environmental Restoration.
[FR Doc. 98-2688 Filed 2-3-98; 8:45 am]
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