[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53398-53400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26594]
[[Page 53398]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Production of
Plutonium-238 for Use in Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems for Future
Space Missions
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DOE
announces its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the proposed production of plutonium-238 (Pu-238) using one or more
DOE research reactors and facilities. The Pu-238 would be used in
advanced radioisotope power systems for potential future space
missions. Without a long-term supply of Pu-238, DOE would not be able
to provide the radioisotope power systems that may be required for
these potential future space missions, and the Department would not
fulfill the intended space nuclear power role assigned to the
Department in the National Space Policy statement issued on September
19, 1996. This assigned role of maintaining the space nuclear
capability is also consistent with the Department's charter under the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The Department's space nuclear
power role has been recognized for over 35 years in annual
appropriations to the Department and its predecessor agencies. This EIS
will analyze the potential environmental impacts of establishing a
domestic capability to produce Pu-238 including the storage of
neptunium-237 (Np-237), fabrication of Np-237 targets, irradiation of
targets to produce Pu-238, and the processing of these targets to
isolate the Pu-238 and recycle the Np-237. Alternatives to be analyzed
for the fabrication of Np-237 targets and for processing the irradiated
targets include the use of the Radiochemical Engineering Development
Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the Fuels and Materials Examination
Facility at the Hanford Site near Richland, Washington. Alternative
facilities for the irradiation of targets for Pu-238 production include
the Advanced Test Reactor near Idaho Falls, Idaho, the Fast Flux Test
Facility at the Hanford Site, Washington, and the High Flux Isotope
Reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The ``No Action'' alternative would
assess the impacts of not establishing a domestic production source for
Pu-238 while preserving the option to purchase Pu-238 from Russia. In
addition, a second ``No Action'' alternative will evaluate the need for
preserving Np-237 for potential future use even if a near-term domestic
production capability is not established. The option to purchase Pu-238
from Russia would still remain a viable alternative to domestic Pu-238
production.
DOE invites individuals, organizations, and agencies to submit oral
and/or written comments regarding the scope of the EIS, including the
environmental issues and alternatives that the EIS should analyze.
DATES: The public scoping period begins with the publication of this
Notice in the Federal Register (FR) and will continue until November 4,
1998. Written comments postmarked or submitted by fax or electronic
mail by that date will be considered in preparation of the EIS. Later
comments will be considered to the extent practicable.
DOE will conduct public scoping meetings to assist in defining the
appropriate scope of the EIS including the significant environmental
issues to be addressed. DOE plans to hold scoping meetings in the
vicinity of the proposed alternative sites under consideration (i.e.,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Engineering and
Environmental Laboratory, and Hanford sites). The date, time, and
location will be announced through the local media as soon as
determined but at least 15 days prior to the date of the meetings.
ADDRESSES: Please direct comments or suggestions on the scope of the
EIS, requests to speak at the public scoping meetings, requests for
special arrangements to enable participation at scoping meetings (e.g.,
interpreter for the hearing impaired), and questions concerning the
project to: Colette Brown, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and
Technology (NE-50), U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road,
Germantown, MD 20874, Telephone: 301-903-6924, Facsimile: 301-903-1510,
Electronic Mail: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request information about this EIS,
or to be placed on the EIS document distribution list, please call the
24-hour toll-free information line at 1-800-708-2680. For general
information about the DOE NEPA process, please contact: Carol
Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20585-0119, Telephone: 202-586-4600 or leave a message at 1-800-472-
2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, DOE and its
predecessor agencies have been developing radioisotope power systems
(RPS) and Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) and supplying them to the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for more than 30
years. The radioisotope used in these systems is Pu-238. These systems
have repeatedly demonstrated their value as enabling technologies in
various NASA missions. DOE has projected that, over the next 20 to 25
years, NASA will continue to conduct missions that will require or
would be enabled or enhanced by RPS fueled with Pu-238.
Under the National Space Policy issued by the Office of Science and
Technology Policy in September 1996, and in accordance with its nuclear
charter under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, DOE has
responsibility to assure that it maintains the capability to provide
the nuclear infrastructure, including the Pu-238, needed to support
these missions. The Intersector Guidelines section of the National
Space Policy states that ``The Department of Energy will maintain the
necessary capability to support space missions which may require the
use of space nuclear power systems.'' Historically, the reactors and
chemical processing facilities at DOE's Savannah River Site (SRS) have
been used to produce Pu-238 by the irradiation of targets containing
Np-237. The irradiated targets were moved from the reactor site to a
chemical processing facility where the targets were processed and the
Pu-238 was recovered as an oxide powder. The remaining Np-237 was
recovered for recycle into additional targets. The Pu-238 oxide powder
was then shipped to facilities for producing pellets that were in turn
shipped to another DOE site to make the RPS unit. As a result of the
downsizing of the DOE nuclear weapons complex due to end of the Cold
War, the reactors used to produce Pu-238 at SRS have been shut down.
The radiochemical processing facilities at SRS are also planned to be
shut down in the near future after existing supplies of radioactive
materials no longer needed to support DOE's missions have been
processed into a form suitable for long-term storage or disposal.
In 1992, DOE signed a contract to purchase Pu-238 from Russia
allowing the U.S. to purchase up to 40 kilograms (kgs) of Pu-238. Under
this contract, DOE purchased 9 kgs of Pu-238, and in 1997, extended the
contract for another five years. This option, therefore,
[[Page 53399]]
continues to be viable. However, it is unclear whether this option will
continue to be reliable or viable once the existing contract has
expired. The political and economic climate in Russia creates
uncertainties about the reliability of this source of Pu-238 to satisfy
potential future NASA space mission requirements. Therefore, DOE
proposes to reestablish a reliable domestic capability for producing
Pu-238 to satisfy these foreseeable space mission requirements. Since
the facilities previously used at SRS are no longer available for the
production of Pu-238, DOE needs to evaluate other existing DOE reactors
and chemical processing facilities for target irradiation and
separation of Pu-238. The environmental impacts of purchasing Pu-238
from Russia have already been evaluated and are documented in the
Environmental Assessment of the Import of Russian Plutonium-238 (DOE/
EA-0841, June 1993) prepared by DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy, Science
and Technology.
Purpose and Need for the Agency Action
In accordance with its responsibilities under the National Space
Policy issued in September 1996 and consistent with its charter under
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, DOE is proposing to
establish a reliable domestic supply source for Pu-238 to meet the
radioisotope-fueled power requirements for future space missions. A
near-term decision is needed for two primary reasons. First, the
existing inventory of Pu-238 which is available for space missions
(approximately 9 kgs, primarily material purchased from Russia) will be
exhausted by about 2004. Though additional firm missions cannot be
specified at this time, over a planning horizon of the next 20 to 25
years, some future space missions will require Pu-238-fueled RPS. A Pu-
238 production rate of 2-5 kgs/year would be sufficient to meet these
projected long-term user requirements. Second, the production of Pu-238
begins with the irradiation of Np-237 targets. The United States' only
inventory of Np-237 is currently being stored at SRS in an aqueous
nitrate solution and will require processing to an oxide form prior to
fabrication into targets for irradiation. The environmental impact of
converting this material to an oxide form has been addressed in DOE's
Office of Environmental Management EIS on the Interim Management of
Nuclear Materials at the Savannah River Site (DOE/EIS-0220, October
1995). Unless the Np-237 is used in the production of Pu-238, the
Department will establish plans for the future disposition of this
material.
Alternatives to be Evaluated
The EIS will analyze a range of reasonable alternatives for the
proposed production and processing of 2-5 kgs per year of Pu-238.
``Production'' includes the irradiation of Np-237 targets in
reactor(s); ``processing'' includes a Np-237 storage capability and a
target fabrication and processing capability (before and after
irradiation). Transportation of Np-237 to and from the reactor site for
storage and/or processing will also be addressed in this EIS. The
alternatives identified for analysis have been selected on the basis of
availability of facilities and technical feasibility for accomplishing
the proposed production of Pu-238.
No Action Alternative #1
Under this alternative, DOE would maintain the status quo. No
domestic Pu-238 production capability would be established. DOE would
rely on its existing Pu-238 inventory to meet the power requirements of
near-term space missions and on additional Pu-238 purchases from Russia
to enable future space missions. The Department would dispose of the
Np-237 currently stored at SRS.
No Action Alternative #2
Under this alternative, no domestic Pu-238 production capability
would be established. However, to fulfill DOE's responsibility to
maintain the RPS supply infrastructure, including the capability to
produce Pu-238, DOE will evaluate the alternative of transferring the
Np-237 (converted to an oxide form) from SRS to a new storage site for
possible future Pu-238 production. This alternative would preserve the
Np-237 for potential future use. DOE would rely on additional purchases
of Pu-238 from Russia for future space missions.
Alternative Sites for Irradiation
Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Engineering and
Environmental Laboratory (INEEL): Under this alternative, DOE would
irradiate targets (fabricated from Np-237 currently stored at SRS) in
the ATR to produce up to 2-5 kgs/year of Pu-238. ATR is an operating
test reactor with a main programmatic mission to support the Naval
Reactor Fuels Program. Not impacting the primary mission of the reactor
would be a prerequisite of applying this alternative.
Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) at the Hanford Site: Under this
alternative, DOE would irradiate Np-237 targets in FFTF to produce up
to 2-5 kgs/year of Pu-238 FFTF is currently in a standby mode and is
being evaluated for potential production of tritium and medical
isotopes and for other missions. Operating FFTF for the Pu-238 mission
alone would not be economic; however, if a decision is made to restart
FFTF for other purposes, it would be a reasonable alternative for Pu-
238 production. A decision on the future of FFTF is anticipated during
the timeframe of this EIS.
High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at the Oak Ridge National
Laboratory (ORNL): Under this alternative, DOE would irradiate Np-237
targets in HFIR to produce 1 to 2 kgs/year of Pu-238. The use of HFIR
for production of small quantities of Pu-238 is compatible with the
primary neutron scattering and transuranic radioisotope production
mission of that reactor. However, current estimates are that Pu-238
production would need to be limited to a rate of 1 to 2 kgs/year.
Production of more than this amount would disrupt experimental programs
currently being conducted in the HFIR core. Therefore, use of this
irradiation facility would have to be supplemented by additional
facilities to meet the projected demand.
Alternative Sites for Storage of Np-237, Fabrication of Targets, and
Processing of Irradiated Targets
Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC) at ORNL: Under
this alternative, DOE would use REDC to perform all the processing
activities, including Np-237 storage and target fabrication and post-
irradiation processing to extract the Pu-238, and to recycle the
unconverted Np-237 into new targets. REDC is located in the same
complex as HFIR.
Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF) at the Hanford
Site: Under this alternative, DOE would use FMEF to perform all the
processing activities, including Np-237 storage and target fabrication
and post-irradiation processing to extract the Pu-238, and to recycle
the unconverted Np-237 into new targets. FMEF, which is located near
FFTF, could be modified to install all required support facilities for
the Pu-238 program. In its Surplus Plutonium Disposition Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (July 1998), DOE is also analyzing the
use of FMEF as a reasonable alternative for the siting of surplus
plutonium disposition facilities, and this analysis could impact the
use of FMEF as a reasonable alternative to perform these chemical
processing operations.
[[Page 53400]]
Preliminary Environmental Analysis
The following issues have been tentatively identified for analysis
in the EIS. This list is neither intended to be all inclusive nor is it
a predetermination of potential environmental impacts. The list is
presented to facilitate comments on the scope of the EIS. Additions to
or deletions from this list may occur as a result of the public scoping
process.
Health and Safety: potential public and occupational
consequences from construction, routine operation, transportation, and
credible accident scenarios.
Waste Management/Pollution Prevention: types of wastes
expected to be generated, handled, and stored; pollution prevention
opportunities and the potential consequences to public safety and the
environment.
Hazardous Materials: handling, storage, and use; both
present and future.
Background Radiation: cosmic, rock, soil, water, and air
and the potential addition of radiation.
Water Resources: surface and groundwater hydrology, water
use and quality, and the potential for degradation.
Air Quality: meteorological conditions, ambient
background, sources, and potential for degradation.
Earth Resources: physiography, topography, geology, and
soil characteristics.
Land Use: plans, policies, and controls.
Noise: ambient, sources, and sensitive receptors.
Ecological Resources: wetlands, aquatic, terrestrial,
economically/recreationally important species, and threatened and
endangered species.
Socioeconomic: demography, economic base, labor pool,
housing, transportation, utilities, public services/facilities,
education, recreation, and cultural resources.
Natural Disasters: floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and
seismic events.
Unavoidable Adverse Impacts.
Natural and Depletable Resources: requirements and
conservation potential.
Environmental Justice: any potential disproportionately
high and adverse impacts to minority and low income populations.
Scoping Meetings
The purpose of this Notice is to encourage public involvement in
the EIS process and to solicit public comments on the proposed scope
and content of the EIS. DOE will hold public scoping meetings near
ORNL, INEEL, and Hanford to solicit both oral and written comments from
interested parties. The date, time, and location will be announced
through the local media as soon as determined but at least 15 days
prior to the date of the meetings.
In order to facilitate an understanding of the program's
objectives, DOE personnel will be available at the scoping meetings to
explain the program to the public and answer questions. DOE will
designate a facilitator for the scoping meetings. At the opening of
each meeting, the facilitator will establish the order of speakers and
will announce any additional procedures necessary for conducting the
meetings. To ensure that all persons wishing to make a presentation are
given the opportunity, each speaker may be limited to five minutes,
except for public officials and representatives of groups, who will be
allotted ten minutes each. DOE encourages those providing oral comments
to also submit them in writing. Comment cards will also be available
for those who prefer to submit their comments in written form. Speakers
may be asked clarifying questions, but the scoping meetings will not be
conducted as evidentiary hearings.
A toll free telephone number has been established to receive public
comments. Interested parties may call (800) 708-2680 and leave a
detailed message with their comments.
DOE will make transcripts of the scoping meetings and project-
related materials available for public review in the following reading
rooms:
U.S. Department of Energy, Freedom of Information Public Reading Room,
Forrestal Building, Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20585, Telephone: (202) 586-3142
Oak Ridge Operations Office, DOE Oak Ridge Public Reading Room, U.S.
Department of Energy, 200 Administration Road, Room G-217, P.O. Box
2001, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, Telephone: (423) 576-1216 or (423) 241-4780
Richland Operations Office, DOE Public Reading Room, 2770 University
Drive CIC, Room 101L, P.O. Box 999, mail stop H2-53, Richland, WA
99352, Telephone: (509) 372-7443
Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, DOE-Idaho
Operations Office Public Reading Room, 1776 Science Center Drive, Idaho
Falls, ID 83415, Telephone: (208) 526-0271
NEPA Process
The EIS for the proposed Production of Plutonium-238 for Use in
Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems for Space Missions will be prepared
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the
Council on Environmental Quality's Regulations for Implementing the
Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and DOE's NEPA
Regulations (10 CFR Part 1021).
A 45-day comment period on the draft EIS is planned, and public
hearings to receive comments will be held approximately 3 weeks after
distribution of the draft EIS. The draft EIS is expected to be issued
during Spring 1999. Availability of the draft EIS, the dates of the
public comment period, and information about the public hearings will
be announced in the Federal Register and in the local news media when
the draft EIS is distributed.
The final EIS, which will consider the public comments received on
the draft EIS, is expected to be published during Fall 1999. No sooner
than 30 days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of
availability of the final EIS is published in the Federal Register, DOE
will issue its Record of Decision and publish it in the Federal
Register.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 29th day of September 1998.
Peter N. Brush,
Acting Assistant Secretary Environment, Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 98-26594 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
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