[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2143-2144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-854]
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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.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the Department of Energy's acceptance of
claims for reimbursement. Approximately $30 million in funds for fiscal
year 2000 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.
[[Page 2144]]
After the payment of fiscal year 2000 funds against outstanding
approved claims through fiscal year 1999, there will be remaining
unpaid outstanding approved claims. Thus any approved claim amounts for
fiscal year 2000 will be added to the outstanding balances and eligible
for prorated payment in fiscal year 2001 based on the availability of
funds from Congressional appropriations.
Title X establishes additional requirements for the reimbursement
of any costs incurred after December 31, 2002. For any such costs to be
eligible for reimbursement, a licensee must submit a plan for
subsequent remedial action during calendar years 2000 or 2001, and a
plan must be approved by the Department no later than the end of
calendar year 2002. Because of the advance planning that is part of the
Federal budget process, licensees are encouraged to submit their plans
for subsequent remedial action in 2000 to assure adequate time for
review and approval.
DATES: The Department will process payments of approximately $30
million against outstanding approved claims through fiscal year 1999 by
April 28, 2000. The closing date for the submission of claims in fiscal
year 2000 is May 1, 2000.
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 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).
Submission and Approval of Plans for Subsequent Remedial Action
This notice also provides a reminder of the requirements for
eligibility for reimbursement of costs incurred after December 31,
2002. Section 1001. (b)(1)(B)(ii) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992
directs the Secretary of Energy to place into escrow funds for the
reimbursement of costs incurred after December 31, 2002, in accordance
with a plan for subsequent decontamination, decommissioning,
reclamation, and other remedial action approved by the Secretary. Funds
are to be placed into escrow no later than December 31, 2002.
10 CFR 765.30 and 765.31 (59 FR 26730-26731) presents the
Department's requirements and procedures for the submission and
approval of plans for subsequent remedial action. Plans for subsequent
remedial action may be submitted any time after January 1, 2000, but no
later than December 31, 2001. Plans must be approved prior to December
31, 2002, to be eligible for reimbursement. Fiscal year 2003, beginning
October 1, 2002, will be the last budget year in which funds can be
placed into escrow for the reimbursement of subsequent remedial action.
Because the Federal budget cycle is nearly three years from the
beginning of formulation to end of execution, the Department will have
to develop final estimates of the total escrow requirement no later
than early calendar year 2001. Therefore, the licensees are encouraged
to submit their plans for subsequent remedial action to allow
sufficient time for review and approval prior to the formulation of the
future years' budget requests.
Authority: Section 1001-1004 of Pub. L. 102-46, 106 Stat. 2776
(42 U.S.C. 2296a et seq.).
Issued in Washington, DC on this 7th day of January, 2000.
David E. Mathes,
Leader, Small Sites Closure Office, Albuquerque/Nevada Team, Office of
Site Closure.
[FR Doc. 00-854 Filed 1-12-00; 8:45 am]
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