[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74563-74564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31700]


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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 Title X claims for reimbursement in 
fiscal year (FY) 2004.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the Department of Energy (DOE) 
acceptance of claims in FY 2004 from eligible active uranium and 
thorium processing sites for reimbursement under Title X of the Energy 
Policy Act of 1992. In FY 2004, Congress appropriated $51 million for 
the Title X reimbursement program. Because of the amount of unpaid 
approved claims within the current reimbursement ceilings 
(approximately $80 million), DOE plans to accelerate the FY 2004 
reimbursements to licensees in advance of the April 30, 2004, 
regulatory deadline. These payments will be prorated based on the 
amount of FY 2004 appropriations, unpaid approved claim balances 
(approximately $80 million), and claims received in May 2003 
(approximately $38 million).

DATES: The closing date for the submission of claims in FY 2004 is May 
3, 2004. These new claims will be processed for payment by April 30, 
2005, together with unpaid approved claim balances from prior years, 
based on the availability of funds from congressional appropriations.

ADDRESSES: Claims should be forwarded by certified or registered mail, 
return receipt requested, to the U.S. Department of Energy, National 
Nuclear Security Administration Service Center, Environmental Programs 
Department, PO Box 5400, Albuquerque, NM 87185-5400, or by express mail 
to the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security 
Administration Service Center, Environmental Programs Department, H and 
Pennsylvania Streets, Albuquerque, NM 87116. All claims should be 
addressed to the attention of Mr. Gilbert Maldonado. Two copies of the 
claim should be included with each submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Gilbert Maldonado at (505) 
845-4035 of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security 
Administration Service Center, Environmental Programs Department.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE 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 Public Law 102-486, 42 U.S.C. 2296a et seq.) and to 
establish the procedures for eligible licensees to submit claims for 
reimbursement. DOE amended the final rule on June 3, 2003, (68 FR 
32955) to adopt several technical and

[[Page 74564]]

administrative amendments (e.g., statutory increases in the 
reimbursement ceilings). Title X requires DOE 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 DOE 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 Public Law 102-486, 106 Stat. 
2776 (42 U.S.C. 2296a et seq.).

    Issued in Washington DC on this 16th of December, 2003.
David E. Mathes,
Commercial Disposition Office, Office of Logistics & Waste Disposition 
Enhancement.
[FR Doc. 03-31700 Filed 12-23-03; 8:45 am]
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