[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2030-2031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-218]


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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) 2006 and the acceptance of plans for subsequent 
remedial action.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the Department of Energy (DOE) 
acceptance of claims in FY 2006 from eligible active uranium and 
thorium processing sites for reimbursement under Title X of the Energy 
Policy Act of 1992. For FY 2006, Congress has appropriated 
approximately $20 million for reimbursement of certain costs of 
remedial action at these sites. The approved amount of claims submitted 
during FY 2005 and unpaid approved balances for claims submitted in FY 
2004 will be paid by April 28, 2006, subject to the availability of 
funds. If the available funds are less than the total approved claims, 
these payments will be prorated, if necessary, based on the amount of 
available FY 2006 appropriations, unpaid approved claim balances 
(approximately $0.45 million), and claims received in May 2005 
(approximately $22 million).
    This also provides notice of the continuing DOE acceptance of plans 
for subsequent decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, and other 
remedial action (Plans for Subsequent Remedial Action). If Title X 
licensees expect to incur remedial action costs for remedial action 
after December 31, 2007, licensees must submit a Plan for Subsequent 
Remedial Action during calendar year (CY) 2005 or 2006, and DOE must 
approve a Plan submitted by a licensee by the end of CY 2007, if the 
costs incurred after CY 2007 are to be eligible for reimbursement.

DATES: The closing date for the submission of claims in FY 2006 is May 
1, 2006. These new claims will be processed for payment by April 27, 
2007, together with unpaid approved claim balances from prior years, 
based on the availability of funds from congressional appropriations. 
Plans for Subsequent Remedial Action must be submitted no later than 
December 31, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Claims and Plans for Subsequent Remedial Action should be 
forwarded by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to 
the U.S. Department of Energy, 19901

[[Page 2031]]

Germantown Rd., EM-12/CLF, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, or by express 
mail to the U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Rd., EM-12/CLF, 
Germantown, MD. All claims should be addressed to the attention of Mr. 
David Mathes. Three copies of the claim should be included with each 
submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact David Mathes at (301) 903-7222 
of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management, 
Office of Commercial Disposition Options.

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 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 30th of December, 2005.
David E. Mathes,
Office of Commercial Disposition Options, Office of Logistics and Waste 
Disposition Enhancements.
[FR Doc. E6-218 Filed 1-11-06; 8:45 am]
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