[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3460-3461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1352]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


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

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the acceptance of Title X claims during fiscal year 
(FY) 2012.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the Department of Energy's (DOE) 
acceptance of claims in FY 2012 from eligible active uranium and 
thorium processing site licensees for reimbursement under Title X of 
the Energy Policy Act of 1992. In FY 2009, Congress appropriated $70 
million for Title X in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
2009 (Recovery Act). Also in FY 2009, Congress provided $10 million for 
Title X through the normal appropriation process. As of the end of FY 
2011, there are approximately $15.0 million of Recovery Act funds 
available for reimbursement in FY 2012. Of the $10 million provided by 
the FY 2009 appropriation, $9.9 million of unobligated balances was 
rescinded by the Department of Defense and Full Year Continuing 
Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 112-10); and the remaining $100,000 had 
been obligated for Title X audit support. No funds were appropriated 
for Title X in FY 2012. All of the remaining Recovery Act funds will be 
reimbursed to licensees in early calendar year 2012 following the 
review of claims received by June 3, 2011. Since the available Recovery 
Act funds are less than the total estimated amounts eligible for 
reimbursement (approximately $23 million), the reimbursements to 
licensees will be paid on a prorated basis.

DATES: The closing date for the submission of claims in FY 2012 is 
April 30, 2012. These new claims will be processed for payment by April 
30, 2013, together with any eligible unpaid approved claim balances 
from prior years, based on the availability of funds from congressional 
appropriations. If the total of approved claim amounts exceeds the 
available funding, the approved claim amounts will be reimbursed on a 
prorated basis. All reimbursements are subject to the availability of 
funds from congressional appropriations.

ADDRESSES: Claims should be forwarded by certified or registered mail, 
return receipt requested, to U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Legacy Management, Attn: Title X Coordinator, 2597 Legacy Way, Grand 
Junction, Colorado 81503. Two 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 Disposal Operations.

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 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).


[[Page 3461]]


    Authority: Section 1001-1004 of Pub. L. 102-486, 106 Stat. 2776 
(42 U.S.C. 2296a et seq.).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on this 17th of January 2012.
David E. Mathes,
Office of Disposal Operations, Office of Technical and Regulatory 
Support.
[FR Doc. 2012-1352 Filed 1-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P