[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43583-43584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18176]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


DOE Response to Recommendation 2012-1 of the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board, Savannah River Site Building 235-F Safety

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On May 8, 2012, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 
submitted Recommendation 2012-1, concerning Savannah River Site 
Building 235-F Safety, to the Department of Energy. In accordance with 
section 315(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2286d(b), the following represents the Secretary of Energy's response 
to the Recommendation.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the 
Secretary's response to: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 
Indiana Avenue NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven Petras, Nuclear Engineer, 
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board, Office of Health, Safety and Security, U.S. Department of 
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2012.
Mari-Josette Campagnone,
Departmental Representative, to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board, Office of Health, Safety and Security.

July 10, 2012

The Honorable Peter S. Winokur
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004

    Dear Mr. Chairman:

    The Department of Energy (DOE) acknowledges receipt of Defense 
Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) Recommendation 2012-1, 
Savannah River

[[Page 43584]]

Site Building 235-F Safety, issued on May 9, 2012, and I accept the 
Recommendation.
    DOE agrees with the Board that action must be taken to reduce 
the hazards associated with the material at risk that remains as 
residual contamination within Building 235-F.
    The Board acknowledged in its letter that DOE has taken action 
to de-inventory Building 235-F of special nuclear material. DOE has 
also taken action to remove the transient combustible material 
within Building 235-F and to limit access. In developing an 
Implementation Plan (IP), DOE will address all sub-recommendations 
with the ultimate goal of reducing, to the extent feasible, the 
radiological hazards from residual contamination and the fire 
hazards due to excessive combustible materials and electrical 
ignition sources. Operability and safety basis related concerns on 
fire detection and alarm systems will be addressed in the IP. 
Emergency response posture predicated on a potential radiological 
release from Building 235-F will also be evaluated to ensure its 
adequacy, including improvements in conducting drills necessary to 
demonstrate the overall effectiveness.
    DOE is committed to the safe design and operation of its nuclear 
facilities consistent with the principles of Integrated Safety 
Management, and values the Board's input on how DOE can improve its 
activities. We look forward to working with the Board as we work to 
reduce the hazards posed by Building 235-F.
    I have assigned Dr. David C. Moody, Manager, Savannah River 
Operations Office, to be the Department's responsible manager for 
this Recommendation. He can be reached at (803) 952-9468.

     Sincerely,

Steven Chu
[FR Doc. 2012-18176 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
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