[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 59315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23922]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 213 / Monday, November 4, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 59315]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 810

RIN 1994-AA05


Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities

AGENCY: National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Department of 
Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is extending the 
public comment period for its proposed rule establishing procedures for 
the imposition of civil penalties for violations of certain provisions 
of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA). The notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NOPR) provided for a public comment period ending November 
4, 2019. On October 18, 2019 DOE received a comment requesting a 90-day 
comment period extension and a public meeting. DOE is extending the 
public comment period for submitting comments on the NOPR by 30 days to 
December 4, 2019.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rulemaking published on 
October 3, 2019, 84 FR 52819, is extended. Comments, data, and 
information regarding this rulemaking must be submitted no later than 
December 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may submit comments, identified by RIN 
1994-AA05, by any of the following methods:
    1. Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    2. Email: [email protected]. Include RIN 1994-AA05 in the 
subject line of the message.
    3. Mail: Katie Strangis, Office of Nonproliferation and Arms 
Control, NA-24, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of 
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. Due to 
potential delays in DOE's receipt and processing of mail sent through 
the U.S. Postal Service, DOE encourages responders to submit comments 
electronically to ensure timely receipt.
    All submissions must include the RIN for this rulemaking, RIN 1994-
AA05. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see the ``Public Comment 
Procedures'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the 
NOPR at 84 FR 52822. For access to the docket to read background 
documents, or comments received, go to the Federal Rulemaking Portal at 
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOE_FRDOC_0001-3863.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katie Strangis, Senior Policy 
Advisor, Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NPAC), National 
Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202) 586-8623 
or email [email protected]; Mr. Thomas Reilly, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-53, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202) 586-3417; or Mr. Zachary 
Stern, Office of the General Counsel, National Nuclear Security 
Administration, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202) 586-8627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 3, 2019, DOE published a NOPR in 
the Federal Register (84 FR 52819) to propose procedures for the 
imposition of civil penalties for violations of the provisions of the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA) that restrict participation by U.S. 
persons in the development or production of special nuclear material 
outside of the United States. The proposed procedures would be 
incorporated in the DOE regulations on Assistance to Foreign Atomic 
Energy Activities (10 CFR part 810). Comments on the proposed 
procedures were due by November 4, 2019. On October 18, 2019, DOE 
received a comment from Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) requesting a 90-
day comment period extension. DOE has reviewed the NEI request and 
considered the benefit to the public in providing additional time for 
comments on the NOPR. DOE has also considered the fact that timely 
implementation of this rule is important for national security, since 
the proposed civil penalties procedures would serve to deter illicit 
transfers of controlled nuclear technology and assistance.
    Accordingly, DOE has determined that an extension of the comment 
period is appropriate and is hereby extending the comment period by 30 
days, until December 4, 2019. DOE has determined to not hold a public 
meeting because the resources necessary to do so are greater than the 
benefit that could be achieved. DOE assesses that a 30 day extension 
strikes an appropriate balance between the requestor's desire for 
additional time and the national security benefits of implementing this 
rulemaking on a timely basis.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 25, 2019.
Sean Oehlbert,
Director, Office of Nonproliferation Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-23922 Filed 11-1-19; 8:45 am]
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