Notice of Preferred Sodium Bearing Waste Treatment Technology, 44598-44600 [05-15293]
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44598
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 148 / Wednesday, August 3, 2005 / Notices
overseas citizens, as well as the
individual and combined number of
such ballots returned and cast by such
voters. (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1(c))
5. Individuals entitled to vote
otherwise than in person under the
Voter Accessibility for the Elderly and
Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee–
1(b)(2)(B)(ii)) or any other Federal law.
States must identify registrants who are
entitled to cast an absentee ballot under
such statutes as they are exempt from
HAVA’s 42 U.S.C. 15483(b)(2)
identification requirements.
F. What obligations do election officials
have concerning the security of the
statewide voter registration list?
HAVA makes election officials
responsible for ensuring that statewide
voter registration lists are accurate,
complete and technologically secure.
1. Technological Security. HAVA
requires election officials to provide
adequate, technological database
security for statewide voter registration
lists that prevent unauthorized access.
Such computerized security must be
designed to prevent unauthorized users
from altering the list or accessing
private or otherwise protected
information contained on the list.
Access may be controlled through a
variety of tools including network or
system-level utilities and database
applications (such as passwords and
‘‘masked’’ data elements). Special care
must be taken to ensure that voter
registration databases are protected
when linked to outside systems for the
purposes of coordination.
2. Access Protocols. Election officials
must also create clear policies and
protocols to make statewide voter
registration lists secure. These protocols
must identify appropriate classes of
authorized users and clearly delineate
the members of each class, when they
have access, what data they have access
to and what level of access each class
holds. It is essential to security that the
authority to remove a name from the
voter registration list be properly
limited and documented. Access
protocols should also provide physical
security requirements to further limit
unauthorized access to a system.
3. Transactional Recordkeeping. The
EAC recommends that systems housing
statewide voter registration lists have
the capability to track and record
transactions which add or remove
names or otherwise alter information
contained in the voter registration list.
This includes documenting the identity
of the individuals who initiate such
transactions. This capacity will allow
the system to be audited, providing a
means to hold authorized users
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15:22 Aug 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
accountable for their actions. Such
accountability can serve as an important
security measure by deterring unlawful
or inappropriate use of the statewide
voter registration list.
4. Backup, Recovery and Restoration
Capabilities. Due to the important
nature of the information stored on the
statewide voter registration list, State
election officials must ensure that the
systems storing the list have adequate
backup, recovery and restoration
capabilities. These capabilities must be
routinely tested. Officials must be
confident that the system is properly
backed up and that the data may be
timely and accurately recovered and
restored when needed. Further, the EAC
recommends that statewide voter
registration list backups occur regularly
on an automated basis and that the
backup system be housed in a physical
location separate from the primary
database. Moreover, backup systems
should be protected by technological
security to the same degree as primary
systems.
G. Do record retention
requirementsaapply to statewide voter
registration databases?
Yes. States must adhere to all State
and Federal law (e.g. 42 U.S.C. 1974 and
42 U.S.C. 1973gg–6(i)) applicable to
voter registration document retention.
Such requirements must be applied to
all records contained in or produced by
statewide voter registration databases.
H. Should the public be granted access
to their information on the
computerized statewide voter
registration list?
While not required by HAVA, the
EAC encourages States to set-up
accessible, secure means by which
members of the public may verify their
registration status and records. This
type of public access could provide
many benefits, it would serve to (1)
enhance openness and voter confidence
in the registration system, (2) encourage
self-identification of database errors and
duplication and (3) decrease instances
of multiple registration as a result of an
individual’s inability to recall
registration status.
Further, States could use public
access portals to provide other
information to voters, such as the
location of their proper polling place,
important election dates and contact
information for registration queries and
updates. However, any public access
portal must be protected with strong
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security measures to prevent
unauthorized access.
Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance
Commission.
[FR Doc. 05–15336 Filed 8–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820–KF–M
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Environmental Management
Notice of Preferred Sodium Bearing
Waste Treatment Technology
Office of Environmental
Management, U.S. Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Preferred Sodium
Bearing Waste Treatment Technology.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In October 2002, the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE or the
Department) issued the Final Idaho
High-Level Waste (HLW) and Facilities
Disposition Environmental Impact
Statement (DOE/EIS–0287 (Final EIS)).
The Final EIS contains an evaluation of
reasonable alternatives for the
management of mixed transuranic
waste/sodium bearing waste (SBW),1
mixed HLW calcine, and associated
low-level waste (LLW), as well as
disposition alternatives for HLW
facilities when their missions are
completed. DOE’s preferred alternative
in the Final EIS for SBW waste
processing was to implement the
proposed action by selecting from
among the action alternatives, options,
and technologies analyzed in the Final
EIS, and to construct facilities necessary
to prepare the SBW located at the Idaho
Nuclear Technology and Engineering
Center (INTEC) for the preferred
disposition path to the Waste Isolation
Pilot Plant (WIPP). In the Final EIS DOE
did not identify a preferred treatment
technology for SBW from among the
several technology options evaluated.
The Department is now announcing
that the Non Separations Alternative,
Steam Reforming Option, as analyzed in
the Final EIS and its associated
Supplement Analysis (SA), DOE/ EIS–
0287–SA–01, June 2005, is DOE’s
preferred treatment technology for the
SBW. DOE plans a phased decisionmaking process and will issue its first
Record of Decision (ROD) focusing on
SBW treatment and facilities disposition
no sooner than 30-days from the date of
this Notice. A subsequent ROD
addressing Tank Farm Facility Closure
1 The Final EIS refers to SBW as mixed
transuranic waste/SBW. However, a determination
that SBW is transuranic waste has not been made.
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03AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 148 / Wednesday, August 3, 2005 / Notices
will be issued in coordination with the
Secretary of Energy’s determination
pursuant to Section 3116 of the Ronald
W. Reagan National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal
Year 2005, Public Law 108–375. A
future ROD for HLW calcine disposition
is scheduled for issuance in 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for further information on the
preferred technology should be
addressed to: Richard Kimmel,
Document Manager, U.S. Department of
Energy, Idaho Operations Office, 1955
North Fremont, MS–1222, Idaho Falls,
Idaho, 83415, Telephone (208) 526–
5583, or via email at
Richard.Kimmel@nuclear.energy.gov.
Any comments on the preferred
technology should be submitted to Mr.
Kimmel no later than 30-days from the
date of publication of this notice. The
Final EIS and SA are available on the
Internet at https://www.id.doe.gov/ and
https://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/.html.
For further information on DOE’s
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) process, please contact: Carol
M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA
Policy and Compliance (EH–42), U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585, Telephone:
(202) 586–4600, or leave a message at
(800) 472–2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
SBW is a liquid mixed radioactive
waste (contains hazardous and
radioactive constituents) produced
primarily from INTEC decontamination
and cleanup activities. SBW also
includes approximately one percent (by
volume) commingled 1st cycle
reprocessing waste, approximately two
percent 2nd cycle reprocessing waste,
and approximately four percent 3rd
cycle reprocessing waste. SBW contains
large quantities of sodium and
potassium nitrates; however, the
radionuclide concentrations for liquid
SBW are generally ten to 1,000 times
less than for liquid HLW.
In 1992, DOE entered into a Notice of
Noncompliance Consent Order with the
State of Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality and the
Environmental Protection Agency that
requires DOE to cease use of the tanks
in which the SBW is stored by
December 31, 2012.
In 1995, DOE and the State of Idaho
entered into a settlement agreement that
resolved litigation and that established
dates for the treatment of approximately
900,000 gallons of liquid SBW stored at
INTEC.
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15:22 Aug 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
In September 1997, DOE published a
Notice of Intent to complete an EIS in
accordance with NEPA. In September
1998, the State of Idaho became a
cooperating agency in the development
of the EIS.
In January 2000, DOE issued the Draft
Idaho High-Level Waste and Facilities
Disposition EIS (Draft EIS).
Subsequently, DOE and the State of
Idaho evaluated approximately 1,000
comments received on that document.
The Final EIS was issued in October
2002 and reflects changes to the Draft
EIS based on public comments, further
review by DOE and the State of Idaho,
and incorporation of the DOE and State
of Idaho preferred alternatives.
The Department’s preferred
alternative identified in the Final EIS
was to implement the proposed action,
which consists of five elements to meet
the purpose and need for agency action:
(1) Select appropriate technologies and
construct facilities necessary to prepare
INTEC SBW for shipment to WIPP, the
preferred disposition path, (2) prepare
the HLW calcine to allow disposal in a
repository, (3) treat and dispose of
associated radioactive wastes, (4)
provide safe storage of HLW destined
for a repository, and (5) disposition
INTEC HLW management facilities
when their missions are completed.
Alternatives/Options not included in
DOE’s Preferred Alternative are: the No
Action Alternative, storage of calcine in
the bin sets for an indefinite period
under the Continued Current Operations
Alternative, the shipment of calcine to
the Hanford Site for treatment under the
Minimum Idaho National Engineering
and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL)
Processing Alternative, and disposal of
mixed LLW on the INEEL under any
alternative. The INEEL is now known as
the Idaho National Laboratory. The State
of Idaho, as a cooperating agency,
identified the Direct Vitrification
Alternative for SBW and vitrification
with or without separations of the HLW
calcine as their preferred wasteprocessing alternatives. The Final EIS
did not identify a DOE preferred
treatment technology from among the
several technology options evaluated for
treatment of the SBW.
DOE conducted four workshops to
inform the public about the five
technologies that the DOE was
considering for treatment of the SBW
with the preferred disposition at WIPP.
The five technologies were Direct
Vitrification, Cesium Ion Exchange with
a grout waste form, Calcination with
Maximum Achievable Control
Technology upgrades, Direct
Evaporation, and Steam Reforming. DOE
issued a Federal Register notice on
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44599
March 10, 2003, 68 FR 11388,
announcing the public workshops.
Workshops were held between March
13–April 28, 2003, in Jackson,
Wyoming, and Idaho Falls, Twin Falls,
and Fort Hall, Idaho. In addition,
briefings were held with individual
stakeholders through June 2003. The
public was given the opportunity to
provide comments on all technologies
presented through August 31, 2003, via
e-mail or regular mail. Though the focus
of the comment period was for SBW
treatment, the nature of the comments
received also included HLW calcine and
closure of HLW facilities. DOE
considered those comments, which
addressed the following issues:
Potential environmental impacts from
waste processing operations, technical
viability, uncertainties related to
regulatory requirements and permits,
public or agency acceptance,
vitrification, cost, transportation of
waste for disposal, waste form stability,
and plan and schedule for cleanup
activities. These comments did not raise
any new issues that were not expressed
during the comment period on the Draft
EIS. DOE and the State of Idaho
responses to these issues are in the Final
EIS, Chapter 11.
During the workshops and briefings,
DOE informed the public that the DOE’s
strategy was to select one of the five
technologies for treatment of the SBW.
Subsequently, DOE changed this
strategy by incorporating the
requirement for a contractor to propose
a treatment technology for SBW in a
draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the
Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) contract to
complete the Environmental
Management accelerated cleanup
mission. At public meetings of the Idaho
Environmental Management Citizens
Advisory Board, public meetings
conducted by the National Academy of
Sciences in Idaho, and other meetings
with local stakeholders, DOE informed
the public of the change in strategy and
that the DOE would identify a preferred
treatment technology for SBW after the
contract was awarded. At these
meetings, DOE also informed the public
that they would have an opportunity to
provide comments on the draft RFP.
DOE issued the draft RFP for the ICP
contract for comment in February 2004.
The draft RFP required bidders to
propose technologies for treating SBW
for disposal at WIPP and an alternative
technical approach to prepare this waste
for disposal as HLW in the geologic
repository for HLW and spent nuclear
fuel if this waste could not be disposed
of at WIPP. DOE responded to
comments received on the draft RFP and
issued the final RFP in July 2004. The
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03AUN1
44600
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 148 / Wednesday, August 3, 2005 / Notices
ICP contract was awarded on March 23,
2005. The ICP contractor proposed
Steam Reforming as the treatment
technology for SBW. Under the contract
DOE would have to fulfill its NEPA
requirements before authorizing action
to treat SBW.
Preferred Treatment Technology
DOE has identified Steam Reforming
as its preferred treatment technology for
SBW after considering technical
maturity, the regulatory schedule for
treatment of the SBW, and the
environmental impacts presented in the
Final EIS. The central feature of the
Steam Reforming process is the
reformer, a fluidized bed reactor in
which steam is used as the fluidizing
gas and a refractory oxide material is
used as the bed medium. An organic
reductant and other additives are also
fed to the bed to enhance denitration.
Water in the waste is vaporized to
superheated steam, while organic
compounds in the waste are broken
down through thermal processes and
reaction with hot nitrates, steam, and
oxygen. A solid, remote-handled waste
consisting of primarily inorganic salts is
produced. The solids are packaged for
disposal. This technology supports the
Department’s objective to treat SBW in
a manner such that it would be ready for
shipment out of Idaho, by December 31,
2012, in accordance with the
Environmental Management
Performance Management Plan for
Accelerating Cleanup of the INEEL,
DOE/ID–11006, August 2002.
DOE prepared a SA in accordance
with DOE NEPA regulations (10 CFR
1021.314) to determine whether there
are substantial changes to the scope of
the proposed action identified in the
Final EIS or significant new
circumstances or information relevant to
environmental concerns within the
meaning of CEQ NEPA regulations [40
CFR 1502.9(c)(1)] that would require
preparation of a supplemental EIS. The
SA contains DOE’s evaluation of new
information (e.g., updated waste
characterization data) and revised
methodologies (e.g., for estimating
cancer risk). Based on the SA, DOE
determined that a supplemental EIS is
not required.
DOE plans a phased decision-making
process and will issue its first ROD
focusing on SBW treatment and
facilities disposition no sooner than 30days from the date of this Notice. DOE
will consider any comments received
before issuing this ROD.
A subsequent ROD addressing Tank
Farm Facility Closure will be issued in
coordination with the Secretary of
Energy’s determination pursuant to
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15:22 Aug 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
Section 3116 of the Ronald W. Reagan
NDAA for Fiscal Year 2005, Public Law
108–375. A future ROD for HLW calcine
disposition is scheduled for issuance in
2009.
Issued in Washington, DC, July 26, 2005.
Charles E. Anderson,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Environmental Management.
[FR Doc. 05–15293 Filed 8–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration
Agency information collection
activities: Proposed collection;
comment request
Energy Information
Administration (EIA), Department of
Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Agency information collection
activities: Proposed collection; comment
request.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The EIA is soliciting
comments on the proposed three-year
extension to the ‘‘Recordkeeping
Requirements of DOE’s General
Allocation and Price Rules,’’ ERA–766R.
DATES: Comments must be filed by
October 3, 2005. If you anticipate
difficulty in submitting comments
within that period, contact the person
listed below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. John
D. Bullington. To ensure receipt of the
comments by the due date, submission
by FAX (202–586–6191) or e-mail
(Dan.Bullington@hq.doe.gov) is
recommended. The mailing address is
Office of General Counsel, GC–90,
Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of
Energy, Washington, DC 20585.
Alternatively, Mr. Bullington may be
contacted by telephone at 202–586–
7364.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of any forms and instructions
should be directed to Mr. Bullington at
the address listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Current Actions
III. Request for Comments
I. Background
The Federal Energy Administration
Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93–275, 15
U.S.C. 761 et seq.) and the DOE
Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95–91, 42
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) require the EIA to
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Frm 00048
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
carry out a centralized, comprehensive,
and unified energy information
program. This program collects,
evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and
disseminates information on energy
resource reserves, production, demand,
technology, and related economic and
statistical information. This information
is used to assess the adequacy of energy
resources to meet near and longer term
domestic demands.
The EIA, as part of its effort to comply
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35), provides the general public and
other Federal agencies with
opportunities to comment on collections
of energy information conducted by or
in conjunction with the EIA. Any
comments received help the EIA to
prepare data requests that maximize the
utility of the information collected, and
to assess the impact of collection
requirements on the public. Also, the
EIA will later seek approval by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under Section 3507(a) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
The recordkeeping requirements are
authorized by section 203(a)(1) of the
Economic Stabilization Act (ESA) of
1970, as amended (Pub. L. 92–210, 85
Stat. 743) and by section 13(g) of the
Federal Energy Administration Act
(FEAA) of 1974, as amended (Pub.L. 93–
275). DOE proposes to extend for three
years the limited recordkeeping
requirements presently contained in 10
CFR 210.1. The antecedent regulation
was narrowed by amendment in January
1985. This limited extension is
proposed as a protective measure to
preserve records relating to the prior
price and allocation regulations for an
additional three years.
II. Current Actions
This is an extension with no change
of the existing requirements. The
requirements are proposed to be
extended for a period of three years,
from February 28, 2006, to February 28,
2009.
III. Request for Comments
Prospective respondents and other
interested parties should comment on
the actions discussed in item II. The
following guidelines are provided to
assist in the preparation of comments.
General Issues
A. EIA is interested in receiving
comments from persons regarding
whether the proposed recordkeeping
requirements are necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of
the agency and does the information
have practical utility? Practical utility is
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44598-44600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15293]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Environmental Management
Notice of Preferred Sodium Bearing Waste Treatment Technology
AGENCY: Office of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Preferred Sodium Bearing Waste Treatment Technology.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In October 2002, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the
Department) issued the Final Idaho High-Level Waste (HLW) and
Facilities Disposition Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0287
(Final EIS)). The Final EIS contains an evaluation of reasonable
alternatives for the management of mixed transuranic waste/sodium
bearing waste (SBW),\1\ mixed HLW calcine, and associated low-level
waste (LLW), as well as disposition alternatives for HLW facilities
when their missions are completed. DOE's preferred alternative in the
Final EIS for SBW waste processing was to implement the proposed action
by selecting from among the action alternatives, options, and
technologies analyzed in the Final EIS, and to construct facilities
necessary to prepare the SBW located at the Idaho Nuclear Technology
and Engineering Center (INTEC) for the preferred disposition path to
the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). In the Final EIS DOE did not
identify a preferred treatment technology for SBW from among the
several technology options evaluated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Final EIS refers to SBW as mixed transuranic waste/SBW.
However, a determination that SBW is transuranic waste has not been
made.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Department is now announcing that the Non Separations
Alternative, Steam Reforming Option, as analyzed in the Final EIS and
its associated Supplement Analysis (SA), DOE/ EIS-0287-SA-01, June
2005, is DOE's preferred treatment technology for the SBW. DOE plans a
phased decision-making process and will issue its first Record of
Decision (ROD) focusing on SBW treatment and facilities disposition no
sooner than 30-days from the date of this Notice. A subsequent ROD
addressing Tank Farm Facility Closure
[[Page 44599]]
will be issued in coordination with the Secretary of Energy's
determination pursuant to Section 3116 of the Ronald W. Reagan National
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2005, Public Law 108-
375. A future ROD for HLW calcine disposition is scheduled for issuance
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
in 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for further information on
the preferred technology should be addressed to: Richard Kimmel,
Document Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office,
1955 North Fremont, MS-1222, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83415, Telephone (208)
526-5583, or via email at Richard.Kimmel@nuclear.energy.gov. Any
comments on the preferred technology should be submitted to Mr. Kimmel
no later than 30-days from the date of publication of this notice. The
Final EIS and SA are available on the Internet at https://
www.id.doe.gov/ and https://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/.html.
For further information on DOE's National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) process, please contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of
NEPA Policy and Compliance (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: (202) 586-
4600, or leave a message at (800) 472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
SBW is a liquid mixed radioactive waste (contains hazardous and
radioactive constituents) produced primarily from INTEC decontamination
and cleanup activities. SBW also includes approximately one percent (by
volume) commingled 1st cycle reprocessing waste, approximately two
percent 2nd cycle reprocessing waste, and approximately four percent
3rd cycle reprocessing waste. SBW contains large quantities of sodium
and potassium nitrates; however, the radionuclide concentrations for
liquid SBW are generally ten to 1,000 times less than for liquid HLW.
In 1992, DOE entered into a Notice of Noncompliance Consent Order
with the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the
Environmental Protection Agency that requires DOE to cease use of the
tanks in which the SBW is stored by December 31, 2012.
In 1995, DOE and the State of Idaho entered into a settlement
agreement that resolved litigation and that established dates for the
treatment of approximately 900,000 gallons of liquid SBW stored at
INTEC.
In September 1997, DOE published a Notice of Intent to complete an
EIS in accordance with NEPA. In September 1998, the State of Idaho
became a cooperating agency in the development of the EIS.
In January 2000, DOE issued the Draft Idaho High-Level Waste and
Facilities Disposition EIS (Draft EIS). Subsequently, DOE and the State
of Idaho evaluated approximately 1,000 comments received on that
document. The Final EIS was issued in October 2002 and reflects changes
to the Draft EIS based on public comments, further review by DOE and
the State of Idaho, and incorporation of the DOE and State of Idaho
preferred alternatives.
The Department's preferred alternative identified in the Final EIS
was to implement the proposed action, which consists of five elements
to meet the purpose and need for agency action: (1) Select appropriate
technologies and construct facilities necessary to prepare INTEC SBW
for shipment to WIPP, the preferred disposition path, (2) prepare the
HLW calcine to allow disposal in a repository, (3) treat and dispose of
associated radioactive wastes, (4) provide safe storage of HLW destined
for a repository, and (5) disposition INTEC HLW management facilities
when their missions are completed. Alternatives/Options not included in
DOE's Preferred Alternative are: the No Action Alternative, storage of
calcine in the bin sets for an indefinite period under the Continued
Current Operations Alternative, the shipment of calcine to the Hanford
Site for treatment under the Minimum Idaho National Engineering and
Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) Processing Alternative, and disposal
of mixed LLW on the INEEL under any alternative. The INEEL is now known
as the Idaho National Laboratory. The State of Idaho, as a cooperating
agency, identified the Direct Vitrification Alternative for SBW and
vitrification with or without separations of the HLW calcine as their
preferred waste-processing alternatives. The Final EIS did not identify
a DOE preferred treatment technology from among the several technology
options evaluated for treatment of the SBW.
DOE conducted four workshops to inform the public about the five
technologies that the DOE was considering for treatment of the SBW with
the preferred disposition at WIPP. The five technologies were Direct
Vitrification, Cesium Ion Exchange with a grout waste form, Calcination
with Maximum Achievable Control Technology upgrades, Direct
Evaporation, and Steam Reforming. DOE issued a Federal Register notice
on March 10, 2003, 68 FR 11388, announcing the public workshops.
Workshops were held between March 13-April 28, 2003, in Jackson,
Wyoming, and Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and Fort Hall, Idaho. In
addition, briefings were held with individual stakeholders through June
2003. The public was given the opportunity to provide comments on all
technologies presented through August 31, 2003, via e-mail or regular
mail. Though the focus of the comment period was for SBW treatment, the
nature of the comments received also included HLW calcine and closure
of HLW facilities. DOE considered those comments, which addressed the
following issues: Potential environmental impacts from waste processing
operations, technical viability, uncertainties related to regulatory
requirements and permits, public or agency acceptance, vitrification,
cost, transportation of waste for disposal, waste form stability, and
plan and schedule for cleanup activities. These comments did not raise
any new issues that were not expressed during the comment period on the
Draft EIS. DOE and the State of Idaho responses to these issues are in
the Final EIS, Chapter 11.
During the workshops and briefings, DOE informed the public that
the DOE's strategy was to select one of the five technologies for
treatment of the SBW. Subsequently, DOE changed this strategy by
incorporating the requirement for a contractor to propose a treatment
technology for SBW in a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Idaho
Cleanup Project (ICP) contract to complete the Environmental Management
accelerated cleanup mission. At public meetings of the Idaho
Environmental Management Citizens Advisory Board, public meetings
conducted by the National Academy of Sciences in Idaho, and other
meetings with local stakeholders, DOE informed the public of the change
in strategy and that the DOE would identify a preferred treatment
technology for SBW after the contract was awarded. At these meetings,
DOE also informed the public that they would have an opportunity to
provide comments on the draft RFP.
DOE issued the draft RFP for the ICP contract for comment in
February 2004. The draft RFP required bidders to propose technologies
for treating SBW for disposal at WIPP and an alternative technical
approach to prepare this waste for disposal as HLW in the geologic
repository for HLW and spent nuclear fuel if this waste could not be
disposed of at WIPP. DOE responded to comments received on the draft
RFP and issued the final RFP in July 2004. The
[[Page 44600]]
ICP contract was awarded on March 23, 2005. The ICP contractor proposed
Steam Reforming as the treatment technology for SBW. Under the contract
DOE would have to fulfill its NEPA requirements before authorizing
action to treat SBW.
Preferred Treatment Technology
DOE has identified Steam Reforming as its preferred treatment
technology for SBW after considering technical maturity, the regulatory
schedule for treatment of the SBW, and the environmental impacts
presented in the Final EIS. The central feature of the Steam Reforming
process is the reformer, a fluidized bed reactor in which steam is used
as the fluidizing gas and a refractory oxide material is used as the
bed medium. An organic reductant and other additives are also fed to
the bed to enhance denitration. Water in the waste is vaporized to
superheated steam, while organic compounds in the waste are broken down
through thermal processes and reaction with hot nitrates, steam, and
oxygen. A solid, remote-handled waste consisting of primarily inorganic
salts is produced. The solids are packaged for disposal. This
technology supports the Department's objective to treat SBW in a manner
such that it would be ready for shipment out of Idaho, by December 31,
2012, in accordance with the Environmental Management Performance
Management Plan for Accelerating Cleanup of the INEEL, DOE/ID-11006,
August 2002.
DOE prepared a SA in accordance with DOE NEPA regulations (10 CFR
1021.314) to determine whether there are substantial changes to the
scope of the proposed action identified in the Final EIS or significant
new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns
within the meaning of CEQ NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)] that
would require preparation of a supplemental EIS. The SA contains DOE's
evaluation of new information (e.g., updated waste characterization
data) and revised methodologies (e.g., for estimating cancer risk).
Based on the SA, DOE determined that a supplemental EIS is not
required.
DOE plans a phased decision-making process and will issue its first
ROD focusing on SBW treatment and facilities disposition no sooner than
30-days from the date of this Notice. DOE will consider any comments
received before issuing this ROD.
A subsequent ROD addressing Tank Farm Facility Closure will be
issued in coordination with the Secretary of Energy's determination
pursuant to Section 3116 of the Ronald W. Reagan NDAA for Fiscal Year
2005, Public Law 108-375. A future ROD for HLW calcine disposition is
scheduled for issuance in 2009.
Issued in Washington, DC, July 26, 2005.
Charles E. Anderson,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management.
[FR Doc. 05-15293 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
