DOE's Preferred Alternative for Certain Tanks Evaluated in the Final Tank Closure and Waste Management Environmental Impact Statement for the Hanford Site, Richland, Washington, 15358-15359 [2013-05509]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 15358 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Notices Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: State of Preschool Survey 2013–2015. OMB Control Number: 1850–NEW. Type of Review: New information collection. Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 53. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 636. Abstract: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), is seeking approval to conduct in 2013, 2014, and 2015 the annual, web-based State of Preschool survey, which centralizes data about publicly provided early childhood education opportunities. Data are collected from state agencies responsible for providing early childhood education and made available for secondary analyses. Data collected as part of the survey focus on enrollment counts in state-funded early childhood education programs, funding provided by the states for these programs, and program monitoring and licensing policies. The collected data are then reported, both separately and in combination with extant data available from federal agencies supporting early childhood education programs such as Head Start and the U.S. Census Bureau. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau form the basis for some of the rates developed for the State of Preschool reports. The data and annual report resulting from the State of Preschool data collection provide a key information resource for research and for federal and state policy on publicly funded early childhood education. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Mar 08, 2013 Jkt 229001 Dated: March 5, 2013. Stephanie Valentine, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management. the DOE NEPA Web site at https:// energy.gov/nepa. Additional information on the Final TC & WM EIS is also available through the Hanford Web site at https://www.hanford.gov/. [FR Doc. 2013–05541 Filed 3–8–13; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DOE’s Preferred Alternative for Certain Tanks Evaluated in the Final Tank Closure and Waste Management Environmental Impact Statement for the Hanford Site, Richland, Washington AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Notice of DOE’s preferred alternative. ACTION: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is announcing its preferred alternative for wastes contained in underground radioactive waste storage tanks evaluated in the Final Tank Closure and Waste Management Environmental Impact Statement for the Hanford Site, Richland, Washington (Final TC & WM EIS, DOE/EIS–0391, December 2012). With regard to those wastes that, in the future, may be properly and legally classified as mixed transuranic waste (mixed TRU waste) 1 DOE’s preferred alternative is to retrieve, treat, package, and characterize and certify the wastes for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, a geologic repository for the disposal of mixed TRU waste generated by atomic energy defense activities. This Notice supplements DOE’s expression of its preferred alternatives identified in the Final TC & WM EIS in Section S.7 of the Summary, and in Chapter 2, Section 2.12, of Volume 1. (Also see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.) ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final TC & WM EIS (paper or electronic) may be obtained by contacting: Ms. Mary Beth Burandt, NEPA Document Manager, Office of River Protection, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 1178, Richland, Washington 99352, Email: TC&WMEIS@saic.com. The Final TC & WM EIS and its DOE Notice of Availability are available on SUMMARY: 1 Transuranic (TRU) waste is waste that contains alpha particle-emitting radionuclides with atomic numbers greater than that of uranium (92) and halflives greater than 20 years in concentrations greater than 100 nanocuries per gram of waste. ‘‘Mixed waste’’ is radioactive waste containing hazardous constituents regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 For further information on the Final TC & WM EIS, contact Ms. Burandt as listed in ADDRESSES or by telephone at 1–888– 829–6347. For general information regarding the DOE NEPA process, contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, GC–54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: 202–586–4600, or leave a message at 1– 800–472–2756, Email: askNEPA@hq. doe.gov. For further information about DOE’s preferred alternative for the tanks discussed herein, contact: Mr. Todd Shrader, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: 202–586–3784. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Hanford Site, located in southeastern Washington State along the Columbia River, is approximately 586 square miles in size. Hanford’s mission from the early 1940s to approximately 1989 included defense-related nuclear research, development, and weapons production activities. These activities created a wide variety of chemical and radioactive wastes. Hanford’s mission now is focused on the cleanup of those wastes and ultimate closure of the Site. To support its decision making process, DOE prepared the TC & WM EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality and DOE NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500–1508; 10 CFR Part 1021); the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Ecology are cooperating agencies on this EIS. The TC & WM EIS addresses proposed actions in three major areas: The retrieval and treatment of waste from 177 underground radioactive waste storage tanks, including 149 single-shell tanks (SSTs), and closure of the SSTs; decommissioning the Fast Flux Test Facility and its auxiliary facilities; and continued and expanded management of low-level radioactive waste and mixed low-level radioactive waste. E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Notices TC & WM EIS Evaluation of Candidate Tank Waste for Classification as Mixed TRU Waste This notice pertains only to the retrieval, treatment, packaging, and characterization and certification, for disposal at WIPP, of wastes contained in the 20 tanks evaluated in the TC & WM EIS as being candidates for classification as mixed TRU waste. The total volume of waste in these tanks is approximately 3.1 million gallons, all of which the EIS evaluations assumed to be mixed TRU waste for the purposes of analysis. Currently, DOE has not classified any of the waste as mixed TRU waste. The 20 tanks were included in five of the tank closure alternatives evaluated in the TC & WM EIS.2 Information about these tanks and further details of the evaluation can be found in the Summary (Page S–57) and in Appendix E of the TC & WM EIS. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Preferred Alternatives DOE’s preferred alternatives for all three major areas listed above are described in the Summary, Section S.7, and in Chapter 2, Section 2.12, of Volume 1 of the Final TC & WM EIS. Regarding wastes contained in the 20 tanks evaluated as candidates for classification as mixed TRU waste, the EIS stated that: ‘‘Retrieval of tank waste identified as mixed TRU waste would commence only after DOE had issued a Federal Register notice of its preferred alternative and a ROD’’.3 To make progress in the overall tank waste retrieval process, and in view of recent information about potential tank leaks, DOE now prefers to retrieve, treat, package, and characterize and certify the wastes that are properly and legally classified as mixed TRU waste for disposal at WIPP. Initiating retrieval of tank waste classified as mixed TRU waste would be contingent on DOE’s obtaining the applicable and necessary permits, ensuring that the WIPP Waste Acceptance Criteria and all other applicable regulatory requirements have been met, and making a documented determination that the waste is properly classified as mixed TRU waste. Further, retrieval of waste would not commence until a ROD had been issued. DOE may issue such a ROD regarding the candidate TRU wastes no sooner than 30 days from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. 2 Tank Closure Alternatives 3A, 3B, 3C, 4, and 5. refers to a Record of Decision. 3 ‘‘ROD’’ VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Mar 08, 2013 Jkt 229001 Issued in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2013. David Huizenga, Senior Advisor for Environmental Management. [FR Doc. 2013–05509 Filed 3–8–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings Take notice that the Commission has received the following Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings: Filings Instituting Proceedings Docket Numbers: RP13–620–000. Applicants: Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. Description: Fuel Filing—Eff. April 1, 2013 to be effective 4/1/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5056. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–621–000. Applicants: WBI Energy Transmission, Inc. Description: 2013 Annual Fuel and Electric Power Reimbursement to be effective 4/1/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5057. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–622–000. Applicants: Discovery Gas Transmission LLC. Description: 2013 Tariff Revisions to be effective 4/1/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5058. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–623–000. Applicants: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP. Description: Northeast Energy Contract Conversion FTS–5 to FT–1 to be effective 4/1/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5064. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–624–000. Applicants: Elba Express Company, L.L.C. Description: BG Negotiated Rate Filing to be effective 4/1/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5067. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–625–000. Applicants: Crossroads Pipeline Company. Description: Operational Transactions year ended Dec 2012. Filed Date: 3/1/13. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15359 Accession Number: 20130301–5069. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–626–000. Applicants: Energy West Development, Inc. Description: Energy West Development, Inc. submit Lost and Unaccounted Gas [LAUF] reimbursement. Filed Date: 2/28/13. Accession Number: 20130228–5419. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/12/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–627–000. Applicants: Virginia Power Energy Marketing Inc., Dominion Energy Brayton Point, LLC. Description: Joint Petition of Virginia Power Energy Marketing, Inc. and Dominion Energy Brayton Point, LLC for Temporary Waiver of Capacity Release Regulations and Policies, and Request for Expedited Treatment. Filed Date: 2/28/13. Accession Number: 20130228–5420. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/8/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–628–000. Applicants: TWP Pipeline LLC. Description: Annual FRP Filing to be effective 4/1/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5073. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–629–000. Applicants: Empire Pipeline, Inc. Description: Annual Report Pursuant to GT&C Sec 23.5. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5078. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–630–000. Applicants: Stingray Pipeline Company, L.L.C. Description: Stingray Pipeline Company, L.L.C. submits Events Surcharge Adjustment. Filed Date: 2/28/13. Accession Number: 20130228–5421. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/12/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–631–000. Applicants: Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP. Description: Remove Tariff Sections Affected by Abandonment in CP13–31– 000 to be effective 3/31/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5092. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–632–000. Applicants: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company. Description: Annual Fuel Tracker Filing 2013 to be effective 4/1/2013. Filed Date: 3/1/13. Accession Number: 20130301–5093. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/13/13. Docket Numbers: RP13–633–000. Applicants: Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC. E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15358-15359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05509]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


DOE's Preferred Alternative for Certain Tanks Evaluated in the 
Final Tank Closure and Waste Management Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Hanford Site, Richland, Washington

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of DOE's preferred alternative.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is announcing its 
preferred alternative for wastes contained in underground radioactive 
waste storage tanks evaluated in the Final Tank Closure and Waste 
Management Environmental Impact Statement for the Hanford Site, 
Richland, Washington (Final TC & WM EIS, DOE/EIS-0391, December 2012). 
With regard to those wastes that, in the future, may be properly and 
legally classified as mixed transuranic waste (mixed TRU waste) \1\ 
DOE's preferred alternative is to retrieve, treat, package, and 
characterize and certify the wastes for disposal at the Waste Isolation 
Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, a geologic repository for 
the disposal of mixed TRU waste generated by atomic energy defense 
activities. This Notice supplements DOE's expression of its preferred 
alternatives identified in the Final TC & WM EIS in Section S.7 of the 
Summary, and in Chapter 2, Section 2.12, of Volume 1. (Also see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Transuranic (TRU) waste is waste that contains alpha 
particle-emitting radionuclides with atomic numbers greater than 
that of uranium (92) and half-lives greater than 20 years in 
concentrations greater than 100 nanocuries per gram of waste. 
``Mixed waste'' is radioactive waste containing hazardous 
constituents regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery 
Act.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final TC & WM EIS (paper or electronic) may be 
obtained by contacting: Ms. Mary Beth Burandt, NEPA Document Manager, 
Office of River Protection, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 1178, 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richland, Washington 99352, Email: TC&WMEIS@saic.com.

The Final TC & WM EIS and its DOE Notice of Availability are available 
on the DOE NEPA Web site at https://energy.gov/nepa. Additional 
information on the Final TC & WM EIS is also available through the 
Hanford Web site at https://www.hanford.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on the Final 
TC & WM EIS, contact Ms. Burandt as listed in ADDRESSES or by telephone 
at 1-888-829-6347. For general information regarding the DOE NEPA 
process, contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA 
Policy and Compliance, GC-54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: 202-586-4600, 
or leave a message at 1-800-472-2756, Email: askNEPA@hq.doe.gov.

    For further information about DOE's preferred alternative for the 
tanks discussed herein, contact: Mr. Todd Shrader, U.S. Department of 
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: 
202-586-3784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Hanford Site, located in southeastern Washington State along 
the Columbia River, is approximately 586 square miles in size. 
Hanford's mission from the early 1940s to approximately 1989 included 
defense-related nuclear research, development, and weapons production 
activities. These activities created a wide variety of chemical and 
radioactive wastes. Hanford's mission now is focused on the cleanup of 
those wastes and ultimate closure of the Site.
    To support its decision making process, DOE prepared the TC & WM 
EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in 
accordance with Council on Environmental Quality and DOE NEPA 
implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508; 10 CFR Part 1021); 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State 
Department of Ecology are cooperating agencies on this EIS. The TC & WM 
EIS addresses proposed actions in three major areas: The retrieval and 
treatment of waste from 177 underground radioactive waste storage 
tanks, including 149 single-shell tanks (SSTs), and closure of the 
SSTs; decommissioning the Fast Flux Test Facility and its auxiliary 
facilities; and continued and expanded management of low-level 
radioactive waste and mixed low-level radioactive waste.

[[Page 15359]]

TC & WM EIS Evaluation of Candidate Tank Waste for Classification as 
Mixed TRU Waste

    This notice pertains only to the retrieval, treatment, packaging, 
and characterization and certification, for disposal at WIPP, of wastes 
contained in the 20 tanks evaluated in the TC & WM EIS as being 
candidates for classification as mixed TRU waste. The total volume of 
waste in these tanks is approximately 3.1 million gallons, all of which 
the EIS evaluations assumed to be mixed TRU waste for the purposes of 
analysis. Currently, DOE has not classified any of the waste as mixed 
TRU waste. The 20 tanks were included in five of the tank closure 
alternatives evaluated in the TC & WM EIS.\2\ Information about these 
tanks and further details of the evaluation can be found in the Summary 
(Page S-57) and in Appendix E of the TC & WM EIS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Tank Closure Alternatives 3A, 3B, 3C, 4, and 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preferred Alternatives

    DOE's preferred alternatives for all three major areas listed above 
are described in the Summary, Section S.7, and in Chapter 2, Section 
2.12, of Volume 1 of the Final TC & WM EIS. Regarding wastes contained 
in the 20 tanks evaluated as candidates for classification as mixed TRU 
waste, the EIS stated that: ``Retrieval of tank waste identified as 
mixed TRU waste would commence only after DOE had issued a Federal 
Register notice of its preferred alternative and a ROD''.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ``ROD'' refers to a Record of Decision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To make progress in the overall tank waste retrieval process, and 
in view of recent information about potential tank leaks, DOE now 
prefers to retrieve, treat, package, and characterize and certify the 
wastes that are properly and legally classified as mixed TRU waste for 
disposal at WIPP. Initiating retrieval of tank waste classified as 
mixed TRU waste would be contingent on DOE's obtaining the applicable 
and necessary permits, ensuring that the WIPP Waste Acceptance Criteria 
and all other applicable regulatory requirements have been met, and 
making a documented determination that the waste is properly classified 
as mixed TRU waste. Further, retrieval of waste would not commence 
until a ROD had been issued. DOE may issue such a ROD regarding the 
candidate TRU wastes no sooner than 30 days from the date of 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2013.
David Huizenga,
Senior Advisor for Environmental Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-05509 Filed 3-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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