Department of Energy January 12, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years the information collection packages listed at the end of this notice. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the extended information collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the information collections, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collections on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget review and approval of these information collections; they also will become a matter of public record.

This Notice announces the Department of Energy (DOE) acceptance of claims in FY 2006 from eligible active uranium and thorium processing sites for reimbursement under Title X of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. For FY 2006, Congress has appropriated approximately $20 million for reimbursement of certain costs of remedial action at these sites. The approved amount of claims submitted during FY 2005 and unpaid approved balances for claims submitted in FY 2004 will be paid by April 28, 2006, subject to the availability of funds. If the available funds are less than the total approved claims, these payments will be prorated, if necessary, based on the amount of available FY 2006 appropriations, unpaid approved claim balances (approximately $0.45 million), and claims received in May 2005 (approximately $22 million). This also provides notice of the continuing DOE acceptance of plans for subsequent decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, and other remedial action (Plans for Subsequent Remedial Action). If Title X licensees expect to incur remedial action costs for remedial action after December 31, 2007, licensees must submit a Plan for Subsequent Remedial Action during calendar year (CY) 2005 or 2006, and DOE must approve a Plan submitted by a licensee by the end of CY 2007, if the costs incurred after CY 2007 are to be eligible for reimbursement.