Department of Energy July 20, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR part 1500-1508), and the Department of Energy (DOE) implementing procedures (10 CFR part 1021), the DOE Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Recapitalization of Naval Spent Nuclear Fuel Handling and Examination Facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The NNPP intends to prepare an EIS for the recapitalization of infrastructure at the Expended Core Facility (ECF) at the INL in Idaho. This action supports the receipt, handling, examination, and packaging of naval spent nuclear fuel removed from nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as from land- based prototype reactors, and the examination of other irradiated materials. Infrastructure recapitalization (e.g., new or improved facilities and equipment) is needed to ensure continued naval nuclear- powered operations and missions for at least the next 40 years. In addition, the recapitalized infrastructure will support the Navy's commitments, as identified in the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement (amended in June 2008), among the State of Idaho, the DOE, and the Navy. Three public scoping meetings will be held.