Department of Energy February 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability of its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Disposal of Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) Low-Level Radioactive Waste and GTCC-Like Waste (EIS-0375D, Draft EIS) for public review and comment. The Low- Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act (LLRWPAA) of 1985 makes the Federal Government responsible for the disposal of GTCC low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) that results from Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Agreement State licensed activities. DOE is the Federal agency responsible for the disposal of GTCC LLRW. In addition to GTCC LLRW, this Draft EIS also addresses DOE generated or -owned LLRW and potential non-defense-generated transuranic radioactive waste having characteristics similar to GTCC LLRW (referred to herein as ``GTCC-like'' waste) and for which there may be no path to disposal. DOE prepared this Draft EIS in accordance with the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and DOE's NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR Part 1021). The Draft EIS evaluates the potential human health and environmental impacts of alternatives for disposing of an estimated 12,000 cubic meters (m\3\) of waste, containing approximately 160 million curies of radioactivity. This includes GTCC LLRW as defined by the NRC in 10 CFR 72.3, i.e., ``low-level radioactive waste that exceeds the concentration limits of radionuclides established for Class C waste in 10 CFR 61.55,'' as well as GTCC-like waste. DOE proposes to construct and operate a new facility or facilities, or use an existing facility or facilities, for the disposal of GTCC LLRW and GTCC-like waste. The Draft EIS evaluates alternative methods for disposal of these wastes at the following alternative locations: the Hanford Site in Washington; the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho; at and near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico; the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico; the Nevada National Security Site (formerly known as the Nevada Test Site) in Nevada; and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The Draft EIS also evaluates generic commercial disposal sites in four regions of the U.S., and a ``No Action Alternative'' as required under NEPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a cooperating agency in the preparation of this EIS.

The Department of Energy (DOE) invites the public to comment on the draft DOE 2011 Strategic Plan. The Government Performance and Modernization Act of 2010 requires that federal agencies revise and update their strategic plan at least every four years and, in doing so, solicit the views of interested members of the public during this process.

In this Notice of Inquiry (NOI), the Commission seeks comment that would assist the Commission in providing guidance as to the circumstances under which locational exchanges of electric power should be permitted generically and circumstances under which the Commission should consider locational exchanges on a case-by-case basis.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is re-opening the public comment period for proposed amendments to its regulations governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), made available for public comment on January 3, 2011 (76 FR 214). This is being done in response to a request on behalf of multiple organizations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks information related to potential technical improvements its energy conservation standards rulemaking analysis, and requests comment on corresponding revisions to the analysis for energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hereby granting a six- month extension of the amended nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of section 1605(b)(1) (amended public interest waiver), with respect to the following solar photo-voltaic (PV) equipment: (1) Domestically-manufactured modules containing foreign-manufactured cells, (2) Foreign-manufactured modules, when completely comprised of domestically-manufactured cells, and (3) Any ancillary items and equipment (including, but not limited to, charge controllers, combiners and disconnect boxes, breakers and fuses, racks, trackers, lugs, wires, cables and all otherwise incidental equipment with the exception of inverters and batteries) when utilized in a solar installation involving a U.S. manufactured PV module, or a module manufactured abroad but comprised exclusively of domestically-manufactured cells until August 6, 2011. This waiver expires August 6, 2011 (six months from the date of expiration of the original waiver). Recipients of EERE Recovery Act funds who have taken substantial steps to commit funds for the purchase of the items covered in this waiver by August 6, 2011 will not be impacted by the expiration of this waiver.

This notice announces a meeting of the National Coal Council (NCC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.