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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71098-71099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28210]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DOE Response to Recommendation 2014-1 of the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board, Emergency Preparedness and Response

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On September 3, 2014, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board submitted Recommendation 2014-1, concerning Emergency 
Preparedness and Response, to the Department of Energy. In accordance 
with section 315(c) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 2286d(c), the following represents the Secretary of Energy's 
response to the Recommendation.

DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's 
response are due on or before December 31, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Please send comments to: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board, 625 Indiana Avenue NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel Sigg, Office of the 
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585, 202-586-1857.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 7, 2014.
Joe Olencz,
Departmental Representative, to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board, Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security.
November 7, 2014

The Honorable Peter S. Winokur
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004

Dear Mr. Chairman:

    The Department of Energy (DOE) acknowledges receipt of Defense 
Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) Recommendation 2014-01, 
Emergency Preparedness and Response, issued on September 3, 2014, and 
published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2014.
    The Department shares the Board's view that actions are needed to 
improve emergency preparedness and response capabilities at its defense 
nuclear facilities. As stated in my August 5, 2014, letter to you, the 
Department's emergency preparedness and response infrastructure, 
capabilities, and resources are of great importance to me and DOE's 
senior leadership. Recommendation 2014-01 will complement the actions 
that the Department has already initiated to improve emergency 
management. I also stated that it is the Department's responsibility to 
determine the requisite timeline to accomplish the actions in our 
Implementation Plan to address Board recommendations.
    I understand the Board's enabling statute requires the Department 
to complete implementation of its plan within one year. I am placing a 
high priority on addressing the Recommendation; however, due to the 
complexity and broad reach of the Department's actions, we probably 
will not be able to complete our corrective actions within one year, in 
which case we will make the necessary notifications prescribed by law.
    Therefore, with the exception of the ``end of 2016'' timeline, DOE 
accepts the remainder of sub-Recommendation 1 and all of sub-
Recommendation 2.
    I share your intent to improve emergency management in the 
Department. In developing an Implementation Plan to address each 
specific action of this Recommendation, the Department will 
expeditiously proceed with improvements, accomplishing the highest 
priorities within a one-year period. We will prioritize efforts and 
will maintain a dialogue with your staff as we move forward to address 
your concerns.
    We appreciate the Board's perspective and look forward to continued 
positive

[[Page 71099]]

interactions with you and your staff on preparing DOE's Implementation 
Plan. I have assigned Ms. Deborah Wilber, the Acting Associate 
Administrator, Office of Emergency Operations, to be the Department's 
responsible manager for this Recommendation.
    If you have any questions, please contact me or Ms. Wilber at (202) 
586-9892.

    Sincerely,

Ernest J. Moniz

[FR Doc. 2014-28210 Filed 11-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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