### 13606 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2011 / Notices

stainless steel canisters where the mixture hardened into a solid glass
waste form. DOE used the vitrification melter as part of this process, specifically to melt glass frit (material used in making glass) together with reprocessing waste sludge and treatment material (spent ion removal resin).

DOE operated the vitrification melter between 1996 and 2002. In 2002, prior to shut down, the vitrification melter
was flushed three times with decontamination solutions and emptied using an evacuated canister process so as to remove key radionuclides to the maximum extent technically and economically practical. After completing this decontamination, a
small amount of hardened residual radioactive glass material that could not
be removed remained inside the
vitrification melter. The vitrification melter with the remaining residual
waste was characterized for radioactivity and determined to have
radionuclide concentrations that do not
exceed concentration limits for Class C
low-level waste. It was removed from
the vitrification cell in 2004 and is presently safely stored at the West Valley Demonstration Project in a Department of Transportation-certified Industrial Package-2 steel transportation container. DOE plans to further stabilize the vitrification melter waste package by filling the melter and the waste package with cement grout before shipment offsite. It will be disposed of at a suitable off-site low-level waste disposal facility, either the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site at DOE’s Nevada National Security Site (NNSS)
in Nevada or the Waste Control Specialists Federal Facility Waste Disposal Facility near Andrews, Texas. DOE intends to dispose of the vitrification melter waste package in accordance with applicable waste acceptance criteria using specific waste profile documentation.

DOE Manual 435.1–1, which implements DOE Order 435.1, Radioactive Waste Management, contains a rigorous evaluation process
which DOE uses to determine whether
or not certain waste from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel is incidental to reprocessing and therefore is not high-level waste and can be managed as low-level waste. This process, in relevant part, requires demonstrating that:

(1) Key radionuclides have been
removed to the maximum extent that is technically and economically practical;

(2) The waste will be managed to meet safety requirements comparable to the performance objectives set out in 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61, Subpart C, Performance Objectives;
and

(3) The waste will be managed, pursuant to DOE’s authority under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV of DOE Manual 435.1–1, provided the waste will be incorporated in a solid physical form at a
concentration that does not exceed the applicable concentration limits for Class
C low-level waste as set out in 10 CFR

61.55, Waste Classification.

The draft waste-incidental-toreprocessing evaluation summarizes DOE’s analysis and shows that the
vitrification melter:

(1) Has had key radionuclides
removed to the maximum extent technically and economically practical;

(2) Will be managed to meet safety requirements comparable to the NRC performance objectives at 10 CFR part 61, subpart C; and

(3) Will be in a solid physical form
that does not exceed concentration
limits for Class C low-level waste and will be managed and disposed of pursuant to DOE’s authority under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and in accordance with applicable provisions of Chapter IV of DOE Manual

435.1–1.

Accordingly, the draft evaluationdemonstrates using the wasteincidental-to-reprocessing evaluation process that the West Valley vitrification melter waste package maybe managed and disposed of as lowlevel waste. The vitrification melter waste package will meet the applicable waste acceptance criteria for the selected offsite low-level waste disposal facility, either the NNSS Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site or the Waste Control Specialists Federal Facility Waste Disposal Facility in
Texas. The vitrification melter waste package has been approved for disposal by the NNSS in case a final decision is made to send the waste package to that site for disposal.

DOE is consulting with the NRC before finalizing this evaluation. Although not required by DOE Manual 435.1–1, DOE is making the draft evaluation available for public and state review and comment during the NRC consultative review period. DOE plans
to issue a final determination as towhether the vitrification melter is highlevel waste or can be managed and disposed of as low-level waste following
review and consultation with the NRC and consideration of public and state

comments.

DOE’s decision on the disposal site to be used is not within the scope of this draft evaluation. Any DOE decision on the facility to which the Vitrification Melter waste package would be sent
would be made after the final DOE evaluation and determination, following consideration of NRC and public comments on this draft evaluation, and after DOE confers with appropriate State
officials in the state where the waste package may be disposed.

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 8,

2011.
Frank Marcinowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technical and Regulatory Support, Office of Environmental Management.

[FR Doc. 2011–5789 Filed 3–11–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee**

**AGENCY :**  Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy.

**ACTION :**  Notice of open meeting.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice announces a meeting of the Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in
the Federal Register

. **DATES :**  Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (CDT). Thursday, April 7, 2011, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (CDT).

**ADDRESSES :**  Crowne Plaza Hotel, Houston North—Greenspoint, 425 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston,

Texas 77060.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Elena Melchert, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Washington, DC 20585. Phone: (202)

586–5600.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Purpose of
the Committee: The purpose of the Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee is to provide advice on the development and implementation of programs related to ultra-deepwater architecture and technology to the Secretary of Energy and provide comments and recommendations and priorities for the Department of Energy Annual Plan per requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Title IX, Subtitle J, Section 999D.

Tentative Agenda

April 6

7:30 a.m. Registration. 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Welcome & Introductions, Opening Remarks,
and Discussion of Subcommittee Reports, and Findings regarding the Draft 2011 Annual Plan. 4:45 p.m. Public Comments, if any.


### 13607 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2011 / Notices

5 p.m. Adjourn.

April 7

7:30 a.m. Registration. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Discussion of Recommendations regarding the Draft 2011 Annual Plan. 4 p.m. Adjourn.

Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. The Designated
Federal Officer and the Chairman of the Committee will lead the meeting for the orderly conduct of business. If you
would like to file a written statement with the Committee, you may do so either before or after the meeting. If you
would like to make oral statements regarding any of the items on the agenda, you should contact Elena Melchert at the address or telephone
number listed above. You must make your request for an oral statement at least two business days prior to the meeting, and reasonable provisions will be made to include the presentation on the agenda. Public comment will follow
the three-minute rule.

Minutes: The minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying within 60 days by contact Ms.
Melchert at the address above or at the
Committee’s Web site: http://www.fossil. energy.gov/programs/oilgas/advisory committees/UltraDeepwater.html.

Issued at Washington, DC, on March 8,

2011. LaTanya Butler,
Acting Deputy Committee Management Officer.

[FR Doc. 2011–5806 Filed 3–11–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**Availability of Department of Energy Quadrennial Technology Review**  **Framing Document and Request for**
**Public Comment**

**AGENCY :**  Department of Energy (DOE).

**ACTION :**  Notice of availability and request for public comment.

**SUMMARY :**  DOE has initiated a Quadrennial Technology Review (DOE– QTR) of its energy technology policies and programs. The DOE–QTR Framing Document (framing document) has been developed as a principal means of facilitating stakeholder engagement in that review process. The framing document describes the Nation’s energy landscape and challenges, important research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) policy choices to be made, and summarizes the current status of energy technologies and DOE technology program goals. It is intended to serve as the common framework for stakeholder engagement through advisory committees, workshops, and expert discussion groups.

**DATES :**  Submit written comments on or before April 15, 2011.

**ADDRESSES :**  Electronic mail comments may be submitted to: DOE– QTRmailbox@hq.doe.gov. Please
include ‘‘DOE–QTR RFI’’ in the subject line. Please put the full body of your
comments in the text of the electronic message and as an attachment. Please include your name, title, organization, postal address, telephone number, and
e-mail address in the text of the

message.

Comments may also be submitted by surface mail to: Department of Energy, Office of the Under Secretary for Science (S4), 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585.

Respondents are encouraged to submit comments electronically to ensure timely receipt. The DOE–QTR framing document can be accessed at http://energy.gov/QTR.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Asa Hopkins, Office of the Under Secretary for Science at (202) 586–0505, or e-mail asa.hopkins@science.doe.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The energy technology development and deployment programs of the Department of Energy include the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA–E) and the Offices of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, and Nuclear Energy—a set of programs with an annual collected budget of about $4.3 billion. Additionally, the Department administers loan guarantees to eligible clean energy projects and provides direct loans to eligible manufacturers of advanced technology vehicles and components.

DOE is undertaking development of a DOE–Quadrennial Technology Review(QTR), a component of a governmentwide Quadrennial Energy Review as recommended by the President’s
Council of Advisors on Science & Technology. This Administration’s national energy goals are to:

• Reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2020 and 83% by 2050, from a 2005 baseline;

• Supply 80% of America’s electricity from clean energy sources by 2035; and

• Support deployment of 1 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by

2015.

This notice requests public comment on the following questions related to the DOE–QTR and the framing document. A. DOE Energy Technology Mission. Is the mission statement, ‘‘ [t]o facilitate the invention, refinement, and early deployment of meaningful technologies that enable options for scaling by the private sector toward national energy goals,’’ appropriate for energy technology development and deployment programs of the Department? By facilitate, we mean that
we convene and fund various entities– the national laboratories, academia, the private sector—as well as perform the basic research that underpins invention and refinement. By invention and refinement, we mean that we work on both revolutionary and evolutionary technologies. By early deployment, we mean that we support some activities beyond first commercial demonstration. By meaningful technologies, we mean that we pursue technologies that could have a material impact when deployed. Accordingly, scale, economics, and timeliness are important criteria. By enable options, we mean that we do not pick winners and losers; the markets make those choices. By scaling by the private sector, we mean that we support commercialization as an essential part
of what we do. With reference to national energy goals, we mean that we would not pursue all technologies; only those that enhance energy and national security, reduce environmental impacts, and increase U.S. competitiveness.

B. U.S. Energy Framework. DOE has identified six strategies to address our National energy goals. These strategies divide into two trios: One for transport, and one for stationary energy (heat and power). The transport strategies are: [1] Increase vehicle efficiency, [2] promote progressive electrification of the vehicle fleet, and [3] develop alternative fuels. The stationary strategies are: [4] Increase building and industrial efficiency, [5] modernize the grid, and [6] drive adoption and deployment of a clean electricity supply. Have we correctly
identified and structured these six strategies?

C. Clean Energy Leadership. How can DOE activities best support leadership in clean energy innovation? In clean energy manufacturing? In clean energy deployment? How do we balance international competitiveness against international cooperation?

D. Program Definition and Management. What principles should the Department follow for allocating resources among technologies of disparate maturity and potential time to impact? How many technology options should the Department provide for the private sector, and how should the value of that diversity be weighedagainst timeliness, scale, and costVerDate Mar<15>2010 16:20 Mar 11, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14MRN1.SGM 14MRN1mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES