Joyce L. Connery, Chair

Thomas A. Summers, Vice Chair

DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES

SAFETY BOARD

Washington, DC 20004-2901

Enclosure: Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite Transportation Safety

January 26, 2024

The Honorable Jack Reed

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(B), this letter is to notify you that the Defense Nuclear 

Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) has taken the following actions within the last 30 days:

1. On January 26, 2024, the Board issued the attached Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite 

Transportation Safety, to the Secretary of Energy.

2. On January 12, 2024, the Board’s staff initiated a new review to assess any potential 

public and worker health and safety impacts related to the current structural condition of 

the Salt Handling Shaft at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). DNFSB intends to 

review aspects of the facility maintenance program, documented safety analysis, and 

federal oversight approach in support of this review effort.

On October 18, 2023, the DNFSB lost quorum due to the number of vacant Board Member 

positions. Since that time, I have carried out the delegated functions and powers of the Board 

consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(2). As required by 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(C), the above 

listed actions were taken with the concurrence of the DNFSB Vice Chair, Mr. Thomas Summers.

Please note that, if a quorum has not been restored prior to October 18, 2024, the Board will 

remain without a quorum and the delegation will expire, leaving the Board unable to exercise its 

statutory authority.

If you have questions, please contact our Associate Director for Board Operations, Tara 

Tadlock, at 202-694-7090 or TaraT@dnfsb.gov.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joyce L. Connery

Chair
Joyce L. Connery, Chair

Thomas A. Summers, Vice Chair

DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES

SAFETY BOARD

Washington, DC 20004-2901

Enclosure: Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite Transportation Safety

January 26, 2024

The Honorable Kay Granger

Chairwoman, Committee on Appropriations

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Chairwoman:

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(B), this letter is to notify you that the Defense Nuclear 

Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) has taken the following actions within the last 30 days:

1. On January 26, 2024, the Board issued the attached Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite 

Transportation Safety, to the Secretary of Energy.

2. On January 12, 2024, the Board’s staff initiated a new review to assess any potential 

public and worker health and safety impacts related to the current structural condition of 

the Salt Handling Shaft at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). DNFSB intends to 

review aspects of the facility maintenance program, documented safety analysis, and 

federal oversight approach in support of this review effort.

On October 18, 2023, the DNFSB lost quorum due to the number of vacant Board Member 

positions. Since that time, I have carried out the delegated functions and powers of the Board 

consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(2). As required by 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(C), the above 

listed actions were taken with the concurrence of the DNFSB Vice Chair, Mr. Thomas Summers.

Please note that, if a quorum has not been restored prior to October 18, 2024, the Board will 

remain without a quorum and the delegation will expire, leaving the Board unable to exercise its 

statutory authority.

If you have questions, please contact our Associate Director for Board Operations, Tara 

Tadlock, at 202-694-7090 or TaraT@dnfsb.gov.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joyce L. Connery

Chair
Joyce L. Connery, Chair

Thomas A. Summers, Vice Chair

DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES

SAFETY BOARD

Washington, DC 20004-2901

Enclosure: Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite Transportation Safety

January 26, 2024

The Honorable Mike Rogers

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(B), this letter is to notify you that the Defense Nuclear 

Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) has taken the following actions within the last 30 days:

1. On January 26, 2024, the Board issued the attached Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite 

Transportation Safety, to the Secretary of Energy.

2. On January 12, 2024, the Board’s staff initiated a new review to assess any potential 

public and worker health and safety impacts related to the current structural condition of 

the Salt Handling Shaft at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). DNFSB intends to 

review aspects of the facility maintenance program, documented safety analysis, and 

federal oversight approach in support of this review effort.

On October 18, 2023, the DNFSB lost quorum due to the number of vacant Board Member 

positions. Since that time, I have carried out the delegated functions and powers of the Board 

consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(2). As required by 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(C), the above 

listed actions were taken with the concurrence of the DNFSB Vice Chair, Mr. Thomas Summers.

Please note that, if a quorum has not been restored prior to October 18, 2024, the Board will 

remain without a quorum and the delegation will expire, leaving the Board unable to exercise its 

statutory authority.

If you have questions, please contact our Associate Director for Board Operations, Tara 

Tadlock, at 202-694-7090 or TaraT@dnfsb.gov.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joyce L. Connery

Chair
Joyce L. Connery, Chair

Thomas A. Summers, Vice Chair

DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES

SAFETY BOARD

Washington, DC 20004-2901

Enclosure: Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite Transportation Safety

January 26, 2024

The Honorable Patty Murray

Chair, Committee on Appropriations

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Madam Chair:

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(B), this letter is to notify you that the Defense Nuclear 

Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) has taken the following actions within the last 30 days:

1. On January 26, 2024, the Board issued the attached Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite 

Transportation Safety, to the Secretary of Energy.

2. On January 12, 2024, the Board’s staff initiated a new review to assess any potential 

public and worker health and safety impacts related to the current structural condition of 

the Salt Handling Shaft at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). DNFSB intends to 

review aspects of the facility maintenance program, documented safety analysis, and 

federal oversight approach in support of this review effort.

On October 18, 2023, the DNFSB lost quorum due to the number of vacant Board Member 

positions. Since that time, I have carried out the delegated functions and powers of the Board 

consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(2). As required by 42 U.S.C. § 2286(e)(4)(C), the above 

listed actions were taken with the concurrence of the DNFSB Vice Chair, Mr. Thomas Summers.

Please note that, if a quorum has not been restored prior to October 18, 2024, the Board will 

remain without a quorum and the delegation will expire, leaving the Board unable to exercise its 

statutory authority.

If you have questions, please contact our Associate Director for Board Operations, Tara 

Tadlock, at 202-694-7090 or TaraT@dnfsb.gov.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joyce L. Connery

Chair