[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 12545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5556]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DOE Response to Recommendation 94-5 of the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board, Integration of Department of Energy Safety 
Rules, Orders, and Other Requirements

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 315(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2286(b) requires the Department of Energy to publish its 
response to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board recommendations for 
notice and public comment. The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 
published Recommendation 94-5, concerning Integration of Department of 
Energy Safety Rules, Orders, and other requirements, in the Federal 
Register on January 6, 1995 (59 FR 2089).

DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's 
response are due on or before April 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the 
Secretary's response to: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 
Indiana Avenue, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Tara O'Toole, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Secretary for Environment, 
Safety and Health, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 27, 1995.
Mark B. Whitaker,
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board.
The Honorable John T. Conway, Chairman,
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Ave., NW., 
Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.

    Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter responds to your Recommendation 
94-5, Integration of DOE Safety Rules, Orders, and Other 
Requirements, dated December 29, 1994. The Department accepts the 
Recommendation.
    The Department recognizes, as your recommendation generally 
observes, that DOE expectations in the transition from nuclear 
safety Orders to rules, and the development of associated 
implementation plans for Orders, rules, and other necessary and 
sufficient safety requirements should be effectively communicated 
and understood. We agree that these initiatives and efforts require 
effective coordination, integration, and communication as the 
transition to revised Orders or new rules occurs.
    The Department has already embarked on a course of actions that 
are and will be responsive to your recommendations. For example, we 
have widely disseminated the Department's response to your May 6, 
1994 letter on DOE's Safety Management Program and we are actively 
monitoring activities to assure consistency with that response. Your 
general recommendation regarding a smooth and complete transition 
between Orders and rules largely will be addressed in a Policy 
Statement on Procedures for Developing, Implementing, and Achieving 
Compliance with Nuclear Safety Requirements currently in development 
by the Office of General Counsel, a draft of which has been 
furnished to you.
    The Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety and Health, in 
conjunction with the Office of General Counsel and Cognizant Program 
Offices, will develop the Department's Implementation Plan for this 
Recommendation in accordance with 42 USC 2286d.

      Sincerely,
Hazel R. O'Leary.
[FR Doc. 95-5556 Filed 3-6-95; 8:45 am]
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