The Board will take a position on new tanks after its consultant finishes his review of the project. Therefore, the Board recommends that DOE release information to the public on the remaining drainable and pumpable liquids in the tanks and the safety and environmental consequences of any potential leaks. Priorities for funding decisions should be consistent with TWRS Task Force advice regarding basing decisions on best waste form and pollution prevention, rather than on avoiding uncertain costs of high-level waste repository disposal. Be prepared to illustrate how the productivity challenge is successfully fulfilled. Try not to impose any major changes to your path forward strategy.
Credibility is at stake.
Fine tune the scope, and show how DOE is thinking smarter and saving costs. The deteriorated condition of essential support systems could result in serious operational consequences and threats to public and worker health and safety. Carefully evaluate vulnerabilities, and restore funds to upgrade critical systems. Fully fund the Path Forward for removal of spent nuclear fuel, based on the Board's advice at its November meeting. Fiscal year 1995 reallocation, and FY 1996 and FY 1997 budget requests should not jeopardize achieving this goal.