80 FR 80348 - Preferred Alternative for Certain Quantities of Plutonium Evaluated in the Final Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 247 (December 24, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 247 (December 24, 2015)
| Page Range | 80348-80349 | |
| FR Document | 2015-32440 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 80348-80349] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-32440] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Preferred Alternative for Certain Quantities of Plutonium Evaluated in the Final Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of Preferred Alternative. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) is announcing its Preferred Alternative for the disposition of certain quantities of surplus plutonium evaluated in the Final Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Final SPD Supplemental EIS) (DOE/EIS-0283-S2, April 2015). Among the potential actions considered in the Final SPD Supplemental EIS, DOE/NNSA analyzed the potential environmental impacts for the disposition of 13.1 metric tons (14.4 tons) of surplus plutonium for which a disposition path is not assigned, including 7.1 metric tons (7.8 tons) of plutonium from pits that were declared excess to national defense needs and 6 metric tons (6.6 tons) of surplus non- pit plutonium. With regard to the 6 metric tons (MT) of surplus non-pit plutonium, DOE/NNSA's Preferred Alternative is to prepare this plutonium for eventual disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, a geologic repository for disposal of Transuranic (TRU) \1\ waste generated by atomic energy defense activities. DOE/NNSA may issue a Record of Decision (ROD), containing its decision(s) for disposition of this quantity of material, no sooner than 30 days from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Transuranic (TRU) waste is waste that contains alpha particle-emitting radionuclides with atomic numbers greater than that of uranium (92) and half-lives greater than 20 years in concentrations greater than 100 nanocuries per gram of waste. ADDRESSES: A copy of the Final SPD Supplemental EIS may be obtained by contacting: Ms. Sachiko McAlhany, NEPA Document Manager, SPD Supplemental EIS at [email protected]. The Final SPD Supplemental EIS and its Notice of Availability can be viewed at http://nnsa.energy.gov/nepa/spdsupplementaleis or on the DOE NEPA Web site at --------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://energy.gov/nepa/nepa-documents. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on the Final SPD Supplemental EIS, contact Ms. Sachiko McAlhany as listed in ADDRESSES. For general information regarding the DOE NEPA process, contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103, Telephone 202-586-4600 or leave a message at 1-800-472-2756, Email: ask [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In the Final Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0283-S2, April 2015), DOE/NNSA [[Page 80349]] analyzed the potential environmental impacts for the No Action Alternative and four action alternatives for disposition of 13.1 metric tons (MT) of surplus plutonium, of which the 6 MT of non-pit plutonium is a subset (Final SPD Supplemental EIS Summary, figure S-7). The four action alternatives that are applicable to the surplus non-pit plutonium are described in section S.9.2 of the Final SPD Supplemental EIS. The scope of this notice pertains only to the 6 MT of surplus non- pit plutonium for which a disposition path is not assigned. DOE/NNSA has no Preferred Alternative, at this time, for other potential actions considered in the Final SPD Supplemental EIS. Specifically, DOE/NNSA has no Preferred Alternative for the disposition of the remaining 7.1 MT of surplus plutonium from pits, nor does it have a Preferred Alternative among the pathways analyzed for providing the capability to disassemble surplus pits and convert the plutonium from pits to a form suitable for disposition. Preferred Alternative for Non-Pit Plutonium DOE/NNSA's Preferred Alternative with regard to the disposition of 6 MT of surplus non-pit plutonium is to prepare this plutonium for eventual disposal at WIPP in Carlsbad, New Mexico, a geologic repository for disposal of TRU waste generated by atomic energy defense activities. This would allow the DOE/NNSA to continue progress on the disposition of surplus weapon usable plutonium in furtherance of the policies of the United States to ensure that surplus plutonium is never used in a nuclear weapon, and to remove surplus plutonium from the State of South Carolina. Surplus non-pit plutonium would be prepared and packaged at the Savannah River Site (SRS) using H-Canyon/HB-line and/or K-Area facilities to meet the WIPP waste acceptance criteria and all other applicable regulatory requirements and would be temporarily stored in E-Area at SRS until shipped. Shipments of this surplus plutonium to WIPP would not commence until WIPP is fully operational, and would be placed in the appropriate place in any queue of material to be shipped to WIPP. DOE/NNSA may issue a ROD containing its plan for disposition of the 6 MT of surplus non-pit plutonium analyzed in Final SPD Supplemental EIS no sooner than 30 days from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Issued at Washington, DC on December 18, 2015. Frank G. Klotz, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration. [FR Doc. 2015-32440 Filed 12-23-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![80348 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices
science, technology, and innovation To accommodate as many speakers as Final Surplus Plutonium Disposition
may bear on the policy choices before possible, the time for public comments Supplemental Environmental Impact
the President. PCAST is co-chaired by will be limited to two (2) minutes per Statement (Final SPD Supplemental
Dr. John P. Holdren, Assistant to the person, with a total public comment EIS) (DOE/EIS–0283–S2, April 2015).
President for Science and Technology, period of up to 15 minutes. If more Among the potential actions considered
and Director, Office of Science and speakers register than there is space in the Final SPD Supplemental EIS,
Technology Policy, Executive Office of available on the agenda, PCAST will DOE/NNSA analyzed the potential
the President, The White House; and Dr. randomly select speakers from among environmental impacts for the
Eric S. Lander, President, Broad those who applied. Those not selected disposition of 13.1 metric tons (14.4
Institute of the Massachusetts Institute to present oral comments may always tons) of surplus plutonium for which a
of Technology and Harvard. file written comments with the disposition path is not assigned,
Type of Meeting: Open and Closed. committee. Speakers are requested to including 7.1 metric tons (7.8 tons) of
Proposed Schedule and Agenda: The bring at least 25 copies of their oral plutonium from pits that were declared
President’s Council of Advisors on comments for distribution to the PCAST excess to national defense needs and 6
Science and Technology (PCAST) is members. metric tons (6.6 tons) of surplus non-pit
scheduled to meet in open session on Written Comments: Although written plutonium. With regard to the 6 metric
January 15, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 comments are accepted continuously, tons (MT) of surplus non-pit plutonium,
p.m. written comments should be submitted DOE/NNSA’s Preferred Alternative is to
Open Portion of Meeting: During this to PCAST no later than 12:00 p.m. prepare this plutonium for eventual
open meeting, PCAST is scheduled to Eastern Time on January 11, 2016 so disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot
discuss its studies on technology and that the comments may be made Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico,
the future of cities as well as technology available to the PCAST members prior a geologic repository for disposal of
for aging Americans. They will also hear to this meeting for their consideration. Transuranic (TRU) 1 waste generated by
from speakers who will be remarking on Information regarding how to submit atomic energy defense activities. DOE/
forensics and from a presenter who will comments and documents to PCAST is NNSA may issue a Record of Decision
talk about the World Radio available at http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/ (ROD), containing its decision(s) for
communication conference. Additional pcast in the section entitled ‘‘Connect disposition of this quantity of material,
information and the agenda, including with PCAST.’’ no sooner than 30 days from the date of
any changes that arise, will be posted at Please note that because PCAST publication of this notice in the Federal
the PCAST Web site at: http:// operates under the provisions of FACA, Register.
whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcast. all public comments and/or ADDRESSES: A copy of the Final SPD
Closed Portion of the Meeting: PCAST presentations will be treated as public
may hold a closed meeting of Supplemental EIS may be obtained by
documents and will be made available contacting: Ms. Sachiko McAlhany,
approximately one hour with the for public inspection, including being
President on January 15, 2016, which NEPA Document Manager, SPD
posted on the PCAST Web site. Supplemental EIS at
must take place in the White House for Meeting Accommodations:
the President’s scheduling convenience spdsupplementaleis@leidos.com. The
Individuals requiring special Final SPD Supplemental EIS and its
and to maintain Secret Service accommodation to access this public
protection. This meeting will be closed Notice of Availability can be viewed at
meeting should contact Ms. Jennifer http://nnsa.energy.gov/nepa/
to the public because such portion of Michael at least ten business days prior
the meeting is likely to disclose matters spdsupplementaleis or on the DOE
to the meeting so that appropriate NEPA Web site at http://energy.gov/
that are to be kept secret in the interest arrangements can be made.
of national defense or foreign policy nepa/nepa-documents.
under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1). Issued in Washington, DC, on December FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
18, 2015. further information on the Final SPD
Public Comments: It is the policy of
the PCAST to accept written public LaTanya R. Butler, Supplemental EIS, contact Ms. Sachiko
comments of any length, and to Deputy Committee Management Officer. McAlhany as listed in ADDRESSES. For
accommodate oral public comments [FR Doc. 2015–32441 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am] general information regarding the DOE
whenever possible. The PCAST expects BILLING CODE 6450–01–P NEPA process, contact: Ms. Carol M.
that public statements presented at its Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA
meetings will not be repetitive of Policy and Compliance, U.S.
previously submitted oral or written DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Department of Energy, 1000
statements. Independence Avenue SW.,
The public comment period for this Preferred Alternative for Certain Washington, DC 20585–0103,
meeting will take place on January 15, Quantities of Plutonium Evaluated in Telephone 202–586–4600 or leave a
2016 at a time specified in the meeting the Final Surplus Plutonium message at 1–800–472–2756, Email: ask
agenda posted on the PCAST Web site Disposition Supplemental NEPA@hq.doe.gov.
at http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcast. Environmental Impact Statement SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This public comment period is designed AGENCY: National Nuclear Security Background
only for substantive commentary on Administration, U.S. Department of
PCAST’s work, not for business Energy. In the Final Surplus Plutonium
Disposition Supplemental
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
marketing purposes. ACTION: Notice of Preferred Alternative.
Oral Comments: To be considered for Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/
the public speaker list at the meeting, SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of EIS–0283–S2, April 2015), DOE/NNSA
interested parties should register to Energy/National Nuclear Security
1 Transuranic (TRU) waste is waste that contains
speak at http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/ Administration (DOE/NNSA) is
alpha particle-emitting radionuclides with atomic
pcast, no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern announcing its Preferred Alternative for numbers greater than that of uranium (92) and half-
Time on January 08, 2016. Phone or the disposition of certain quantities of lives greater than 20 years in concentrations greater
email reservations will not be accepted. surplus plutonium evaluated in the than 100 nanocuries per gram of waste.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices 80349
analyzed the potential environmental Issued at Washington, DC on December 18, files comments or documents with the
impacts for the No Action Alternative 2015. Commission relating to the merits of an
and four action alternatives for Frank G. Klotz, issue that may affect the responsibilities
disposition of 13.1 metric tons (MT) of Administrator, National Nuclear Security of a particular resource agency, they
surplus plutonium, of which the 6 MT Administration. must also serve a copy of the document
of non-pit plutonium is a subset (Final [FR Doc. 2015–32440 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am] on that resource agency.
SPD Supplemental EIS Summary, figure BILLING CODE 6450–01–P k. This application has been accepted
S–7). The four action alternatives that for filing, but is not ready for
are applicable to the surplus non-pit environmental analysis at this time.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY l. The proposed project would be a
plutonium are described in section S.9.2
closed-loop system using groundwater
of the Final SPD Supplemental EIS.
Federal Energy Regulatory for initial fill and consist of the
The scope of this notice pertains only Commission following new facilities: (1) A 7,972–
to the 6 MT of surplus non-pit foot-long earthen embankment forming
plutonium for which a disposition path Swan Lake North Hydro LLCProject a geomembrane-lined upper reservoir
is not assigned. DOE/NNSA has no No. 13318–003; Notice of Application with a surface area of 64.21 acres and
Preferred Alternative, at this time, for Accepted for Filing and Soliciting a storage capacity of 2,568 acre-feet at a
other potential actions considered in the Motions To Intervene and Protests maximum surface elevation of 6,135 feet
Final SPD Supplemental EIS. Take notice that the following above mean sea level (msl); (2) a 8,003-
Specifically, DOE/NNSA has no hydroelectric application has been filed foot-long earthen embankment forming
Preferred Alternative for the disposition with the Commission and is available a geomembrane-lined lower reservoir
of the remaining 7.1 MT of surplus for public inspection. with a surface area of 60.14 acres and
plutonium from pits, nor does it have a a. Type of Application: Unconstructed a storage capacity of 3,206 acre-feet at a
Preferred Alternative among the major project. maximum surface elevation of 4,457 feet
pathways analyzed for providing the b. Project No.: 13318–003. msl; (3) a 500-foot-long, rip-rap lined
capability to disassemble surplus pits c. Date filed: October 28, 2015. trapezoidal spillway built into the crest
and convert the plutonium from pits to d. Applicant: Swan Lake North Hydro of each embankment; (4) a 0.5-percent
a form suitable for disposition. LLC. slope perforated polyvinyl chloride tube
e. Name of Project: Swan Lake North of varying diameter and accompanying
Preferred Alternative for Non-Pit Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project. optical fiber drainage system designed
Plutonium f. Location: Approximately 11 miles to detect, collect, and monitor water
northeast of the city of Klamath Falls, leakage from the reservoirs; (5) a 25-
DOE/NNSA’s Preferred Alternative Klamath County, Oregon. The proposed inch-diameter bottom outlet with
with regard to the disposition of 6 MT project boundary would include about manual valve for gravitational
of surplus non-pit plutonium is to 730 acres of federal land managed by dewatering of the lower reservoir; (6) an
prepare this plutonium for eventual the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. upper intake consisting of a bell mouth,
disposal at WIPP in Carlsbad, New g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power 38.6-foot-wide by 29.8-foot-long
Mexico, a geologic repository for Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)–825(r). inclined screen, head gate, and 13.8-
disposal of TRU waste generated by h. Applicant Contact: Joe Eberhardt, foot-diameter foundational steel pipe;
atomic energy defense activities. This EDF-Renewable Energy, 1000 SW (7) a 36.5-foot-diameter, 9,655-foot-long
would allow the DOE/NNSA to Broadway Ave., Ste. 1800, Portland, OR steel high-pressure penstock from the
continue progress on the disposition of 97205; phone: (503) 889–3838. upper reservoir to the powerhouse that
surplus weapon usable plutonium in i. FERC Contact: Dianne Rodman, is predominantly above ground with a
furtherance of the policies of the United Dianne.rodman@ferc.gov; phone: (202) 14-foot-long buried segment; (8) three
States to ensure that surplus plutonium 502–6077. 9.8-foot-diameter, 1,430-foot-long steel
is never used in a nuclear weapon, and j. Deadline for filing motions to low-pressure penstocks from the lower
to remove surplus plutonium from the intervene and protests: February 16, reservoir to the powerhouse that are
State of South Carolina. Surplus non-pit 2016. predominantly above ground with a 78-
plutonium would be prepared and The Commission strongly encourages foot-long buried segment ; (9) a
packaged at the Savannah River Site electronic filing. Please file filing partially-buried powerhouse with three
(SRS) using H-Canyon/HB-line and/or motions to intervene and protests using 131.1-megawatt (MW) reversible pump-
K-Area facilities to meet the WIPP waste the Commission’s eFiling system at turbine units with a total installed
acceptance criteria and all other http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ capacity of 393.3 MW; (10) a 32.8 mile,
applicable regulatory requirements and efiling.asp. For assistance, please 230-kilovolt above-ground transmission
would be temporarily stored in E-Area contact FERC Online Support at line interconnecting to an existing non-
at SRS until shipped. Shipments of this FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) project substation; (11) approximately
surplus plutonium to WIPP would not 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659 10.7 miles of improved project access
commence until WIPP is fully (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please road; (12) approximately 3.4 miles of
operational, and would be placed in the send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal new permanent project access road; (13)
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 approximately 8.3 miles of temporary
appropriate place in any queue of
First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. project access road; and (14)
material to be shipped to WIPP.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
The first page of any filing should appurtenant facilities. The project
DOE/NNSA may issue a ROD include docket number P–13318–003. would generate about 1,187 gigawatt-
containing its plan for disposition of the The Commission’s Rules of Practice hours annually.
6 MT of surplus non-pit plutonium and Procedures require all intervenors m. A copy of the application is
analyzed in Final SPD Supplemental filing documents with the Commission available for review at the Commission
EIS no sooner than 30 days from the to serve a copy of that document on in the Public Reference Room or may be
date of publication of this notice in the each person on the official service list viewed on the Commission’s Web site at
Federal Register. for the project. Further, if an intervenor http://www.ferc.gov using the
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Document Created: 2015-12-24 02:25:57
Document Modified: 2015-12-24 02:25:57
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Preferred Alternative. | |
| Contact | For further information on the Final SPD Supplemental EIS, contact Ms. Sachiko McAlhany as listed in | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 80348 |
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