DOE Response to Recommendation 98-2 of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Safety Management at the Pantex Plant

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 13179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6478]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


DOE Response to Recommendation 98-2 of the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board, Safety Management at the Pantex Plant

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board published 
Recommendation 98-2, concerning the safety management at the Pantex 
plant, on October 7, 1998 (63 FR 53884). Under section 315(e) of the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2286d(e), the 
Department of Energy must transmit an implementation plan on 
Recommendation 98-2 to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board by 
March 10, 1999, or submit a notification of extension for an additional 
45 days. The Secretary's notification of extension for an additional 45 
days follows.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gene Ives, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Military Application and Stockpile Management, Defense 
Programs, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington DC, 20585.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 11, 1999.
Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.,
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board.
March 10, 1999.
The Honorable John T. Conway,
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 624 Indiana Avenue, NW, 
Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: This is to notify you, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 
2286d(e), that the Department of Energy will require an additional 
45 days to transmit the implementation plan for addressing the 
issues raised in the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) 
Recommendation 98-2, ``Safety Management at the Pantex Plant.'' The 
additional time will be beneficial for both the Department and the 
DNFSB to assure the implementation plan represents a comprehensive 
approach to this complex issue.
    Mr. Gene Ives, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Military 
Application and Stockpile Management, will further discuss the 
implementation plan with you on March 9, 1999. Together, we can then 
determine the appropriate commitments for incorporation into the 
implementation plan. The implementation plan will be provided to the 
DNFSB by April 23, 1999.
      Yours sincerely,
Bill Richardson,
[FR Doc. 99-6478 Filed 3-16-99; 8:45 am]
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