The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing advance notice of its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on the disposal of Greater-Than-Class-C (GTCC) low-level radioactive waste (LLW) generated by activities licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The primary purpose of this EIS is to address the disposal of wastes with concentrations greater than Class C, as defined in NRC regulations at 10 CFR part 61, resulting from NRC or Agreement State licensed activities (hereafter referred to as NRC licensed activities).

1. Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices 24775
reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of should be directed to Kathy Axt at her 1021.311(b), in order to inform, and
the collection; (4) Description of the e-mail address Kathy.Axt@ed.gov. request early comments from, the public
need for, and proposed use of, the Individuals who use a and interested agencies about the
information; (5) Respondents and telecommunications device for the deaf proposed action, the preliminary range
frequency of collection; and (6) (TDD) may call the Federal Information of alternatives, and the potential issues
Reporting and/or Recordkeeping Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– related to DOE’s decisions for this
burden. OMB invites public comment. 8339. category of waste. Following the
The Department of Education is [FR Doc. 05–9334 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] issuance of this ANOI, DOE intends to
especially interested in public comment conduct further activities to collect
BILLING CODE 4000–01–M
addressing the following issues: (1) Is updated information from licensees and
this collection necessary to the proper DOE sites on waste characteristics and
functions of the Department; (2) will projections to support the EIS analysis.
this information be processed and used DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
As part of that effort, DOE may seek
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare an assistance from industry trade
of burden accurate; (4) how might the Environmental Impact Statement for associations, Agreement States, NRC,
Department enhance the quality, utility, the Disposal of Greater-Than-Class-C and other appropriate entities. DOE
and clarity of the information to be Low-Level Radioactive Waste intends to invite the NRC and the
collected; and (5) how might the Environmental Protection Agency to
Department minimize the burden of this AGENCY: Department of Energy. participate as cooperating agencies in
collection on the respondents, including ACTION: Advance notice of intent. the preparation of this EIS.
through the use of information
technology. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of DATES: Comments on this ANOI are due
Energy (DOE) is providing advance June 10, 2005. DOE will consider
Dated: May 5, 2005. notice of its intent to prepare an comments received after June 10, 2005
Angela C. Arrington, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the extent practicable. DOE plans to
Leader, Information Management Case under the National Environmental issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) for this
Services Team, Regulatory Information Policy Act (NEPA) on the disposal of
Management Service, Office of the Chief
EIS in the fall of 2005. The NOI will
Greater-Than-Class-C (GTCC) low-level propose a range of reasonable
Information Officer. radioactive waste (LLW) generated by alternatives for disposal methods and
Office of Elementary and Secondary activities licensed by the Nuclear locations. After the NOI is issued, DOE
Education Regulatory Commission (NRC). The will conduct public scoping meetings to
primary purpose of this EIS is to address assist in further defining the scope of
Type of Review: New.
Title: Binational Migrant Education the disposal of wastes with the EIS and to identify significant issues
Program (BMEP) State MEP Director concentrations greater than Class C, as to be addressed. The dates and locations
defined in NRC regulations at 10 CFR
Survey. of all scoping meetings will be
Frequency: Annually. part 61, resulting from NRC or
announced in the NOI, subsequent
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Agreement State licensed activities
Federal Register notices, and in local
Gov’t, SEAs or LEAs. (hereafter referred to as NRC licensed
media.
Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour activities). DOE also plans to review its
Burden: waste inventories with a view toward ADDRESSES: Please direct comments or
Responses: 52. including those wastes with suggestions on the scope of the EIS and
Burden Hours: 52. characteristics similar to GTCC waste questions concerning the proposed
Abstract: The survey collects and which otherwise do not have a path project to: James Joyce, Document
information from State Migrant to disposal in the scope of the EIS, as Manager, Office of Federal Disposition
Education Programs (MEPs) on their appropriate. DOE intends that this EIS Options (EM–13), U.S. Department of
participation in the Binational Migrant will enable DOE to select any new or Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue,
Education Program (BMEP) to serve existing disposal locations, facilities, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0119,
children who migrate between Mexico and methods for disposal of GTCC LLW Telephone (301) 903–2151, Fax: 301–
and the U.S. and DOE waste with similar 903–3877, E-mail to:
Requests for copies of the proposed characteristics. james.joyce@em.doe.gov (use ‘‘ANOI
information collection request may be The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Comments’’ for the subject).
accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov, Policy Amendments Act of 1985
by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending (LLRWPAA) assigned to the Federal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
Collections’’ link and by clicking on Government responsibility for the request further information about this
link number 2755. When you access the disposal of GTCC radioactive waste. EIS, the public scoping meetings, or to
information collection, click on This EIS will evaluate alternative be placed on the EIS distribution list,
‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. locations and methods for disposal of use any of the methods listed under
Written requests for information should these wastes. Potential disposal ADDRESSES above. For general
be addressed to U.S. Department of locations include deep geologic disposal information concerning the DOE
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., facilities; existing LLW disposal National Environmental Policy Act
Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, facilities, both commercial and DOE; (NEPA) process, contact: Carol
D.C. 20202–4700. Requests may also be and new facilities at DOE or other Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA
electronically mailed to the Internet government sites, or on private land. Policy and Compliance (EH–42), U.S.
address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to Methods to be considered include deep Department of Energy, 1000
202–245–6621. Please specify the geologic disposal, greater confinement Independence Avenue, SW.,
complete title of the information disposal configurations, and enhanced Washington, DC 20585–0119,
collection when making your request. near-surface disposal facilities. Telephone: 202–586–4600, or leave a
Comments regarding burden and/or DOE is issuing this Advance Notice of message at 1–800–472–2756, Fax: 202–
the collection activity requirements Intent (ANOI), pursuant to 10 CFR 586–7031.
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2. 24776 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices
This Advance Notice of Intent will be 1. Sealed Sources non-operating power plants in various
available on the Internet at http:// Sealed sources contain radionuclides phases of decommissioning across the
www.eh.doe.gov/nepa. in concentrated, relatively small, United States. As a result of reactor
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: encapsulated packages. These sources operations, portions of the reactor barrel
are widely used in medicine, and other stainless steel components
Background
agriculture, research and industry. DOE near the fuel assemblies become highly
GTCC waste is LLW generated by NRC funded a study by the Idaho National activated by the neutron flux. The
licensed facilities with concentrations of Engineering Laboratory majority of this waste is generated when
radionuclides which exceed the limits (Characterization of Greater-Than- nuclear power plants are
established by the NRC for Class C Class-C Sealed Sources, Volumes 1, 2, decommissioned, although some may
radioactive waste, as defined by 10 CFR and 3, DOE/LLW–163 [Idaho Falls, result from maintenance activities
61.55. The NRC defines LLW classes as Idaho: Sept. 1994]), which estimated performed before decommissioning.
A, B and C by the concentration of there are about 250,000 GTCC sealed Many of these nuclear power plants are
specific short- and long-lived sources in the United States. applying for and receiving license
radionuclides, with Class C having the In the past, NRC has approached DOE extensions from NRC. Therefore, much
highest concentration limits (see 10 CFR regarding the disposition of unwanted
part 61, ‘‘Licensing Requirements for of this waste will be generated in the
sealed sources that present security or future. According to DOE/LLW–114,
Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste’’). safety and health concerns due to
Section 3(b)(1)(D) of the LLRWPAA Revision 1, nuclear utilities will
existing storage conditions. As a result generate an estimated 864 to 5,960 cubic
assigns to the Federal Government of these concerns, DOE has been
responsibility for the disposal of certain meters (packaged volumes) of GTCC-
recovering domestic sealed sources activated metal LLW through 2055.
GTCC radioactive waste generated by since 1992. This effort has focused on
NRC licensees, which is not owned or those sources that were determined to 3. Other GTCC LLW
generated by DOE, by the United States pose the highest risk, resulting in
Navy from decommissioning vessels, or recovery, transfer of title and possession The third form of GTCC LLW consists
by certain other federal activities. The to DOE, and secure interim storage by of material such as nuclear power plant
LLRWPAA also specifies that GTCC DOE of approximately 10,000 GTCC resin, filter media and general
LLW, which is designated a federal sealed sources. To date, no disposal laboratory waste (glove boxes, gloves,
responsibility by subparagraph (b)(1)(D) path for many of these sealed sources wipes, smoke detectors), job wastes or
of the Act, be disposed of in a facility has been identified. The September 11, other like debris from NRC-licensed fuel
licensed by the NRC that the NRC 2001, terrorist events and subsequent fabrication, fuel testing, and research
determines is adequate to protect public potential threats have heightened laboratories. Nuclear utilities will
health and safety. The LLRWPAA concerns that individuals or generate an estimated 167 to 866 cubic
further states that the Secretary of organizations could gain possession of meters of such waste through the year
Energy shall issue a report these sources and use them as the 2035 (DOE/LLW–114, Revision 1).
recommending safe disposal options for radionuclide source to make a
such wastes. DOE issued such a report In addition, DOE manages waste with
Radiological Dispersal Device (also radionuclide concentrations similar to
in 1987. The report can be obtained by known as a ‘‘dirty bomb’’). According to
contacting the Document Manager listed GTCC LLW. Under the Atomic Energy
a DOE-funded study by the Idaho
under ADDRESSES above. Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), DOE
National Engineering Laboratory
GTCC LLW occurs in three forms, as has the authority to regulate the
(Greater-Than-Class C Low-Level
discussed in the following sections and management of the radioactive hazard of
Radioactive Waste Characterization:
summarized in Table 1. The information its wastes; therefore, DOE does not use
Estimated Volumes, Radionuclides and
in Table 1 on waste volumes and Other Characteristics, DOE/LLW–114, the 10 CFR part 61 classification system,
characteristics is based on reports that Revision 1 [Idaho Falls, Idaho: Sept. and most DOE wastes are not generated
are approximately 10 years old and, 1994]), the expected volume of sealed by NRC-licensed activities. Some of
therefore, may no longer be accurate. sources requiring disposal through 2035 these DOE wastes are very similar to
Accordingly, DOE plans to conduct is estimated to be as high as 1,913 cubic GTCC waste in that they are low-level
activities to update this information meters (packaged volume). wastes with concentrations greater than
following the issuance of this ANOI. Class C and currently do not have an
The reports identified below can be 2. GTCC-Activated Metals identified path for disposal. Much of the
obtained by contacting the Document There are over 100 operating nuclear DOE waste that is similar to GTCC waste
Manager listed under ADDRESSES above. power plants and approximately 20 is generated by AEA defense activities.
TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF WASTES BEING CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE SCOPE OF THE PLANNED ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT ADDRESSING LONG-TERM DISPOSITION OF GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE
Waste form Primary source Volume and activity*
Sealed Sources Primarily medical, industrial, and scientific sources containing Total estimate through 2035 is up to 1,913 cubic meters, with
long-half-life nuclides (e.g. americium, plutonium) and high a total activity industrial, and scientific sources of approxi-
activity sources with shorter half-lives such as cesium-137, mately 4,040,000 curies.
and strontium-90.
Activated Metal Primarily from more than 100 nuclear power currently oper- As decommissioning of reactors proceeds over time, it is esti-
ating, and decommissioning activities at 24 plants. mated that GTCC activated metal will amount to about 864
plants to 5,960 cubic meters, containing 38 to 102 million
curies through year 2055.
Other Waste ..... Assortment of wastes such as glove boxes, fuel fabrication It is estimated that the quantity of non-DOE waste in this cat-
equipment, and trash resulting from source manufacture, egory will amount to about 167 to 866 cubic meters, con-
research, utility, medical, agricultural and industrial sources. taining 6,962 to 19,707 curies through 2035.
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3. Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices 24777
TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF WASTES BEING CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE SCOPE OF THE PLANNED ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT ADDRESSING LONG-TERM DISPOSITION OF GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE—Continued
Waste form Primary source Volume and activity*
DOE Waste ...... DOE also plans to review its waste inventories with a view to- DOE plans to develop an inventory, including volume and ac-
ward including those wastes with characteristics similar to tivity estimates.
GTCC waste in the scope of the EIS, as appropriate.
* Volume and activity estimates were obtained from DOE/LLW–114, Revision 1. All volume estimates are packaged volumes.
Purpose and Need for Action requirement that the Federal Invitation to Comment
DOE needs to identify the facilities Government is responsible for disposal
DOE invites the public to provide
and methods for disposing of GTCC of other types of GTCC LLW from NRC-
early assistance in identifying the scope
licensed activities. DOE also plans to
LLW and similar DOE waste. Pursuant and environmental issues to be analyzed
review its waste inventories with a view
to the LLRWPAA, the Federal in the forthcoming GTCC LLW disposal
toward including those wastes with
Government is responsible to provide EIS. DOE will consider public
characteristics similar to GTCC waste in
disposal for GTCC LLW generated by comments and other relevant
the scope of the EIS, as appropriate.
NRC licensees. DOE is also responsible information in developing a Notice of
for the disposal of its wastes that are Potential Range of Alternatives Intent for publication in the Federal
similar to GTCC waste. Currently, there DOE proposes to dispose of GTCC Register.
are no facilities available for disposal of LLW in a manner that protects human Following issuance of this ANOI, DOE
GTCC waste. Until disposal capability health and the environment. will initiate activities to update
becomes available, the only option for Accordingly, DOE intends to prepare an information about the GTCC waste types
managing GTCC LLW is to store it at its EIS pursuant to NEPA that would and quantities in need of disposition.
current locations or to find a location evaluate reasonable alternatives for DOE will use this information to update
that can receive the waste and store it disposal of these wastes. The scope of the data to be analyzed in the EIS.
until a disposal facility is available to the EIS would include disposal capacity
receive it. Preliminary Identification of
that will be needed for (1) current and
Programmatic Issues
Discussion projected GTCC LLW generated by NRC
licensees that does not have a disposal DOE plans to consider the issues
In the 1987 report to Congress that pathway, and (2) DOE wastes with listed below in its analysis of the
provided recommendations on the characteristics similar to GTCC waste potential impacts of alternatives for the
disposal of GTCC LLW, the Secretary of identified for inclusion in the EIS based disposal of GTCC LLW. DOE invites
Energy identified a number of activities on DOE’s inventory review. comment from Federal agencies, Native
that could be undertaken regarding Alternatives to be considered include American tribes, state and local
GTCC waste including resolving disposal in new or existing DOE or governments, licensees of sealed sources
regulatory uncertainties, addressing commercial facilities, including greater and other GTCC LLW, and the public on
technical issues, and taking steps to confinement disposal configurations, these and any other issues that should
ensure that entities that generate GTCC geologic disposal, or enhanced near- be considered in the EIS:
LLW bear all reasonable costs of waste surface disposal facilities. The varied • Identifying the best means to obtain
disposal. forms of GTCC LLW may make multiple an accurate inventory of potential GTTC
In 2002, the General Accounting locations and disposal methods LLW and DOE waste with similar
Office (now called the Government desirable, and this EIS would evaluate characteristics including the source,
Accountability Office or GAO) such options. volume, concentrations, and other
conducted a review to determine the New facilities that could offer greater relevant characteristics.
number of unwanted sealed sources in confinement disposal would include
• Determining the logistics for waste
the United States, to determine the capabilities such as boreholes,
characterization, inventory,
status of recovery efforts within DOE, to intermediate depth disposal, and other
transportation, treatment, interim
identify problems that may exist specially designed facilities. DOE would
storage and permanent disposal.
regarding recovery efforts, and to also consider which types of GTCC LLW
determine the status of DOE’s efforts to could be safely disposed of in existing • Evaluating mechanisms and
provide a disposal facility for unwanted commercial LLW disposal facilities and scenarios under which GTCC waste
sealed sources. The GAO prepared a DOE disposal facilities. The potential could be safely disposed of in existing
report, Nuclear Nonproliferation-DOE environmental impacts of using both and/or new LLW disposal facilities.
Action Needed to Ensure Continued existing and new facilities owned and • Identifying and proposing
Recovery of Unwanted Sealed operated by DOE as well as existing and resolution for issues associated with the
Radioactive Sources, GAO–03–483, new facilities owned and operated by chemical constituents in the GTCC LLW
recommending that DOE initiate the commercial licensees would be that may be regulated under the
process to develop a permanent disposal considered. DOE would evaluate Resource Conservation and Recovery
facility for GTCC LLW, and that it whether all waste types can or should Act (RCRA).
develop a plan that would establish be disposed of in the same facility or • Identifying options for ensuring that
milestones for the process, evaluate whether different waste types would the beneficiaries of the activities
disposal options, estimate costs and best be disposed of in different facilities. resulting in the generation of GTCC
address legislative, regulatory, and DOE would also consider quantities and LLW bear all reasonable cost of
licensing considerations. Although GAO time periods when wastes would disposing of such waste.
focused its review on sealed sources, require disposal and alternative modes • Identifying DOE wastes that are
DOE recognizes the LLRWPAA of disposal. appropriate for inclusion in the EIS.
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4. 24778 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices
Potential Environmental Issues for ACTION: Notice of open meeting. statements regarding any of the items on
Analysis the agenda, you should contact Edith
This notice announces a meeting of Allison at the address or telephone
The DOE has tentatively identified the the Methane Hydrate Advisory
following environmental issues for number listed above. You must make
Committee. Federal Advisory your request for an oral statement at
analysis in the GTCC EIS. The list is Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat.
presented to facilitate early comment on least five business days prior to the
770) requires that notice of these meeting, and reasonable provisions will
the scope of the EIS; it is not intended meetings be announced in the Federal
to be comprehensive nor to be made to include the presentation on
Register. the agenda. Public comment will follow
predetermine the alternatives to be
DATES: Tuesday, June 7, 2005, 8 a.m. to the 10-minute rule.
analyzed or their potential impacts.
• Potential impacts to the general 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2005, 8 a.m. Minutes: The minutes of this meeting
population and workers from to noon. will be available for public review and
radiological and non-radiological ADDRESSES: Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall copying within 60 days at the Freedom
releases. Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77550. of Information Public Reading Room,
• Potential impacts, including air and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Room 1E–190, Forrestal Building, 1000
water quality impacts. Edith Allison, U.S. Department of Independence Avenue, SW.,
• Potential transportation impacts Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 4
from the shipment of GTCC radioactive Washington, DC 20585. Phone: 202– p.m., Monday through Friday, except
waste to a disposal site. 586–1023. federal holidays. Transcripts will be
• Potential impacts from postulated SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of
available upon request.
accidents. the Committee: The purpose of the Issued at Washington, DC, on May 4, 2005.
• Potential disproportionately high
Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee Rachel M. Samuel,
and adverse effects on low-income and
is to provide advice on potential Deputy Advisory Committee, Management
minority populations (environmental
applications of methane hydrate to the Officer.
justice).
• Potential Native American Secretary of Energy; assist in developing [FR Doc. 05–9396 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am]
concerns. recommendations and priorities for the BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
• Irretrievable and irreversible Department of Energy methane hydrate
commitment of resources. research and development program.
• Short-term and long-term land use Tentative Agenda: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
impacts. Tuesday, June 7
• Compliance with applicable Federal Energy Regulatory
Federal, state, and local requirements. • Welcome and Introductions Commission
• Long-term site health and • Joint meeting with the Interagency
environmental impacts, including Coordinating Committee—8:15 a.m. to [Docket No. EG05–62–000, et al.]
potential impacts on groundwater 12:30 p.m. Briefings on recent
quality. accomplishments, planned activities, Wolverine Creek Goshen
• Long-term site suitability, including issues and concerns by the Department Interconnection LLC; Electric Rate and
erosion and seismicity. of Energy; U.S. Geological Survey; Corporate Filings
Minerals Management Service; National
EIS Process May 4, 2005.
Oceanic and Atmospheric
DOE plans to issue the NOI in the fall Administration; Naval Research The following filings have been made
of calendar year 2005, which will be Laboratory; and National Science with the Commission. The filings are
followed by a public scoping period. Foundation. Discussion of major listed in ascending order within each
DOE will announce the availability of interagency issues, including activities docket classification.
the Draft EIS in the Federal Register and with other nations, FY2006 budgets, and 1. Wolverine Creek Goshen
other media, and will provide the reauthorization Interconnection, LLC
public, organizations, and agencies with • Offshore Studies Update
• Arctic Studies Update [Docket No. EG05–62–000]
an opportunity to submit comments.
These comments will be considered and • Open Discussion: future program Take notice that on April 29, 2005,
addressed in the Final EIS. DOE will directions Wolverine Creek Goshen
issue a Record of Decision no sooner Interconnection LLC (WCGI) filed with
Wednesday, June 8 the Federal Energy Regulatory
than 30 days after publication of the
Environmental Protection Agency’s • Changes in Advisory Committee Commission an application for
notice of availability of the Final EIS. structure: reauthorization, requirement determination of exempt wholesale
for Committee members to be ‘‘special generator status pursuant to part 365 of
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2005.
Government employees’’ the Commission’s regulations.
C. Russell H. Shearer, • Continue open discussion of future WCGI states it is a Delaware limited
Acting Assistant Secretary for Environment, program directions and preparation of liability company that will own and
Safety and Health. letter to the Secretary operate an interconnection transmission
[FR Doc. 05–9397 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] • Adjourn line that will be necessary to connect
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P Public Participation: The meeting is the wholesale generating facilities that
open to the public. The Chairman of the will be owned by its owners companies
Committee will conduct the meeting to (i.e., Wolverine Creek Energy LLC and
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY facilitate the orderly conduct of Ridgeline Airtricity Energy, LLC) to the
business. If you would like to file a PacifiCorp transmission system. WCGI
Office of Fossil Energy; Methane
written statement with the Committee, further states that the interconnection
Hydrate Advisory Committee
you may do so either before or after the line will be used by WCGI to transport
AGENCY: Department of Energy. meeting. If you would like to make oral to the PacifiCorp system the power
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