ML20029B414
| ML20029B414 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/21/1991 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Watkins J ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9103070242 | |
| Download: ML20029B414 (2) | |
Text
{{#Wiki_filter:. e\\v '/ o UNITED $TATEs i ~,, 8 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ( )) { w Assiworow,0. caows CHAIRMAN IeDIuBIf 21, 1991 The Honorable James D. Watkins Secretary of Energy Washington, D.C. 20S85 Dear Mr ry: i For the past 18 months, our ugencies have been working togtther on the Licensing Support System (LSS) for licensing of the high level waste repository. L'nder 10 CTR rart 2, as revised through a negotintrd rule-ma King, the Department of Enert,y (DOE) has LS5 design and development responsibility and the flutlear Regulatory Commission (liRC), through its , office of the LSS, Aon.inistrator (LSSA), howeveris to renage ard operate the system. I have recently betn informed,. th61 because of l'udget budget passbeck,peting prograrn priorities, and languace in OMD's FY 19 limitations, com DOE may no longer t4 able to fulfill its design and developnent responsibilitie$ under the LSS rule. I would appreciate your i verification of this information. The Commission is concerned that changes in D()C's plans to fulfill its LSS design and development responsibilities will have adverse ef fects on the LSS program. The Comission is leying its high level waste progran, as is DOE, to the submission of the repository license application in 2001. Both agencies have supported the LSS as a necessary and integral part of our progrtris to thoroughly examine repository t.iting and licensing issues. It will be more difficult for the Corrission to raet its licensing obligations under the flvclear Weste policy Act without the 1.55. DOE and NRC have committed to making the LSS available to participants in the licensing proceeding-on a timely basis, in cddition,. independent review organizations, such as the Nuclear _ Waste Technical Review Board ard fiRC's Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste, are also planning to use the LSS to carry out their responsibilities. DOE has expended nearly $9H to date on the LSS, and substantial additional work needs to continue as scheduled to ensure the effectiveness of this investment. The LSSA has indicated that his analysis of the design, developtrent, and implementation schedule for the LSS shows that tie agencies cannot afford significant delay if the system is going to be ready tor use when it ~ is needed.- If DOE is still planning to develop the LSS at this time, the Commission would appreciate knowing the details of its plan for both the near and long l term. On the other hand, if DOE can no longer fulfill its design and l development ressonsibilities, the Commission will need to explore options for dealing wit 1 this situation. In doing so, we must understand DOE's future cormitment to the system. i L ,9103070242910221m m_ y-{ s i e
2 = Most of the materiel in the LSS will be DOE's; furthermore, DOE and its contractors are currently projected to have the largest number of LSS users. Under these circumstances, the Conmission t,elieves that it is incuntbent upon DOE to support both the development of the LSS and the system's operation and maintenance expenses. Of course, I would expect any such funding support to be consistent with OMB policy. Post likely it would take the form of a reimbursement to NRC for NRC's costs in developing the LSS end in operating and maintaining the LSS following development. Please advise me of DOE's willingness not only to say for such costs, but also to assist in obtaining OMB approval of a reimaursement arrangement if i this strategy is pursued. Sincerely, I i Kenneth M. Carr}}