ML20205L935

Responds to Directives in Final Senate FY99 Appropriations Rept & Provides Requested Info.Nrc Regulatory Requirements Must Focus on Public Health & Safety & Not Market Economic Considerations

ML20205L935
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/25/1999
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	J. J. Barton, Domenici P, Inhofe J, Packard R HOUSE OF REP., SENATE
References
NUDOCS 9904150009
Download: ML20205L935 (21)

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CHAIRMAN CPaperiello, NMSS CAbrams, NMSS KCyr, OGC JFunches, CF0 The Honorable Pete Domenici, Chairman G19980444 Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development ED0 r/f Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The " Final Senate FY99 Appropriations Report" (hereafter, Senate Report) for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), dated June 8,1998, directed the NRC to provide information to your Committee regarding the Agency's imposition of economic feasibility requirements on some uranium recovery license applicants. The Senate Report included language stating that, "The Committce is aware that the NRC imposes an economic feasibility requirement on some applicants to the Commission. Within 180 days of enactment of this act, the NRC should provide to the Appropriations and relevant authorizing committees of the House and Senate a summary of the cases in which NRC considered the economic feasibility of applicants' proposals, the length of time required by the NRC to dispose of those cases, and the final disposition of each of those cases." This letter responds to the directive in 6e Senate Report and provides the requested information.

First of all, we recognize that the NRC regulatory requirements must focus on public health and safety and not market economics considerations. As such, the NRC does not impose

" economic feasibility requirements" on its licensees. In the situation where a licensee applies to the NRC for approval to process alternate feed material through a uranium recovery mill, existing NRC guidance provides that the licensee must demonstrate that it is processing the alternate feedstock material primarily for its uranium content. Requiring the demonstration is consistent with the definition of byproduct material in section 11e.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The NRC's current alternate feed guidance indicates that one of several methods a licensee may use to provide certification to this effect is to demonstrate that financial considerations justify processing the material to extract the uranium. Currently pending in the NRC adjudicatory process are two proceedings raising questions about the proper interpretation and application of the criteria contained in the NRC's guidance on alternate feed l rnaterial.

To date, staff has reviewed and approved a total of seven applications to process alternate feed a material. All of these applications were from a single mill licensee, international Uranium q Corporation (IUC), for processing at its' White Mesa Mill, in Blanding, Utah. The enclosed table q' /

provides information, requested by the Committee in the Senate Report, concerning those seven applications, including a description of the requests, the length of time required by NRC to dispose of the requests, and the final disposition of each of them. For all seven applications, the financial consideration of the proposed actionrY was used by the licensee Originated by: [CAbrams,NMSS] ..

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Chairman Domenici material was being processed primarily to extract its uraniung content. Other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the proces 'ng was primarily for the extraction oi uranium. However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied o inancial considerations as the basis.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

Sin rely,  !

i iginal Signed By Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Harry Reid

• An identical letter has been sent to The Honorable Ron Packard, with a cc to Rep. Peter J. Visclosky 1

( This correspondence formulates policy or expands, revises, or interprets policy, involves matters pending Commission decision, contains items relating to the performance of Commission duties and responsibilities, or involved items of high Commission interest. ,

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D Chairman Domenici material was being processed primarily to extract its uranium content. Other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the processing was primarily for the extraction of uranium. However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied on financial considerations as the basis.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Harry Reid

• An identical letter has been sent to The Honorable Ron Packard, with a cc to Rep. Peter J. Visclosky This correspondence formulates policy or expands, revises, or interprets policy, involves matters pending Commission decision, contains items relating to the performance of Commission duties and responsibilities, or I involved items of high Commission interest.

DISTRIBUTION: G980444 FILE CENTER PUBLIC NMSS r/f URB r/f DWMr/f-tf I EDO r/f SBurns JFunches PTressler JHolonich CPoland l NMSS Dir. Off. r/f DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\ URB \JAL\CONGRESL.WPD *See previous concurrance OFC URB TECH ED* OGC* URB

• DWM NAME CAbrams/bg EKraus MSchwartz NKStablein JGreeves DATE 2/8/99 1/12/99 2/12/99 2/10/99 2/ /99 meses OFC NMSS DEDR EDO OCA OCM NAME CPaperiello FMiraglia WTravers DRathbun DATE 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY j l

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in Chairman Domenici other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the processing was primarily for the extraction of uranium. However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied on financial considerations as the basis.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Harry Reid

• An identical letter has been sent to The Honorable Ron Packard, with a cc to Rep. Peter J. Visclosky QLSTRIBUTION: G980444 FILE CENTER PUBLIC NMSS r/f URB r/f DWMr/f-tf EDO r/f SBurns JFunches PTressler JHolonich CPoland NMSS Dir. Off. r/f DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\ URB \JAL\CONGRESL.WPD *See previous concurrence OFC URB, TECH ED* OGC' URB

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NAME CAbrak.s bg EKraus MSchwartz NKStaNbn J DATE 2//k/99 1/12/99 2/12/99 21O 2/ b99 asumammaan. l OFC fWE[$ DEDR EDO OCA OCM NAME Ch. o riello FMiraglia WTravers DRathbun DATE 2/lf/99 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

l Chairman Domenici actions permitting the processing of alternate feed material have been contested by the State of 1 Utah as sham processing for disposal. Because of these challenges to its approvals, NRC must ensure that any basis proposed by a uranium mill to support processing alternate feed is j technically and legally sound.

To date, staff has reviewed and approved a total of seven applications to process alternate feed materials. All of these applications were from a single mill licensee, International Uranium Corporation (IUC), at its White Mesa mill, in Blanding, Utah. For all seven applications, the financial consideration of the proposed action was used by the licensee to justify that the material was being processed primarily to extract its uranium content. As provided in NRC's current alternate feed guidance, other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the processing was primarily for the extraction of uranium. However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied on financial considerations as the basis. The enclosed table provides information, requested by the Committee in the Appropriations Report, concerning such applications, including a description of these various licensee requests, the length of time required by NRC to dispose of those cases, and the final disposition of each of those cases.

Finally, a recent decision by an NRC adjudicatory licensing judge regarding NRC's June 23, 1998, approval to process alternate feed material at the IUC, White Mesa mill has caused staff to begin a reevaluation of its alternate feed guidance. Based on the judge's decision, staff may be able to recognize any material from which uranium is extracted at a uranium mill as meeting the "primarily" test, making the need to demonstrate that financial considerations justify processing the material to extract uranium, unnecessary.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Harry Reio

• An identical letter has been sent to The Honorable Ron Packard, Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development, U.S. House of Representatives, with a cc to Rep. Peter J. Visclosky DISTRIBUTION: G980444 FILE CENTER PUBLIC NMSS r/f URB r/f DWMr/f-tf Dir.Off r/f EDO r/f SBurns JFunches PTressler JHolonich CPoland DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\URBiJAL\CONGRESL.WPD *See )revious concurrence OFC URB.e TECH ED* OGC UF3Ejt,,.s dM h NAME CAbrahnk EKraus N k ,

-JN s DATE 2/ 8/b 1/12/99 2/ /99 / 2/D/99 OFC NMSS DEDR EDO OCA OCM NAME CPaperiello FMiraglia WTravers DRathbun DATE 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

O Chairman Domenici J actions permitting the processing of alternate feed material are being contested by the State of Utah as sham processing for disposal. Because of there challenges to its approvals, NRC must ensure that any basis proposed by a uranium mill to support processing alternate feed is technically and legally sound.

To date, staff has reviewed and approved a total of seven applications to process alternate feed materials. All of these applications were from a single mill licensee (White Mesa, in Blanding, Utah). For all seven applications, one financial consideration of the proposed action was used by the licensee to justify that the material was being processed primarily to. extract its uranium content. As provided in NRC's alternate feed guidance, other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the processing was primarily for the extraction of uranium.

However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied on financial consideratiohs as the basis. The enclosed table provides information, requested by the Committee'in the Appropriations Report, concerning such applications, including a description of these various licensee requests, the length of time required by NRC to dispose of thcse case arid the final disposition of each of those cases. l

, l l trust this letter responds to your concerns. /  !

/

Sincerely, i Shirley Ann Jackson l l

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Harry Reid

/

• An identical letter has'been sent to The Honorable Ron Packard, Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development, U.S. House of Representatives, with a cc to Rep, Peter J. Visclosky DISTRIBUTION: G980444 FILE CENTER PUBLIC NMSS r/f URB r/f DWMr/f-tf Dir.Off r/f EDO r/f SBurns JFunches PTressler JHolonich CPoland DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\ URB \JAL\CONGRESL.WPD *See ')revious concurrence OFC UFlB TECH ED* OGC URB DWM NAME OAhmst/bg EKraus NKh JGreeves DATE 2/0$/99 1/12/99 2/ /99 2/08/99 2/ /99 e e _

OFC NMSS DEDR EDO OCA OCM NAME CPaperiello FMiraglia WTravers DRathbun DATE 2/ /99 2/ /99 2/ /J9 2/ /99 2/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

O O

Chairman Domenici in a mill tailings impoundment. To ensure that this did not happen, the Presiding Officer stated that NRC should perform a review of the economics of the proposed action. NRC staff included a criterion to this effect in its 1995 guidance for review of alternate feed requests,

" Final Position and Guidance on the Use of Uranium Mill Feed Material Other Than Natural Ores."

Since the 1995 guidance was pub!ished, staff has reviewed and approved,a(total of six applications, from a single mill licensee (White Mesa), to process altergate feed materials.

Thus, this is the number of uranium recovery applications where an pconomic justification for the proposed action was analyzed by staff. In the enclosed table /RC provides the information requested by the Committee, in the Appropriations Report concerning such applications, including a description of these various licensee requests,g,tlength of time required by NRC to dispose of those cases, and the final disposition of eactrof those cases.

If you have any questions or need further information ease contact King Stablein, Acting

)

Chief, Uranium Recovery Branch, at 301- 415-72[ ,

Sincerely,

/

/

Shirley Ann Jackson l

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Harry Reid /

DISTRIBUTION: G980444 FILE CENTER PUBLIC NMSS r/f URE /f DWMr/f-tf Dir.Off r/f EDO r/f SBurns JFunches PTressler JHolonich CPoland CAbrams DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\ URB \JAL\CONGRESL.WPD *See )revious concurrence J. i OFC URB TECH ED* OGC URB DWM  !

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'P .

DATE 1/ 0/99 1/12/99 1/ /99 1/ /99 1/ /99 l

OFC NMSS DEDR EDO OCA OCM NAME CPaperiello FMiraglia WTravers DRathburn DATE 1/ /99 1/ /99 1/ /99 1/ /99 1/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY l

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1,-13-1999 4:24AM FROM FETZER-KRAUS. INC. 202 537 5133 P. 5

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Chairman Domenici /

a mill tailings impoundment in order to ensur.w1fIa/ t this did not happen, residing Officer stated that NRC should perform a review e economics of the pr action. NRC staff included a criterion to this effect ' ts 1955 guidance for re ' of attemate feed requests,

" Final Position and Guidance on teria! Other Than Natural Ores." Use of Uranium Mill {

Since the 1996 guide was published, NRC f has reviewed and approved a total of six applications from le milllicensee (W Mesa) to process alte eed materials. Thus, this number sents the population uranium recovery appii s reviewed by NRC where an omicjustification for proposed acbon was ted by NRC staff, in the enc , NRC prendes information requested Committee in the ristions Report con ing such applications, uding a deknyLi of these various li requests, the gth of time required by to despose of those cases, and the final spostion of each those casos, if you he y questens or need furth formation, please contact King Stablein, Acting Chief, ium Recovery Branch, at 1) 415-7238.

Sincerely.

Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Hany Reid DISTRIBUTION: G980444 FILE CENTER PUBLIC NMSS r/f URS r/f DWMrd-tf Dir. Oft r/f EDO r/f SBums JFunches PTressler JHolonich CPoland CAbrams DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWhAUR8VALTONGRESLWPD OFC URS TECHAD OGC URS DWM NAME JLambert/bg Ektfk NKStablein JGreeves DATE m-mingM 1/ /99 .

1I 1/ /99 1/ /99 1/ /99 umusuiissauammugmsimuminummmuni signmuemummam OPC NM85 DEDR EDO OCA OCM

_NAME CPaperiello FMira9lia WTravers DRathbum DATE 11 199 1/ /99 1/ /99 1/ /99 1/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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material was being processed primarily to extract its uranium content. Other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the processing was primarily for the extractior of uranium. However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied on financial considerations as the basis, in addition, in April 1998, the Nationa! Mining Association (NMA) submitted a report to the Commission that identified specific ccocerns with NRC's current position and guidance on the ability of licensees to process alternate feed material at uranium mills, concurrent jurisdiction at uranium mills and other policy issues. The Commission held a public briefing with NMA in June 1998 to discuss these important issues. This was followed by several public workshops conducted by the NRC staff in western states in August 1998 on the NMA report and associated issues, The staff is in the process of evalusting NMA's concerns and will submit recommendations to the Commission for its consideration in the near future. The next public briefing to the Commission by NMA is scheduled for April 15,1999.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated

> cc: Senator Harry Reid

~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ._. .__ _ A

r l-f  % UNITED STATES e  ?'. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g" W j e

WASWNGTON, D C. 20555-0001 l

\,,,,,/ March 25, 1999 CHAIRMAN l

L The Honorable Ron Packard, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Committee on Appropriatiors United States House of Repreantatives Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

1 The " Final Senate FY99 Appropriations Report"(hereafter, Senate Report) for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), dated June 8,1998, directed the NRC to provide information to your Committee regarding the Agency's imposition of economic feasibility requirements on sor"s uranium recovery license applicants. The Senate Report included language stating that, "The Committee is aware that the NRC imposes an economic feasibility requirement on some applicants to the Commission. Within 180 days of enactment of this act, the NRC should provide to the Appropriations and relevant authorizing committees of the House and Senate a summary of the cases in which NRC considered the economic feasibility of applicants' proposa!s, the length of time required by the NRC to dispose of those cases, and the final disposition of each of those cases." This letter responds to the directive in the Senate Report and provides the requ?sted information.

First of all, we recognize that the NRC regulatory requirements must focus on public health and safety and not market economics considerations. As such, the NRC does not impose

" economic feasibility requirements" on its licensees. In the situation where a licensee applies to the NRC for approval to process alternate feed material through a uranium recovery mill, existing NRC guidance provides that the licensee must demonstrate that it is processing the alternate feedstock material primarily for its uranium content. Requiring the demonstratan is consistent with the definition of byproduct material in section 11e.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The NRC's current alternate feed guidance indicates that one of several methods a licensee may use to provide certification to this effect is to demonstrate that financial considerations justify processing the material to extract the uranium. Currently pending in the NRC adjudicatory process are two proceedings raising questions about the proper ,

interpretation and application of the criteria contained in the NRC's guidance on alternate feed i material. I To date, staii has reviewed and approved a total of seven applications to process alternate feed ]

material. All of these applications were from a single mill licensee, international Uranium j Corporation (IUC), for processing at its White Mesa Mill, in Blanding, Utah. The enclosed table provides information, requested by the Committee in the Senate Report, conceming those j seven applications, including a description of the requests, the length of time required by NRC  !

to dispose cf the requests, and the final disposition of each of them. For all seven applications, i the financial consideration of tne proposed action was used by the licensee to justify thtt the l  ;

1

O 2

rhaterial was being processed primarily to extract its uranium content. Other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the processing was primarily for the extraction of uranium. However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied on financial considerations as the basis, in addition, in A.pril 1998, the National Mirng Association (NMA) submitted a report to the Commission that identified specific concerns with NRC's current position and guidance on the ability of licensees to process alternate feed material at uranium mills, concurrent jurisdiction at I uranium mills ar d other policy issues. The Commission held a public briefing with NMA in June 1998 to discuss these important issues. This was followed by several public workshops conducted by tha NRC staff in western states in August 1998 on the NMA report and associated issu3s. The staff is in the process of evaluating NMA's concerns and will submit recommendati' ns to the Commission for its consideration in the near future. The next public briefing to the Commission by NMA is scheduled for April 15,1999.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

l Sincerely, iv Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Representative Peter J. Visclosky

UNITED STATES 3

/" '4}t NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g ," . g WASHINGTON. D C 205 % -0001 V

• • • +* March 25, 1999 CHAIRMAN The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The " Final Senate FY99 Appropriations Report" (hereafter, Senate Report) for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), dated June 8,1998, directed the NRC to provide information to your Committee regarding the Agency's imposition of economic feasibility requi:ements on some uranium recovery license applicants. The Senate Report included language stating that, "The Committee is aware that the NRC imposas an economic feasibility requirement on some applicants to the Commission. Within 180 days of enactment of this act, the NRC should provide to the Appropriations and relevant authorizing committees of the House and Senate a j summary of the cases in which NRC considered the economic feasibility of applicants' proposals, the length of time required by the NRC to dispose of those cases, and the final disposition of each of those cases." This letter responds to the directive in the Senate Report l

and provides the requested information.

l First of all, we recognize that the NRC regulatory requirements must focus on public health and safety and not market economics considerations. As such, the NRC does not impose

' economic feasibility requirements on its licensees. In the situation where a licensee applies to the NRC for approval to process alternate feed material through a uranium recovery mill, i existing NRC guidance provides that the licensee must demonstrate that it is processing the l I

alternete feedstock material primarily for its uranium content. Requiring the demonstration is consistent with the definition of byproduct materialin section 11e.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The NRC's current alternate feed guidance indicates that one of several methods a licensee may use to provide certification to this effect is to demonstrate that financial considerations justify processing the materiaf to extract the uranium. Currently pending in the NRC adjudicatory process are two proceedings raising questions about the proper interpretation and application of the criteria contained in the NRC's guidance on alternate feed material.

To date, staff has reviewed and approved a total of seven applications to process alternate feed material. All of these applications were from a single mill licensee, International Uranium Corporation (IUC), f or processing at its White Mesa Mill, in Blanding, Utah. The enclosed table provides information, requested by tne Committee in the Senate Report, concerning those seven applications, including a description of the requests, the length of time required by NRC to dispose of the requests, and the final disposition of each of them. For all seven applications, the financial consideration of the proposed action was used by the licensee to justify that the l

a j

n- .

O 2-material was being processed primarily to extract its uranium content. Other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate itat the processing was primarily for the extraction of uranium. However, the licensee, and not NRC, relied on financial considerations as the basis.

In addition, in April 1998, the National Mining Association (NMA) submitted a report to the Commission that identified specific concerns with NRC's current position and guidance on the ability of licensees to process altemate feed material at uranium mills, concurrent jurisdiction at uranium mills and other policy issues. The Commission held a public briefing with NMA in June 1998 to discuss these important issues. This was followed by several public workshops conducted by the NRC staff in western states in August 1998 on the NMA report and associated issues. The staff is in the process of evaluating NMA's concerns and will submit recommendations to the Commission for its consideration in the near future. The next public l briefing to the Commission by NMA is scheduled for April 15,1999. l i

i trust this letter responds to your ccncerns.

Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Senator Bob Graham l

I i

i l

1

. [  % UNITED STATES

[' Ft NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j, e *( j W ASHINGToN. f) C 705Wo001 a  !

' March 25, 1499

'% *..../

CHAIRMAN The Honorable Joe Barton, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Power Committee on Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The " Final Senute FY99 Appropriations Report"(hereafter, Senata Report) for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), dated June 8,1998, directed the NRC to provide information to your Committee regarding the Agency's imposition of economic feasibility requirements on some umnium recovery license applicants. The Senate Report included language stating that.

"The Committee is aware that the NRC imposes an economic feasibility requirement on some applicants to the Commission. Within 180 days of enactment of this act, the NRC should provide to the Appropriations and relevant authorizing committees of the House and Senate a summary of the cases in which NRC considered the economic feasibility of applicants' proposals, the length of time required by the NRC to dispose of those cases, and the final disposition of each of those cases." This letter responds to the directive in the Senate Report and provides the requested information.

l First of all, we recognize that the NRC regulatory requirements must focus on public health and )

safety and not market economics considerations. As such, the NRC does not impose

" economic feasibility requirements" on its licensees. In the situation where a licensee applies to the NRC for approval to process alternate feed material through a uranium recovery mill, existing NRC guidance provides that the licensee must demonstrate that it is processing the alternate feedstock material primarily for its uranium content. Requiring the demonstration is consistent with the definition of byproduct materialin section 11e.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The NRC's current altemate feed guidance indicates that one oi several methods a licensee may use to provide certification to this, effect is to demonstrate that financial considerations justify processing the material to extract the uranium. Currently pending in the NRCf adjudicatory process are two proceedings raising questions about the proper interpretation and application of the criteria contained in the NRC's guidance on alternate feed material.

To date, staff has reviewed and approved a tota' of seven applications to process alternate feed 4 material. All of thesc applications were from a single milllicensee, International Uranium Corporation (IUC), for processing at its White Mesa Mill, in Blanding, Utah. The enclosed table provides information, requested by the Committee in the Senate Report, concerning those seven applications, including a description of the requests, the length of time required by NRC j i

to dispose of the requests, and the final disposition of each of them. For all seven applications, the financial consideration of the proposed action was used by the licensee to justify that the l

a 2-rnaterial was being processed primarily to extract its uranium content. Other means could have been used by the licensee to demonstrate that the processing was pnmarily for the extraction of uranium. However, the licensee, and nct NRC, relied on financial considerations as the basis, in addition, in April 1998, the National Mining Association (NMA) submitted a report to the Commission that identified specific concerns with NRC's current position and guidance on the ability of licensees to process alternate feed material at uranium mills, concurrent jurisdiction at uranium mills and other policy issues. The Cornmission held a public briefing with NMA in June 1998 to discuss these important issues. This was followed by several public workshops conducted by the NRC staff in western states in August 1998 on the NMA report and associated issues. The staff is in the process of evaluating NMA's concerns and will submit recommendations to the Commission for its consideration in the near future. The next public briefing to the Commission by NMA is scheduled for April 15,1999.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

Sincerely, j b M Shirley Ann Jackson

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Representative Ralph M. Hall i

1 l

)

l

b i

y

.

i ACTION EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 02/19/99 ' EDO CONTROL: G980444 DOC DT: 06/08/98 S nste Appropriations '

1. - FINAL REPLY-

/

TO:

NRC L) f f_ ,

9 FOR SIGNATURE OF : a f.** GRN **

s ,

a-CRC NO: /

DESCs ROUTING:

PROVIDE HOUSE AND SENATE A

SUMMARY

OF CASES IN Callan WHICH THE NRC CONSIDERED THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY Travers OF URANIUM MILL TAILINGS APPLICANTS' PROPOSAL Thompson Norry Blaha DATE: 07/21/98 Burns I Funthes, CFO ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

NMSS _

Knapp SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

gg,m /4/M4 am SN8 boa Action "

w s o mee:

4/asy'n - - - l Due to NMSS Director's Office JG  :

2/m/9S MM By bOVl 1/zz!98 y l jy

1 0 > 0:'g\at 1bo R l} i

~

A es

- 2 4* e June 8,1998

& T&WL c 6 -

~ _

SUBJECT:

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS ,

L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations O-16 E15 Hugh L Thompson, Jr., Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Programs 0-16 E15 Ashok C. Thadani, Acting Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory O-16 E15 Effectiveness Patricia G. Norry, Deputy Executive Director for Management Services 0-16 E15 James L. Blaha, Assistant for Operations, OEDO O-16 E15 Edward L. Halman, Director, Office of Administration T-7 DS9 Thomt s T. Martin, Director, Office for Analysis and Evaluation of T-4 D18 Operational Data .

James Lieberman, Director. Office of Enforcement 0-7 H5 Guy P. Caputo, Director, Office of Investigations O-3 D2 Paul E. Bird, Director, Office of Human Resources T-3 A2 Irene P. Little, Director, Office of Small Business and Civil Rights T-2 F18 Malcolm R. Knapp, A; ting Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and T-8 A23 Safeguards Samuel J. Collins, Director,, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 0-5 E7 Bill M. Morris, Acting Director, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research T-10 F12 Richard L. Bangart, Director, Office of State Programs O-3 H2O Hubert J. Miller, Regional Administrator, Region l RGN-l Luis A. Reyes, Regional Administrator, Region ll RGN-il Carl J. Paperiello, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 111 RGN-lli Ellis W. Merschoff, Regional Administrator, Region IV RGN-IV Anthony J. Galante, Chief Information Officer O-16 C1 Jesse L. Funches, Chief Financial Officer 0-16 C1 l

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, ~cl05S7dXGP at thomas. loc. gov Page 18 of 24 For expenses necessary to carry out the programs authorized by the Appalachian Regional  !

Development Act of 1965, as amended, notwithstanding section 405 of said Act, and for necessary expenses for the Federal Co-Chairman and the attemate on the Appalachian Regional Commission and for payment of the Federal share of the administrative expenses of the Commission, including services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, and hire ofpassenger motor vehicles, $67,000,000, to remain available until expended.

~

Denali Commission i For expenses of the Denali Commission including tin purchase, construction and acquisition of plant and capital equipment as necessary and other expenses as authorized pursuant to this Act,

$20,000,000, to remain available until expended.

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board SALARIES AND EXPENSES I l

For necessary expenses of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board in carrying out activities authorized by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended by Public Law 100-456, section 1441,

$17,500,000, to remain available until expended.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission SALARIES AND EXPENSES GNCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses of the Commission in carrying out the purpo ;es of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, and the Atomic Energy A;t of 1954, as amended, including the employment of aliens; services authorized by 5 U.S.; 3109; publication and dissemination of atomic information; purchase, repair, and cleaning )f uniforms; official representation expenses (not to exceed $20,000); reimbursements to the General Services

Administration for security guard services; hire of passenger motor vehicles and aircraft,

$466,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the amount appropriated herein, $17,000,000 shall be derived from the Nuclear Waste Fund: Providedfurther, That from this appropriation, transfers of sums may be made to other agencies of the Govemment for the performance of the work for which this appropriation is made, and in such cases the sums so transferred may be merged with the appropriation to which transferred: Providedfurther, That Loneys received by the Commission for the cooperative nuclear safety research program, services rendered to State governments, foreign govemments and intemational organizations, and the material and information access authorization programs, including criminal history checks under section 149 of the Atomic Energy Act may be retained and used for salaries and expenses associated with those activities, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, and shall remain available until expended: Providedfurther, That revenues from licensing fees, inspection services, and other services and collections estimated at $416,000,000 in fiscal year 1999 shall be retained and used for necessary salaries and expenses in this account, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, and shall Monday, Jme 08,1998 1:53 PM l I

U.. I

,G,% ,

-cIO5S7dXGP et thomas. loc. gov Page 19 of 24 remai.i available until expended: Providedfbther, That of the amount appropriated herein,

$33,000,000 shall be available only for agrt v..mt State oversight, international activities, the {

generic decommissioning management program, regulatory support to agreement States, the small entity program, the nonprofit educational program, and other federal agency programs, and shall be excluded from license fee revenues, notwithstanding 42 U.S.C. 2214: Providedfurther, That the sum herein appropriated shall be reduced by the amount of revenues received during fiscal year 1999 from licensing fees, inspection services and other services and collections, excluding -

those moneys received for the cooperative nuclear safety research program, services rendered to State governments, foreign governments and international organizations, and the material and information access authorization programs, so as to result in a final fiscal yeaa 1999 appropriation estimated at not more than $50,000,000.

Office ofInspector General (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses of the Office ofInspector General in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109,

$4,800,000, to remain available until expended; and in addition, an amount not to exceed 5 percent of this sum may be transferred from Salaries and Expenses, Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Provided, That notice of such transfers shall be given to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate: Providedfurther, That from this appropriation, transfers of sums may be made to other agencies of the Government for the performance of the work for which this appropriation is made, and in such cases the sums so transferred may be merged with the appropriation to which transferred: Providedfurther, That revenues from licensing fees, inspection services, and other services and collections shall be retained and used for necessary salaries and expenses in this account, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C.

3302, and shall remain available until expended: l'rovidedfurther, That the sum herein appropriated shall be reduced by the amount of revenues received during fiscal year 1999 from licensing fees, inspection services, and other services and collections, so as to result in a final fiscal year 1999 appropriation estimated at not mo.re than $0.

NucIcar Waste Technical Review Board SALARIES AND EXPENSES For necessary expenses of the Nuclear Waste Technical Revieyv Board, as authorized by Public Law 100-203, section 5051, $2,600,000, to be derived from the Nuclear Waste Fund, and to remain available until expended.

Tennessee Valley Authority For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, as amended (16 U.S.C. ch.12A), including hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft, and purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $70,000,000, to remain available until expended.

Monday, June 08,1998 1:53 PM 4