[DNFSB LETTERHEAD]

 

December 19, 2002

 

The Honorable Everet H. Beckner

Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs

National Nuclear Security Administration

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-0104

 

Dear Dr. Beckner:

 

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) has received your letter of November 18, 2002, transmitting an enclosure that summarizes the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) responses to issues raised by the Board and its staff during the design of the Tritium Extraction Facility, being built at the Savannah River Site.  During the past 3 years, the Board’s staff has worked closely with representatives of the Tritium Extraction Facility project to resolve these issues.  The Board concurs with NNSA’s proposed resolution of the issues.  The Board and its staff will continue to follow the closure of these issues during construction of the facility and startup testing.

 

Sincerely,

 

John T. Conway

Chairman

 

c:  Mr. Michael O. Hickman, Sr.

Mr. Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.