[DNFSB LETTERHEAD]
September
9, 2005
The
Honorable Samuel W. Bodman
Secretary
of Energy
1000
Independence Avenue, SW
Washington,
DC 20585-1000
Dear
Secretary Bodman:
The Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board (Board) has evaluated the Department of Energy’s (DOE) request of
August 8, 2005, to close Recommendation 99-1, Safe Storage of Fissionable Material Called “Pits,”
which was issued to
DOE on August 11, 1999. The Board agrees
that the corrective actions implemented by DOE to address the issues raised in Recommendation
99-1 have resulted in a significant improvement to DOE’s ability to store strategic
stockpile and surplus pits safely at the Pantex Plant.
During the last few years, the
rate of repackaging of Pantex pits has met or exceeded the target repackaging
rate of 200 pits per month. More than 97
percent of the pits identified in DOE’s Implementation Plan for Recommendation
99-1 have been repackaged, and repackaging of the remaining pits is scheduled
to be complete by the end of fiscal year 2005. The Board applauds DOE’s efforts in
maintaining consistent priority and funding to complete the pit repackaging
project. The Board also commends
BWXT-Pantex for its efforts in managing and executing a sound program for pit
surveillance, repackaging, and storage.
One of the corrective actions
implemented as a result of Recommendation 99-1 was the development of a Pantex
Pit Management Plan (PMP) and a surveillance program for the sealed insert
containers for the duration of pit storage at Pantex. The Board encourages DOE to capture the
milestones achieved in the preceding year and goals for the upcoming year in
the annual updates to the PMP. The Board
is also aware of plans to relocate subsequent repackaging operations to another
facility next year. The completion of
this relocation effort is key to ensuring that future
repackaging needs are met in a timely manner.
To ensure that the repackaging
of pits into sealed insert containers continues, the Board strongly urges that
requirements be established to limit the duration for which pits derived from future
disassembly or dismantlement activities may remain in non-sealed insert
containers before being repackaged. These requirements should preclude the
accumulation of a backlog of pits requiring repackaging in sealed insert
containers and ensure the continuation of safe storage of all pits at Pantex.
The Board accepts DOE’S final
report on Recommendation 99-1 and agrees to close the Recommendation. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2286b(d), the Board requests an annual
briefing coincident with the annual update to the PMP. This annual briefing should cover the updates
to the PMP; the first annual briefing should also address the requirements
established to limit the duration for which future pits may remain in
non-sealed insert containers and a status of efforts to relocate and restart
repackaging operations. Given the
significance of pit storage and handling to safety and national security, the
Board will continue to monitor the pit packaging program at Pantex.
Sincerely,
A.
J. Eggenberger
Chairman
c: Mr. Daniel E. Glenn
Mr.
Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.