[SOE
LETTERHEAD]
January 31, 2005
The Honorable John T. Conway
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite
700
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Mr. Chairman:
On December 7, 2004, the Defense
Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) issued Recommendation 2004-2, Active Confinement
Systems. In accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 2286d (b)(l), the Department of
Energy requests an additional 45 days to respond to this recommendation. If the extension is granted, a response will
be provided no later than March 17, 2005.
In the interim, the Department
will review the concerns raised by Recommendation 2004-2 and, in particular,
passive ventilation confinement systems in ongoing designs and existing
facilities where they are currently permitted and approved. This review will result in a better
understanding of hazard analysis processes and the Board’s concerns regarding
them. The additional time will assist
the Department in determining what types of facilities would benefit most from
an active confinement ventilation system and those types of facilities or
operating considerations that may not warrant such a system as suggested in
your recommendation. Finally, this
review can add insights into how the Department’s existing requirements,
guidance, and standards are interpreted and applied, and whether supplemental
guidance is needed to enhance safety.
We will continue to work closely
with the Board and its staff throughout this process.
Sincerely,
Spencer Abraham