[DNFSB
LETTERHEAD]
February 24, 2004
The Honorable Spencer Abraham
Secretary of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585-1000
Dear Secretary Abraham:
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
(Board) is in receipt of your February 23, 2004 letter advising that you have
directed the current proposed rule making be suspended to allow further
consultations with the Board. This is in
furtherance of our prior correspondence and our meeting with you and Deputy
Secretary McSlarrow.
The Board and staff will work directly with
Under Secretary Card and Assistant Secretary Cook and with the Department of
Energy’s (DOE’s) subject matter experts to address the concerns raised. This is in accordance with Section 312 of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 as amended which requires the Board to review and
evaluate the content and implementation of DOE safety standards relating to
orders, regulations and requirements at each DOE defense nuclear facility.
Based on past conversations and
correspondence with you and Deputy Secretary McSlarrow, I and the other Board
Members always have been convinced of your commitment to assuring that the
safety and health of the workers remain a top personal priority for you. We appreciate the consideration, acceptance
and leadership you have always given to the Board’s suggestions and formal
recommendations in assuring the public and worker’s health and safety.
In view of the suspension of the original
proposed rule, the Board has determined to cancel its previously announced
public hearing scheduled for February 27, 2004.
Sincerely,
John T. Conway
Chairman
c: The
Honorable Kyle E. McSlarrow
The Honorable
Linton Brooks
The Honorable
Robert Gordon Card
The Honorable
Beverly Ann Cook
Mr. Mark B.
Whitaker, Jr.