[DNFSB LETTERHEAD]
July 30, 2009
The Honorable Steven Chu
Secretary of Energy
U. S. Department of Energy
Dear Secretary Chu:
On July 29, 2009, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board), in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 2286a(a) (5), unanimously approved Recommendation 2009-1, Risk Assessment Methodologies at Defense Nuclear Facilities, which is enclosed for your consideration. This Recommendation identifies the need for adequate policies and associated standards and guidance on the use of quantitative risk assessment methodologies at the Department of Energy's (DOE) defense nuclear facilities.
After you have received this Recommendation and as required by 42 U.S.C. § 2286d (a), the Board will promptly make it available to the public. The Board believes that this Recommendation contains no information that is classified or otherwise restricted. To the extent that this Recommendation does not include information restricted by DOE under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2161-2168, as amended, please arrange to have it placed promptly on file in your regional public reading rooms. The Board will also publish this Recommendation in the Federal Register. The Board will evaluate DOE's response to this Recommendation in accordance with the Board's Policy Statement 1, Criteria for Judging the Adequacy of DOE Responses and Implementation Plans for DNFSB Recommendations. Further delay in the implementation of this Recommendation may be avoided through exercise of your authority under the Atomic Energy Act to implement any portion of this Recommendation prior to finalization of the implementation plan.
Sincerely,
A. J. Eggenberger
Chairman
c: Mr. Mark R. Whitaker, Jr.