[SOE LETTERHEAD]

 

July 21, 2004

 

MEMORANDUM FOR          KYLE McSLARROW

DEPUTY SECRETARY

 

DAVID K. GARMAN

ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR ENERGY, SCIENCE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT

 

LINTON BROOKS

ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

 

FROM:                                    SPENCER ABRAHAM

 

SUBJECT:                               Delegations of Authority on Defense Nuclear Safety Matters to Field Offices

 

After a thorough review of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s Recommendation 2004-1 (issued May 21, 2004) on oversight of complex, high-hazard nuclear operations, I accept the recommendation.

 

This Recommendation, in part, raises concerns regarding delegations of authority on defense nuclear safety matters to the field offices. Until the Department has developed and issued its 2004-1 implementation plan and completed the applicable 2004-1 plan actions, no such new delegations regarding safety functions and responsibilities for nuclear operations at defense nuclear facilities shall be made, except as approved by either the Deputy Secretary or Secretary of Energy. However, delegation modifications that may be required as a result of personnel changes or delegation expirations may continue to be issued without approval by the Deputy Secretary or Secretary.

 

cc:

Mark Whitaker, DR-1

Alan Kindrick, EH-1

Paul Golan, EM-1

Everet Beckner, NA-10

Bill Magwood, NE-1

Ray Orbach, SC-1

Glenn Podonsky, SP-1