[SOE
LETTERHEAD]
July 11, 2005
The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger
Acting Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite
700
Washington, D.C. 20004 – 2901
Dear Dr. Eggenberger:
On March 18, 2005, the
Department of Energy (Department) accepted the Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board (Board) Recommendation 2004-2, Active Confinement Systems. Progress is being made towards developing an implementation
plan that is mutually acceptable to the Board and to the Department. However, due to the technical complexity of
this issue, the diversity of facilities to which the implementation plan will
apply, and the need to carefully consider potential confinement system
upgrades, the Department requires additional time to complete the implementation
plan.
In accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 2286d(e), this letter provides notification that the Department
will need an additional 45 days to complete the implementation plan. The implementation plan will be provided no
later than August 25, 2005.
Sincerely,
Samuel W. Bodman