Program Descriptions
Program Number
81.065
Title
Nuclear Waste Disposal Siting
Federal Agency
CIVILIAN RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Authorization
Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), Sections 116, 118, 219, 302, Public Law 97-425; Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987, Public Law 100-159.
Status
Active
Objectives
To provide for the development of repositories for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; to establish a program of research, development, and demonstration regarding the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; and for other purposes.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use; Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
Financial and technical assistance is provided by Direct Payments for Specified Uses or Project Grants (cooperative agreements) to review potential economic, social, public health and safety, and environmental impacts; develop requests for impact and mitigation assistance; engage in any monitoring, testing, or evaluation activities; provide information to the public; and request information and make comments, recommendations. Any salary or travel expense that would ordinarily be incurred by such State, political subdivision of such State, or an Indian tribe may not be considered eligible for funding under this program.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The State of Nevada, affected units of local government, and affected Indian tribes in which DOE is conducting, or interested in conducting, nuclear waste disposal activities. Those units of local government which are contiguous to the situs unit of local government may be designated as affected, at the discretion of the Secretary, and would then be eligible for financial assistance. Designation of a unit of local government or tribe as an 'Affected Unit of Local Government' or 'Affected Tribe' is done pursuant to the NWPA.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States, affected units of local government and affected American Indian tribes will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
A letter of inquiry describing the proposed work and eligibility of the proposer to do the work under a project grant (cooperative agreement) is desirable before preparation of a detailed formal proposal. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
Application Procedure
Applicant may omit the letter of inquiry and submit a proposal instead. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
The proposal may be forwarded for internal and external review and then, if approved, to a DOE procurement office for grant development.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Normally 3 to 6 months for Project Grants (cooperative agreements).
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements. However, cost-sharing may be appropriate under certain conditions as set forth in DOE financial assistance rules (10 CFR Part 600)governing cost-sharing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The schedule of DOE payment is arranged at the time of grant negotiations. Length and time phasing of assistance will vary with DOE program phase and activity.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The schedule of reports is arranged at the time of grant negotiations.
Audits
Annual appropriation language provides, in the heading "Nuclear Waste Disposal", that notwithstanding the provisions of chapters 65 and 75 of title 31, United States Code, the Department shall have no monitoring, auditing or other oversight rights or responsibilities over amounts provided to affected units of local government in this or any previous year under this heading.
Records
Grantee is expected to maintain auditable records to substantiate the total costs incurred under the agreement or contract.
Financial Information
Account Identification
89-5227-0-2-271.
Obligations
FY 07 $29,000,000; FY 08 est $29,000,000; and FY 09 est $29,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$40,000 to $5,000,000 depending on program phase.
Program Accomplishments
The following groups received grants (short titles are provided): Clark County (Emergency Response Planning System and Advanced Transportation Technologies); Inyo County (Death Valley Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program); National Academy of Science (NAS)(Transportation of Radioactive Waste); National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)(Support review and activities with DOE/OCRWM); National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)(Collection & Distribution of Nuclear Waste & Spent Fuel Policy information to State Legislatures); Nye County (Early Warning Drilling Program); Nye County (Independent assessment of the Yucca Mountain Trans. issues and concerns. Unique to the Destination County); University & Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) (Scientific and Engineering Activities); and Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) (Regional Coordination and analysis of the OCRWM Transportation Program).
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
General Guidelines for Implementing Financial Assistance Programs under Section 116 and 118 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Tanya N. Montgomery, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Office of External Affairs, Las Vegas, NV 89134. Telephone: (702) 794-5449.
Headquarters Office
None.
Web Site Address
http://ocrwm.doe.gov
Related Programs
81.049, Office Of Science Financial Assistance Program
Examples of Funded Projects
Review of key site characterization documents; State of Nevada information office developing technical capability to review DOE actions as part of consultation and cooperation process; socioeconomic environmental, hydrogeological, geological, and transportation assessments.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Statutory Eligibility.
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