Nuclear Waste Disposal Siting (81.065)
Program
81.065 Nuclear Waste Disposal Siting
Federal Agency
CIVILIAN RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Authorization
Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Sections 116, 118, 219, 302, Public Law 97-425; Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987, Public Law 100-159.
Program Number
81.065
Last Known 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 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 and volunteer States, including executive agencies, offices of the State legislature, affected units of local governments, 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.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States, affected units of local government and affected 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 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
Appeals
An appeals process is available for those jurisdictions which are challenging the original DOE determination related to payments equal to taxes. Appeals may be filed with the Office of Hearing Appeals, DOE.
Renewals
Proposals for renewal are subject to both internal and external evaluation.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements, other than that specified for benefits agreements. However, cost-sharing may be appropriate under certain conditions as set forth in DOE procurement regulations 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
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements that year, except as noted in Circular No. A- 133.
Records
Grantee is expected to maintain auditable records to substantiate the total costs incurred under the agreement or contract.
Program Accomplishments
The following groups received grants: The National Academy of Sciences, Nye County, University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN), and Inyo County. The National Academy of Sciences grant established a panel of technical experts to conduct studies and symposia on the "Conceptual Models of Fluid Infiltration in Fractured Media." The Nye County grants are for the purpose of on-site independent science and verification program and on-site drilling. The UCCSN agreement is for independent verification programs. The Inyo County grant is to establish and conduct a Death Valley Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program.
Financial Information
Account Identification
89-5227-0-2-271.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $15,727,754; FY 03 est $12,920,020; and FY 04 est $10,600,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$40,000 to $5,000,000 depending on program phase.
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.
Related Programs
81.049, Office of Science Financial Assistance Program.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact: J. Russell Dyer, Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Office, Las Vegas, NV. Telephone: (702) 794-1300. Use the same number for FTS.
Headquarters Office
Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Contact: Charles Smith. Telephone: (202) 586-8885. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address
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
Eligibility of applicant (is DOE conducting siting activity in the State or Tribal-related lands); has the State or local government volunteered a site; appropriateness of the type and level of work effort relative to DOE activities; and is the salary or expense extraordinary.
