Part C—Hanford Reservation, Washington

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 113–66, div. C, title XXXI, §3146(e)(16)(C), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1078, redesignated part D as C.

Prior Provisions

A prior part C, consisting of section 2611, related to privatization, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–66, div. C, title XXXI, §3146(e)(12), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1078.

§2621. Safety measures for waste tanks at Hanford Nuclear Reservation

(a) Identification and monitoring of tanks

Not later than February 3, 1991, the Secretary of Energy shall identify which single-shelled or double-shelled high-level nuclear waste tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Richland, Washington, may have a serious potential for release of high-level waste due to uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure. After completing such identification, the Secretary shall determine whether continuous monitoring is being carried out to detect a release or excessive temperature or pressure at each tank so identified. If such monitoring is not being carried out, as soon as practicable the Secretary shall install such monitoring, but only if a type of monitoring that does not itself increase the danger of a release can be installed.

(b) Action plans

Not later than March 5, 1991, the Secretary of Energy shall develop action plans to respond to excessive temperature or pressure or a release from any tank identified under subsection (a).

(c) Prohibition

Beginning March 5, 1991, no additional high-level nuclear waste (except for small amounts removed and returned to a tank for analysis) may be added to a tank identified under subsection (a) unless the Secretary determines that no safer alternative than adding such waste to the tank currently exists or that the tank does not pose a serious potential for release of high-level nuclear waste.

(Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4441, formerly Pub. L. 101–510, div. C, title XXXI, §3137, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1833; renumbered Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4441, and amended Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, §3141(g)(16), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1767; Pub. L. 113–291, div. C, title XXXI, §3142(h), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3900.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–291 struck out subsec. (d). Text read as follows: "Not later than May 5, 1991, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on actions taken to promote tank safety, including actions taken pursuant to this section, and the Secretary's timetable for resolving outstanding issues on how to handle the waste in such tanks."

2003—Pub. L. 108–136, §3141(g)(16)(D)(i), made technical amendment to section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–136, §3141(g)(16)(D)(ii), substituted "Not later than February 3, 1991," for "Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–136, §3141(g)(16)(D)(iii), substituted "Not later than March 5, 1991," for "Within 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–136, §3141(g)(16)(D)(iv), substituted "Beginning March 5, 1991," for "Beginning 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–136, §3141(g)(16)(D)(v), substituted "Not later than May 5, 1991," for "Within six months after the date of the enactment of this Act,".

§2622. Hanford waste tank cleanup program reforms

(a) Establishment of Office of River Protection

The Secretary of Energy shall establish an office at the Hanford Reservation, Richland, Washington, to be known as the "Office of River Protection" (in this section referred to as the "Office").

(b) Management and responsibilities of Office

(1) The Office shall be headed by a senior official of the Department of Energy, who shall report to the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management.

(2) The head of the Office shall be responsible for managing all aspects of the River Protection Project, Richland, Washington, including Hanford Tank Farm operations and the Waste Treatment Plant.

(3)(A) The Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management shall delegate in writing responsibility for the management of the River Protection Project, Richland, Washington, to the head of the Office.

(B) Such delegation shall include, at a minimum, authorities for contracting, financial management, safety, and general program management that are equivalent to the authorities of managers of other operations offices of the Department of Energy.

(C) The head of the Office shall, to the maximum extent possible, coordinate all activities of the Office with the manager of the Richland Operations Office of the Department of Energy.

(c) Department responsibilities

The Secretary shall provide the head of the Office with the resources and personnel necessary to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (b)(2).

(d) Notification

The Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives written notification detailing any changes in the roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships that involve the Office.

(e) Termination

The Office shall terminate on September 30, 2024. The Office may be extended beyond that date if the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management determines in writing that termination would disrupt effective management of the Hanford Tank Farm operations.

(Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4442, formerly Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, §3139, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2250; Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXI, §3141(b)–(d)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-463; Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, §3135, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1368; renumbered Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4442, and amended Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, §3141(g)(17), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1767; Pub. L. 112–81, div. C, title XXXI, §3113, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1709; Pub. L. 113–66, div. C, title XXXI, §3146(e)(13), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1078; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXI, §3118, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2292.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "2024" for "2019".

2013—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted "responsible for managing all aspects" for "responsible for managing all aspects".

2011—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 112–81, §3113(1), substituted "all aspects of the River Protection Project, Richland, Washington, including Hanford Tank Farm operations and the Waste Treatment Plant" for ", consistent with the policy direction established by the Department, all aspects of the River Protection Project, Richland, Washington".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–81, §3113(2), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, not later than November 29, 2000, a copy of the delegation of authority required by subsection (b)(3)."

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 112–81, §3113(3), added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsecs. (e) and (f), which, respectively, required the Secretary to submit a progress report not later than 2 years after the commencement of Office operations and provided for termination of the Office.

2003—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–136, §3141(g)(17)(D), substituted "November 29, 2000," for "30 days after the date of the enactment of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001,".

2001—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–107 amended heading and text of subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(1) The Office shall terminate 5 years after the commencement of operations under this section unless the Secretary determines that termination on that date would disrupt effective management of the Hanford Tank Farm operations.

"(2) The Secretary shall notify, in writing, the committees referred to in subsection (d) of a determination under paragraph (1)."

2000—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXI, §3141(b)], substituted "managing, consistent with the policy direction established by the Department, all aspects of the River Protection Project, Richland, Washington" for "managing all aspects of the Tank Waste Remediation System (also referred to as the Hanford Tank Farm operations), including those portions under privatization contracts, of the Department of Energy at Hanford" in par. (2) and added par. (3).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXI, §3141(c)], substituted "head" for "manager" and "to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (b)(2)" for "to manage the tank waste privatization program at Hanford in an efficient and streamlined manner".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXI, §3141(d)], amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committees on Commerce and on National Security of the House of Representatives an integrated management plan for all aspects of the Hanford Tank Farm operations, including the roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships of the Office."

§2623. River Protection Project

The tank waste remediation system environmental project, Richland, Washington, including all programs relating to the retrieval and treatment of tank waste at the site at Hanford, Washington, under the management of the Office of River Protection, shall be known and designated as the "River Protection Project". Any reference to that project in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the River Protection Project.

(Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4443, formerly Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXI, §3141(a)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-462; renumbered Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4443, and amended Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, §3141(g)(18), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1768.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2003—Pub. L. 108–136, §3141(g)(18)(C), inserted section catchline and struck out former subsec. heading.

§§2624 to 2626. Repealed. Pub. L. 117–263, div. C, title XXXI, §3132(a)(1)(B)(ii), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3060

Section 2624, Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4444, formerly Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXI, §3131], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-454; renumbered Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4444, and amended Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, §3141(g)(19), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1768; Pub. L. 113–66, div. C, title XXXI, §3146(e)(14), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1078, related to funding for termination costs of the River Protection Project, Richland, Washington.

Section 2625, Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4445, as added Pub. L. 113–66, div. C, title XXXI, §3127(a), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1064, related to the plan for tank farm waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Richland, Washington.

Section 2626, Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4446, as added Pub. L. 114–92, div. C, title XXXI, §3116(a), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 1194; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXI, §3137(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2303, related to contract oversight for the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant.

§2627. Notification regarding air release of radioactive or hazardous material

If the Secretary of Energy (or a designee of the Secretary) is notified of an improper release into the air of radioactive or hazardous material above applicable statutory or regulatory limits that resulted from waste generated by atomic energy defense activities at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Richland, Washington, the Secretary (or designee of the Secretary) shall—

(1) not later than two business days after being notified of the release, notify the congressional defense committees of the release; and

(2) not later than seven business days after being notified of the release, provide the congressional defense committees a briefing on the status of the release, including—

(A) the cause of the release, if known; and

(B) preliminary plans to address and remediate the release, including associated costs and timelines.

(Pub. L. 107–314, div. D, title XLIV, §4447, as added Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXI, §3115(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2291.)