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Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson today announced that the Energy Department will conduct a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of the environmental impacts associated with the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), the next step in determining the future of the reactor. This decision follows the completion and review of a 90-day Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Scoping Plan, requested by the Secretary in May 1999.

"The workers at FFTF, the Hanford community and the American taxpayer have been waiting too long -- they deserve a decision on the future of this reactor. I am also committed to maintaining a strong nuclear research infrastructure and my decision to move forward with a National Environmental Policy Act review reflects this commitment," Secretary Richardson said.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), to be completed in fall 2000, will be supported by a comprehensive technical research and development plan and cost analysis. The EIS will evaluate the environmental effects associated with a range of research and development activities, medical isotope production and plutonium-238 production to fuel NASA spacecraft. The EIS will also evaluate a range of options including the use of existing operating facilities to meet these needs, the re-start and operation of the FFTF, and the construction of entirely new facilities. As such, no preferred alternative will be identified in the draft EIS.

The Secretary's decision to proceed with an EIS came after the Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee (NERAC), an external independent advisory panel, reviewed the Scoping Plan. NERAC voted 19-2 to recommend that the Secretary proceed toward a Record of Decision on the FFTF.

In an August 9 letter to the department, NERAC chairman and former University of Michigan president, Jim Duderstadt, urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to move forward on a final FFTF decision as soon as possible. "The restart or shutdown of FFTF should be made in the context of a long-range plan for DOE's nuclear energy program," Duderstadt wrote. "Such a long range plan, which is considerably beyond the scope of the 90-day study conducted for FFTF, would identify the programs, human resources and infrastructure necessary to provide a solid base for conducting the necessary research and development to sustain important uses of nuclear energy in the United States and worldwide."

"We agree with NERAC's recommendation that the process needs to be informed by additional analysis," Deputy Secretary of Energy T.J. Glauthier said. "The department has a responsibility to assure that the nation has an infrastructure that will support vigorous research and development in nuclear science and technology. We need to make the right decision, based on a comprehensive long-term plan for nuclear research and an analysis of nuclear infrastructure needs. When all these pieces are in place, we will have a path forward based on the science, the economics and the environmental impacts."

The department is working closely with NERAC to develop a long-range plan as well as a DOE nuclear energy research and development facility infrastructure roadmap. These plans will be used to inform the environmental review. The department will also conduct parallel nonproliferation and cost studies of the various options. These analyses will be completed prior to issuing the final EIS to ensure that the Secretary has adequate information to support his Record of Decision.

The EIS will be conducted with full and open participation by the public -- federal, tribal, state and local governments and others. Participation will include public meetings in Oregon, Washington and Washington, DC.

- DOE -

R-99-222