Dolline Hatchett 202/ 586-5806 July 12, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy (DOE) today published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) on the disposition of scrap metals across its complex.

The PEIS will address policy options for managing those metals located in radiological areas on DOE sites, and any other scrap metals at DOE sites that might have some potential for residual surface radioactivity.

The Notice of Intent proposes four disposition alternatives to be evaluated:

(1) continuation of an existing suspension on the release of scrap metals from DOE radiological areas for unrestricted use in recycling (No Action Alternative); (2) release of scrap metals for recycling under existing DOE requirements; (3) release of scrap metals for recycling under alternative requirements; and (4) no release for recycling of scrap metals with any potential for residual surface radioactivity.

The department will conduct public scoping meetings to assist in defining the appropriate scope of the PEIS during July and August 2001. The meetings are expected to be held in North Augusta, S.C.; Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Oakland, Calif.; Richland, Wash.; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Arlington, Va.

Details of the public scoping meetings, to include dates and locations, are published in the Federal Register.