[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 230 (Thursday, November 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61542-61543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29255]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Chicago Operations Office; Award Based on Acceptance of an
Unsolicited Application
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of financial assistance award in response to an
unsolicited financial assistance application.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy announces that pursuant to 10
CFR 600.14(e), it plans to negotiate and award Grant Number DE-FG02-
96CH10851 to the Institute of Regulatory Science
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The anticipated objective of the award is to
provide for the application of ``Best Available Science'' (BAS) to the
reevaluation of assessment methods based on scientific knowledge rather
than opinions or value judgements. This proposal provides for a unique
approach to choose the best available scientific information in that it
suggests a clear separation of science from societal goals to enhance
the accuracy of estimating environmental risks in an attempt to limit
costly adverse effects. These goals will provide scientifically based
data for others to utilize in pursuing environmental issues in the
educational arena and provide the general public as well as the
professional societies, knowledge of how risk factors were determined
by making consensus reports more accessible. This proposal provides a
public service by providing the public with the best and most accurate
scientific information with respect to utilizing the Best Available
Science. DOE's Office of Environmental Management believes that there
is a high probability of achieving the objectives.
The public is greatly served if environmental decisions would be
based on BAS. It is the belief of the grantee that objectively computed
risks will be somewhat lower than those based upon societal objectives.
The lower the risk, the smaller the costs for adverse effects caused
within the human health and environmental areas. It is likely that if
this approach is successful the cost of environmental protection would
be significantly reduced. Consequently, a higher level of environmental
protection could be achieved by the current level of funding.
Additional benefits of this project are enhancement of public and
university education and expand the availability of relevant published
scientific information. The public will have easier access to data
presented in relevant papers and consensus reports regarding BAS
through their publication in the journal ``Technology:Journal of the
Franklin Institute'' and a new ``Encyclopedia of Environment.''
Education will be enhanced by the utilization of high school or
community college minority students in researching environmental issues
while applying BAS, participating with professional organizations in
providing environmental courses, participation in technical conferences
to discuss BAS for environmental issues, as well as participating in
technical panels and making presentations to various groups regarding
BAS in human health and environmental concerns.
The grantee plans to obtain this objective by educating students
and professional organizations about the benefits and needs of BAS in
relation to existing practices; and the dissemination of scientific
information through the Technology publication and the new Encyclopedia
of Environment. To assure reliance upon BAS the grantee proposes the
utilization of not-for-profit professional organizations which include
the following: (1) the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME);
(2) the American Association for the Advancement of Technology (AAAT);
(3) the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES); and (4)
the National Council and Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRPM).
These organizations can provide peer-review of scientific aspects of
the societal decisions, can reach a
[[Page 61543]]
consensus on scientific subjects related to protection of human health
and the environment, and can support the publication of relevant BAS.
In addition, and in accordance with the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), an organization was formed and is known by its
Spanish acronym ``CEPA'' which is composed of Universities in Mexico
and the U.S. which pursue environmental protection in Mexico. The
proposed approach permits the development of relevant information based
on scientific consensus, education of the professionals and high school
students, and publication of relevant materials for the benefit of the
scientific community, regulators, legislators, and above all, the
general public.
The technical team is led by a uniquely qualified individual, Dr.
A. Alan Moghissi, Ph.D., President of the Institute for Regulatory
Science. He has broad regulatory experience and has served as a Senior
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy official. His interaction
with industry over the years has fulfilled a critical need in obtaining
an industry perspective. He has gained credibility with the intervener
community and Congress as a credible spokesman in the area of technical
assessment of societal decisions. For the past 11 years under grants
for this effort, Dr. Moghissi has gained unique experience and
specialized knowledge in the reevaluation of risk assessments for human
health and the environment. An example of the kind of accomplishments
he has made is evident in the regulatory change that was made for
tritium standards in drinking water. Dr. Moghissi, because of his
unique past experience as stated above, is uniquely qualified to
perform the proposed research.
This award meets the criteria for selection of an unsolicited
application as specified under 10 CFR 600.14(e)(i) & (ii). Under
subparagraph (i) the application is meritorious based on the foregoing
general evaluation which is required by 10 CFR 600.14(d). Under
subparagraph (ii) the proposed project represents a unique, innovative
idea, method and approach which would not otherwise be eligible for
funding under any other known recent, current, or planned solicitation
and a competitive solicitation would be inappropriate. This award would
be for approximately 5 years at an estimated total cost of three
million dollars.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Ramirez, Contract Specialist,
(708) 252-2133; U.S.Department of Energy, 9800 South Cass Avenue,
Argonne, Illinois 60439.
Issued in Chicago, Illinois on November 21, 1995.
F.T. Sienko,
Acquisition & Assistance Group Acting Manager.
[FR Doc. 95-29255 Filed 11-29-95; 8:45 am]
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