§5961a Requirement for On-site Managers

Summary

Before spending any Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation money on certain big projects, the Secretary of Energy must pick one on-site manager who is a federal employee. This rule applies when the project is in a state of the former Soviet Union, involves dismantling, destruction, storage, or building a facility, and when the Department of Energy will put in more than $50,000,000. The on-site manager must work with the governments involved to make a short list of the steps essential to reach the project’s disarmament or nonproliferation goals, set a schedule, and meet with all participants to make sure the steps happen on time. If a non‑U.S. participant misses a scheduled step, the manager must suspend U.S. participation unless the Secretary orders otherwise; if the Secretary orders resumption, Congress must be told. One federal employee can manage more than one project, but if they do, the combined project cost in a fiscal year cannot exceed $150,000,000. Essential steps include getting required permits, confirming items are ready for dismantlement, and supplying required money, people, and transport. A “permit” means any local or national permit needed for construction, environment, land use, or development in that state. The rule took effect six months after November 24, 2003.