USC Subchapter V

in effect

42 U.S.C. § 10261 Definitions

As used in this subchapter: (1) The term “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. (2) The term “Board” means the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board established under section 10262 of this title.

42 U.S.C. § 10262 Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

(a) EstablishmentThere is established a Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board that shall be an independent establishment within the executive branch. (b) Members(1) The Board shall consist of 11 members who shall be appointed by the President not later than 90 days after December 22, 1987, from among persons nominated by the National Academy of Sciences in accordance with paragraph (3). (2) The President shall designate a member of the Board to serve as chairman. (3)(A) The National Academy of Sciences shall, not later than 90 days after December 22, 1987, nominate not less than 22 persons for appointment to the Board from among persons who meet the qualifications described in subparagraph (C). (B) The National Academy of Sciences shall nominate not less than 2 persons to fill any vacancy on the Board from among persons who meet the qualifications described in subparagraph (C). (C)(i) Each person nominated for appointment to the Board shall be—(I) eminent in a field of science or engineering, including environmental sciences; and (II) selected solely on the basis of established records of distinguished service. (ii) The membership of the Board shall be representative of the broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines related to activities under this subchapter. (iii) No person shall be nominated for appointment to the Board who is an employee of—(I) the Department of Energy; (II) a national laboratory under contract with the Department of Energy; or (III) an entity performing high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel activities under contract with the Department of Energy. (4) Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled by the nomination and appointment process described in paragraphs (1) and (3). (5) Members of the Board shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, each such term to commence 120 days after December 22, 1987, except that of the 11 members first appointed to the Board, 5 shall serve for 2 years and 6 shall serve for 4 years, to be designated by the President at the time of appointment.

42 U.S.C. § 10263 Functions

The Board shall evaluate the technical and scientific validity of activities undertaken by the Secretary after December 22, 1987, including— (1) site characterization activities; and (2) activities relating to the packaging or transportation of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel.

42 U.S.C. § 10264 Investigatory powers

(a) HearingsUpon request of the Chairman or a majority of the members of the Board, the Board may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Board considers appropriate. Any member of the Board may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Board. (b) Production of documents(1) Upon the request of the Chairman or a majority of the members of the Board, and subject to existing law, the Secretary (or any contractor of the Secretary) shall provide the Board with such records, files, papers, data, or information as may be necessary to respond to any inquiry of the Board under this subchapter. (2) Subject to existing law, information obtainable under paragraph (1) shall not be limited to final work products of the Secretary, but shall include drafts of such products and documentation of work in progress.

42 U.S.C. § 10265 Compensation of members

(a) In generalEach member of the Board shall be paid at the rate of pay payable for level III of the Executive Schedule for each day (including travel time) such member is engaged in the work of the Board. (b) Travel expensesEach member of the Board may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as is permitted under sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5.

42 U.S.C. § 10266 Staff

(a) Clerical staff(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Chairman may appoint and fix the compensation of such clerical staff as may be necessary to discharge the responsibilities of the Board. (2) Clerical staff shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. (b) Professional staff(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Chairman may appoint and fix the compensation of such professional staff as may be necessary to discharge the responsibilities of the Board. (2) Not more than 10 professional staff members may be appointed under this subsection. (3) Professional staff members may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no individual so appointed may receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay payable for GS–18 of the General Schedule.

42 U.S.C. § 10267 Support services

(a) General servicesTo the extent permitted by law and requested by the Chairman, the Administrator of General Services shall provide the Board with necessary administrative services, facilities, and support on a reimbursable basis. (b) Accounting, research, and technology assessment servicesThe Comptroller General, the Librarian of Congress, and the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of funds, provide the Board with such facilities, support, funds and services, including staff, as may be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the Board. (c) Additional supportUpon the request of the Chairman, the Board may secure directly from the head of any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this subchapter. (d) MailsThe Board may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (e) Experts and consultantsSubject to such rules as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for GS–18 of the General Schedule.

42 U.S.C. § 10268 Report

The Board shall report not less than 2 times per year to Congress and the Secretary its findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The first such report shall be submitted not later than 12 months after December 22, 1987.

42 U.S.C. § 10269 Authorization of appropriations

Notwithstanding subsection (d) of section 10222 of this title, and subject to subsection (e) of such section, there are authorized to be appropriated for expenditures from amounts in the Waste Fund established in subsection (c) of such section such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.

42 U.S.C. § 10270 Termination of Board

The Board shall cease to exist not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary begins disposal of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel in a repository.