and your activities, both in this committee and in the Appropriations Committee. But I am concerned about the diversion of DOE moneys away from the civilian programs, where there is such a budgetary stringency, just as I mentioned to the previous witnesses and I think you were present at the time that exchange took place. I think we are dangerously underfunding some other activities that are also essential. I will not even say they are more or less essential than what you are doing, because I think they are both essential.

We will submit some further questions for the record, and other Members of the committee will have some also. They will have until close of business tomorrow to submit those questions.

We would appreciate your prompt response.

Colonel HESS. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. And I cannot conclude the hearing without thanking you for your patience and bearing with us this morning, and also the abbreviated nature of your appearance. It is certainly not because the members of this committee have less interest, it is just that at this hour they have conflicts.

We thank you very much for your attendance.

The meeting will stand in adjournment.

[Whereupon, at 1:05 p.m., the hearing was adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair.]

On April 29, 1986, Ben C. Rusche, Director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, appeared before the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development to discuss the FY 1987 budget authorization for civilian radioactive waste management.

Following that hearing, you submitted written questions for our response to supplement the record. Enclosed are the answers to those questions, which also have been sent directly to the Committee staff.

If you have any questions, please have your staff call Mike
Gilmore or Cathy Hamilton on 252-4277. They will be happy

to assist.

Sincerely,

28 Cath

Robert G. Rabben

Assistant General Counsel
for Legislation

Enclosure

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POST-HEARING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RELATING TO THE

APRIL 29, 1986 HEARING

BEFORE THE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

WITNESS: BEN C. RUSCHE

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CIVILIAN RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

QUESTIONS FROM SENATOR MCCLURE

MRS

QUESTION 1:
ANSWER:

What is the status of the MRS proposal?

The proposal and supporting documentation were
completed in early February 1986, and were ready to
be transmitted to the Congress. On February 7, 1986,
the State of Tennessee's Attorney General successfully
obtained an injunction from the Federal District
Court for the Middle District of Tennessee which
enjoined the Department from submitting the MRS
proposal to the Congress. The injunction has been
appealed by the Department.