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The development and deployment of smart grid technology hold tremendous promise towards improving the efficiency and reliability of our nation’s energy systems and empowering consumers to make better decisions about the use of electricity. Because effective communications networks will be central to the success of smart grid technology, Verizon is working closely with utilities, the developers of energy management systems, and others to use its extensive wireline and wireless broadband networks and related expertise to quickly and efficiently realize the promise of smart grid technology. As this technology progresses, the Department of Energy (“Department”) should promote privacy approaches that encourage innovation, experimentation, and competition from a variety of players while respecting consumers’ preferences regarding access to and privacy of energy usage data. The Department appears to share these objectives as it has stated that Smart Grid policies should “encourage and accommodate unpredicted innovations while making usage data reasonably available to those who should have it and respecting consumers’ reasonable interests in choosing how to balance the benefits of access against the protection of personal privacy and security.”

Hughes Network Systems, LLC ("Hughes") and Inmarsat Inc. ("Inmarsat") hereby submit these comments in response to the Department of Energy's Request for Information ("RFI") in the above-referenced proceeding. Hughes and Inmarsat are global leaders in providing satellite networks and services and satellite services, respectively. Hughes and Inmarsat, both global satellite communications leaders, have a long-standing commercial relationship and have worked together in various roles on a variety of satellite communications projects over many years, including in the area of Smart Grid projects. The companies submit these joint comments to explain the benefits and important role of satellite communications technologies for Federal Smart Grid Policy. For the reasons outlined below, Hughes and Inmarsat urge the Department of Energy ("DOE") to recognize that satellite networking technology will play a critical role in Smart Grid efforts for the utility industry and to ensure that, in developing communications requirements for Smart Grid, DOE and other federal, state and local government agencies develop Smart Grid policies that are technology-neutral and do not favor a particular communications or networking technology over another. Satellite technology options should be allowed to compete on an equal footing with other communications and networking technologies.

Urgent action is needed to address utilities communications needs. Utilities and other CII are deploying smart grid and making investments in communications upgrades now. Promoting access to spectrum will accelerate the deployment of smart grid and oth...

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Guidance for the development of a Mitigation Action Plan (MAP) is contained in Department of Energy (DOE) Order 451.1B, National Environmental Policy Act Compliance Program, and 10 CFR 1021, National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures. These documents specify that a MAP be prepared to mitigate environmental impacts resulting from the implementation of commitments made in the Record of Decision (ROD) for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Order further requires that an annual report be prepared to demonstrate the progress made in implementing the commitments and effectiveness of any mitigation activity until the activity has been completed. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) MAP was prepared to address commitments made in the RODs for the WIPP Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and the WIPP Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. This 2010 Annual Mitigation Report (AMR) addresses those WIPP-related mitigation activities undertaken from the time of submittal of the 1994 Annual Mitigation Report in July 1994 through June 2010.

OIG received a request from Henry Waxman, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives, soliciting our opinion on matters related to legislation being considered by the Committee that would provide relief to certain retirees who worked at the former Department of Enegery's sites in Portsmouth and Paducah.

Former Uranium Enrichment Workers: Questions Regarding Equity in Pension Benefits

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Projects at National Solar Thermal Test FacilityCX(s) Applied: B1.15, B1.16, B3.6, B3.11Date: 07/09/2010Location(s): New MexicoOffice(s): Sandia Site Office

South Carolina-City-Town of Mount PleasantCX(s) Applied: A9, A11, B1.32, B5.1Date: 07/09/2010Location(s): Mount Pleasant, South CarolinaOffice(s): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Pennsylvania-City-Township of BensalemCX(s) Applied: A9, A11, B2.5, B5.1Date: 07/09/2010Location(s): Bensalem, PennsylvaniaOffice(s): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy