As provided for and authorized under the MEBA statue, certain options exist for the storage of elemental mercury until DOE is able to open its mercury storage facility.  Elemental mercury may be stored at a permitted facility if the owner or operator of the facility certifies in writing to the Secretary of Energy that:  [1] it will ship the mercury to the DOE facility when it is available, and [2] it will not sell, or otherwise place the elemental mercury into commerce.  Eight permitted private facilities around the United States have submitted notification/certification letters to DOE stating that they meet the requirements to accept and store elemental mercury until the DOE facility opens.