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This rule modifies a small portion of 40 CFR 194, "Criteria for the Certification and Re-certification of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's Compliance with the 40 CFR part 191 Disposal Regulations." 40 CFR part 194, appendix A, Condition 1 currently stipulates that the Option D Panel Closure included in DOE's 1996 Compliance Certification application be implemented to seal filled waste panels in the repository. On September 28, 2011, DOE submitted a Planned Change Request which would replace the concrete monolith and mortared explosion wall included in the Option D Panel Closure with an alternative design consisting of steel bulkheads and mined salt backfill. According to DOE, implementation of Option D presents significant technical obstacles, and this alternative design would reduce costs and impacts on waste-emplacement activities while meeting the same operational performance requirements.