ECA Update: Recapping the National Cleanup Workshop 2022; Why advanced reactors benefit industry, coal-dependent states
Published: Fri, 09/23/22
ECA Update
NATIONAL CLEANUP WORKSHOP
Recapping the National Cleanup Workshop 2022
ECA Staff | 9/23/2022
Day Two of the National Cleanup Workshop 2022 came to a close today. Over the course of the conference, participants heard remarks from Department of Energy (DOE) and Congressional leadership, learned from informative panel sessions, and had productive
discussions and meetings.
Cleanup enables a bright economic future. Community leaders highlighted various projects occurring on former federal land around sites across the country, and noted that support for cleanup is critical to attracting industry and economic opportunities in local communities.
The panel featured several ECA members: Rick McLeod (SRSCRO), Diahann Howard (Port of Benton), Randall Ryti (Los Alamos County), and Jennifer Chandler (Village of Piketon).
Some communities, such as those surrounding Hanford, are looking to the future of their sites as an exciting transition "from cleanup to clean energy," while others, such as Los Alamos, are navigating the land transfer process to facilitate economic development.
The EM program is strong. Leaders from the DOE Office of Environmental
Management (EM) highlighted the strength of the program during remarks this morning.
"The state of EM is strong," Candice Robertson, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for EM said. "We've made a lot of accomplishments, and are on the cusp of many more."
Dae Chung, Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Corporate Services at EM also noted that "from a business standpoint, we are as strong as ever."
The EM program is not without challenges, however. Several panelists noted that "the really tough stuff" still remains to be tackled in cleanup of the complex.
Workforce challenges impact all sites. The continued need to discuss and find solutions to the critical issue of workforce emerged as a key theme over the course of the Cleanup Workshop. DOE Field Office Managers touched on the current vacancies in their authorized workforce, for example, but also highlighted efforts to recruit and promote women and minority groups within the EM program.
Several panelists noted that among EM's almost 1,200 federal employees, only 15 are under the age of 30. This fact was used to
drive the point that education and recruitment efforts must begin early in order to develop the future of the EM workforce. This information was also used to point out the loyalty of the current workforce and their commitment to the EM mission.
Thank you to all the sponsors, speakers, and attendees that made this such a successful Cleanup Workshop. We look forward to our continued partnership with you all!
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Monitor DOE spending bills, detailed site budgets, and more.
Why advanced reactors benefit industry and coal-dependent states
Forbes | 09/12/22
The chemical maker Dow will develop a small nuclear reactor for industrial applications, potentially replacing natural gas that is now burned at extremely high temperatures to make changes to chemical compounds. Advanced nuclear
technologies, however, achieve the same result without releasing carbon emissions.
The so-called Generation IV high-temperature reactors are best known for electricity generation. But they can also be used by industry. Because they operate at 800 degrees Celsius, they can process chemicals, desalinate ocean water, and produce clean hydrogen for electricity and transportation. Even better: the reactors can locate where shuttered coal plants once stood, restoring economic health to devastated regions of the country.
“Electricity is the low-hanging fruit,” says Patrick White, project manager for the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, in a talk
with this writer. “We have not yet integrated nuclear energy with large chemical facilities. There may be some hiccups and things to work through. But we will see the first reactors for industrial applications at the end of the decade. After building the fourth and fifth reactors, companies will sign up in droves. The goal is decarbonization.”
Specifically, Dow is partnering with X-energy to develop a small modular reactor at one of Dow’s sites along the Gulf Coast, which could go live in 2030. Dow is also taking a minority ownership position in X-energy. Each modular reactor can
generate 80 megawatts. But they can be stacked together to produce 320 MW, providing clean, reliable, and safe baseload power to support electricity systems or industrial applications.
Existing U.S. nuclear reactors are the second generation, although Southern
Company is building third generation reactors developed by Westinghouse. The small modular reactors are the fourth generation, producing more electricity at less cost. The third and fourth generations will automatically shut off during an emergency.
"Advanced small modular nuclear technology is going to be a critical tool for Dow's path to zero-carbon emissions and our ability to drive growth by delivering low-carbon products to our customers," says Jim Fitterling, Dow’s chief executive officer. "X-energy's technology is among the most advanced, and when deployed will
deliver safe, reliable, low-carbon power and steam.”
Administration announces $7 billion to jump-start America's clean hydrogen economy
DOE | 09/22/22
The U.S. Department of Energy recently opened applications for the $7 billion program to create regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) across the country, which will form a critical arm of America's future clean energy
economy. As part of a larger $8 billion hydrogen hub program funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the H2Hubs will be a central driver in helping communities across the country benefit from clean energy investments, good-paying jobs, and improved energy security – all while supporting President Biden’s goal of a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.
“These H2Hubs are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lay the foundation for the clean hydrogen future President Biden is building—one that will lift our economy, protect the planet, and improve
our health,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With input from America’s brightest scientists, engineers, community organizers, and entrepreneurs, this national hydrogen strategy will help us accelerate the development and deployment of technologies to realize the full potential of clean hydrogen energy for generations to come.”
Hydrogen is a versatile fuel that can be produced from clean, diverse, and domestic energy resources, including wind, solar, and nuclear energy, or by using methane while capturing resulting carbon to reduce emissions. Its unique characteristics
make it a strong option to decarbonize energy-intensive heavy industry and support heavy-duty transportation. Hydrogen’s flexibility makes it an important component of President Biden’s strategy to achieve a carbon-free grid by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
The H2Hubs will be one of the largest investments in DOE history. Funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, managed by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations with support from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, they are a critical component of the Administration’s commitment to invest in America’s workforce, jumpstart local economic growth, and create good-paying, union jobs as we build a clean energy economy, improve energy security, and tackle climate
change.
Addressing environmental justice and engaging local communities, particularly
historically disadvantaged and underserved communities that have disproportionately borne the brunt of past energy practices, are fundamental priorities of DOE’s approach to developing H2Hubs.
Projects funded under this funding opportunity are expected to include a Community Benefits Plan to:
Support meaningful community and labor engagement;
Invest in
America’s workforce;
Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and
Contribute to the President’s goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
For this initial funding opportunity launch, DOE is aiming to select six to ten hubs for a combined total of up to $7 billion in federal funding. Concept papers are due by November 7, 2022, and full applications are due by April 7, 2023. Additional funding opportunities may follow to accelerate and expand the network of clean hydrogen projects.
As part of the Department’s commitment to accelerating the national deployment of clean hydrogen fuel, DOE
also released a draft of the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for public feedback. The Roadmap provides a comprehensive overview of the potential for hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use in the United States and outlines how clean hydrogen can contribute to national decarbonization and economic development goals. A
final version of the strategy and roadmap will be released in the coming months and updated at least every three years.
Interactive guide for communities and governments to help navigate nuclear waste cleanup
The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) recently released the Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive online resource that provides frequently asked questions, case studies, and recommendations regarding nuclear waste cleanup.
To assist local government officials, their communities, and federal agencies in deciphering the
complexities of the environmental cleanup process, ECA developed this guide to facilitate future successful cleanups.
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments.