$30.3 billion authorized for DOE defense programs ECA Staff | 12/7/2022 NDAA conference report released, addressing NNSA’s workforce, pit
production, and contracting issues. Concern over whether NNSA can accomplish its Nuclear Weapons Pit Production Goals |
Last night, Congress revealed the conference
report for the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Legislators are expected to vote on the bill in the coming days, marking the 62nd consecutive year of the annual defense bill’s passage. The FY23 NDAA authorizes $847.3 billion in defense funding, $45 billion more than requested in President Biden’s budget. Of the total amount, $816.7 billion is for the Department of Defense, and $30.3 billion is for the Department of Energy’s national
security programs. Topline DOE/NNSA Authorized Funding
• $22.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• $6.8 billion for defense environmental cleanup (EM)
• $156.6 million for nuclear energy activities
• $196.1 million for the Office of Legacy Management
Pit Production While the final bill does not include any new provisions related to NNSA’s expansion of plutonium pit production, the conference committee wrote
extensively about its concerns with the program. The committee wrote: “We note the significant challenges that the Department of Energy and [NNSA] have experienced in attempting to reestablish a plutonium pit production capability over the past two decades…While we recognize the progress NNSA has made in maturing and advancing the current two-site solution, and appreciate NNSA’s stated commitment to produce no fewer than 80 war reserve plutonium pits per year as close to 2030 as possible, we remain
deeply concerned that these projects are not expected to meet statutory requirements. The schedule risk of the plutonium pit production projects has been widely acknowledged.” The committee is now directing the Nuclear Weapons Council and NNSA to “jointly conduct a review of plutonium pit production and submit a plan to the congressional defense committees, not later than March 31, 2023, that includes high-confidence assessments of projected dates for the achievement of a production capacity of no fewer than 80 war reserve plutonium pits per year.” Workforce The final bill addresses several workforce issues for NNSA, as the agency continues to find ways to recruit and retain the next generation of its
workforce. One provision would eliminate the cap on the number of full-time employees within NNSA and require an annual briefing on “the current and projected employees of the Office of the Administrator.” Another provision authorizes workforce development and training partnership programs. Under this measure, NNSA’s management and operating contractors at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Savannah River Site would receive funds to “develop and implement workforce development and training partnership programs to further the education and training of employees or prospective
employees.” Contracting The conference report expresses concerns about NNSA’s contracting schedule, noting a “lack of
predictability” in the schedule for large M&O contracts, pointing to the recently cancelled contracts at Pantex and Y-12. To address this issue, NNSA will be required to brief Congress on recommended changes to improve the M&O contract awarding process. Uranium Supply The conference report includes a provision that would require consideration of “uranium production by private industry and how uranium enrichment options would reduce reliance on importing uranium from foreign adversaries.” The provision comes after last week’s testimony by Dr. Katy Huff, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, who noted that the U.S.
“need[s] to be prepared for a disruption in supply” of highly enriched uranium, which is currently supplied by Russia.
Click below to read the: Final NDAA summary
Final bill text
Joint explanatory statement |
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DOE Office of Nuclear Energy announces HALEU consortium DOE-NE | 12/7/22 The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established the High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Consortium to help inform activities carried out by the Department to secure a domestic supply of HALEU. Section 2001 of the Energy Act of 2020 directs the Secretary of Energy to establish and carry out, through the Department’s Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), the HALEU Availability Program (referred to as the Program), including establishing the HALEU
Consortium. Currently, there is a very limited
domestic capacity to provide HALEU from either DOE or commercial sources. This presents a significant obstacle to the development and deployment of advanced reactors and increases the risk of private investment to develop an assured supply of HALEU or to support the infrastructure required to produce it. The purposes of the HALEU Consortium include: - Provide the Secretary of Energy HALEU demand estimates for domestic commercial
use.
- Purchase HALEU made available to members for commercial use under the Program.
- Carry out demonstration projects using HALEU under the Program.
- Identify actionable
opportunities to improve the reliability of the HALEU supply chain.
Read the Federal Register Notice of Establishment: High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Consortium. Who Can Join?
The HALEU Consortium is one way for NE to bring together members of the HALEU community and is intended to serve as an important mechanism of communication for NE and the consortium members. A NE representative will coordinate HALEU Consortium membership and consortium activities consistent with its purposes and objectives.
Membership is free and is open to U.S. entities, associations, and government organizations. Entities involved
in any stage of the nuclear fuel cycle interested in partnering with the Department to support HALEU availability for civilian domestic demonstration and commercial use are invited to join the HALEU Consortium. At its discretion, DOE may also accept requests for membership in the consortium from entities whose facilities are located in ally or partner nations. Joining the HALEU Consortium
Entities interested in becoming a member of the HALEU Consortium should send an email to HALEUConsortium@nuclear.energy.gov asking to join.
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NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION |
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NNSA announces extension of terms for LANL M&O contract National Nuclear Security Administration | 12/6/22 The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration announced today it has exercised Option Periods 1 through 5 of Triad National Security, LLC’s management and operating contract for Los Alamos National Laboratory. Triad is made up of three members: Battelle Memorial Institute, The Texas A&M
University System and the University of California. The exercise of Option Periods 1 through 5 extends the period of performance of Triad’s contract from November 1, 2023, through October 30, 2028. Exercising Option Periods 1 through 5 is the most advantageous method of fulfilling the mission needs of NNSA, considering current price, past performance, and most importantly, the immediate need for continuity of performance during Fiscal Years 2023 through 2028. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, the Los Alamos National Laboratory aligns its strategic
plan with priorities set by the Department's National Nuclear Security Administration, and key national strategy guidance documents, such as the Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review, the National Security Strategy, and the Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future. As the senior laboratory in the DOE system, LANL executes work on all of DOE’s missions: national security, science, energy, and environmental management. In addition, Los Alamos National Laboratory performs work for the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Department
of Homeland Security, among others. As a result, LANL strategy reflects U.S. priorities spanning nuclear security, intelligence, defense, emergency response, nonproliferation, counterterrorism, energy security, emerging threats, and environmental management. |
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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. |
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Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
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.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 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. |
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