DOE announces 2,000 gallons of Hanford tank waste may be disposed of as low-level waste Aligns with recommendations in recent ECA report ECA Staff | 3/28/2023 |
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Last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that 2,000 gallons of tank
waste from the proposed Test Bed Initiative (TBI) Demonstration at the Hanford Site may be managed as low-level radioactive waste (LLW), and not high-level waste (HLW). The Notice of Availability of the Final Waste Incidental To Reprocessing (WIR) Evaluation for the TBI Demonstration and WIR Determination, published in the Federal
Register, aligns with recommendations from ECA’s recent report Disposal Drives Cleanup: Re-energizing Momentum for Disposal Solutions for Radioactive Waste. “DOE should commit to fully examine what tank waste could be disposed of at a licensed, commercial disposal facility,” the report states. DOE currently stores radioactive waste in underground tanks at the Hanford Site in the State of Washington. The waste was generated, in part, by the prior reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel for defense-related activities during the Manhattan Project and Cold War eras. Hanford’s current mission focuses on the cleanup and remediation of those wastes and ultimate closure of the site. As part of that mission, DOE is retrieving waste from the Hanford tanks, separating the low-activity waste (LAW) from other waste in the
Hanford tanks and vitrifying (immobilizing in a glass matrix) some of the LAW. DOE has not selected a supplemental treatment method for the remaining LAW in the Hanford tanks. The proposed TBI Demonstration would exhibit a potential supplemental LAW treatment approach. The Final WIR Evaluation concerns approximately 2,000 gallons of waste from Hanford Tank SY–101, which, under the proposed TBI Demonstration, will be pretreated at Hanford to remove most key radionuclides, then treated and solidified (grouted) at an offsite permitted commercial facility and disposed of at a licensed and permitted
mixed low-level radioactive waste disposal facility outside the State of Washington. Previously, DOE conducted a proof-of-concept demonstration using three gallons of Hanford tank waste and a slightly modified technology. As noted in Disposal Drives Cleanup, the greatest impact to Hanford’s cleanup program would come from implementing the HLW interpretation – assessing waste based off of its radiological characteristics rather than its source. “ECA calls on DOE and Congress to implement a project to pilot the use of the HLW interpretation at Hanford,” the report states. “This pilot would combine the successful elements and implementation of the HLW
interpretation at [the Savannah River Site (SRS)], the Hanford test bed initiative, and the tank-side treatment capability at SRS and Hanford...which could have significant benefits to DOE and the local communities.” The report goes on to describe said benefits, noting that “expanding implementation can solidify DOE’s commitment to state and local communities to move radioactive material out of the generator state while reducing costs, expediting cleanup activities, and allowing DOE to focus sooner on other high-priority cleanup projects, ultimately reducing higher risks across the
complex.” Implementation of the proposed offsite treatment and offsite disposal is
contingent upon completion of analysis and issuance of a decision document as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. DOE consulted with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and received comments from States, Tribal Nations, stakeholders, and the public. DOE prepared the Final WIR Evaluation after careful consideration of NRC consultative advice and comments received. Additional information about the Final WIR Evaluation may be found here. To read ECA's recent report, Disposal Drives Cleanup: Re-energizing Momentum for Disposal Solutions for Radioactive Waste, please click here. |
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
September 11-13,
2023
Arlington, VA Join us for the 9th annual National Cleanup Workshop at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Register today to hear from senior DOE leaders, local government officials, and industry leaders about the future of DOE’s Environmental Management program. *Rates
increase on July 1, 2023.
If you have questions or are interested in sponsorship, please contact Autumn Bogus at abogus@la-inc.com. For more information, please visit cleanupworkshop.com.
As part of ECA's New Nuclear Initiative, the second annual ECA Forum will bring communities, SMR and advanced nuclear project developers, federal and state governments together to enable shared learning and to build the partnerships necessary to address opportunities for new nuclear development. |
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Seeds in Space: Comic Book Contest IAEA | 3/2023 |
How will cosmic radiation and the harsh conditions of space
help us grow better crops for global food security on Earth? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are running an experiment to find out, and we need your help to tell the story. Brief In November 2022, the IAEA and FAO sent seeds to the International Space Station (ISS). These seeds are being exposed to cosmic radiation, microgravity and extreme temperatures, an experiment that could lead to the development of new crop varieties that can withstand the ravages of climate change on Earth. The goal is to improve food security and nutrition for people around the world. In April 2023, the seeds will return to Earth and travel to
IAEA/FAO laboratories for analysis and results. What will the scientists discover? Through traditional or digital drawings, we want you to depict the seeds in space journey, to inspire people about how nuclear science is tackling climate change, and the potential benefits of space science for climate change adaptation and food security on earth. Draw a comic book page (A4 size) for as many of the six steps of the seeds’ journey as you like, with or without text and dialogue. You can either illustrate the step in one A4 panel (example 1) or chose to illustrate it in a maximum of six panels of the same or various sizes (example 2). Chose one or more of the steps below: - Seed preparation: Two seed types (Arabidopsis and sorghum) are selected and sent from the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, to Virginia, USA. One batch remains in the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre laboratories to be irradiated in a
machine.
- Seeds travel space: Seeds are launched into space aboard a space shuttle and safely dock at the ISS.
- Space exposure: Half of the space seeds are positioned outside the ISS and exposed to cosmic radiation, microgravity and the extreme temperatures of space. The other half stays inside the ISS.
- Splashdown: All seeds return from space and travel back to the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre laboratories.
- Analysis and growth: The DNA of seedlings from all three batches of seeds is analysed and compared to look for any differences in the mutations created by the radiation on earth and in space (both inside and outside the ISS). Then the seeds are grown in
greenhouses in Seibersdorf and their differences noted.
- Results! Do cosmic radiation and space conditions have a uniquely valuable effect for crop improvement to feed people on Earth and in space? Draw what you think we will find.
Deadline: Sunday, 16 April 2023, 23:59 (CEST) For more information, click here. |
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Funding Announcements to Note (BIL and IRA - funded announcements are listed in bold) Funding Opportunity Award (FOA) - Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis, Manufacturing, and Recycling: This FOA implements two provisions within Section 40314 of the BIL, which amended Title VIII of the Energy
Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 to include a new section 815, “Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling” and a new section 816, “Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program.” The FOA launches the first phase of funding for these programs and will provide up to $750 million in Federal funding, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. These activities will support the broader government-wide approach to accelerate progress in clean hydrogen technologies and maximize the benefits of the clean energy
transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice. *deadline: July 19*
- Industrial Demonstrations Program: The Industrial Demonstrations Program will fund projects that focus on the highest emitting and hardest to abate industries where decarbonization technologies can have the greatest impact: iron and steel, cement and concrete, chemicals and refining, food and beverage, paper and forest products, aluminum, other energy-intensive manufacturing industries and cross-cutting technologies. Widespread demonstration and deployment of projects within these industries will support
President Biden’s initiative to rebuild U.S. leadership in manufacturing as countries, companies, and consumers around the world shift to low- to no-carbon commodities to meet their own decarbonization goals. *deadline: August 4*
- Civil Nuclear Credit Program (CNC) Application Guidance: The second award cycle for the Civil Nuclear Credit program is open to owners or operators of nuclear reactors that are at risk of closure by the end of the four-year award period, including such reactors that ceased operations after November 15, 2021. *deadline: May 31*
- Energy Improvements in Rural and Remote Areas: The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program seeks to improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy systems in communities across the country with 10,000 or
fewer people. The ERA program will leverage DOE’s expertise and experience in resilient energy solutions to modernize electric generation facilities, address disproportionately high electricity costs, and support new economic opportunities in rural and remote communities. *deadline: June 28*
- Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants: The FOA will support the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program, as established by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40209. The FOA will award financial assistance to small- and medium-sized manufacturers in energy communities to 1) establish new facilities or 2)
re-equip or expand existing facilities for the manufacturing or recycling of advanced energy property. This first FOA will provide approximately $350 million in awards with a focus on projects with high supply chain impacts and strong community benefits plans. *deadline: June 8*
- Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilots: The Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Programs are designed to establish a carbon capture technology program for the development of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use, including in
manufacturing and industrial facilities. *deadline: June 21*
- Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program: The Carbon Capture Demonstration Program
provides $2.5 billion to develop six carbon capture facilities to significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use.*deadline: May 23*
- Enhanced Geothermal Systems Pilot Demonstrations: Relative to other geothermal resources, EGS have the potential to provide the most growth in the electric sector, and in the GeoVision scenarios, support noteworthy growth within the non-electric sector for district heating and other direct-use applications. This potential expands if superhot EGS resources (>375°C) are accounted for. Without significant and sustained
investment in EGS technology development and demonstrations to refine our ability to access and develop these resources, however, the 90 GWe target will not be achieved.
- EECBG Formula Program Funding
Opportunity: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program Formula Grant Application is now open for eligible entities! Read more below about the essentials needed to apply for $430 million in clean energy and energy efficiency funding.
- Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation: The activities to be funded under this FOA support the BIL, as well as a broader government-wide approach to advance building codes and support their successful implementation. The primary focus centers around updating to more efficient building energy codes that save money for
American homes and businesses, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and encourage more resilient buildings.
- Energy Improvements at Public K-12 School Facilities – Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
(BIL) - Renew America’s Schools: The Office of State and Community Energy Programs is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled Energy Improvements at Public K-12 School Facilities - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) - Renew America's Schools. The activities to be funded under this FOA support BIL section 40541 and the broader government-wide approach to support projects that
enable replicable and scalable impacts, create innovative, sustaining partnerships, leverage funding and economies of scale, focus on disadvantaged communities, improve student, teacher, and occupant health, enrich learning and growth, assist schools that serve as community assets (e.g., neighborhood cooling centers or disaster recovery shelters), and are crafted thoughtfully within the context of public school facilities (e.g., procurement restraints, construction windows, etc.). *deadline:
April 21*
- Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program: The Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant
Program is designed to provide capitalization grants to States to establish a revolving loan fund under which the State shall provide loans and grants for energy efficiency audits, upgrades, and retrofits to increase energy efficiency and improve the comfort of buildings. *deadline: April 21*
- Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Funding Opportunity Announcement: For this initial FOA launch, DOE envisions selecting six (6) to ten (10) H2Hubs for a combined total of up to $6-7 billion in federal funding. DOE may issue a second launch of this FOA to solicit additional H2Hubs beyond those selected in the initial launch. Other FOA launches or use of
Other Transaction Authorities may also be used to solicit new technologies, capabilities, end-uses, or partners. *deadline: April 7*
- I2X launch (Interconnection and
Innovation Exchange)
- Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Pilot Demonstrations
- Energizing Rural Communities Prize: The $15 million Energizing Rural Communities Prize challenges individuals and organizations to develop partnership plans or innovative financing strategies to help rural or remote communities improve their energy systems and advance clean energy demonstration
projects. This prize is for entrepreneurs, university faculty and student groups, community organizations, tribal and local governments, financial institutions, industry professionals, and others with ideas to help organize or finance a clean energy demonstration project in a rural or remote area. *deadline: May 24 (phase I applications)*
- Large Wind Turbine Materials and Manufacturing: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is being issued by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) on behalf of the Advanced Materials
and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO).
- Reducing Agricultural Carbon Intensity and Protecting Algal Crops (RACIPAC): The Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO’s) Renewable Carbon Resources
(RCR) program develops science-based strategies and technologies to cost-effectively transform renewable carbon resources such as agricultural waste and algae into high-quality, environmentally sustainable, conversion-ready feedstocks for biofuels and bioproducts. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), through two distinct topic areas – the first focused on climate-smart agricultural practices and the second on algae crop protection – supports BETO’s RCR Program’s strategies for the
development of conversion-ready feedstocks for biofuels and bioproducts and supports the Biden Administration’s goal to produce sustainable aviation fuels. *deadline: May 16*
- EERE BETO FY23
Conversion Research and Development FOA: 2023 Conversion Research and Development FOA supports a main theme core to the BETO Conversion Program’s R&D mission: developing technologies to enable the conversion of waste and renewable resources to fuels and products with substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to the petroleum incumbent.
The FOA addresses two specific technology pathways intended to develop improved technologies for generating clean syngas for upgrading to fuels as well as pathways for renewable chemical production. Each Topic Area seeks to reduce economic and technical risk, enabling BETO to help pave the way for industry to commercialize technologies that may reduce greenhouse gas emissions from hard to decarbonize sectors, such as aviation. *deadline: June 16*
- Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands: Under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the DOE Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native
Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations to: (1) Install clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal Building(s) (Topic Area 1); or, (2) Deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or energy storage on Tribal Lands (Topic Area 2); or, (3) Install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a
single or multiple Essential Tribal Buildings during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience (Topic Area 3); or, (4) Provide electric power to unelectrified tribal buildings (Topic Area 4).
- Onsite Energy Technical
Assistance Partnerships: The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is issuing, on behalf of the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships.” This FOA will invest up to $23 million for the development and operations of the Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships (TAPs). This FOA supports DOE’s industrial decarbonization
strategy by providing technical assistance to help industrial facilities and other large energy users increase the adoption of clean onsite energy technologies. *deadline: April 21*
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office FOA in
Support of Hydrogen Shot: The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is issuing Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002920 on behalf of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO), which coordinates hydrogen activities with offices across DOE as described in the DOE Hydrogen Program Plan. These activities align with the DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap and specific DOE initiatives. *deadline: April 28*
- AMMTO-BTO and OE FY23 Multi-Topic FOA: This multitopic FOA is a joint effort between EERE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), the Building Technologies Office
(BTO), and DOE’s Office of Electricity (OE). Specifically, the goals of this multi-topic FOA are to: (1) Validate and demonstrate next generation materials and manufacturing processes including domestic pilot demonstrations and related technologies to support the transition to U.S. manufacturing; (2) Enable environmentally and socially responsible domestic manufacturing with diversified domestic supply of feedstocks including from recycled goods; and (3) Mature nascent technologies, processes,
and methods that improve the performance and market penetration of clean energy technologies and emerging building efficiency technologies. *deadline: April 7*
- Decarbonization of Water Resource Recovery Facilities
(D-WRRF): The purpose of this FOA is to stimulate RD&D to decarbonize the entire life cycle of Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs), formerly known as Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). It targets both individual unit processes at earlier stages of technological development, and entire treatment trains at higher levels of technological readiness. It seeks to address both direct and indirect emissions from WRRFs, with the complementary goal of
reducing costs, particularly in energy usage and sludge management, to improve the probabilities of real-world adoption. *deadline: April 3*
- Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) –
2022/2023: The 2022/2023 BENEFIT FOA will invest up to $15.35M - $45.2M across 5 topic areas to allow all interested parties to research and develop high-impact, cost-effective technologies and practices that will reduce carbon emissions, improve flexibility and resilience, as well as lower energy costs. *deadline: April 5*
- Advancing Fish Passage and Protection Technologies: This FOA seeks to advance innovative fish passage technologies by providing data on
biological effects and fish passage performance. Technology innovations include: 1) novel solutions that are accompanied by analytical or experimental evidence that has established proof-of-concept and provides a rationale for next steps testing needs in terms of a critical path for research and development leading to market adoption; and 2) innovations to existing technologies that reduce negative impacts to fish, increase performance, show potential to dramatically reduce costs, and/or present
applications to novel use cases (e.g., different fish species evaluations, environmental conditions, or types of infrastructure). The development of technical solutions to enable and improve safe, timely, and effective fish passage and protection at hydropower dams can improve hydropower’s environmental performance, supports infrastructure sustainability, and contributes to fish restoration goals. *deadline: March 27*
Requests for Information (RFI) Notices of Intent (NOI) Calls for Applications/Submissions - Call for Applications for New Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Technical Assistance
for Local Governments Program: The U.S Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are launching the next phase of the organic Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Technical Assistance for Local Governments. Food waste, wastewater sludge, and other organic matter represent significant environmental, economic, and social sustainability challenges for municipalities. Given that these waste
streams require local solutions to various aspects of their management or disposal, this technical assistance program provides municipalities with the most relevant data to help with decision making. The data from this program can help communities evaluate the most sensible end-uses for their waste, such as repurposing for on-site heat/power, transportation fuels, nutrient recovery, or other options. BETO will provide subject matter assistance to municipalities on topics, including: waste
resource information; infrastructure considerations; techno-economic comparison energy and resource recovery options; evaluation and sharing of case studies (to the extent possible) from similar communities/projects; and equity assessments. The 2023 Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance will accept applications from March 1, 2023, through April 14, 2023. For information on applicant eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Technical Assistance web page.
- DOE and NSF Announce New Internship Program to Support Growth of Geothermal Energy Workforce: To help advance the geothermal energy industry, DOE and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced an internship program. This collaboration is part of NSF’s INTERN program and will support 10 to 20 six-month research internships per year on projects that advance
geothermal technologies. Applications are due by April 15, 2023.
- DOE Launches Two Workforce Development Programs to Support Zero-Energy Buildings: To prepare building-design professionals and high school students interested in clean energy careers, DOE expanded the Solar Decathlon to include two workforce development programs. Solar Decathlon Professionals is a 10-week course co-developed by the American Institute of Architects to train professionals to incorporate zero-energy building techniques into their work. Email aiau@aia.org to learn more. Solar Decathlon Pathways will connect high school students with
Solar Decathlon competition alumni to explore career opportunities in sustainable buildings. Alumni and educators interested in participating should complete this form.
Additional Resources |
Disposal Drives Cleanup: Re-energizing Momentum for Disposal Solutions for Radioactive Waste Read the new ECA report that calls on the Department of Energy to launch the initiative to develop the actual waste disposition approaches. The Department could potentially save hundreds of billions of dollars in cleanup costs by using its available tools and implementing the report’s recommendations.
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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