JUDGE RULES AGAINST DOE/NNSA PIT PRODUCTION PLAN AT SAVANNAH RIVER AND LOS ALAMOS, BUT ALLOWS PROJECT TO MOVE FORWARD
On Monday, a South Carolina federal judge ruled that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration violated environmental law (the National Environmental Policy Act, or “NEPA”) through its plan to boost plutonium pit production at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Savannah River Site. The judge ruled that DOE had not undertaken a proper
analysis of how its two-site strategy would impact the environment, nor had DOE evaluated how its needs and purpose for pit production have evolved since 2008. The judgement, however, did reject other claims brought against DOE with regards to the pit production plan. Plaintiffs suggested that DOE should vacate its pit production plan, an outcome that DOE claims would lead to massive job losses and detrimental impacts
to local economies and national security. The judge, finding neither outcome ideal, directed DOE and the plaintiffs to confer and reach a middle ground that would ameliorate the problems presented by both parties, and to submit a joint proposal to the Court regarding how DOE may remedy its NEPA violations with respect to the pit production plan.
PRESIDENT BIDEN APPROVES SIX NEW MEMBERS TO US NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD
September 30 | U.S. Nuclear Technical Review Board President Biden has appointed the following members to the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board: Dr. Richelle Allen-King; Mr. Lake Barrett; Dr. Miles Greiner; Dr. Silvia Jurisson; Dr. Peter Swift; and Dr. Seth Tuler.
President Biden simultaneously designated Dr. Swift as Chair of the Board. The President also reappointed current Board members Dr. Nathan Siu and Dr. Scott Tyler for terms expiring in 2028. The new and reappointed Board members will serve with current Board members Dr. Ron Ballinger and Dr. Brian Woods. The White House announcement of the new appointments may be found here. Dr. Allen-King is Professor of Geological Sciences at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Mr. Barrett is an independent consultant in the energy field and previously served as the head of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE)
Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Dr. Greiner is a Foundation Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Nuclear Packaging Program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Jurisson is Professor Emerita of Chemistry and Radiology at the University of Missouri. Dr. Swift is a consulting geoscientist and previously served as the National Technical Director of DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy Spent Fuel and Waste Technology Research and Development campaign. Dr. Tuler is
Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Board members serve part time and are appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by the National Academy of Sciences. Nominees are eminent in a field of science or engineering, including environmental sciences, and are selected solely on the basis of established records of distinguished service. The appointees join the Board as soon as they complete the oath of
office. By law, Board members may continue to serve until they are reappointed or until their replacements are appointed by the President. The Board is an independent federal agency in the Executive Branch. It was established in the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-203) to perform an ongoing evaluation of the technical and scientific validity of DOE activities related to developing and implementing a program for the management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and
high level radioactive waste, in accordance with the terms of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Additional information can be found on the Board’s website at www.nwtrb.gov.
TOMORROW: WEBINAR ON THE PACKAGE PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATION RFI
We are pleased to invite you to an informational webinar hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, focused on the Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) Package Performance Demonstration (PPD) Request for Information (RFI). DOE plans to conduct physical demonstrations on a full-sized SNF transportation cask. This initiative, inspired by global testing practices and recommendations in reports from the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future and the National Academy of Sciences, aims to address
transportation concerns expressed by the public and build trust in transportation safety. This webinar offers a valuable opportunity to understand the structure of the RFI and receive guidance on how to respond effectively. During the session, we will present an in-depth overview of the RFI, highlight key areas of interest, and discuss how interested parties can provide meaningful input to this important
initiative. We are also pleased to announce that the deadline for RFI responses has been extended to October 31, 2024. Following the presentation, we will hold a Q&A session where you can submit your questions and receive clarifications directly from our experts.
We encourage all interested parties to attend, as your insights and feedback are vital to the success of this initiative. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the webinar link and additional details. If you have any
questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at DOE-PPD@id.doe.gov. We look forward to your participation and to working together on this important project. You can find more information about this project in our information
resource portal.
ENSURING LONG TERM SUCCESS: ECA TRANSITION PAPER FOR DOE-EM
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) must continuously examine its work and evolve. The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is calling on the next Administration to launch a comprehensive review of all aspects of the EM program. To meet the challenges and better ensure the continued success of the DOE-EM program, the ECA’s Transition paper
offers the following recommendations: - Establishment of disposal paths for every type of radioactive and hazardous waste, including ensuring that both private and public sites are available and utilized.
- The reevaluation of DOE-EM’s use of the end-state contracting model so that more funds are available for actual work.
- Ensuring that regulatory agreements are reasonably achievable and balance short- and long-term needs.
- Improvement of workforce planning to
address “brain drain” and long-term needs for skilled talent of all kinds.
- Continuing focus on economic and energy development benefits.
- The maintaining of robust local, state, tribal government, and stakeholder engagement at each site.
- Clarification on DOE policy regarding how the discovery of hazardous and radioactive materials at “completed sites” will be addressed to ensure that cleanup is protective of human health and the environment, and that the local community is
not responsible for the DOE’s legacy waste cleanup.
- The reconstituting of a dedicated nuclear waste organization within the DOE to address high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel issues.
Read the paper by clicking its cover above or the button below!
WHAT YOU'VE MISSED: Holtec
Closes $1.52B DOE Loan to Restart Palisades, Support Revitalization of Domestic Nuclear Industry Progress toward the historic restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant made a monumental step
forward today with the announced close of a $1.52 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO). The announcement took place on site in Covert Township, Michigan, before a large gathering of Holtec associates, skilled trades, community members, government leaders, and other distinguished guests. Read the full story NRC seeks input on DRP contamination guidance The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is soliciting public comment on the agency’s guidance for addressing discrete radioactive particle (DRP) contamination resulting from the decontamination and decommissioning
of nuclear facilities. According to the NRC, the draft guidance is intended to avoid any inconsistencies in how the agency approaches DRP contamination. Such contamination can be found at power reactors as well as fuel cycle facilities during any phase of decommissioning, the NRC said. Read the full story WM Symposia launches STEM Educators’ Council WM Symposia Inc., the
nonprofit organization that hosts the annual Waste Management Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., has launched a new initiative dedicated to supporting educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). “The WM STEM Educators’ Council will provide its members with a venue to network, share best practices, and access subject-matter experts, teaching materials, and classroom enhancements,” the organization
said. Read the full story
PROVIDE YOUR INPUT - OPEN REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION Opportunity: DOE Package Performance Demonstration DOE intends to establish a consolidated interim storage facility for storage of spent nuclear fuel until a permanent repository is available. DOE is performing this market research to gather information from all interested parties that will help formulate the actual solicitation. The first RFI is working to establish the market boundaries that can best fulfill the needs of the CISF program. This RFI works to answer the best contract
strategy and contract type, the ability of commercial businesses to support and fulfill CISF requirements & to what capacity small businesses can support CISF requirements. Response Due: October 31 2024, 7:00 pm EST |
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ECA-DOE-NE Coal to Nuclear Transition Webinar September 27,
2024 As part of ECA’s New Nuclear Initiative, participants will join a discussion with DOE-NE on the feasibility of converting the nation’s retiring coal plants to nuclear power plants. By leveraging the existing workforce and some of the infrastructure in coal communities the transition from coal-to-nuclear could preserve hundreds of jobs, while creating new jobs and economic opportunities. Gone Fission Podcast - Candice Robertson Interview September 23, 2024 | S4 E16 This week, the Gone Fission Nuclear Report features an interview with Candice Robertson, the Department of Energy’s recently appointed Senior Advisor to the Office of Environmental Management (EM-1). Host Michael Butler caught up with her at the 10th Annual National Cleanup Workshop in Washington, D.C. The occasion also marked the 35th anniversary of creation of the Office of Environmental Management. Ms. Robertson gives her assessment of the current state of DOE’s environmental
cleanup program and looks to the challenges ahead.
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