PRESIDENT TRUMP RAPIDLY FILLING OUT DOE & NUCLEAR LEADERSHIP

After his inauguration on Monday, President Donald Trump quickly nominated a flurry of appointees to fill positions within the Department of Energy (DOE) and other government agencies, including: 

• James Danly – to be Deputy Secretary, DOE
  • Danly previously served on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• Darío Gil – Undersecretary for Science, DOE
  • Chair of the National Science Board and director of IBM Research
• Preston Wells Griffith - Under Secretary of Energy, DOE
  • Griffith had previously served as Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the DOE
• Brandon Williams - Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, DOE & National Nuclear Security Administrator (NNSA)
  • Williams served as Representative for New York's 22nd Congressional District from 2023-2025
• David Wright – Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
  • Wright has served as a Commissioner for the NRC since 2018 

The new administration also announced that Ingrid Kolb will serve as Acting Secretary of DOE until the Secretary nominee, Chris Wright, is confirmed by the Senate. ECA membership may recognize Ingrid Kolb, as she has attended various ECA meetings and been supportive of ECA. ECA expects that Chris Wright will assume the position of Secretary by the end of the week.

The transition of administrations will also bring a restructuring to DOE. The Office of Environmental Management (EM), and Legacy Management (LM) are expected to report to the Undersecretary for Science.  There has also been discussion about NE reporting to the Undersecretary for Science. 

ECA will provide the additional information as we learn more about the proposed reorganization, which will develop through a process.   

ECA also looks to provide an in-depth update on what the transition of administrations means for DOE and its offices in the coming weeks. 

ANS WEBINAR: STRATEGIES FOR DELIVERING THE NUCLEAR MESSAGE TO UNDER-RESOURCED AUDIENCES

Join ANS for this new webinar featuring panelists who have formed connections between nuclear organizations and local underrepresented communities. The speakers will discuss overcoming challenges in forming these relationships, the impacts that these connections had, and why it matters to be inclusive of underrepresented groups. This is more than just a webinar; it is a call to action to be intentional about conducting equitable outreach. Don't miss out! Register now. 

DATE: Tomorrow, January 22

TIME: 11:30am - 12:30pm ET

The Diversity and Inclusion in ANS (DIA) Committee will be hosting an upcoming three-part training series to guide ANS Sections and other members of the nuclear community in overcoming these challenges and forming sustainable long-lasting relationships with historically underrepresented and under-resourced groups. 

PANELISTS:

• Scott Lathrop - CEO, Northern Chumash Nonprofit, California
• Bea Valencia Hernandez - Technical Recruiter, Idaho National Laboratory, INL
• Canterra Simerly - Academy Coach, Austin-East High School, Tennessee
• Lisa Marshall - NC State University & ANS President
• Ira Strong - Diversity & Inclusion in ANS Committee Member

ENSURING LONG TERM SUCCESS: ECA TRANSITION PAPER FOR 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.

WHAT YOU'VE MISSED:

IEA report: Challenges need to be resolved to support global nuclear energy growth

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US companies join forces to accelerate SMR deployment

NEW MEDIA:

Gone Fission Nuclear Report - New ORANO Plant Boosts Nuclear Growth

December 09, 2024 | S4 E20

It’s being called the largest investment in the history of the State of Tennessee. Orano USA has announced plans to build a new multi-billion dollar, state-of-the-art centrifuge uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge. The facility will provide fuel for America’s nuclear power plants and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources. In this week’s episode of the Gone Fission Nuclear Report, host Michael Butler discusses this exciting project with Orano USA President Jean-Luc Palayer. 

www.gonefissionpodcast.com 

NucleCast - Guy Taylor: The Impact of Trump and Technology on Global Security

January 21, 2025 | S02 E202

In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther engages with Guy Taylor, the national security editor at the Washington Times, to discuss the current state of global security amidst a significant transition of power in the U.S. They explore the implications of Trump's second term, the unpredictable nature of his administration, and the intersection of technology and national security. The conversation also delves into the pressing issue of balancing defense spending with entitlement programs, the potential for privatization in weapons development, and the hopes for a more peaceful global landscape in the coming years.

https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/

UPCOMING MEETINGS: