The Senate confirmed Chris Wright as the next Secretary of Energy in a bipartisan (59-38) vote yesterday evening. Having a confirmed Secretary in the role will facilitate decision-making at DOE to move forward with programs supported by ECA communities.

Key for ECA’s local governments is ensuring that work at the local and regional levels with DOE continues to move forward. 

Last week, ECA received calls from our members regarding potential cuts to programs that are paid for by the federal government that impact their communities and services to DOE and NNSA. We expect a review of all of DOE’s programs, including those that provide important services to DOE and NNSA. We also believe that, having the Secretary and his confirmed political appointees in place, DOE leadership can identify those that are critical to the functioning of DOE and NNSA.      

ECA will provide updates and will encourage the Secretary to work with our local governments to ensure there is no interruption in the services that support our national defense, national laboratories, new nuclear development and the cleanup of our sites including the safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste.

The Administration is continuing to fill out DOE leadership, most recently with the nomination of Theodore "Ted" Garrish to be Assistant Secretary of the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) yesterday, February 3. 

Ted has a long history of working with ECA and has participated in numerous ECA meetings. We anticipate that Ted will continue to support many of the same priorities and endeavors that ECA does – including facilitating the deployment of nuclear energy.

Ted previously served as a DOE Assistant Secretary for International Affairs during the first Trump administration, leading DOE’s work with energy programs overseas. Ted has a long history of working on energy dating back to the Reagan administration. He has served as General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at DOE, as well as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental affairs.

Ted has also worked in the private sector on nuclear energy issues, including on nuclear export controls with U.S. companies and to assist emerging nuclear power nations with developing legal and regulatory programs.

Ted's nomination has been received in the Senate, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for consideration. 

The Administration's buy-out offer and cancellation of remote work contracts opens the potential for widespread departures of key leadership. Several key leaders in DOE and NNSA have informed ECA that they are leaving federal service and taking the option to resign offered by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) last week (the buy-out option). This includes site managers, who oversee the work of thousands of workers, and have served as the face of the NNSA and EM programs at their respective sites for the public and Congress. ECA will identify departing leadership as they make formal announcements of their resignations. Replacement plans are underway for known resignations. 

Looking ahead, the complex will face challenges arising from the loss of crucial institutional knowledge. However, the complex has been through similar transitions in the past, and we expect new leaders to emerge.

If you would like ECA to share your announcement of your leaving federal service, please send your message to bulletin@energyca.org. ECA thanks those people who are exiting their roles for their federal service to our country. 

 ECA looks forward to working with remaining and new staff across the DOE complex to continue to fulfill mission-critical national security needs. 

REGISTER NOW: JOIN ECA TO LEARN HOW TO CREATE & COMMUNICATE LEGISLATIVE & ADMINISTRATION PRIORITIES 

Join ECA next week, February 12 at 1:30pm ET, for an engaging discussion around "Legislative and Administration Priorities – What to Know and How to Create". Hear firsthand from Hill and DOE Staff, as they provide context and insight into navigating the upcoming congressional year. 

This webinar will cover a suite of topics, such as:

• Identifying key leadership in the new administration, Congress, and DOE
• What are the top policies and priorities of the new Administration and Congress?
• The who, how, and why of creating and framing your governmental priorities
• How to best present priorities to Congressional leadership and DOE staff
• What to expect from the upcoming legislative year
• How does/will congress pass DOE appropriations and authorizations?
• ...and more! 

Please reach out to AJ Ridge, ECA Program Manager, at ajr@energyca.org with any questions.

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:

• Ensure Safe and Available Disposal Capability is Available for All Waste Aligned with Local Community Needs
• Re-assess Use of End-State Contracting
• Ensure Regulatory Agreements are Reasonably Achievable and Balance Short- and Long-Term Needs
• Improve Workforce Planning to Address EM “Brain Drain” and Ensure EM is Well Integrated with Other DOE Programs
• Maintain Robust Local Community Engagement 
• Continue to Focus on Economic/Energy Development Benefits From Cleanup
• Clarify that DOE Will Fully Investigate and Remediate Hazardous Materials Discovered at Completed Sites 
• Reconstitute a Dedicated Nuclear Waste Organization Within DOE

WHAT YOU'VE MISSED:

Maryland lawmaker, governor eyes nuclear power to tackle energy gaps amid green shift

Read the full story

U.K. narrows focus of disposal facility to three potential sites

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 - John Swegle, Ph.D.: Putin's Message: Escalation or Deterrence?

January 28, 2025 | S02 E203

In this episode of NucleCast, Adam and Dr. John Swegle discuss the implications of a recent missile attack in Ukraine, where an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was used in a conventional capacity. They delve into the specifics of the attack, the characteristics of the missile, and the potential messaging and escalation dynamics involved. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for NATO and the future of nuclear and conventional warfare.

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

UPCOMING MEETINGS: