Join ECA on June 25, 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm for a can't-miss session in the ECA Summer Webinar Series: Reviving Nuclear
Reprocessing: The Reality and Opportunities. Recent executive orders signed by President Trump have directed the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy to use their authorities to advance privately funded recycling, reprocessing, and reactor fuel fabrication technologies. But how will costs, logistics, and timing impact this ambitious move to close the fuel cycle? Hear firsthand from a panel
of experts that ECA has gathered to discuss the status and history of nuclear recycling and reprocessing in the U.S., and the implications it has on the national nuclear waste strategy and on the industry as a whole. Speakers will include: - Facilitator: Laura Hermann – Deputy Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance
- Ross Matzkin-Bridger - Senior Director of Nuclear Materials Security, Nuclear Threat Initiative
- Dr. Kemal
Pasamehmetoglu - Non-Resident Fellow, Atlantic Council
- Nick Touran – Nuclear Advisor and Consultant, What is Nuclear
If you have any questions about the webinar
or would like more information, please reach out to ajr@energyca.org. We hope to see you there!
GAO RELEASES REPORT: DOE NEEDS TO IMPROVE CONTRACTOR OVERSIGHT AT WIPP
Earlier today (June 24), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report assessing the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the
nation’s only geologic repository for disposing of certain nuclear waste from defense-related activities, such as contaminated soil. Although the The Department of Energy (DOE) expects the site to operate until the 2080s, GAO details in its report how much of the site's infrastructure is in degraded condition, increasing the risks of failure for WIPP’s waste disposal mission. GAO's Key Takeaways GAO reviewed a Department of Energy (DOE) commissioned survey from 2016 that identified over $37 million in deferred maintenance costs for WIPP’s site infrastructure—including buildings, electrical substations, hoists, and other assets. Some infrastructure has been refurbished or replaced since then. However, GAO's analysis shows that 29 of 56 assets that are essential to WIPP's mission were in substandard or inadequate condition
in 2023. GAO noted that WIPP’s contractor handles daily maintenance, refurbishment, and replacement of infrastructure. The contractor also maintains data about the condition and deficiencies of site infrastructure. DOE uses the data to make decisions about assets. DOE has repeatedly identified issues with the data, including unreliable values, but, according to GAO, DOE has not ensured that the contractor develops
timelines to correct those issues. DOE evaluates the contractor’s performance annually and approves long-term plans for infrastructure management. However, GAO found that DOE has not consistently incentivized the contractor to develop and execute long-term plans. Accurate data and clear long-term management plans would help DOE plan, prioritize, and fund critical maintenance for WIPP’s infrastructure and reduce costly
emergency refurbishment of assets critical to nuclear waste disposal. GAO made three recommendations to DOE to improve data collection, ensure that the site contractor is meeting long-term site infrastructure planning requirements, and review the use of oversight tools. DOE concurred with all three of the GAO's recommendations. To read the full GAO
report, click here.
Earlier this summer, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) completed a report on nuclear waste titled, "An Integrated Disposal Plan Could Help DOE Complete Its Cleanup Mission and Save Billions". ECA is hosting an informational webinar to learn more about the recommendations to develop DOE complex-wide analyses to assess the progress of its cleanup mission. These recommendations include; optimization models to identify optimal disposal pathways; a call to develop a complex-wide disposal plan; and the creation of a
forum for EM, cleanup sites, and disposal facility regulators to address regulatory constraints to optimal disposal approaches. GAO analyzed EM waste data, interviewed or requested information from all 15 EM sites, visited commercial nuclear waste disposal facilities, and developed a hypothetical model for optimizing transuranic waste disposal using EM data. Join ECA on July 24 at 2pm ET to learn more about the report. Speakers will include: - Facilitator: Seth Kirshenberg – Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance
- Nathan Anderson, Director - Natural Resources and Environment, GAO
- Amanda Kolling, Assistant Director - Natural Resources and
Environment, GAO
JOIN ETEC IN THE OAK RIDGE CORRIDOR FOR THE NUCLEAR OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP
July 22 - 23, 2025 | Knoxville Convention Center
WHAT IS NOW? - NOW is ETEC's Nuclear Opportunities Workshop, Tennessee’s premier nuclear industry conference focused on all things nuclear: fission, fusion, isotopes, environmental management, AI in nuclear, workforce and more. Join ETEC and a variety of experts and enthusiasts in
the Oak Ridge Corridor for this growing, engaging, and informative conference.
For more information, including agenda, supporter opportunities, and travel and lodging information, click here.
ROGER JARRELL, ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EM, TO SPEAK AT THE NATIONAL CLEANUP WORKSHOP
September 23 - 25, 2025 | Crystal Gateway
Marriott | Arlington, VA
Join us for the 11th annual National Cleanup Workshop (NCW), to be held September 24-25, 2025 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott - Arlington, VA. Hear from Roger Jarrell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) and Acting Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM), and a growing list of federal representatives, industry officials and state and local leaders. Hosted by ECA with the cooperation of the Energy Facility Contractors
Group and DOE-EM; this is one of the largest events in the country dealing with the issues tackled by the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (EM). TAKE A FIRST LOOK AT WHO'S SPEAKING!
Roger Jarrell | Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary, DOE-EM
Brent Gerry | Mayor, City of
West Richland, WA; Chair, ECA
Rebecca Casper | Mayor, City of Idaho Falls, ID; Vice-Chair, ECA
David "DJ" Johnson | Vice President, Honeywell Federal Solutions; EFCOG Board Chair
Heatherly Dukes | President, Technical Service Group, BWX Technologies, Inc.
Carol Johnson | President and Program Manager, Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C)
Jeff Kendall | President,
AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear
Mark Whitney | President, Energy and Environment, Amentum
... and more!
Make sure to register before July 1, 2025, to receive the early bird discount rate! The cost of registration will increase after July 1.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Wednesday, September 24 8:00am National Cleanup Workshop 5:30pm Evening Reception for all NCW Attendees Thursday, September 25
8:00am National Cleanup Workshop SPONSORSHIP
NCW sponsorships offer an excellent opportunity to showcase your company, maximize networking opportunities with attendees, and host
an exhibit booth during the forum. Click here to learn more!
The National Cleanup Workshop is hosted by the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) with the cooperation of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM)*.
WHAT YOU'VE MISSED: Ohio Republicans lead push for nuclear fuel recycling legislation WASHINGTON, D. C. - A bipartisan,
bicameral group of legislators, led by a pair of Ohio Republicans, has introduced legislation that would promote nuclear fuel recycling by nuclear power plants. U.S. Sen. Jon Husted of the Columbus area and U.S. Rep Bob Latta of Bowling Green have introduced legislation called the "Nuclear REFUEL Act“ that would simplify licensing requirements for nuclear recycling facilities as a way to boost U.S. nuclear energy production. Read the full story Report: New York state adding 1 GW of nuclear to fleet New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has instructed the state’s public electric utility to add at least 1 gigawatt of new nuclear by building a large-scale nuclear plant or a collection of smaller modular reactors, according to the Wall Street Journal. An exclusive report from the WSJ this morning said New York’s plans are reportedly one of the first big tests of President Trump’s push to expand nuclear power
with the goal of quadrupling U.S. nuclear capacity—from 100 GW to 400 GW—by 2050. The main impetus is largely economic, with nuclear as a way to meet soaring energy demand as artificial intelligence grows and data centers are added to the grid. Read the full story DOE-led nuclear licensing gains traction under Trump As the White House pursues a sweeping revision of nuclear safety standards to speed up new reactor approvals, one national laboratory is volunteering to do
the job in place of the independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The director of the Idaho National Laboratory and two high-level colleagues are asking for Energy Secretary Chris Wright and members of Congress to allow the lab to be the main safety regulator for advanced reactors, expanding INL’s longtime role in developing test
reactors. Read the full story
GoneFission Nuclear Report - Oak Ridge Nuclear Center
of Excellence May 13, 2025 | S5 E2 Dr. Stephen Nagy discusses Japan's strategic positioning in a complex geopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to the U.S.-China rivalry. He explores Japan's economic ties with China, the challenges posed by regional security
threats, and the evolving strategies Japan is employing to navigate these issues. The conversation delves into Japan's historical pacifism, the potential for nuclear deterrence discussions, and the importance of trade agreements and technological cooperation in ensuring regional stability. https://gonefissionpodcast.com/ NucleCast - Brian D'Andrea: TechSource; A Leader in Nuclear Expertise June 24, 2025 | S03 E224 In this episode of NucleCast, Jim Howe interviews Brian D'Andrea, CEO of TechSource, discussing the company's significant role in supporting America's nuclear security enterprise. They explore TechSource's growth, employee ownership, and the importance of retaining
critical skills in the nuclear field. Brian shares insights into the company's project management approach, workforce development initiatives, and strategic partnerships that enhance their capabilities. https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/
Nuclear Opportunities Workshop Knoxville, TN | July 22 - 23 Learn More Here National Cleanup Workshop 2025 Arlington, VA |
September 23 - 25 Learn More Here
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