Yesterday (June 9) Timothy Walsh, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy Office of Environmental
Management, appeared before the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee to provide testimony and field questions from members of the committee.
In his introductory remarks, Walsh
recognized the significance and responsibility of the Environmental Management (EM) mission, and the legacies of the Manhattan Project and Cold War nuclear weapons programs. He shared that he lives only 16 miles south of Rocky Flats in Golden Colorado, driving home the point that EM sites impact communities and that safe, efficient and effective cleanup is critical. He upheld Rocky Flats as an exemplar case of what the EM Program “can achieve to safely and successfully accomplish its cleanup
mission.” As Assistant Secretary, he stated his goals would include “creating space for the golden era of American energy” and guaranteeing “the most pressing risks receive maximum attention, decisive decision making, and disciplined project management to ensure accountability and results are achieved. During the hearing, he addressed multiple questions related to the EM cleanup program:
Committee Chair
Senator Mike Lee (UT) asked “Will you work with the Secretary of Energy and with the National Nuclear Security Administration to end the dilute and dispose program and carry out President Trump's Executive Orders?”
Walsh stated that he understands the vital link to making the United States a leader in AI will be to locate and power datacenters with Small Modular Reactors (SMRS) and all
forms of nuclear reactors. He affirmed that he would work with the Secretary and NNSA to develop domestic uranium enrichment capacity.
Senator Martin Heinrich (NM) questioned Walsh on his commitment “to overseeing the swift construction and rehabilitation of the elevator systems at the WIPP facility.”
Walsh
affirmed his understanding of the importance of WIPP to the DOE Office of Environmental Management's cleanup program. He promised to review the details of the current budget and ensure that WIPP have a serviceable lift system if confirmed.
Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (NV) asked “Do I have your commitment to prioritize an open relationship with myself and our state officials on all DOE Environmental
Management activities in Nevada, will you pledge to uphold all existing agreements and contracts with the state of Nevada?”
Walsh affirmed his commitment and emphasized that “as President Trump and Secretary Wright have affirmed, we are not going to force any nuclear waste on Nevada.”
Senator Maria Cantwell (WA)
questioned how Walsh will commit to upholding the Washington Tri-Party Agreement and the federal responsibility entailed.
Walsh said that he looks forward to visiting the Hanford Site, and meeting with the site’s representatives. He noted that the Hanford Site is a critically important mission the people of Washington and stated that “all Americans deserve to live in a safe, clean environment.”
Chair Lee closed the meeting by thanking the witnesses for their testimony and time.
ECA has submitted a letter of support to the Senate Committee to voice support for Mr. Walsh's
confirmation:
"ECA supports the nomination of Mr. Walsh, who would be the first political appointee in over six years to lead the EM program. ECA believes that EM should be led by a political appointee to enable the difficult decision-making that the program requires to evolve and best serve the U.S. taxpayers and the host communities. Congress and President set up the EM program to have a political leader to ensure that
the leader of the program would go through the Senate confirmation process and be directly accountable to the President, the Secretary, and Congress."
To read the full letter of support, click here.
In similar news, the Senate
voted 54 – 43 in favor of the confirmation of Preston Wells Griffith to be Department of Energy Undersecretary.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works also advanced a nomination, that of Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair David Wright to continue to serve on the NRC. The Senate Committee reported his nomination favorably in a 10 - 9 vote.
ECA has submitted a Letter of Support in favor of David Wright's nomination as
well:
"The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is writing to express support for David A. Wright to continue serving as the Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Our organization represents local governments and communities that host nuclear energy, manufacturing and defense facilities, and our members are eager to drive new nuclear energy development forward. Chairman Wright has already proven to be an
effective leader of the NRC, and we hope the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will move quickly to confirm him and ensure that the NRC can continue ongoing efforts to enable and facilitate advanced reactor development and deployment. "
To read the full letter, click here.
ECA will continue to provide updates on the movement of nominations as they develop.
