ECA Update: March 19, 2014
Published: Wed, 03/19/14
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South Carolina sues Energy Department over MOX shutdown
The Augusta Chronicle
March 18, 2014
The Augusta Chronicle
March 18, 2014
COLUMBIA -- The state of South Carolina is suing the U.S. Department of Energy and others over federal plans to shut down Savannah River Site's mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility intended to turn nuclear weapons material into fuel for commercial nuclear reactors.
Gov. Nikki Haley and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the lawsuit Tuesday afternoon at a news conference in Columbia.
The lawsuit involving the MOX project was filed in U.S. District Court in Aiken and names the DOE, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and the National Nuclear Security Administration, which is managing the massive construction project, as defendants.
The lawsuit accuses the agency of using money that Congress approved to build the project to shut it down. The project is billions of dollars over budget.
"We will fight. We will fight back hard," Haley said. "And we will do whatever it takes to make sure they understand they have messed with the wrong state."
In the Obama administration's fiscal 2015 budget proposal, the MOX plant was placed on "cold standby" while assessing other more cost-effective methods to dispose of weapons-grade plutonium. The NNSA began almost immediately consulting with contractors to shut down the construction project, which is about 60 percent complete.
Haley criticized the Obama administration for abandoning the project and its commitment to the state to dispose of nuclear waste.
"They made a promise to the people of South Carolina that they were going to do something with that plutonium. They cannot, for whatever reason this is, suddenly decide that they are going to go on cold standby. That's not how we do business in South Carolina," Haley said.
The announcement came on the heels of the NNSA budget proposal released over the weekend that confirmed the escalating costs of MOX. Life-cycle costs of the program were estimated at $30 billion.
Environmentalist Tom Clements, a critic of MOX, blasted the lawsuit, saying the state has no money invested in the project and no regulatory role.
MOX has evolved from a plutonium disposition program to a jobs program backed by state politicians, he said.
"Any lawsuit being filed by the State of South Carolina is being done for political reasons and will simply be a waste of taxpayer money," said Clements, an advisor for the S.C. chapter of the Sierra Club.
The decision to put the project on hold has been met with opposition from some South Carolina Republicans, including Rep. Joe Wilson.
"The president's reckless decision endangers our national security and confirms that the administration has no intention of following through with the federal government's obligations to South Carolina as nuclear material remains in the Palmetto State without a foreseeable exit path," Wilson said in a statement.
Wilson and U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott wrote a March 7 letter to Haley urging her to explore legal action over the MOX shutdown, saying it violates an international nonproliferation agreement between Russia and the U.S. to dispose of 34 metric tons of plutonium each.
After the press conference, Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville, said he was worried the 1,800 MOX workers would leave the area, taking their skills elsewhere in search of new jobs.
The lawsuit involving the MOX project was filed in U.S. District Court in Aiken and names the DOE, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and the National Nuclear Security Administration, which is managing the massive construction project, as defendants.
The lawsuit accuses the agency of using money that Congress approved to build the project to shut it down. The project is billions of dollars over budget.
"We will fight. We will fight back hard," Haley said. "And we will do whatever it takes to make sure they understand they have messed with the wrong state."
In the Obama administration's fiscal 2015 budget proposal, the MOX plant was placed on "cold standby" while assessing other more cost-effective methods to dispose of weapons-grade plutonium. The NNSA began almost immediately consulting with contractors to shut down the construction project, which is about 60 percent complete.
Haley criticized the Obama administration for abandoning the project and its commitment to the state to dispose of nuclear waste.
"They made a promise to the people of South Carolina that they were going to do something with that plutonium. They cannot, for whatever reason this is, suddenly decide that they are going to go on cold standby. That's not how we do business in South Carolina," Haley said.
The announcement came on the heels of the NNSA budget proposal released over the weekend that confirmed the escalating costs of MOX. Life-cycle costs of the program were estimated at $30 billion.
Environmentalist Tom Clements, a critic of MOX, blasted the lawsuit, saying the state has no money invested in the project and no regulatory role.
MOX has evolved from a plutonium disposition program to a jobs program backed by state politicians, he said.
"Any lawsuit being filed by the State of South Carolina is being done for political reasons and will simply be a waste of taxpayer money," said Clements, an advisor for the S.C. chapter of the Sierra Club.
The decision to put the project on hold has been met with opposition from some South Carolina Republicans, including Rep. Joe Wilson.
"The president's reckless decision endangers our national security and confirms that the administration has no intention of following through with the federal government's obligations to South Carolina as nuclear material remains in the Palmetto State without a foreseeable exit path," Wilson said in a statement.
Wilson and U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott wrote a March 7 letter to Haley urging her to explore legal action over the MOX shutdown, saying it violates an international nonproliferation agreement between Russia and the U.S. to dispose of 34 metric tons of plutonium each.
After the press conference, Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville, said he was worried the 1,800 MOX workers would leave the area, taking their skills elsewhere in search of new jobs.
Terry Tyborowski, EM Deputy Assistant Secretary, Moving to DOE's CFO Office
ECA has learned that, starting April 21, Terry Tyborowski, EM Deputy Assistant Secretary for Program Planning and Budget, will be moving on to a new position as Deputy Director for Budget Analysis in the DOE Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Dennis Deziel, currently her deputy, will be taking over her duties until a permanent replacement is found.
Terry has been a good friend to all local governments and has been very helpful in explaining the complicated budget numbers to ECA members. We wish her the best as she moves on to this new position.
Terry has been a good friend to all local governments and has been very helpful in explaining the complicated budget numbers to ECA members. We wish her the best as she moves on to this new position.
Gov. Jay Inslee's statement on meeting with US Dept of Energy Secretary Ernie Moniz regarding Hanford
Washington Governor Jay Inslee
March 17, 2014
"Safe and successful cleanup of the nuclear waste stored at Hanford is of utmost priority for the people of Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. The federal government has a moral and legal obligation to oversee the successful cleanup of the waste that remains. Fifty-six million gallons of hazardous and radioactive waste continue to be held in Hanford's storage tanks - now decades beyond their intended use. I and others have called for a comprehensive plan that will lead to an effective cleanup plan. We have eagerly awaited an acceptable plan to protect the public health, the environment of our state and Columbia River.
"As such, I have appreciated the attention that Secretary Moniz has given to Hanford since assuming office last year, and that he has come to Olympia today to present the Energy Department's perspective and a draft cleanup plan. Unfortunately, the draft that was shown to us this morning did not contain the comprehensiveness and level of detail that the State has requested for months from our federal partners. While there are aspects of the plan that have merit, we need to have assurance that the U.S. Department of Energy's proposal will lead to a plan that will be acceptable to the State. I have been considering the State's options for ensuring an effective and safe Hanford cleanup. In light of today's meeting, I will be consulting with Attorney General Bob Ferguson and my Department of Ecology and will have more to say on this matter in the coming days."
Photo from one-on-one meeting: http://www.flickr.com/photos/govinslee/13222740493/
"As such, I have appreciated the attention that Secretary Moniz has given to Hanford since assuming office last year, and that he has come to Olympia today to present the Energy Department's perspective and a draft cleanup plan. Unfortunately, the draft that was shown to us this morning did not contain the comprehensiveness and level of detail that the State has requested for months from our federal partners. While there are aspects of the plan that have merit, we need to have assurance that the U.S. Department of Energy's proposal will lead to a plan that will be acceptable to the State. I have been considering the State's options for ensuring an effective and safe Hanford cleanup. In light of today's meeting, I will be consulting with Attorney General Bob Ferguson and my Department of Ecology and will have more to say on this matter in the coming days."
Photo from one-on-one meeting: http://www.flickr.com/photos/govinslee/13222740493/
Hearing: Interim Report of the Advisory Panel on the Governance of the Nuclear Security Enterprise
House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 (10:00AM EST)
Witnesses:
Mr. Norm Augustine
Co-Chairman
Advisory Panel on the Governance of the Nuclear Security Enterprise
Mr. Norm Augustine
Co-Chairman
Advisory Panel on the Governance of the Nuclear Security Enterprise
Admiral Richard W. Mies, U.S. Navy (ret.)
Co-Chairman
Advisory Panel on the Governance of the Nuclear Security Enterprise
Co-Chairman
Advisory Panel on the Governance of the Nuclear Security Enterprise
WIPP Weekly Town Hall Meeting Reminder
City of Carlsbad and DOE
The City of Carlsbad and Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office will be co-hosting weekly town hall meetings to discuss recovery efforts following the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's fire and radiological events in February. The meetings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. each Thursday in the council chambers of City Hall, 101 N. Halagueno St. Weekly updates on the status of WIPP and recovery efforts will be provided. Meetings will also be available live online at http://new.livestream.com/rrv
DNFSB's 24th Annual Report to Congress
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
March 2014
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is pleased to submit to Congress its Twenty-Fourth Annual Report for Calendar Year 2013. The Board is an independent executive branch agency responsible for making recommendations to the Secretary of Energy, and in certain cases to the President, necessary to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety at the Department of Energy's defense nuclear facilities.
As required by 42 U.S.C. § 2286e(a), this report describes the Board's current safety initiatives and assesses improvements in the safety of defense nuclear facilities, as well as safety problems yet to be resolved.
Evaluation of Costs Charged to the Washington Savannah River Company Contract No. DE-AC09-96SR18500 during Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011
DOE Inspector General
March 12, 2014
In August 1996, the Department of Energy's (Department) Savannah River Operations Office awarded the Savannah River Site (SRS) management and operating (M&O) contract to Washington Savannah River Company (WSRC). Subsequent to completion of work in June 2009, Savannah River Operations Office authorized WSRC to obtain accounting, auditing, legal and other administrative services from Savannah River Remediation to support the formal closeout of its contract. In December 2009, the Letter of Credit expired and Savannah River Operations Office required WSRC to provide invoices for reimbursement of the closeout costs. Savannah River Operations Office requested the Office of Inspector General review the invoices and supporting documentation for costs reimbursed to WSRC during Fiscal Years (FYs) 2010 and 2011, including the closeout costs incurred by Savannah River Remediation.
During the course of our evaluation, nothing came to our attention to indicate that WSRC was reimbursed for costs that were not consistent with the terms of the contract. During FYs 2010 and 2011, WSRC was reimbursed a total of $601,420 for costs incurred. Detailed invoices, along with supporting documentation, were submitted to the Savannah River Operations Office Contracting Officer for review and approval prior to payment. We did not make any recommendations in this report.
During the course of our evaluation, nothing came to our attention to indicate that WSRC was reimbursed for costs that were not consistent with the terms of the contract. During FYs 2010 and 2011, WSRC was reimbursed a total of $601,420 for costs incurred. Detailed invoices, along with supporting documentation, were submitted to the Savannah River Operations Office Contracting Officer for review and approval prior to payment. We did not make any recommendations in this report.
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