Congress Focuses On Averting Shutdown, But Trump Wants More In Budget
Deal NPR April 24,
2017 Congress returns Tuesday from its spring recess, facing yet another down-to-the-wire spate of deal-making — and a White House anxious to claim its first major legislative
win.
On Friday night, the funding measure lawmakers approved last year to keep the federal government running will expire. The timing leaves members of the House and Senate just four days to reach a new agreement to fund the government, or risk a partial shutdown of federal agencies on Saturday — the 100th day of Donald Trump's
presidency.
Ever aware of the consequences, House Speaker Paul Ryan says passing a spending bill is his primary goal this week — even as the White House is urging the GOP to resuscitate last month's failed attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and the president is making a fresh push on a tax
overhaul. >>Continue
readingWitnesses announced for Congressional hearing on nuclear waste ECA Staff April 24, 2017 More information has been published on the upcoming hearing on the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017 on Wednesday, April 26, at 10:00 AM EST.
The first panel of the hearing will consist of Representatives: Ruben Kihuen (D-NV); Dina Titus (D-NV); Jacky Rosen (D-NV); and Joe Wilson (R-SC).
The second panel will feature Mr. Ed Lyman, Union of Concerned Scientists; Mr. Mark McManus, United Association; Mr. Steven P. Nesbit, Nuclear Infrastructure Council; Mr. Anthony O'Donnell , National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; and Mr. Ward Sproat, former Director of DOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. >>Continue
readingMOX injunction delayed until at least July 31 Aiken Standard April 21,
2017 An injunctive order that would move plutonium disposition forward in Aiken County will have to wait until at least
July.
U.S. District Judge Michelle Childs signed an order giving all parties until July 31 to develop a jointly written statement that will be used to frame the order. The previous deadline was
April 21.
Childs previously ruled the U.S. Department of Energy failed to comply with an agreement to dispose of 1 metric ton of weapons grade plutonium by Jan. 1, 2016.
>>Continue reading Time for leadership, time for new path through INL nuke research
stalemate The Idaho Statesman April 21, 2017 The deadlock between Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and the Department of Energy over allowing spent nuclear fuel into Idaho for research has gone on too long. With new players in Washington, it’s time for Idaho leaders to set aside the bad blood and build a new relationship that will benefit
Idaho.
There is reason for optimism. There are new faces all around this issue: a new presidential administration; a new secretary of energy; a relatively new nuclear cleanup contractor, with a new plan; and a fairly new
director of the research lab. There is too much riding on long-term success for Idaho, the Idaho National Laboratory, our national security and U.S. energy policy to let this opportunity slip away.
In 1995, DOE agreed with Idaho to clean up
waste at INL. DOE has made good on some efforts and failed to honor other aspects of that agreement. It wants to bring new radioactive material in to INL for research purposes. But to hold DOE to its cleanup promises, Wasden feels compelled to block these shipments. >>Continue readingCritical infrastructure improvements taking place at
Hanfor NBC Right Now April 20, 2017 RICHLAND, WA – The U.S. Department of Energy Richland Operations Office and prime contractor Mission Support Alliance (MSA) have recently completed a
significant infrastructure project to allow important cleanup work to continue at the Hanford site.
MSA has recently
completed the replacement of nearly five miles of aging water lines. Replacement of these lines not only eliminates the need for frequent emergency repairs, but new control, vent, and drain valves provide better and more reliable operation of these sections of the site water
system.
“Critical infrastructure improvement projects, like replacing World War II-era water lines, are necessary to invest in,
despite the steadily shrinking cleanup footprint at Hanford,” said Tom Fletcher, deputy manager at the Richland Operations Office. “We are replacing old utilities that served a large site with more efficient systems that are the right size for a smaller cleanup area.” >>Continue readingOhio Commissioners Urge Rick Perry to Fund Nuclear
Cleanup AP April 23, 2017 PIKETON, Ohio (AP) — Commissioners from four southern Ohio counties have written to U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry urging continued funding for cleanup
of a former Cold War-era uranium plant. However, the Piketon mayor has written his own letter of opposition to a possible onsite waste disposal facility.
The Portsmouth Daily Times reports all commissioners from Scioto County recently signed the letter that supports a vision plan for the Piketon
site which includes the disposal facility. The plant cleanup produces some of the best-paid jobs in an area with high unemployment. >>Continue readingDOE Announces New National Laboratory Collaborations with 38 Small Businesses U.S. DOE April
21, 2017 Washington, DC – Today, at Earth Day Texas 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the 38 small businesses that will collaborate with national lab researchers through the Small Business Vouchers (SBV) pilot. SBV facilitates access to the DOE national labs for American small businesses, enabling them to tap into the intellectual and technical resources they need to overcome critical
technology challenges for their advanced energy products and gain a global competitive advantage. Eight DOE national laboratories will receive funding to partner with 38 competitively selected small businesses across the country.
“Small businesses are the engine of our economy, and those working on advanced energy technologies play an important role in ensuring our nation’s energy security and independence," said Energy Secretary Rick Perry during his remarks at Earth Day Texas. "The Small Business Vouchers program is a great example of how DOE's
innovative public-private collaborations are ensuring our investments in DOE national labs are maintaining and strengthening U.S. competitiveness long-term." >>Continue
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| April 2017 | | 26 | U.S. House of Rep. Hearing on Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017 |
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| May 2017 | | 10-11 | Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board Chair Meeting |
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| June 2017 | | 7 | House Nuclear Cleanup
Caucus Event |
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| August 2017 | | 8-9 | Intermountain Energy Summitt |
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| August
2017 | | 16-17 | INVITATION ONLY ECA Peer Exchange: Implementation of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Richland, WA |
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| September 2017 | | 12-14 | 2017 National Cleanup Workshop Alexandria, VA |
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| September 2017 | | 13 | House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus
Event Washington,
DC
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Find the most recent ECA Bulletin here |
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