LEGISLATION
Luján Introduces Legislation To Restore And Modernize National Labs For The 21st Century
Senator Luján Press Release | 6/24/2021
Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Restore and Modernize Our National Labs Act, a bill that would invest $30 billion in deferred maintenance projects and infrastructure improvements at America’s National Labs. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). During the 116th Congress, Senator Luján successfully secured the inclusion of
the Restore and Modernize Our National Labs Act in the House-passed Moving Forward Act.
The Department of Energy’s National Laboratories are experiencing a maintenance backlog from decades of underfunding that puts the labs’ mission at risk. Significant new federal investments are needed to repair and update laboratories, administrative buildings, and critical infrastructure like roads and power plants. Making these improvements will keep the labs’ more than 40,000 employees safe and
secure, and ensure that these research facilities are equipped to fulfill their mission.
“Our National Labs, including Sandia and Los Alamos in New Mexico, have helped position our country as a global leader in innovation and scientific discovery,” said Senator Luján. “However, the labs’ success depends on critical infrastructure that is often decades beyond its usefulness. The Restore and Modernize Our National Labs Act funds necessary updates and upgrades that enhance our national labs’
capacity to address 21st century challenges like addressing climate change, creating and leading on industries of the future, and strengthening our national security. I’ll keep working to ensure that America’s national labs continue to have access safe, reliable, and efficient facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and a world-class workforce.”
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NATIONAL CLEANUP WORKSHOP
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"CAPITALIZING ON A NEW ERA OF CLEANUP SUCCESS"
September 8-10, 2021
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, Virginia
Join more than 700 attendees, including senior DOE officials, Congressional leaders, DOE contractors, and state, tribal and local government leaders for the largest EM-focused gathering in the D.C. area.
Scheduled sessions at this year's workshop include:
- A New Era for EM Cleanup
- Insights from Congress
- The Next Phase of EM Success
- Partnering with DOE on Priority Issues: Environmental Justice, Cleanup Engagement and Clean Energy Production
- Upcoming EM Acquisition Plans and Schedule
- Roundtable: Lessons Learned and Improving Project Performance
- Legislative Challenges and Opportunities for the EM Program
- Roundtable: The Future of Disposal
- The Future of the EM Workforce
- Roundtable: DOE Field Office Managers
- Congressional Staff Perspective
- Entering a New Era for Hanford Tank Waste
PLUTONIUM
NNSA approves Critical Decision 1 for Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility
NNSA Press Release | 6/28/2021
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) announced the approval of the Critical Decision 1 (CD-1) milestone for the recommended approach to produce at least 50 plutonium pits per year for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) project at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
CD-1 approval marks the completion of the project definition phase and the conceptual design as part of DOE’s Order 413.3B process for the acquisition of capital assets.
The CD-1 cost estimate for SRPPF is $6.9 - $11.1 billion, with an overall project completion range of 2032-2035. The CD-1 cost estimate and project completion date ranges are preliminary estimates that will be refined as the project conceptual design is matured to the 90% design level required to achieve CD-2 (approval of the performance baseline). Consistent with industry best practices and DOE policy,
NNSA will set the performance cost and schedule baseline at CD-2, which is expected in FY 2024.
NNSA and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) will continue to review this project to improve the fidelity of the current price estimate and schedule.
NUCLEAR REACTOR
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local
governments.
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