New DOE climate adaptation and resilience agenda identifies plan to work with local governments at DOE sites
DOE Press Release + ECA Staff | 10/8/2021
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Strategic Plan supports President Biden’s Executive Order calling on a comprehensive federal response to combating climate change; highlights communities' role
On Thursday, in coordination with the White House, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its 2021 Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan, an aggressive agenda to adopt agency-wide strategies to manage the short- and long-term effects of climate change in DOE’s operations. In support of President Biden’s executive order, DOE is adopting ambitious goals to develop science-based approaches to ensuring that its enterprise is prepared for the impending effects of climate change. The Department, which has 50 major sites spanning 2.4 million acres, making it the 4th largest Federal land manager, must lead by example in taking the proactive steps to modernize its infrastructure to meet the needs of this pivotal moment. This
includes working with local governments at DOE sites to improve their climate readiness.
“Even as we are full speed ahead in our efforts to slow climate change, its devastating effects are undoubtedly impacting our strategic mission. DOE’s operations must adapt to this changing environment to mirror the bold agenda that President Biden has set for America,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This first-of-its-kind plan shows our commitment to being a changemaker and tackling this existential threat.”
One element of the plan highlights the impacts of climate change on, and providing assistance to, DOE sites and their surrounding communities. The plan notes the following action item:
- Provide Climate Adaptation Tools, Technical Support, and Climate Science Information at DOE Sites: To improve climate readiness and building upon existing efforts, the Department will increase access to adaptation tools, technical support, and climate science materials for DOE sites, their surrounding communities, and federal agencies, as well as tribal and local governments.
ECA has requested further details on how the Department will assist local governments around DOE sites.
Climate change is already affecting DOE facilities and operations. Wildfires have caused millions of dollars of damages, power outages, and temporary shutdowns of sites at Los Alamos and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Extreme cold has damaged critical facilities at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Pantex plant in Texas. Sea level rise, storm surge and intense hurricanes are putting the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, located along the
Gulf Coast, at increasing risk.
As climate threats continue to become more extreme and more frequent, DOE is planning to take the following actions:
- Advance Deployment of Emerging Climate Resilient Technologies: DOE will continue leading in its mission to develop and deploy cost effective, climate resilient and carbon pollution-free energy technologies. The Department will also partner with stakeholders – local and state governments, universities, and community organizations – to ensure these technologies are made available nationwide, including for disadvantaged
communities and populations.
- Assess Vulnerabilities and Implement Resilience Solutions at DOE Sites: By conducting site-level assessments and implementing resilience plans, DOE will take a proactive approach to climate change adaptation and enhance the climate resilience of not just DOE facilities but of neighboring communities as well.
- Enhance Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Co-benefits at DOE Sites: The Department plans to pursue adaptation and resilience strategies that reduce vulnerabilities to climate change, while also meeting its research, environmental management, and nuclear security missions – including prioritizing use of clean electricity, energy efficiency and achieving net-zero emissions for on-site operations that can both reduce
climate risks and result in mitigation co-benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.
- Institutionalize Climate Adaptation and Resilience Across DOE Activities: The Department will establish a unified climate action approach to programs and operations that allow for the sharing of tools, techniques, and success stories. This includes creating formal standards and processes to ensure that climate adaptation and resilience policies are implemented in the same manner across the board.
The actions outlined above, in addition to prioritizing achieving net zero emissions at the Department’s 17 national laboratories, will help identify climate vulnerabilities while developing the tools needed to respond to climate hazards. DOE will leverage the world-class research and development capabilities of its National Laboratories to institute the promising adaptation strategies and technologies that are outlined in the Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Plan.
The plan echoes the Department’s priorities to increase the use of pollution-free electricity, lead the transition to a zero-emission vehicle fleet and expand clean energy options for all Americans.
ECA looks forward to hosting further discussions on topics impacting the DOE complex at the National Cleanup Workshop from December 7-9. For more information, please click here.
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"CAPITALIZING ON A NEW ERA OF CLEANUP
SUCCESS"
December 7-9, 2021
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, Virginia
If you have already registered for the Workshop, you will not need to re-register. If you need to register, please click here. If you have questions, please contact Autumn Bogus at abogus@la-inc.com or (865)
300-1061.
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NIA brief provides insight on advanced nuclear, policy for decisionmakers
Nuclear Innovation Alliance | 10/8/2021
This Brief serves as an introduction to advanced nuclear energy technologies and policies for state-level policymakers and stakeholders. The first part of this Brief describes advanced reactor technology and its benefits, provides an overview of enabling federal policies, and reviews state options to incentivize local development of advanced reactors. The second part of the Brief provides case studies of emerging state leaders in these technologies:
- The Natrium project in Wyoming;
- Energy Northwest’s plans in Washington state;
- Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems’ consortium for the first light water small modular reactor, and;
- the Nuclear Alternative Project in Puerto Rico.
Finally, the last section of this Brief is a compendium of topical briefs that elaborate the characteristics of advanced reactors with respect to safety, economic benefits, waste remediation, the flexibility and dispatchability of advanced nuclear power, and its timing and development.
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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
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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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