Coverage of Senate Panel Hearing to Consider Moniz as DOE Secretary
Published: Tue, 04/09/13
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing this morning to consider the nomination of Dr. Ernest Moniz to be the Secretary of Energy.
Moniz served as DOE Under Secretary from 1997 until 2001 and as Associate Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President from 1995 to 1997.
Former Senator Jeff Bingaman and Lieutenant General Brent Scowcroft, former co-chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future, provided opening remarks.
An archived webcast of the hearing is available here.
Comprehensive Nuclear Waste Strategy
In his opening remarks, Committee Chairman Wyden said he and Senators Alexander, Murkowski and Feinstein are working on a nuclear waste bill based on the work of the BRC, which will "hopefully" be released in the "coming weeks."
When asked by a reporter after the hearing, Senator Wyden noted that the last hurdle right now is regarding the management structure and that the senators had made progress on the issue of interim storage linkage to repository development.
Moniz agreed with Senator Heinrich of New Mexico that communities which host or agree to host interim storage facilities must have assurance from the Federal Government that they do not become de facto permanent sites without consent. "Storage is not disposal," Moniz said.
Senator Alexander of Tennessee asked Moniz to confirm that the linkage outlined in the BRC report regarding interim storage and repository development was NOT intended to prevent interim storage efforts from proceeding. Moniz agreed, restating that the efforts should be done parallel to each other.
EM Cleanup
Moniz stated that environmental remediation is a major mission, both legally and morally. He promised to work with communities and other stakeholders.
National Laboratories Budget and Planning
In response to a question about funding support for the national laboratories from Senator Risch of Idaho, Moniz said he does not know the contents of the President's fiscal year 2014 budget request. He added that, if confirmed, he would like to increasingly utilize lab directors as "resources for how we plan going forward," not just as people who implement plans.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park Act
Senator Cantwell of Washington asked Moniz about his support of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Act, to which Moniz replied that he sees no reason why the bill shouldn't go forward.
Comingling of Defense and Commercial Waste
It is appropriate to reconsider the issue of commingling defense and commercial waste, Moniz said, because the conditions that originally led to comingling are no longer relevant. "If confirmed, I really want to push that evaluation."
Land Exchange
In response to a question from Senator Cantwell, Moniz said he understands the importance of land exchange after cleanup is completed at DOE sites and, if confirmed, will look at the issue more closely.
Small Modular Reactors
In his opening remarks, Moniz cited small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of a plan to achieve a lower carbon economy. In response to a follow-up question from Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, Moniz added that SMRS are an area "we need to pursue." The biggest unknown, he said, is to what extent mass production will lower costs of SMRs. In any event, Moniz said, SMRs have many desirable properties.
Scowcroft also mentioned the benefits of SMRs in his opening remarks.
Footprint Reduction
Senator Schatz of Hawaii asked how DOE and DOD were working together and Moniz said he needs to learn more about shared efforts on initiatives including footprint reduction.
Technology Transfer
Heinrich asked whether DOE and the labs are doing all they can on issues related to technology transfer and national laboratories. Moniz said a lot more can be done to leverage working with universities and the private sector. He specifically mentioned a more prominent role for states in the process.
Yucca Mountain
Senator Heller of Nevada discussed the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, saying Nevadans don't trust assertions that Yucca Mountain is safe due to flawed science. He asked Moniz "whether we should look beyond Yucca Mountain to consent-based siting?" Moniz replied in the affirmative.
Hanford Cleanup
Moniz said he would go to the Hanford Site soon after confirmation and "expeditiously" put together a plan to respond to the issues there. Moniz added that he recognizes the Tri-Party agreement and the milestones it includes.
Senator Wyden asked Moniz, "Is DOE's status quo at Hanford acceptable to you?" Moniz replied that it is not acceptable to him and shared his detailed thoughts on the recent Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) report.
Moniz outlined next steps if confirmed: meet with DNFSB, look at characterization of the waste, and noted it is "unacceptable" not to have the safety culture we want.
Wyden expressed concern that DOE says it could take up to two years to determine if/which tanks at Hanford are "officially" leaking. Wyden also asked whether Moniz would address design plans given that DOE says pre-treatment of waste can be bypassed at WTP, with direct feed into the vit plant. Moniz said the issue is "critical" and needs "deep consideration."
Wyden asked Moniz if he'd be willing to meet with Hanford whistleblowers. Moniz agreed and said he'd also meet with contractors to discuss safety issues.
Cantwell asked Moniz to characterize the challenges at Hanford - were they scientific or process driven? Moniz said he believes scientifically they can be answered - there is a need to look at issues of process, system integration and resource efficiency.
LANL Cleanup
Regarding Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Moniz said at Heinrich's prompting, he would be happy to look at the prioritization of disposal of transuranic waste above ground at LANL.
Oak Ridge Cleanup
Alexander asked Moniz about mercury contamination in the water near Oak Ridge. Moniz assured the Senator that public health and safety is a priority. He did not agree or disagree with Alexander about specifically building a facility to intercept the mercury.
MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility
In response to a question from Senator Scott of South Carolina, Moniz said he generally supports MOX fuel plans as a strategy to promote nonproliferation. Scott pressed Moniz on if he would support completion of the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility, however, Moniz said he could not make a judgment prior to confirmation. Scott underscored the penalties that need to be paid to the State of South Carolina if DOE fails to meet the agreement.
Scott was very interested in Moniz' position on the MOX facility and whether, after spending $40 billion on it and it being 60% completed, Moniz thought it should be completed.
As Under Secretary, Moniz was the lead negotiator with the Russians in developing the MOX agreement.
Scott noted that he has heard that the President's fiscal year 2014 budget request includes significant cuts to the MOX facility. Uranium Enrichment
Senator Barrasso of Wyoming asked about USEC and Moniz' support for it. Moniz responded that it is a goal to having US-origin uranium, a domestic industry in the U.S.
Portman asked about the American Centrifuge project. Moniz responded that he understands there is an agreement in place and that it pays for cleanup. He added that he supports having American technology for uranium enrichment and will focus on the application for the project and will look at the loan guarantee.
Jazcko at DOE?
Senator Barrasso referred to the Energy Daily article regarding rumors that Senator Reid is exploring a spot for former NRC Chairman Jazcko at DOE. Moniz replied that he had heard nothing about it. |
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