COMMUNITY AWARDS TO SUPPORT

NEW NUCLEAR SITING

The Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus concept reflects the Department of Energy's early efforts to evaluate consolidated storage of used fuel. These activities built upon DOE's 2017 process and included public input from the original document, leading to meaningful progress towards the co-location concept for fuel cycle facilities. Community input helped determine that co-location of nuclear facilities could better advance manufacturing and regional economic growth.

ECA was named one of 12 consortia and selected seven community entities to develop avenues for early discussions and public engagement on consolidated storage and final disposition of nuclear waste. The goals of ECA’s program were to:

• Create, organize and lead meaningful, inclusive community and stakeholder engagement opportunities that elicit public values, interests, concerns, and goals related to spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste management.

• Identify needed partners, including community partners, private industry, and other stakeholders and their role in siting a potential nuclear waste facility.

• Develop model organizational/governance structures and partnerships – within the community, region, private industry, State, Tribal governments – necessary to develop a shared vision for future development that could include a nuclear waste mission.

• Capture results, lessons learned, and impact evaluations during the life of the project.

• Explore options for colocation of other nuclear lifecycle facilities.

For the purposes of these grants, an “Eligible Recipient” included municipal or local government entities, state government-created councils of local governments, community reuse organizations, and municipal government-related organizations (such as economic development entities) that are Internal Revenue Service-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. A community did not need to be an ECA member to apply.

OUR AWARDEES

  • Through two phases of Energy Communities Alliance support, the AGNC’s Northwest Colorado Energy Initiative advanced structured, fact-based engagement on collaboration-based siting and integrated energy planning in rural Colorado. By convening elected officials and regional stakeholders, the effort clarified infrastructure, workforce, safety, and regulatory considerations, documented regional concerns, and identified areas of alignment. This work strengthened readiness and positioned Northwest Colorado as an informed and constructive participant in future state and federal energy transition discussions.

    Learn more about the AGNC: at https://agnc.org/

  • Butte County, Idaho conducted a survey of 600 voters across the State of Idaho, including 200 voters in Eastern Idaho, to gain a better understanding of residents’ knowledge of spent nuclear fuel. To develop and communicate results, Butte County met regularly with a wide group of stakeholders, including Governor Brad Little, Idaho’s congressional delegation, local officials from various counties in Idaho, and the Shoshone Bannock Tribe.

    Learn more about Butte County at https://buttecountyid.us/

  • The Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD) is pursuing a targeted startegic communications and public education effort to improve the public understanding of WIPP’s strong operational track record, its role in protecting public health and the environment, and the significant economic value that WIPP brings to Carlsbad, Eddy County, and the State of New Mexico. Deliverables will include short-form educational video content, infographics, social media content packages, print-ready materials, and sponsored placements and digital assets that will be distributed through targeted digital and social media outlets.

    Learn more about CDOD at https://www.developcarlsbad.org/

  • ‍ The City of Oak Ridge utilized project funding to prepare a systematic needs assessment for the Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County Office of Emergency Management, and Roane County Office of Emergency Services in the context of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements set forth in the licensing process for Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs). The evaluation will identify gaps in emergency response planning and management and make recommendations for enhancing local public safety services related to nuclear fuel and related nuclear materials. Oak Ridge published an RFP to acquire a consultant to prepare this Analysis, which can be viewed here: https://www.oakridgetn.gov/bids.aspx?bidID=82 and work is now underway.

    Learn more about the city of Oak Ridge at: https://www.oakridgetn.gov/

  • SRSCRO identified partners to reach the broadest group of stakeholders possible and hosted regular meetings to being to convene these stakeholders to discuss CBS in South Carolina. SRSCRO also provided opportunities to visit DOE Complex Sites and private interim storage facilities to demonstrate how these sites work and the impact these sites have on communities. To build on these meetings and site visits, SRSCRO is pursuing the development of a Nuclear Roadmap/Vision for South Carolina. The Roadmap will include an analysis of South Carolina’s nuclear assets and opportunities to develop a strong nuclear ecosystem – including the impacts that such facilities would have on the state.

    Learn more about SRSCRO at: https://www.srscro.org/

  • SOAR is supporting community readiness and education around CBS for potential nuclear infrastructure in Eastern Kentucky. Grant work has enabled the identification of potential host communities based on existing infrastructure, previous conversations, local leadership interest, and strategic alignment with DOE nuclear energy goals, as well as the mapping of key groups initiated, including local government, economic, development partners, and technical experts. SOAR facilitated community discussions and town halls with a selected model community and mobilized relevant partners to attend these meetings.

    Learn more about SOAR at: https://soar-ky.org/

  • TRIDEC’s work involves educating local public and private leaders on the nuclear fuel cycle, raising awareness about spent fuel management, initiating conversations around spent fuel management, and helping to educate on the distinction between commercial used fuel and Hanford’s defense nuclear waste. These activities established a baseline of regional understanding and highlighted the significant industry assets already at work in the Pacific Northwest. The next phase of the project will build preparedness for industrial applications.

    Learn more about TRIDEC at https://tridec.org/

PRESS RELEASES

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