CHANGES ARE COMING TO CLEANUP: HOW SHOULD EM CONTINUE TO BUILD MOMENTUM

The DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) program is amid some of the largest challenges in many years, including a likely appropriations cut. This is an opportunity for DOE leadership and the EM program to look at improvements and efficiencies to address long-standing needs and take advantage of the real opportunities with DOE assets. 

In a new paper "Changes are Coming: Building Momentum for EM's Scope and Progress", the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA), which represents local governments and communities near DOE and other nuclear sites, details the priorities and issues for DOE leadership as it reviews and analyzes EM issues. The paper highlights how the EM budget may not continue to grow each year and what steps can be taken to make the EM program more efficient. In no particular order, EM should consider the following to be program priorities: 

• Define the EM Mission Scope

• Continue to Focus on Reusing DOE Assets

• Look for new ways to improve EM Operations

You can read the full paper online as a part of our ECA Bulletin, alongside stories on the current status of Energy and Water Appropriations, ECA's collaboration based siting community grants, nuclear communities abroad, and more! The Bulletin will be available in print later this week at the 11th Annual National Cleanup Workshop, in Arlington, VA, where Joel Bradburne, Acting Assistant Secretary for EM will be providing a keynote address. ECA looks forward to discussing "Changes are Coming" alongside other topics salient to the EM Cleanup mission. To learn more about the Workshop, keep reading below! For more information on the Cleanup Workshop, keep reading below!