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Another Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
 At the end of October, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, (SRNS) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the potential of deploying a prototype of GEH's Generation IV PRISM reactor as part of a proposed demonstration of small modular reactor technologies at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site. Dr. Terry Michalske, Director of the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), will provide executive direction for SRNS activities along with Dr. Tom Sanders, SRNL's newest Associate Laboratory Director.
Dr. Sanders comes to SRNL from Sandia National Laboratories, where he most recently was manager and project lead for Sandia's Small Modular Reactor Initiative, including development of key industrial partnerships, evaluation of reactor designs, and development of fuel cycle safety and security approaches. Dr. Sanders' role at SRNL will include development of private sector partnerships, and direction of SRNL-based science and technology support for the development of small nuclear reactors and other energy concepts in the energy park.
David Jameson, President and CEO of Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce and SRSCRO Chairman was at the recent SMR announcement and reported to the press: "We've got the workforce here, the brainpower here, the desire here... Certainly, as these technologies are developed and we move from one step to the next step, we'll see more and more jobs and people will be trained, and it will just make us potentially the energy captial of the world."
This is the second in a series of announcements by SRNS/SRNL to collaborate on development of small modular reactor technology for potential use by the U.S. Department of Energy. The first announcement with Hyperion Power Generation Inc. was made in September (see September issue of The Bridge).
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Nuclear Renaissance in Progress
At Plant Vogtle, near Waynesboro, GA, work is in progress to build some of the first nuclear power plants constructed in America within the last thirty years. The construction project for Vogtle's new Units 3 and 4 is the largest in Southern Company history.
In late October, SRSCRO Board Members and Staff toured portions of the 3,150 acre Plant Vogtle, including Units 1 and 2, where approximately 900 people are employed to operate the nuclear power plant. Members also viewed current work in progress at the construction site for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Over a thousand workers are currently involved in excavating and backfilling two 90-foot deep holes where the new electric generating units will be built using modular construction techniques. Construction will create more than 3,500 jobs. More than 800 new permanent positions will be filled to support operations at Units 3 and 4, scheduled to begin in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
 There may be some national debate about whether or not the nuclear renaissance has arrived. But, in the CSRA, the nuclear renaissance is here! For more information visit Plant Vogtle on line.
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Intergovernmental Meeting Attendance
 As members of the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA), David Jameson, Chuck Smith, and Rick McLeod attended the Intergovernmental Meeting hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) November 8 - 10, 2010 in San Diego, CA. Mr. Jameson and Mr. McLeod represented the SRSCRO and SRSCRO Board Member and Aiken County Councilman, Mr. Smith, represented Aiken County. Mr. Smith is also a member of the ECA Board. These meetings are a way for DOE-EM to have open dialogue and interactions with intergovernmental groups, advisory boards, tribal nations, and other affected entities and stakeholders. The following organizations normally attend these meetings:
- Energy Communities Alliance (ECA)
- Environmental Council of the States (ECOS)
- National Governors Association Federal Facilities Task Force (FFTF)
- National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)
- National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
- State and Tribal Government Working Group (STGWG)
This meeting provided an excellent opportunity for the SRSCRO to meet with DOE EM officials, and their professional counterparts in other states to share informationand talk about issues of concern to them. Several top-level DOE EM officials attended the meeting to discuss program budgeting, waste disposition, and the agency's plans for transitioning site workforce. The ECA also held a Board Meeting. At the Board Meeting, current ECA Policies and Priorities were reviewed and updated and plans were developed to present these priorities at the February Board Meeting during the ECA Annual Conference.
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SRSCRO Spotlight |
SRSCRO Executive Committee Member at Large
Sanford Loyd
Sanford Loyd, CPA, PC
Sanford Loyd was born and raised in Louisville, Jefferson County, Georgia. He has lived in Augusta for the last 25 years.
Sanford has a BBA in Accounting, an MBA, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to starting his own business he worked for 6-years for the IRS. Sanford started his own small business in downtown Augusta in 1984.
Sanford believes that living is about growing, making yourself better, and contributing to the improvement of others. He has practiced this philosophy through the years by being actively involved in volunteer organizations including the Bethlehem Community Center, 100 Black Men of Augusta, St. John's Towers senior living facility, and the Family Y.
Sanford's most recent major contribution to our community was in a leadership role on the Downtown Development Authority for the establishment of the downtown business improvement district (BID) and currently serves as the BID treasurer.
Sanford has been a SRSCRO Board Member since 2008. He is a member of the SRSCRO Executive Committee and the Chairman of the SRSCRO Audit Committee.
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