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| Updates from the SRSCRO | June 2011 |
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MOU with DOE
Representatives from five area colleges who are working together in the SRSCRO's Nuclear Workforce Initiative (NWI) gathered on May 24 to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Energy (DOE). "The SRSCRO is proud to be part of this community's vision to expand nuclear science education and training opportunities," Dr. Marc Miller, Vice-Chair of the SRSCRO commented. "This vision supports the energy workforce and research needed for the future of our region and our nation."
The MOU affirms a cooperative partnership to expand education and training in science, technology, engineering, math and research to meet future Department of Energy workforce needs and national challenges. Dr. In�s Triay, DOE Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management signed the agreement in addition to (pictured above from left to right) USC-Aiken President Dr. Tom Hallman, Augusta Technical College President Dr. Terry Elam (Dr. Lisa Palmer, Augusta Tech vice president for economic development is pictured on his behalf), USC-Salkehatchie Campus Dean Dr. Ann Carmichael, Augusta State University President Dr. William Bloodworth, Aiken Technical College President Dr. Susan Winsor, and SRSCRO Chairman David Jameson (Vice Chairman Dr. Marc Miller is pictured on his behalf.)
"Our institutions have come together because we share a unique understanding of the Department of Energy mission, the complex nuclear utility industry, and the communities we serve," said Dr. Susan Winsor who chairs the SRSCRO Nuclear Workforce Task Force. "We have the foundation in place now, and I look forward to all that we can build together as partners."
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Yucca Mountain Science - or Lack Of
The Congressional subcommittee on Science, Space, and Technology released a report, prepared by the Majority Staff, outlining the findings from numerous document requests and official correspondence between Committee Members and Administration officials over the last two and half years, regarding the termination of Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository.
The results of this report outline a systematic and active effort on the part of the Administration to obfuscate, delay, and muzzle scientific and technical information and related processes in order to shut down Yucca Mountain. The report states, "These actions not only violated the President's own highly promoted principles and directives on scientific integrity, transparency, and openness, but they have increased taxpayer liabilities under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, left nuclear waste sitting at reactor sites across the country with no plan for disposal, and ultimately threatened the long-term potential of nuclear power to meet America's growing energy demands with safe, clean, and affordable baseload electricity."
U.S. Representative Paul C. Broun, M.D. (GA-10), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, touted the new report at a roundtable discussion in Augusta on June 8, 2011, as further evidence that halting the project was an inappropriate decision based solely on politics. Joining Congressman Broun on the roundtable panel were Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver, and representatives from Georgia Power, Savannah River National Laboratory, the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO), Nye County Nevada, and the Augusta Metro, North Augusta, and Aiken Chambers of Commerce.
David Jameson, the Chairman of the SRSCRO said, "Yucca Mountain is the right answer to permanent waste storage of processed defense waste and its completion should be pursued vigorously." He further said, "We do not agree with the decision to abandon Yucca Mountain. Moreover, we find it outrageous:
- It ignores science.
- It ignores a preponderance of empirical data.
- It ignores the law.
- It ignores the will of congress.
- It ignores a substantial investment of the people's resources.
- It ignores the federal government's decades-long promise to communities like ours."
When discussing commercial spent fuel, he made it clear that the Savannah River Site (SRS) and this regional community are willing to be part of the solution for the long term answer to the spent fuel problem, noting how SRS and the H-Canyon facilities can play a critical role in the research and demonstration testing of technologies to minimize the volume of spent fuel that otherwise must be stored in a repository.
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DNFSB Public Hearing
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Photo by WJBF-TV |
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB or Board), an independent executive branch agency, is charged under its enabling statute with providing technical safety oversight of the Department of Energy's defense nuclear facilities and activities in order to protect the health and safety of the public and workers. As part of this mission, DNFSB received testimony and public input concerning liquid waste processing, emergency preparedness, and nuclear materials disposition at a two Session public hearing on June 16, 2011, in Augusta, Georgia.
During Session I, the DNFSB received testimony regarding liquid waste processing in an effort to better understand what the Department of Energy (DOE) is currently doing to stabilize high-level waste as well as what has already been done to reduce risk in the tank farms. The state of emergency preparedness at the Site was also discussed including how well DOE and its contractors are prepared for events at the Site and how well the different organizations have integrated their preparations.
During Session II, the Board received testimony regarding nuclear materials disposition and how DOE will dispose of nuclear materials in light of the potential termination of chemical processing at H-Canyon and HB-Line. The H-Canyon facilities are the nation's sole remaining facility at which certain types of plutonium, highly enriched uranium and aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuels can be processed for disposal. DOE announced plans earlier this year to place the facility in "minimum inventory and staffing condition," which could include halting the flow of nuclear materials sent there for processing.
During the public participation portion of the hearing, Dr. Marc Miller the current Vice Chair of the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) and the Dean of the Hull College of Business at Augusta State University expressed the SRS Community Reuse Organization unified voice that it is essential that high level liquid waste be removed from the aging underground tanks at SRS in an expeditious and safe manner. He went on to say that "we believe it is irresponsible for H-Canyon to be placed in a "stand-by" or reduced operational status. All funding and Site operational scenarios need to advance this two-prong approach....Not one activity over the other".
SRSCRO Board member and President of the Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Brian Tucker also presented remarks during the hearing. He agreed with the two-prong priority approach for SRS and an operational scenario that supports both high level liquid waste removal and H-Canyon facility operations.
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Public Meeting Notice - You Should Be Aware!
 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will conduct a two-day public meeting in Augusta, Georgia, to solicit input on issues associated with the development of a draft regulatory basis document for a potential rulemaking on spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities.
The purpose of this meeting is for the NRC staff to obtain comments from the stakeholders on the staff's approach for the gaps and topics associated with the regulatory basis for rulemaking for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities. The intended objective at this type of meeting is for the public to work with the NRC and to provide a range of views, information, concerns and suggestions with regard to regulatory issues.
The public meeting will be held on June 21 and 22, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Augusta, 1065 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GA 30907. You can find a copy of the meeting agenda here. |
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SRSCRO Spotlight | |
SRSCRO
Board Member
Sue Parr
President and CEO of
the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
Sue Parr is President and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and has held that position since November 2005. As President, Ms. Parr oversees the organizational operations and program implementation of the Chamber serving a member constituency of 1,100 businesses and organizations throughout the region including Augusta-Richmond and Columbia Counties of Georgia and Aiken County in South Carolina. The Chamber serves as a regional leader for advocating business-friendly public policy as well as its focus on strategic economic and community development.
As a chamber professional for over 20 years and a Michigan native, Parr was the COO of the Lansing Regional Chamber in Lansing, Michigan from 1990 to 2005, just prior to moving to Augusta. While there, Parr was instrumental in doubling its growth and scope of programming to make it the second largest chamber in Michigan.
Ms. Parr is an active volunteer in the chamber profession at both the state and national levels. She has been a presenter at state and national conferences and is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber's Institute for Organizational Management at Notre Dame.
Ms. Parr is also an active volunteer in the community and serves on a number of boards including the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the SRS Community Reuse Organization, the Downtown Rotary and the United Way of the CSRA.
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| Closing Thoughts |
What people say about the most interesting man in the world -
- Police often question him, just because they find him interesting.
- If he were to mail a letter without postage, it would still get there.
- His personality is so magnetic; he is unable to carry credit cards.
- Even his enemies' list him as their emergency contact.
- He never say's anything taste like chicken... Not even chicken.
- He speaks fluent French, in Russian.
- He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels.
- He's a lover... Not a fighter, but he's also a fighter, so don't get any ideas.
Stay Thirsty My Friends!
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| Contact Information | Rick McLeod - Executive Director - 803-593-9954 x1411
Mindy Mets -NWI Program Manager - 803-593-9954 x1583
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