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Nuclear Science Week News!
 National Nuclear Science Week (NNSW) is moving. It will now be recognized October 21-25, 2013 instead of being celebrated in January. Every year there is one big event with a national focus as part of the many NNSW celebrations. Look for the 2013 big event national focus to be on the greater Aiken/Augusta region!
In coordination with the NNSW Steering Committee, the SRSCRO is collaborating with organizations to spotlight the region's nuclear science expertise in 2013. This will be an exciting time to promote local contributions, innovations and opportunities through nuclear science and to energize interest in nuclear technology. Exciting plans are already in progress for the big week.
NNSW activities are led by the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, a Smithsonian affiliate. The purpose of the week is to recognize the contributions of the nuclear science industry and those who work in it every day. More than 21 nuclear industry companies and organizations including the Department of Energy are partners in National Nuclear Science Week. To learn more about NNSW check out http://www.nuclearscienceweek.org/. For more information about the collaboration for local celebration plans contact Mindy.Mets@srscro.org. |
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ASU's New Nuclear Science Program
Augusta State University is this month's spotlight in the continuing series about regional education and training programs developed as part of the grant- Advancing Nuclear Skills Regionally (ANSR).
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Chris Sailors (left), an ASU Physics major, observes ASU Nuclear Science Professor Joe Newton in the new nuclear science lab at ASU. |
A new nuclear science program started this fall through the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Augusta State University (ASU). According to ASU nuclear science professor Joseph Newton, students have shown an overwhelming interest in the university's new program and many are pleased at how ASU is now offering instruction in more specific areas of science. Nineteen students enrolled in the first course offered. "Only students majoring in physics or chemistry can take part in the department's nuclear science program," said Newton. The new track has developed with support from the SRSCRO administered grant called Advancing Nuclear Skills Regionally. ASU courses include Introduction to Nuclear Science and Applications of Nuclear Science, a course highlighting nuclear medicine, effects of radiation, and other aspects of nuclear science. In the course Introduction to Nuclear Measurements students will receive hands-on experience with radiation shielding, spectroscopy, and Compton scattering research in the university's state-of-the art nuclear science laboratory. Courses are designed to give students the education and training needed for high demand nuclear science careers. According to Chris Sailors, an ASU Physics major, "The instructors at ASU really listen to the needs of their students, and they saw how so many of us had an interest in nuclear science. This program is proof that our university will do what is necessary to give students the opportunities they need to become well equipped for their future careers."
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Yucca Lawsuit(s) Update - Four Related Cases
 A summary of four related Yucca lawsuits were highlighted in a previous issue (May 2012). There has been some more recent action on one of the lawsuits involving Aiken County and South Carolina (see Lawsuit #2 - Petitioners v. NRC).
In the July issue, we reported that a federal appeals court indicated on August 3, 2012, that it would issue an order (Writ Mandamus) for the NRC to resume an evaluation of a possible nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain unless Congress acted by December or before to resolve the legal tangle around the project. If Congress does not resolve the conflict, the federal judges themselves will probably order the NRC to continue its work until its money runs out, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia indicated. As the July article stated, if the Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY 2013 was passed which does not have any appropriated funds for Yucca this order could come before the court identified December date.
On September 28, 2012, upon the President's signing of the CR, the Petitioners re-filed a motion requesting a decision by the court to issue the mandamus. The issue is whether Congress has expressly acted in an appropriations context to change the obligation to go forward and/or eliminate the current money that is available to do so. It is the Petitioners opinion that clearly the CR that was enacted allowed existing funds to be spent and did not change the obligation to do so and that action makes it clear that mandamus should now be issued.
On October 9, 2012, two motions were filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals in this case - one by Department of Justice (DOJ) and another by the State of Nevada. These motions were filed in opposition to the motion filed by the Petitioners. The Nevada motion emphasizing the fact that the CR did not provide any additional funding and the DOJ motion emphasizes the fact that Congress could still act before December 14, 2012, the deadline set in the Court's original abeyance order.
On Friday, October 12, 2012, the Petitioners filed a supplementary motion in response to the response motions filed earlier by DOJ and Nevada. This motion asks the Court again to issue the mandamus order. A copy of all the recent Orders can be found here:
9/28/12 Petitioners Status Report
10/9/12 NRC Response to the 9/28/12 Status Report
10/9/12 Nevada Response to the 9/28/12 Status Report
10/12/12 Petitioners' Suplemental Status Report in Reply |
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SRSCRO Spotlight | |
SRSCRO
Appointing Entity
Columbia County Commission
Columbia County's vision is to be recognized as a world-class community and local government. This is accomplished by providing efficient and cost-effective services in a professional manner, by maintaining the highest level of ethical and performance standards, and by serving as responsible stewards of public assets, interests, and trust.
The County's assets include public lands, buildings, roads, and facilities. Public interest includes considering community impact and cost when evaluating proposed improvements and development requests.
Vision: To be recognized as a world-class community and local government.
The Board of Commissioners seeks to provide the necessary county services in the most cost-efficient and effective manner and to provide the foundation and guidelines necessary for the future prosperity of Columbia County. Each Commissioner is chairman over a committee which provides the conduit for information and business to be conducted from the various County departments and the Board of Commissioners.
Columbia County Commission has appointed Mark Wills to the SRSCRO Board of Directors. Mr. Wills has been serving at the SRSCRO board since 2008 and is a member of SRSCRO Finance Committee.
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