Some 100 local citizens gathered at the Aiken Technical College Amphitheater July 18 to hear top Department of Energy officials lay out a less-than-optimistic scenario for funding Savannah River Site operations for the coming 2014 fiscal year. The event was hosted by the SRS Community Reuse Organization. 

Mr. Jameson

SRSCRO Immediate Past Chair J. David Jameson, president of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, set the tone for the two-hour briefing, calling the Savannah River Site the single most important economic driver of this five-county region of South Carolina and Georgia.

Dr. Moody

But DOE Site Manager Dr. David Moody told the group SRS may have to cut as many as 600 jobs from its workforce as a result of a proposed $100 million federal budget cut for FY2014."Despite funding cuts, our commitment remains the same," Moody said. "If you're living near the site, understand we're going to protect our workers, and we're going to protect the environment."

"We've got a real fight on our hands to turn this around," said Jameson. "Congress needs to pass a budget and quit kicking the can."

Mr. Stooksbury

Gary Stooksbury, Chairman of the Economic Development Partnership and chief executive officer of Aiken Electric Cooperative, echoed concerns about potential job losses at SRS. "It is very important for the community to understand the economic threat that exists because of these funding cuts," Stooksbury said. "Community support is essential if we are to have a positive impact on the budget situation in the next few months."

Ms. Tinsley

Jennifer D. Tinsley, Planning, Community & Economic Development Administrator at Lower Savannah Council of Governments, said she appreciated the candor both speakers showed in the discussion of the SRS budget. "Clearly there are gaps between the Site's mission and future funding, and this will be felt by the community in loss of jobs," Tinsley said. "Additionally, there are many misconceptions regarding the mission of the Site. I feel it is important for citizens to realize that the majority of the SRS budget is assigned to environmental clean-up."

Some expressed concern about the long-term impacts of continued budget cuts on public safety. Retired SRS Manager John Lindsay said the briefing showed cleanup of "South Carolina's most pressing environmental problem may be significantly delayed due to misplaced priorities in the budget process."

Ms. Patterson

Karen Patterson, chairwoman of the South Carolina Governor's Nuclear Advisory Committee, worries about increased risks resulting from insufficient Federal funding. "If this decrease in funding continues for the out years then, we're going to spend more and more time with that waste in the tanks," Patterson said. "We're not going to get waste out of the tanks, increasing the risk to the citizens of South Carolina." 

Congressman Wilson

The DOE briefing drew quick response from South Carolina Second District Congressman Joe Wilson, whose district encompasses Aiken and Barnwell counties where SRS is located. "The news of possible layoffs at Savannah River Remediation is yet another attack on the Savannah River Site by the current Administration," Wilson said. "A full, dedicated workforce is necessary to carry out the Site's unique missions. I have reached out to the Department of Energy regarding this matter on behalf of the hardworking individuals at the Site."