The SRSCRO received funding for a new project designed to engage citizens less than 30 years of age in understanding and participating in the discussion about current nuclear issues of the region. SRSCRO partners for the new activity are The Nuclear Literacy Project and Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA). 

Using proven training materials and modules already developed by the project partners, interactive presentations will be developed for young audiences. The high-quality programs are intended to help citizens better understand technical information related to Savannah River Site (SRS) and the human connections to SRS. Presentations are scheduled to begin in early 2014 to college organizations, faith-based groups and summer camp programs.

The project, Training for a New Generation in Community Involvement, is funded through an $11,000 grant awarded by the New Mexico Community Foundation (NMCF) through the Community Involvement Fund (CIF). Funds for CIF grants are provided by the Department of Energy - Environmental Management (DOE-EM) to increase public involvement at DOE-EM sites such as SRS. Historically, CIF funds have supported organizations that oppose nuclear development. For more information and a list previous grantees visit http://cif.nmcf.org. 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has directed the agency staff to complete work on the Safety Evaluation Report (SER) on the Department of Energy's construction authorization application for the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. The safety evaluation report is "the key technical document" for the NRC's review. One of its five planned volumes was published in 2010, before the review was stalled.

In an Order issued on November 18, 2013, the Commission has also requested DOE to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement requested by the staff in order to complete its environmental review of the application. The Commission, however, did not direct the staff to reconstitute the Licensing Support Network (LSN) that supported the adjudicatory hearing on the application, but did direct the staff to load documents in the LSN collection into the NRC's non-public ADAMS online database. The Order acknowledges that documents used as references in the safety evaluation report and supplemental environmental impact statement will be publicly released; however, public release of all LSN documents will depend on whether adequate funds are available to do so. The Commission also directed that the adjudication continue to be held in abeyance.

The NRC action responds to an August decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordering the agency to continue its review of the Yucca Mountain application at least until existing funds appropriated for the review are expended. As of Sept. 30, the agency had approximately $11 million in funds that were appropriated for the review. After the report is finished, the NRC would need to restart an adjudicatory hearing and perform additional reviews before reaching a decision on Yucca Mountain. Again, this additional action is dependent on whether adequate funds are available to do so.

Roughly two months ago, URS Corporation announced that Ken Rueter had been named President and Project Manager for Savannah River Remediation (SRR), the URS led consortium that is responsible for the closure of radioactive waste tanks, the operation of the Defense Waste Processing Facility, and associated waste facilities at Savannah River Site (SRS). Ken replaces Dave Olson, who was previously named President of the URS led consortium Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) at the DOE's Hanford site in Richland, Washington.

He brings 25 years of experience in government nuclear facility operations to his new position at SRS. Prior to joining SRR, he served as Chief Operating Officer of UCOR (URS|CH2M Oak Ridge), a URS led consortium at the DOE's East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee responsible for cleanup and environmental remediation, and Chief Operating Officer of WRPS. Ken also has experience at SRS having served as the Project Manager for the Alternative Salt Program in 2011, and the Process Controls and Automation Department Manager in 1999 for the URS heritage company, Westinghouse Savannah River Company.

A federal appeals court ruled on November 19, 2013, that the Energy Department must stop collecting fees of about $750 million a year that are paid by consumers and intended to fund a program for the disposal of nuclear waste. The reason, the court said, is that there is no such program. The ruling is a big victory for nuclear utilities and state energy regulators, who for years have argued that DOE needs to eliminate or reduce the fee, or at least better justify it, especially with DOE's move to cancel Yucca Mountain.

In a decision written by Judge Laurence H. Silberman, the court ruled that "until the department comes to some conclusion as to how nuclear wastes are to be deposited permanently; it seems quite unfair to force petitioners to pay fees for a hypothetical option." What they have already paid might cover that cost, Judge Silberman wrote, adding, "the government apparently has no idea." He tore into DOE's latest attempt to justify the fee by projecting the agency's future disposal program costs as "absolutely useless." And he likened DOE's attempt to a disingenuous "razzle-dazzle" song-and-dance routine.

Dr. Christopher Noah's strength lies in the interface between the scientific community, the public and policy makers. He has accomplished this through leadership of state agencies, management of a national research and public policy organization; development of public policy for legislators and governors; and leader of national professional and advocacy organizations. 

He started his career running the D.C office of The Institute of Ecology. Then he moved to Alaska serving in the Governor's Office, as Executive Director of the Alaska Council on Science and Technology, and as Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Conservation. He then moved to Georgia to serve as Director of Government Programs for Westinghouse Environmental Services Division. Prior SRS responsibilities have centered on future Site missions, the Nuclear Cities Program, economic development, strategic, comprehensive and D & D planning, and Manager of Historic Preservation.

Many of Dr. Noah's outside activities mirror his SRS responsibilities, including serving on boards and chairing committees for the Augusta and Columbia County chambers of commerce, regional economic development organizations; state and local councils, commissions and advisory boards  Dr. Noah is also an adjunct professor of business and public policy at two regional universities and has won national awards for his comprehensive planning, leadership of U. S. federal facility planners; and performance in numerous local and regional business and community organizations. He currently serving a term as president of his church congregation. He and his wife own The Monitor Group, a fee-only financial and estate planning firm in Martinez, Georgia.

Because of his deep interest in public service, Dr. Noah has been active in politics in both political parties and independent initiatives. His active participation in 43 campaigns has included all levels of government.

Dr. Noah was honored to receive an undergraduate scholarship from the Maryland State Senate, a graduate assistance grant from The Institute of Ecology and a doctoral fellowship from Westinghouse Savannah River Company; with his dissertation centering on future uses of the Savannah River Site. He has a B.A. in Political Science; an M.A. in Environmental Affairs and a Ph.D. in Environmental Policy.