WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy today announced that Dr. Margaret Chu, director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, has resigned effective on or about February 25, 2005.  Dr. Chu indicated she will return to her home in New Mexico due to personal circumstances. 

“I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the President and to lead a program of such national and international importance,” Dr. Chu said. “I am proud to have been a part of this Administration and of making critical progress with Yucca Mountain.”

On March 6, 2002, the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Chu as director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. As director, Dr. Chu was responsible for advising the Secretary of Energy and the President on issues surrounding the ongoing scientific research and licensing of the nation’s first permanent geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. 

Dr. Chu previously served as director of nuclear waste management at the Energy Department’s Sandia National Laboratories. She also served as Sandia manager for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant activities. She received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Minnesota.

Media contact: Rebecca Neale, 202/586-4940