DOE Draws Visitors to Booth at Simi Valley Street Fair

Josh Mengers, federal project director for the Energy Technology Engineering Center, teaches Noelle Saenz about soil backfill sampling and laboratory studies as part of a science activity at the Simi Valley Street Fair on May 3.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Gloomy weather didn’t do much to dampen the spirits of the thousands of community members who attended the Simi Valley Street Fair earlier this month.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was among the 400 vendors that hosted a booth at the biannual event sponsored by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. Attendees could see the wares of local artists and crafters, taste culinary delights, and learn about local businesses, community leaders, civic organizations, police and fire departments, and school districts.

Visitors at DOE’s booth not only had the opportunity to learn about the department’s work at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) but could also pick up a copy of the December 2024 CleanUpdate newsletter, snag some local California poppy seeds or register to receive email updates about the site.

Community members ask about the U.S. Department of Energy’s work at Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) during the Simi Valley Street Fair on May 3. Also pictured are Lucas Ray, radiological control technician at SSFL, center, and Josh Mengers, federal project director for Energy Technology Engineering Center, right.

From left, Deb Kramer, executive assistant for the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC); Melissa Simon, community outreach manager for ETEC; Josh Mengers, federal project director for ETEC; and Lucas Ray, radiological control technician at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

DOE team members also heard from some people who either worked at the 2,850-acre former rocket engine testing and nuclear research facility in Ventura County, California, or knew someone who did.

DOE’s Office of Environmental Management is charged with remediating Area IV at SSFL where the department formerly operated the Energy Technology Engineering Center.

Aside from questions about SSFL and DOE’s work at the site, visitors also had the chance to learn about soil backfill sampling and laboratory studies, where they got to see an example of detection limits using flour, baking soda and vinegar to see how different parts mixed together would react. The project was inspired by questions raised at the recent public scoping meetings for DOE’s supplemental environmental impact statement on cleanup at SSFL.