EM Capable of Being ‘Part of the Nuclear Renaissance,’ Leaders Say

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Senior Advisor Roger Jarrell speaks during a panel session on “hot topics” in the cleanup program at the annual Waste Management conference. Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Manager Joel Bradburne is at left. Photo courtesy of WMSymposia

PHOENIX — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) has the potential to play an important role in the “nuclear renaissance” underway in the United States, senior EM leaders said here last week.

The role of EM in helping DOE achieve broader goals, such as unleashing commercial nuclear power, was among the “hot topics” discussed during a panel session at this year’s Waste Management conference.

“It’s the perfect time with the right leadership and the right ideas,” EM Senior Advisor Roger Jarrell said.

As a key example, senior EM leaders cited how the successful cleanup at the Oak Ridge Reservation has led to new nuclear companies choosing to locate there, including those planning new advanced reactors, nuclear fuel fabrication facilities and new enrichment capabilities.

“The opportunity for EM now is to use a proven and mature model for even more success,” Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management Deputy Manager Erik Olds said.

Kristen Ellis, associate principal deputy assistant secretary for regulatory and policy affairs for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management, speaks during a panel session on “hot topics” in the cleanup program at the annual Waste Management conference. Photo courtesy of WMSymposia

At the Portsmouth Site, companies are also working to site new advanced reactors and enrichment facilities. And near the Paducah Site, crews are getting ready to break ground for a laser uranium enrichment facility that will reutilize stocks of EM-owned depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6), according to Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Manager Joel Bradburne.

“It’s pretty cool times,” Bradburne said. “We’ve been looking to Oak Ridge for a long time. … We’ve been learning from them as they’ve made progress.”

Jarrell added, “It would be great to see southern Ohio be part of this renaissance.”

One factor driving successful reuse of land and assets at some EM sites is strong community support and alignment, according to EM officials. The communities around the Portsmouth and Paducah sites are “energy friendly,” Bradburne said, noting that private developers often want certainty as they look to site new projects.

“You’re bringing your own money to the table and want to make sure you’re spending wisely,” Bradburne added.

Local communities near EM sites are being very “forward thinking” about the potentials for reuse and new development, said Kristen Ellis, EM associate principal deputy assistant secretary for regulatory and policy affairs.

“Whatever is next is going to require energy,” Ellis said. “EM is involved in it in new ways than we have in previous years.”

In a message to the students and early career professionals at this year’s conference, Ellis said: “You can have a full and promising career in this work. … There’s no denying we’re going to be part of the nuclear renaissance.”

-Contributor: Michael Nartker