ETEC’s New Series Aims to CONNECT With Community on Cleanup

Josh Mengers, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management federal project director for Santa Susana Field Laboratory, interacts with attendees at the Energy Technology Engineering Center team’s first session in its new Community Outreach, Neighbor Notifications, Engagement, Collaboration and Training (CONNECT) series.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — In-person engagement and direct conversations with those invested in cleanup at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) were core concepts of the new series launched last month by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) team.

Nearly 40 people recently attended the first session in the Community Outreach, Neighbor Notifications, Engagement, Collaboration, and Training (CONNECT) series to hear updates on cleanup activities at SSFL.

SSFL is a 2,850-acre former rocket engine and nuclear research facility comprised of four operational areas. DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) is charged with remediation in Area IV, where ETEC previously operated.

“The CONNECT series is our commitment to action, partnership and open communication,” said Josh Mengers, EM’s federal project director for ETEC. “The purpose of this series is simple — to strengthen relationships with the people and organizations who care about the site’s cleanup, and to increase the way we provide direct, timely information about the cleanup.”

Josh Mengers, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management federal project director for Santa Susana Field Laboratory, presents a site overview during the Energy Technology Engineering Center team’s first session in its new Community Outreach, Neighbor Notifications, Engagement, Collaboration and Training (CONNECT) series.

Attendees at the January CONNECT session included representatives from state and local elected officials’ offices, school and park districts, neighborhood councils, conservancy groups, a Native American tribe and longtime cleanup advocates.

Mengers and Luke Hill, a project manager with EM contractor North Wind, gave the same presentation twice during the nearly four-hour CONNECT session, which was designed as an informal meeting to allow people to attend the portion that best fit their schedule.

The inaugural meeting provided a forum for key project updates, including plans for continuing building demolition and an update on groundwater remediation progress.

The group then engaged in Q&A with staff about groundwater, building demolition, technical data and potential topics for future events. Attendees were also encouraged to submit feedback about the session and share ideas for future events. The feedback will be used in upcoming events.

The ETEC team will host periodic CONNECT sessions, each focused on a specific topic, to provide the public with information and opportunities to engage with staff.

“My hope is that getting to know each other better will help us work more productively as partners towards a cleanup at SSFL that’s safe, scientifically sound and protective of this unique site,” Mengers said.

The Jan. 28 presentation will be shared on the CONNECT Series page, along with upcoming session dates or topics. To suggest future topics or provide feedback, fill out the CONNECT Feedback Form.

-Contributor: Melissa Simon