Warm Weather, Fun Activities a Big Draw for ETEC’s Booth at Local Fair

The U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Technology Engineering Center team recently hosted a booth at the Simi Valley Street Fair, where visitors could learn about the cleanup at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, build their own spectroscope or bracelet, pick up current issues of the CleanUpdate newsletter or snag some California poppy seeds or a pen.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The warm weather and bright sun that drew thousands to the Simi Valley Street Fair earlier this month was the perfect setting to create a spectroscope, an instrument that separates white light into a rainbow of colors based on wavelengths.

The spectroscope was one of two activities — along with bracelets — that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offered at its booth at the biannual fair sponsored by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce.

DOE was among hundreds of local artists and crafters, businesses, community leaders, civic organizations, police and fire departments, and school districts that participated in the event.

At DOE’s booth, visitors could learn about the cleanup at the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), a 2,850-acre former nuclear energy research and rocket engine testing facility.

DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) is charged with remediating Area IV at SSFL where DOE previously conducted nuclear energy and liquid metals research.

Many people were curious about DOE’s work to clean up its portion of SSFL and asked questions about the site’s history and what remediation is being done. Some also shared about their past work at SSFL or that they knew someone who previously worked at the site.

There was also a lot of interest in the ETEC team’s new Community Outreach, Neighbor Notifications, Engagement, Collaboration and Training (CONNECT) Series, which launched with a community update meeting in January.

On May 13, the ETEC team will host the second CONNECT community update, where they will discuss EM’s overall cleanup across the DOE complex and how that helps inform the cleanup at SSFL. The public can also ask staff questions.

In addition to DIY activities and learning about the work at SSFL, fair attendees who stopped by DOE’s booth also had the opportunity to get copies of the December 2025 and March 2026 issues of the CleanUpdate newsletter, snag some local California poppy seeds or a pen, and register to receive updates from the ETEC team.

-Contributor: Melissa Simon