The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) and a task force joined the National Governors Association (NGA) for a recent tour of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) while discussing waste issues that influence cleanup sites within the DOE complex near Carlsbad, New Mexico.
According to a news release from the Department of Energy, the meeting included panel discussions regarding a consent approach on siting spent nuclear fuel facilities, waste disposition in the long run and the Department’s Justice40 Initiative.
“Energy Communities Alliance and a National Governors Association task force recently had tours of Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and discussed waste-related issues that impact cleanup across the DOE complex,” DOE's Office of Environmental Management said in a June 23 tweet.
According to the release, the ECA peer change meeting was held in the Carlsbad Field Office.
“EM’s most impactful accomplishments over the many years of our history have been realized when EM and our cleanup partners, such as yourselves, are in alignment on goals that are both effective and achievable,” said Environmental Management Chief of Staff Michael Nartker, according to the release.
The EM’s Office of Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Programs holds cooperative agreements between national, state, local and tribal organizations. Grants to those organizations are administered through the EM’s office as they and work together to host meetings for members on EM-related issues.
“Engagements like these with regulators, tribal nations, local officials and other stakeholders are the cornerstone of EM’s 30-plus-years commitment to public involvement,” said Joceline Nahigian, director of the EM Office of Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Programs, according to the release.
According to the release, the next meeting was held June 21-22 at the the National Conference of State Legislatures' nuclear legislative working group in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
