PHOENIX - DOE is carrying out its cleanup program with a “completion mindset," senior Department and EM officials said here last week, outlining a variety of initiatives underway to continue making significant progress.
“We need to get things done…We want to get things done," Jim Colgary, chief of staff to Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, said during his plenary address at this year's Waste Management Symposia. “Even if it's small victories, let's get it done."
Colgary noted a number of visits to EM sites by top DOE leadership in their first year at the Department, including Hanford, Oak Ridge, Portsmouth, Savannah River Site, and Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). These trips were “eye opening," Colgary said, adding they have provided an opportunity to see the “incredible work" being done at EM sites and to learn more about the challenges facing the Department's cleanup program. Colgary also praised the workers at EM sites for their work and safety ethic.
“It takes a special worker to be able to work in this environment," he said.
Colgary said he is excited about the anticipated benefits of the Department's decision to place EM under the authority of DOE Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar, saying the new organizational structure would further boost cleanup momentum.
“Paul is the right man at the right time in history to get this done," Colgary said.
Anne White, who was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as EM Assistant Secretary, also supports a completion approach to cleanup, Colgary said, adding, “I can’t wait to see Anne entrenched in her job."
Colgary praised Jim Owendoff, EM principal deputy assistant secretary, who has been heading the DOE cleanup program for the past year.
“As acting assistant secretary, he has done an exemplary job of putting DOE on a path to achieving the cleanup mission sooner, safer, and at less cost to the taxpayers," Colgary said.
Dae Chung, acting EM associate deputy principal secretary for field operations, highlighted a number of planned accomplishments across the complex expected to be realized over the coming year during remarks at the EM “Hot Topics" panel. These include completion of integrated systems testing at the Idaho Integrated Waste Treatment Unit; continued progress on facilities at the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant necessary for the direct feed low activity waste approach to tank waste treatment; and continued progress toward achieving 250 or more shipments of transuranic waste to WIPP.
In his plenary remarks, Colgary stressed the Department will place “a higher expectation" on the contractors responsible for performing work in the field to better ensure success.
“We need these results today," he said.
Safety is 'Top Priority'
DOE and EM officials stressed their commitment to safety across the Department's cleanup efforts through the conference.
“You should expect to see a continued emphasis on safety and promotion of a culture where concerns and ideas for improvements are appreciated and elevated in a timely manner. Safety for our workers and the public is the top priority for the Department and will always be paramount," Colgary told conference attendees during the plenary session.
During the EM “Hot Topics" panel, Chung discussed several efforts to help further strengthen safety at cleanup sites, including promoting more “real time" sharing of lessons learned and an increased focus on safety performance during monthly project reviews.
“The planning of work with safety in mind is important," he said.
The December contamination event at Hanford's Plutonium Finishing Plant demonstrated the importance of strong conduct-of-operations programs and the need for a questioning attitude at all levels of workers at EM sites, Chung said.
“There's got to be a better questioning attitude if we're all going to be successful in the long run," he said.
'Innovation, Not Regulation'
Colgary and EM officials also highlighted efforts underway within DOE concerning regulatory reform.
“Our goal is to increase efficiency without sacrificing safety or quality," Colgary said, noting that DOE leadership is developing more prudent, responsible, and effective regulations.
“We need innovation, not regulation," he said.
At the EM “Hot Topics" panel, Mark Gilbertson, associate principal deputy assistant secretary for regulatory and policy affairs, said EM is working to make National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes more efficient and is working to “strengthen" relations with regulators. Going forward, EM wants to discuss and address “true risks" and not “perceived risks," with stakeholders, he said.
“We're at a cusp with an Administration willing to support us," Gilbertson said. “Too many times we feel comfortable…We have an opportunity with this Administration's support to look at things a little differently than we have in the past.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
