ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Creating a “closure mindset" was the theme of the panel session, “Progress Through Action - Exploring Potential Completion Acceleration," at this year’s National Cleanup Workshop.
The panelists, who included EM, contractor, and community representatives from across the DOE complex, discussed how they can accelerate cleanup and invigorate a closure mindset for EM’s cleanup sites.
Doug Hintze, manager of the Los Alamos Field Office, said rotating job assignments can keep things fresh. Several panelists agreed with Hintze about creating a mindset that challenges the workforce.
John Jones, federal project director for EM’s Energy Technology Engineering Center Site, noted the importance of a leader with vision who can empower people to make decisions and set measurable goals.
Joe Legare, vice president and environmental remediation program manager for Newport News Nuclear BWXT-Los Alamos, the Los Alamos Site legacy cleanup contractor, suggested that a shared vision throughout the complex include the entire EM workforce from top to bottom, as well as regulators and communities.
Bob Thompson, mayor of the City of Richland, Washington and Energy Communities Alliance board member, suggested that DOE consider what’s important - the greatest need, the highest risk - and communicate it so it can be accepted by communities and regulators.
The panelists agreed that appropriate contracting and project management is essential. Greg Meyer, senior vice president of operations at Fluor, said the best use of EM funding is essential to closure success.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
