Successes, Progress, and Path Forward at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office Of Environmental Management

Success and Opportunities of Nuclear Material Management at the U.S. DOE Office of Environmental Management Nicole Nelson-Jean, Ike White, Todd Shrader, Rob Crosby, Kurt Gerdes, John U. Moon, Stephen Clutter, Joceline NahigianAbstract: The United States Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management (EM) mission is to safely and efficiently address the substantial environmental liability of nuclear material resulting primarily from decades of nuclear weapons production and government-sponsored nuclear energy research that played such a pivotal role in international security. Over the past 30 years, the EM program has achieved significant and lasting progress in tackling this environmental legacy. The overall footprint has been reduced by 90 percent, from approximately 3,300 square miles to less than 300 square miles. Still work remains at 16 of the original 107 sites around United States.DOE EM pursues its nuclear material cleanup objectives safely within a framework of regulatory compliance commitments and best business practices. Taking many variables into account, EM’s priorities are as follows: (1) Activities to maintain a safe, secure, and compliant posture, (2) Radioactive tank waste stabilization, treatment, and disposal, (3) Spent nuclear fuel storage, receipt, and disposition, (4) Nuclear material consolidation, stabilization, and disposition, (5) TRU and mixed low-level waste (MLLW) disposition, (6) Soil and groundwater remediation, and (7) Excess facilities deactivation and decommissioning.Over the past 30 years, the EM program has demonstrated the capability to achieve significant and lasting progress, helping to fulfill the US government’s commitment to its people and the world. Details of progress and strategic vision for the future of nuclear management will be discussed in the presentation.