DOE and the Savannah River Site The View from South Carolina Ernest Chaput May 23, 2007

Topics to be Covered The Current Situation Community Priorities Highlights Issues and Concerns Thoughts on pending DOE initiatives

Disclaimer I talk to a lot of people This presentation is the synthesis of many viewpoints I am solely responsible for this presentation

General Public’s Attitude Savannah River Site is an important local employer providing quality jobs. Most are “comfortable” with SRS as a neighbor Recognized for strong safety and environmental protection programs. This ‘trust’ goes back over 40 years Most detractors are remote from SRS, and are more often concerned with DOE programs conducted at SRS, not SRS performance

Elements of a Community Vision SRS is a long-term part of our regional economic base Its importance/impact is reduced because of (1) downsizing and (2) significant diversification of local economy We support the assignment of new compatible core missions to SRS SRS physical assets and intellectual talent are used to leverage new private sector jobs and investment We are not a closure site

Consensus Guiding Principle No waste or excess nuclear materials shall be brought into South Carolina unless an approved and funded pathway exists for its processing and shipment to either a ‘customer’ or an out-of-state waste disposal facility DOE obligations to South Carolina shall be legally enforceable

We are a Involved Community SRS public support is legendary – large numbers, broad based and two states This is only half the story. Community participation and support at many levels: Actively support adequate budgets Comment on matters affecting site efficiency and long-term viability Sec 3116 Waste Determination: Actively supported regulatory approval of Saltstone Permit Modification Participated in M&O contractor selection draft RPF comment process Home to Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness Aiken County funding of Center for Hydrogen Research – modern laboratory facility for SRNL, technical transfer for the community Nurturing of SRS spin-off businesses

Community Priorities - Programmatic Expedited removal of high level waste from underground tanks and preparation for disposal in national repository Expedited stabilization for safe storage of plutonium from SRS and other locations Expedited preparation of plutonium received from out-of-state locations into forms suitable for shipment to users or out-of-state waste disposal facilities Regulatory milestones are met National laboratory and infrastructure programs are sufficient to attract new DOE missions and have beneficial impact on private sector Sufficient funding for timely support of program needs Early availability of Yucca Mountain

Community Priorities - Institutional Some common elements in the DOE and Community long-term visions Open, continuing and timely communication Locally and with Washington Timely follow-through on commitments An effective Community Relations Program Working with the Communities to leverage SRS activities for off-site jobs and investment

Recent Positive Highlights DOE support for Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX) construction DOE’s aggressive program to deal with WIR lawsuit Community appreciates DOE efforts to protect high level waste and DWPF programs Focus on risk reduction D&D programs placed in lower priority A recognition of SRS’s ability to assist in addressing DOE-wide needs

Current Areas of Concern Delayed Construction of MOX Facility resulted in Aiken County lawsuit Congress is the current holdup Delay in Salt Waste Processing Facility facility redesign not in overall best interest Lack of Disposition Pathway for excess plutonium not suitable for MOX – plan de jour Research Reactor SNF remains without an approved disposition pathway Regional capabilities not always considered in contracting programs Eliminates opportunity for local economic development No DOE vision for long-term SRS viability (recapture of DOE investment) Individual near-term program interests appear to transcend DOE long-term corporate requirements Savannah River Ecology Laboratory is one example Improved communications could have minimized some of these concerns

Thoughts on DOE Initiatives Initiatives involving SRS Complex 2030 Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Plutonium Vitrification Facility Plutonium and HEU consolidation initiative Energy Initiatives

Complex 2030 Community supports DOE plans Modernize, right-size and cost effective We believe SRS is well suited for plutonium mission and will actively support that assignment Receipt of plutonium from other locations will not be an issue if (1) part of production mission and (2) non-suitable plutonium prepared for disposition.

Global Nuclear Energy Partnership An Energy Park on SRS is a location being considered in draft PEIS. We propose that all three facilities can be located on SRS GNEP fits community vision for DOE and commercial nuclear energy missions High level of local support but many questions Several Regulatory Challenges Licensing a new reactor type – NRC “Decay storage” and ultimate disposal of Sr and Cs – considerable state input may be required Community concerns include: SNF shipped to SRS, facilities are cancelled (defacto regional storage) Lack of Congressional understanding and support

Plutonium Vitrification Facility This facility is five years overdue. Has a strongly defined role in Surplus Plutonium Disposition Pathway for safe disposition of excess plutonium not suitable for MOX Facility Not a substitute for MOX Does not meet programmatic objective Does not have adequate capacity

Plutonium and HEU Consolidation Initiative DOE correctly identified SRS facilities as best able to dispose of surplus/waste plutonium and HEU currently at multiple DOE locations. Billions of Dollars can be saved. We want to help but we will protect against repeat of Rocky Flats debacle. Legally binding commitments Must be viewed as beneficial for total state (not just area surrounding SRS)

Energy Initiatives Nuclear Energy (in addition to GNEP) We want to be a greater player (partner with Idaho) in Gen IV and Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative. We are an active player in Nuclear Power We were a NuStart finalist. Also reviewed as alternate site in North Anna EIS Hydrogen and Fuel Cells SRS has largest staff of hydrogen scientists and engineers (Capability based on 50 years of tritium work) South Carolina’s many assets have been organized Good reception from industry – many cooperative programs Have been unable to become part of DOE core program. Nation will benefit from increased SRNL participation in DOE programs

In Summary South Carolina and SRS served the nation well during the cold war Events over the last ten years have tested the relationship between DOE and the community SRS is not a closure site There are many important challenges facing DOE and the nation which can benefit greatly from SRS participation. SRNL and basic SRS infrastructure should be supported based on potential future contributions DOE and the community need to redouble efforts to align our visions for the future of SRS. We will both be stronger.