Gone Fission Nuclear Report

This week's Gone Fission Nuclear Report celebrates Black History Month. Hear vignettes about Black scientists who participated in the early history of atomic energy, learn more about a DOE connection to a leading candidate to become the first Black Justice on the Supreme Court, and meet Dr. Harold Conner, the first African-American chemical engineering graduate of the University of Tennessee who went on to become the site manager of the world's largest uranium enrichment complex.  Plus get all the latest news from the DOE Environmental Management program.  www.gonefissionpodcast.com

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

This week the Gone Fission Nuclear Report podcast features an All-Hanford episode.  You'll hear from DOE and Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) officials and some of Washington State's top elected officials as WRPS begins operation of the Tank Side Cesium Removal (TSCR) system, a milestone in the Hanford site's tqnk waste cleanup program. Our Spotlight Interview features David Reeploeg, Vice President for Federal Affairs for the Tri-City Development Council (TRiDEC) in Kennewick, Washington. Enjoy this special All-Hanford episode of the Gone Fission Nuclear Report.  And visit www.gonefissionpodcast.com

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

Energy Communities Alliance in Washington, DC, is a national organization that represents local communities surrounding Department of Energy facilities nationwide. It is the voice of these communities with DOE and Congress in communicating issues and concerns associated with environmental cleanup. Today's Spotlight Interview on the Gone Fission Nuclear Report podcast features Seth Kirschenberg, ECA Executive Director.  Elected officials in local communities is one of DOE's highest priority stakeholders.  Hear what Seth has to say about his group's interaction with the Department and their current front burner issues.  Plus get all the latest news from the DOE Environmental Management program.

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

Our Spotlight Guest this week is Rick McLeod, President  & CEO of the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO). Rick and his Board of Directors advocate for new missions for DOE's Savannah River Site and serve as a unified voice for a two-state, five-county region around SRS while supporting cleanup of the former plutonium production site. Plus get all the latest news from DOE's Environmental Management program. 

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

Our Spotlight Interview this week features Kristen Ellis, Acting Director of Regulatory, Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Engagement for the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management.  We'll talk to Kristen about DOE's STEM programs and what her office is doing to help ensure an adequate environmental cleanup workforce for the future.
And you'll get all the latest news from DOE's Environmental Management program.

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

DOE's Request for Proposals for a new cleanup contract at Portsmouth, Ohio, and a look ahead at future episodes lead this week's podcast.  Get all the latest Department of Energy Environmental Management news in the Gone Fission Nuclear Report.

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

In this week's episode, we review the Department of Energy's Report Card on its Environmental Management accomplishments during 2021.  We also bring you the latest news in environmental cleanup from DOE sites around the country.  We invite you to share this podcast with others who may have an interest in this topic.

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

Next to safety and cleanup itself, development of the future workforce is a top priority with companies involved in remediation of Department of Energy facilities nationwide.  A large portion of the current workforce is nearing retirement age, but decades of environmental cleanup work remains to be completed.  

Where will the future workforce come from?  One place is the University of Tennessee - Knoxville where the Nuclear Engineering Department is offering a first-of-a-kind minor in decommissioning and environmental management.  Students completing this course are finding jobs in the cleanup industry and setting out on a successful career path.  It's been said that the only sure things are "death, taxes...and decommissioning." In today's episode, Dr. Wes Hines, Head of the UT Nuclear Engineering Department, talks about the minor his department offers and what it means for the future of the cleanup workforce.

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

In this week's Gone Fission Nuclear Report podcast, we talk to Oak Ridge historian Ray Smith about why it is important for EM to continue preserving the history of former DOE facilities.  South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster weighs in on how $525 million in DOE plutonium settlement funds should be allocated.  We'll review highlights from last week's Nuclear Cleanup Workshop.  And we'll ask the question:  "Should the late Manhattan Project photographer Ed Westcott be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom?"  Spoiler alert:  The resounding answer is "Yes!"  Enjoy this week's podcast.  

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.

In this week's Environmental Management news, a BWXT-led team has received Notice to Proceed from DOE to start transition on the Savannah River Liquid Waste contract.  Government and contractor officials are gathering in Alexandria, VA, for the 2021 Nuclear Cleanup Workshop.  Washington River Protection Solutions is recognized as a top employer in Washington state.  And we recognize the 79th anniversary of the first nuclear chain reaction.

Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of  episodes since November 7, 2022.