ECA, intergovernmental groups discuss priority topics at annual meeting

This week, the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) joined five other intergovernmental groups in New Orleans for the Twenty-First Annual Intergovernmental Meeting with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Nuclear Weapons Waste Cleanup.

The Intergovernmental Meeting is a forum for state, local, tribal, and federal officials to discuss priorities and strategies for managing and storing defense nuclear waste and for remediation of production sites. It is convened by the DOE Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) and the six intergovernmental groups partnering in, and affected by, the ongoing cleanup of defense related nuclear waste.

ECA attendees held a Board Meeting in the National World War II Museum, including a conversation with EM Senior Advisor William "Ike" White to discuss local government and community priorities. ECA appreciates his remarks and his commitment to open communication and continued partnership with ECA's communities.

On Day One of the conference, meeting attendees heard from EM leadership - including Ike White - and other expert speakers on the status of the EM program, the future of waste management, progress on consent-based siting, and protection of cultural and historic DOE landscapes. Attendees also participated in an interactive budget simulation.

ECA Executive Director Seth Kirshenberg also provided updates from Washington, D.C. and the perspective from Capitol Hill. To view his presentation, please click here. 

On Day Two of the meeting, participants learned more about how the Department is combating climate change and moving from cleanup to clean energy, planning for climate adaptation and resiliency, the future of EM's workforce, and how the federal government is addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.

ECA would like to thank all of the other intergovernmental groups, our members, and all meeting participants for making this year's conference such a success.

ECA would also like to encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about cleanup topics to check out our new interactive Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, located here.