Panel Sharpens Focus on EM’s Future, Long-term Funding Needs

A National Cleanup Workshop panel of EM leaders and stakeholders discussed behind-the-scenes work for budget planning, factors to consider in the process and long-term support from communities near cleanup sites.

“We’re always working on three budgets at any one time. The current fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget is being executed today. The next fiscal year budget, FY 2024, is currently with Congress. The FY 2025 budget is being presented to the Office of Management and Budget this month,” said Steve Trischman, EM deputy assistant secretary for resource management. He also noted that FY 2026 budget planning will commence in the winter.

The Budget and Planning Office manages, integrates and coordinates planning and budget support for EM. The office also aims to reduce lifecycle costs of projects and accelerate the cleanup of the Cold War environmental legacy safely, efficiently and cost effectively.

EM’s budget planning processes and procedures are part of an intricate cycle ending with a 500-page budget volume.

“Everything we do is difficult — regulatory challenges, stakeholder challenges, technical challenges. None of those pieces are easy … so when we do develop the teamwork we need to be very engaged with the communities,” said Brian Vance, manager of EM’s Office of River Protection and Richland Operations Office.

There are a host of challenges in budget planning. As of early September, a potential government shutdown loomed. A stopgap agreement is needed by the end of FY 2023 on Sept. 30 to avoid it.

Panelists discussed factors of cost drivers, such as inflation, infrastructure, high-level waste and excess facilities, including facilities of EM, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the DOE offices of Science and Nuclear Energy.

“They can’t do decommission and demolition (D&D) until their budget goes up,” said Trischman, referring to the former gaseous diffusion plant set for future D&D work at EM’s Paducah Site.

EM relies on stakeholder engagement for championing the budget.

Local governments meet with legislators and lobby and advocate certain activities, said Randall Ryti, councilor, Los Alamos County Council. One major area was alignment among stakeholders.

“When we have alignment, it’s really good and helps secure funding. When we don’t have alignment, we need to work that through,” he said.

Ryti praised the beneficial relationship with the National Association of Counties, which sends out statements so legislators can read about the priorities of communities.

Panelists agreed that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program engagement, introducing youth to EM, maintaining relationships with area high schools and encouraging people to visit sites all help EM in a positive way with its mission and workforce development.

Of the 300,000 people in the Tri-Cities communities in Washington state, 12,000 are employed at the Hanford Site.

Vance noted the importance of the Hanford Site’s workforce as a communication platform to open up community dialogue, allowing members of the workforce to tell their stories and share their impact on EM’s mission.

“EM will start to see the workforce challenges melt away,” said Vance.

-Contributor: Kim Kweder