January 27, 2021
January 27, 2021
The majority of Senators on the committee used their questions to inquire into issues of Fossil and Renewable fuels, as the reduction of the former and growth of the latter are significant pillars of the new Biden administration's plans for domestic energy production. However, there were several Senators for which issues relating to nuclear power generation are within the interests of their own states, this led to an interesting discourse with Ms. Granholm.
Within Ms. Granholm’s dialogues with the below Senators, several key points can be ascertained. During her time as Secretary of Energy, she intends to take action to deal with the problem of the Hanford site in the Pacific Northwest, which could go a long way to increasing public opinion of nuclear power generation in the region. She also intends to support the creation of a strategic uranium stockpile for energy production, which is a win for all companies or organizations dealing with nuclear energy production or its supply chain. While it is disappointing that Ms. Granholm made it clear that her administration did not intend to use the spent nuclear fuel site at Yucca mountain, she did express interest in having a consolidated storage facility and pushing forward with the blue ribbon commission to find a site the administration deems acceptable.
Video of the hearing can be found HERE.
Opening Remarks:
Sen. Joe Manchin
Incoming Chairman
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Sen. John Barrasso
Incoming Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm
to be Secretary of Energy
Nuclear Energy Related Q&A:
Senator Wynden (D-OR): “The Hanford Site in the Pacific Northwest needs a concrete, specific gameplan for long-term storage options in relation to the nuclear waste located there, Ms. Granholm what will you do to engage this problem which has basically been like a can being kicked down the road?”
Hon. Granholm: “Hanford is the largest & longest cleanup project in America. It can’t be kicked down the road anymore, and I assure it’s cleanup will take priority. We have seen some positive changes: carving out small pieces, and taking the lowest hanging fruit, but we’re still dealing with the difficulty of dangerous, highly radioactive waste. The bottom line is, this is of high priority in the department and I’m excited to work together on it.”
Senator Lee (R-UT): “American Uranium producers in 2019 produced about 173,000 pounds of domestic uranium concentrate (U-308). This is the lowest domestic production annually since 1949. In order to boost domestic uranium production, the trump administration requested one hundred and fifty million dollars to establish a uranium reserve program. Seventy-five million dollars were allocated by Congress, but work hasn’t yet started. This could help, but it doesn’t address reforms to help the mining industry as a whole. Do you have any ideas on how you intend to implement the uranium reserve program at the Department of Energy?”
Hon. Granholm: “ I certainly would abide by the direction of Congress, but to broadens the scope of your question to include other critical minerals; these minerals can be mined in a responsible way, in a way that respects the environment, but also serves to shore up our ability to produce products like batteries for markets internationally. We dont want to be under the thumb of China or other countries who have an interest in cornering the market on critical minerals. We need to be independent, and so I am eager to work with folks on all sides of the aisle to make sure that the United States has its own critical supply.”
Senator Cantwell (D-WA): “Hanford is one of the largest cleanup projects in the world, and is the federal government’s second largest obligation after social security & healthcare. So, it’s often that administrations try to cut corners. The Trump Administration offered funding for the Hanford site at forty six percent less than the Department of energy’s recommendation. I hope for a commitment to the budget which had tri-party agreement. “
Hon. Granholm: “you have that commitment.”
Senator Cantwell: “Meeting the 2023 tri-party agreement to get a new Hanford facility online is something I hope you can commit to supporting, as well as visiting the facility in the tri-cities as soon as you are able.”
Hon. Granholm: “I would very much like to do that.”
Senator Cantwell: “In terms of workforce safety at Hanford, that’s a large concern. The Hanford facility helps the training and skilling of a workforce that continues to be ready to meet all the challenges at Hanford I hope you’ll commit to supporting that.”
Hon. Granholm: “Yes.”
Senator King (I-ME): “A final point I wanted to touch on is nuclear waste disposal. I live about 20 miles from a nuclear plant that was closed about 15 years ago. We have what amounts to a high level nuclear waste site on the coast of Maine, because of a 70 year unmet promise from the Federal government to deal with nuclear waste. I believe nuclear development has a low carbon future in this country, but I’m reluctant to support significant new development until we meet that promise, so I hope that’s something that you will pay attention to. I understand that Senator Cortez Masto will try to steer you away from Yucca Mountain, but we really have to be honest with ourselves about the fact that what we have is maybe 100 high level nuclear sites scattered around the country, and that’s not safe from a national security or environmental standpoint.”
Hon. Granholm: “I agree with you, it is a very sticky situation, and clearly we have to look at what the blue ribbon commission did on this, which was to engage in some site based consensus strategies which allow us to determine where that waste should go.”
Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV): “Yucca Mountain. We know it has been a filed policy. The nuclear waste act has had it there since 1980, we still have challenges with really addressing the high level nuclear waste storage that we have in this country. Yucca mountain is not the answer, and the couple questions I have for you is: first, what is this administration's position on Yucca mountain?”
Hon. Granholm: “The administration opposes the use of Yucca mountain for the storage of nuclear waste.”
Senator Cortez Masto: “Will you commit the department to working with Congress to the development of sage and workable alternatives to Yucca mountain?”
Hon. Granholm: “Absolutely.”
Senator Cortez Masto: “Will you be sure to have the staff responsible for nuclear waste planning and management engage with my office, as well as the office of Senator Rosen?”
Hon. Granholm: “Yes.”
Senator Cortez Masto: “And as you mentioned, the blue ribbon panel. We know that the blue ribbon panel, they’ve made recommendations around a consent based siting process. Senator Rosen and I, along with the entire Nevada delegation, will reintroduce this legislation to include Navada in that consent based siting. Is that something that you or the administration would support?”
Hon. Granholm: “Absolutely.”
Senator Cortez Masto: “Finally on Yucca, I want to make sure that if confirmed, you and the administration would commit to engaging with Nevada's tribes and key stakeholders on developing that consent based siting.
Hon. Granholm: “Yes.”
