OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - Leadership from the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) came together recently to exchange best practices for decommissioning facilities and a host of other cleanup topics.
The NDA officials’ two-day visit to Oak Ridge comes only weeks after OREM management traveled to the U.K. to view nuclear cleanup projects underway there.
“We felt there was a lot to learn by coming to Oak Ridge and having a look around, talking to people, getting information, sharing experience, because nuclear decommissioning is a global industry and we only have one language," NDA Group Chief Operations and Performance Improvement Officer Alan Cumming said.
The NDA leaders joined their OREM counterparts to share examples of process optimization, efficiencies and technology that their teams have implemented to advance cleanup efforts.
Team members also compared contracting and performance measurement methods, explored workforce development initiatives and discussed waste disposal operations.
“We share some common opportunities as well as some common challenges," said NDA Nuclear Operations Director Gareth Taylor. “It's reassuring to see that we're not the only ones facing these challenges. Let’s find a solution together."
Following the briefings with OREM officials, Cumming and Taylor toured active cleanup projects at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and East Tennessee Technology Park. The tour stops provided a firsthand look at soil remediation, reactor demolition and major construction projects.
NDA officials surveyed Oak Ridge’s current onsite disposal facility, the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility. They also viewed site preparations underway for the new Environmental Management Disposal Facility.
“It gives me a sense of pride to be part of this program," said OREM Deputy Manager Laura Wilkerson. “We’re able to see how our work is adding value to the community, and that’s also being recognized by our counterparts across the world."
Discussions among NDA and OREM officials will continue following the recent information exchange at Oak Ridge. Personnel from OREM and cleanup contractor UCOR have requested additional information regarding workforce development programs and approaches used by the NDA. Additionally, NDA staff are eager to learn more related to EM ’s waste management and disposal operations.
“There are clearly opportunities for us to work closely together, and I think we're just at the start of that connection," said Taylor.
Contributor: Ben Williams
Read more EM Update stories about the cleanup program's international collaborations here.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management