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DOE OSTI2024

A Mid-Century Net-Zero Scenario for the State of Wyoming and its Economic Impacts

Clean hydrogen has the potential to help achieve 10% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2050 relative to 2005, promote energy security and resilience, and develop a new economy in the United States. In 2030, the hydrogen economy could create about 100,000 new jobs to build new capital projects and clean hydrogen infrastructure. The Wyoming Energy Authority recently announced the state’s energy strategy, which establishes a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Under all likely scenarios, achieving a mid-century net-zero target will pose challenges and create opportunities for Wyoming’s energy sector. If executed properly, the transition could favorably affect the state’s economy overall in the long term. This research program examines the economic impact of fossil energy production in Wyoming and provides various predictions for future energy mixes to achieve net-zero emissions. Preliminary work suggests that Wyoming-based hydrogen production could have significant economic benefits and job creation implications for Wyoming. This study further assesses Wyoming’s opportunities to create hydrogen-based industries, assess economic impacts, identify knowledge gaps and research needs, and create a Hydrogen Center of Excellence to accelerate commercialization and deployment. This project helped to understand Wyoming's areas of focus for research and development and identified its areas of strength and potential challenges in creating a hydrogen ecosystem. As a result of this study, we estimate that for blue hydrogen produced from coal and gas resources, the overall cost reduction will be driven mainly by the carbon-sequestration tax credit and the improvement in carbon capture. Mature technologies, like SMR and PSA, will make limited contributions. They have no or limited reductions from an additional capacity deployment in future costs. We also understand the importance of continued support from public and private sectors for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)-related research, development, and demonstration programs at federal and state levels. The successful and efficient production of blue hydrogen requires a unique blend of energy resources, geology, regulation, law, and infrastructure. Wyoming has the distinction of meeting all these demands. The team also estimates that the availability and command of water resources accessible for hydrogen production are crucial for developing new projects. Water treatment, use, and disposal after treatment will also make projects possible. Primarily, this is relevant for hydrogen made using renewable energy. Wyoming has one of the best wind resource capacity in the nation. Harnessing this resource is challenging due to limited transmission line availability. Hydrogen could become one of the solutions to the stranded resource problem, primarily if the water availability challenge is addressed. Using produced oil & gas water could help to solve the problem. A commonly cited barrier to the expansion of hydrogen markets is the cost associated with constructing new pipelines, which typically require large amounts of capital to develop. Wyoming already possesses much of the export infrastructure needed to connect Wyoming’s hydrogen production with major markets across the West Coast, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Front Range regions of the United States, where a large portion of Wyoming’s natural gas is already transported. In addition to transportation by pipeline, rail transportation of hydrogen has also proven feasible. Wyoming uses its extensive railway system to transport large amounts of coal to its export partners across the United States. By using cryogenic or compressed-gas cars, Wyoming has the potential to add hydrogen to its existing network of railroad energy exports. The same technology may also be applied to hydrogen transport via trucks traveling interstate highways. Wyoming’s workforce is ready to meet the demands of clean hydrogen development. Many of the skills and training needed for hydrogen production are the same skills already possessed by Wyoming’s oil & gas and coal workforce. Many government and industry leaders expect clean hydrogen and other low-carbon energy projects to generate significant job growth and to recruit many already-trained oil & gas and coal workers whose jobs may be displaced. As energy companies seek to penetrate the markets for Wyoming hydrogen production, there is a natural mutual benefit to Wyoming’s workers and companies seeking to launch projects with the assistance of a trained workforce. Wyoming’s university and community college system have adopted several programs to ensure that highly qualified engineers and other technically skilled employees continue to graduate with skills to support the development of hydrogen and other innovative energy projects moving forward. Throughout the project, stakeholder outreach and education took many forms, including meetings with several major companies in the industry, collaborating with local government organizations, educational organizations, and national laboratories, tribal outreach and engagement, the sponsoring of several hydrogen-focused projects in many departments throughout the University of Wyoming, and developing a collaboration with international universities. The products of these collaborations consist of working relationships with several companies in the industry, educational institutions, national labs, and local government, as well as strong connections with individuals who will play an essential role in the success of the Hydrogen Energy Research Center.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2012

Eleven Tribes Jump START Clean Energy Projects, Summer 2012 [Newsletter]

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (DOE-IE) has selected 11 Tribes—five in Alaska and six in the contiguous United States—to receive on-the-ground technical support for community-based energy efficiency and renewable energy projects as part of DOE-IE’s Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) Program.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2019

On the Path to Energy Independence and a Clean Power Future – LED Lighting Retrofit and Solar Power Generation for the CTUIR Science and Engineering Laboratory and Public Transit Center (Rev.1)

This project supports the goals of the Energy Policy for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) through the implementation of an energy efficiency measure (LED lighting retrofit) and construction of a fixed rack (stationary) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array energy generation system. The project objective was to eliminate the net demand for grid-based utility energy at two tribal facilities: the CTUIR Field Station and the Public Transit Center (consisting of bus barn and maintenance shop buildings). A total of 332 lighting fixtures were retrofitted with high efficiency LEDs at the three buildings within the project scope. The solar PV array constructed adjacent to the Field Station (46330 Timine Way, Pendleton, OR 97801) has a nameplate capacity of 97.98 kW DC . The project was managed by staff from the CTUIR Energy & Environmental Sciences Program within the Department of Natural Resources and the final budget was $\$ $288,206. Data was collected during a 12 month monitoring period following construction of the aptly named Ántukš–Tín̓qapapt Solar PV Array and assessed to determine project results. During this time, the solar PV system generated 125,580 kWh of energy according to SolrenView solar PV system monitoring service. In contrast, the total realized utility energy and cost savings due to the project were estimated by comparing 24 months of consecutive utility billing data. Results of this comparison indicate that grid-based utility energy demand was reduced by 121,280 kWh, or roughly 80% of the total electricity consumed by both facilities. The cost savings associated with this energy demand reduction were $\$ $11,104 and a payback period of 5.7 years was estimated for recovering the CTUIR’s investment. However, it should be noted that these figures are not representative of the savings that could be obtained under normal, error-free (i.e. faultless) conditions. Several undesirable events occurred during the 12 month monitoring and evaluation period, the effects of which were quantified using available data so that results under a “Faultless Scenario” could be estimated. Annual energy and cost savings estimated for the Faultless Scenario were approximately 166,289 kWh and $\$ $15,225, respectively. These figures should prove to be more representative of the long-term average annual results achieved in response to the project and suggest a payback period closer to 4.5 years for the CTUIR.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multi-Sector Solar Career Training for Native Americans and Veterans

The “Multi-Sector Solar Career Training for Native Americans and Veterans” program (DE-EE0008575; Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, with GRID Alternatives), was a job training and capacity-building project for Native American people and tribal communities. The project adds to understanding by identifying potential solutions to barriers that individuals and tribes may face as they seek to build 1) individual skillsets as solar technicians, and 2) staff capacity to develop solar energy projects.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Powering Sovereign Communities, Sustaining Future Generations

Brochure with an overview of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy programs and projects designed to assist American Indians and Alaska Native villages with energy and infrastructure development.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Final Report for Grant R021597

The program was under the supervision of the Nevada State Office of Energy (NSOE) with sub-contractors being the Nevada Division of Minerals (NDOM), the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy (GBCGE) and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Taskforce (REECT). The NDOM grant was for $40,560 to develop a trade mission for Nevada Native American tribes. The trade mission was a two day workshop and field trip held on October 11 & 12, 2005 with 44 in attendance representing 12 tribes. Per-diem allowances were made so the tribal groups could attend the workshop. The format followed similar trade missions done for Alaska, Idaho and Colorado. In addition to the trade mission, funding was used to allow 3 members of the geothermal working group to attend the Geothermal Research Council annual meeting and the Geopowering the West states meeting that followed.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Training in Building Audit Technologies

In 2011, the Tribe proposed and was awarded the Training in Building Audit Technologies grant from the DOE in the amount of $55,748 to contract for training programs for infrared cameras, blower door technology applications and building systems. The coursework consisted of; Infrared Camera Training: Level I - Thermal Imaging for Energy Audits; Blower Door Analysis and Building-As-A-System Training, Building Performance Institute (BPI) Building Analyst; Building Envelope Training, Building Performance Institute (BPI) Envelope Professional; and Audit/JobFLEX Tablet Software. Competitive procurement of the training contractor resulted in lower costs, allowing the Tribe to request and receive DOE approval to additionally purchase energy audit equipment and contract for residential energy audits of 25 low-income Tribal Housing units. Sault Tribe personnel received field training to supplement the classroom instruction on proper use of the energy audit equipment. Field experience was provided through the second DOE energy audits grant, allowing Sault Tribe personnel to join the contractor, Building Science Academy, in conducting 25 residential energy audits of low-income Tribal Housing units.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2015

An approach to evaluating and monitoring ecological resources for sustainability on DOE remediation sites: Hanford as a case study - 15524

Protecting ecological and environmental resources is a worthy aspect of the Department of Energy's site missions, for each of its sites, during and after remediation. Ecological resources are important to a range of stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, resource agencies, natural resource trustees, Tribal governments, and the public, and may be an essential component of Native American cultural resources. Because the nature and value of ecological resources can change over time as a result of remediation, succession, and global climate change, it is imperative for DOE to have instituted an acceptable method of evaluating resources before initiation of active remediation, over the ensuing century when institutional and engineering controls are considered to be in effect. Having such a methodology in place also would be key to resource sustainability. Department of Energy sites generally have environmental programs, so instituting specific unified practices for evaluating resources should not be difficult to implement. Instituting these practices would assure the public that ecological resources, as well as human and cultural resources, are being protected now, and can be protected into the future. Key ecological species and/or unique habitats have been preserved at Department of Energy sites since the mid-20. century because of federal government stewardship. Such preservation is particularly true for the sites with larger land areas, including the Hanford Reservation, the Idaho National Laboratory and the Savannah River Site. Individual sites typically have extensive studies of site biodiversity, but site resources are not routinely examined within a regional or national context (Eco-region). The evaluation of the on-site resources with those resources in the appropriate Eco-region provides a context for 'valuing' on- site resources. On-site resources should also be evaluated in terms of federal and state legislation where species may have legal protection and require legal consideration during remediation if present or adjacent to the remediation site. A method is needed in this study for evaluating ecological resources prior to remediation and during remediation, and a paradigm is proposed that will ensure sustainability. Finally, in a period of climate change and instability, developing methods of evaluating ecological resources is essential to successful protection, enhancement, and sustainability. The ecological methodology is part of a Hanford site-wide Risk Review Project, conducted by the Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP). Our method adapts an existing methodology that includes using established levels for evaluating ecological resources by expanding the existing methodology to include field work for validating previous resource level designations, to assess the occurrence of invasive/exotic species, and to identify landscape scale features (patch size, connectivity). Evaluations should be conducted in the remediation unit itself, and in a buffer zone surrounding the remediation site. The methodology described has been applied to several remediation areas at Hanford, and issues that emerged during its application are discussed. The methodology can be applied at the major sites. Application of the Eco-region analysis will provide regulators and the public with an understanding of the value of the ecological resources in relation to the region, as well as an appreciation for the stewardship role the Department of Energy has played in protecting these resources since the beginning of the Cold War Era and can continue to do so sustainably. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Bishop Paiute Single Family Solar Home Project: Phase 4 (Final Technical Report)

The Bishop Paiute Tribe is committed to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental protection and has a vision to install solar energy systems on all buildings on the Reservation where technically feasible. Through completion of the Bishop Paiute Tribe Residential Solar Program – Phase 4, Bishop Paiute Tribe continued its successful model partnering with non-profit solar installer GRID Alternatives to advance its vision and build energy self-sufficiency on the Bishop Paiute Reservation. The Bishop Paiute Tribe Residential Solar Program – Phase IV deployed 67 kW-AC of new clean, renewable energy through grid-tied, net-metered rooftop solar electric systems installed on a total of 20 (one more than the planned 19) existing owner-occupied, single-family homes for low-income families on the Reservation. This represents nearly 14% of the Reservation’s total “unsolarized” homes. These systems were provided at no cost to the homeowners, who will also receive energy efficiency education to further reduce energy consumption and lower electric bills. GRID led a solar installation for three (3) of the homes where Tribal/community members, were given an opportunity in participating in on-the-roof trainings to gain new skills while installing solar for their low-income community members. Subcontractors through GRID Sub Contractor Partnership Program (GRID SPP) led solar installations for seventeen (17) of the homes. Each installation provided paid employment for a solar trainee trainees hired by the SPP subcontractors as entry level solar installers. It is estimated that the installed 67 kW-AC of solar will produce at least 120,000 kWh/year, displacing at least 30-75% of the 20 homes’ total electricity use for a combined system lifetime electricity cost savings for the low-income homeowners of about $\$$500,000. It is further estimated that the installed renewable energy systems installed will prevent greenhouse gases by about 1,000 tons, equivalent to planting approximately 25,000 trees. Following the successful completed installations, it is expected that the Reservation and surrounding communities will benefit from improved air quality via reduced wood stove use for heating. Cumulatively with other initiatives, the project will result in nearly 40% of the Reservation’s solarizable homes being solarized. Overall, the triple impact of the phase 4 of the Bishop Paiute Tribe Residential Solar Program – Phase 4 is: 1) affordable energy for low-income families; 2) on-site clean energy production, 3) hands on training and paid solar installation work for local tribal/community workers. These impacts will support and grow the Tribe’s energy, economic, environmental, and social self-sufficiency and sovereignty amongst the neediest on the Reservation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Minto, Alaska Lakeview Lodge START Program Weatherization and Rehab Project Final Report

This report details the process that Minto Village Council undertook during the DOE sponsored START program and the work that was completed on the main energy consumer in the community, the Minto Lakeview Lodge. The report takes a look at the steps leading up to the large weatherization and renovation project, the work the was completed as a result of the funding and the results in terms of effect on the community and real energy savings.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2022

Restoration Hydro: A Watershed Approach to Standard Modular New Hydropower

The objectives of FOA DE- FOA-0001836- “Standard Modular Hydropower” included designing a standardized, modular, and environmentally compatible hydropower schematic for implementation in greenfield sites that generate up to 10 MW of capacity. Utilizing funds competitively awarded under DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office, the Natel Energy team developed a concept for modular new stream reach (NSR) hydropower that incorporates multi species upstream and downstream fish passage, improved river channel connectivity, and recreational modules. The in-stream design of the collective modules minimized site specific design and maximized the opportunities for modularity. Financial data was also presented using actual costs from regional suppliers, with figures provided in 2022 dollars. While the project team did not address potential permitting process improvements, the site selection criteria did consider established barriers to hydropower development such as tribal and preserved lands, interconnection proximity, and endangered species to exclude or deprioritize. The project’s design schematic met the objectives of the FOA, and presented a unique solution that targets alluvial pockets as natural features for sustainable development. Natel’s concept also incorporated the company's fish-safe Restoration Hydro Turbine for safe downstream passage, while featuring a rock arch that integrates fish passage, water, recreation, and grade control modules (including sediment). Alignment with the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) “Innovative Design Concepts for Standard Modular Hydropower and Pumped-Storage Hydropower” Program: According to the Hydropower Vision (DOE, 2016), approximately 16 GW of hydropower growth is possible with the development of technology solutions that balance efficiency, economics, and environmental sustainability. The desired outcome of the SMH program is transformational innovation specifically in the site identification, conceptual, and detailed design phases of technology development lifecycles (DOE, 2018). In developing the SMH design schematic, the team aimed to address the opportunities outlined in the Vision through an inverted design philosophy; rather than singularly prioritizing efficiency and power production, the team focused on integrating hydropower with restoration of degraded streams to optimal ecosystem function and provision of exceptional recreation value as design criteria. To achieve this, Restoration Hydro incorporates the principles of nature-based engineering (WWAP, 2018) and biomimicry (Biomimicry NL.) to strategically deploy complementary combinations of permanent, semi-permanent, and ephemeral low-head structures - such as natural and engineered log jams - that harness geomorphological and hydrological processes at the landscape-scale. Primary applications of Restoration Hydro include: 1) restoration of degraded watersheds’ natural ecological function and enhancement of hydrological connectivity; and 2) creation of associated co-benefits to hydro production, including increased groundwater recharge, improved sediment transport and management, improved water security and water quality. Restoration Hydro projects build upon proven watershed restoration engineering techniques by integrating hydropower turbines into low-head structures using innovative and evolving civil works concepts that facilitate fish and sediment passage, and in some cases create additional revenue-generating recreational opportunities. Powering low-head structures creates a directly monetizable layer of economic value in the form of flexible, reliable, renewable energy on top of the already high-value water, environmental and recreational benefits of watershed and river restoration. The approach aims to create a virtuous, self-reinforcing cycle whereby Restoration Hydro projects support the scaling of ecosystem restoration activities, creating a water-energy-carbon multiplier effect that, through the principles of adaptive change management: 1) improves the resilience of landscapes and downstream population centers for changing hydrological cycles; 2) creates a reliable energy resource that facilitates the integration of intermittent renewable power sources into grids; and 3) supports climate change mitigation through grid decarbonization and enhanced ecosystem carbon capture and retention.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Senior Housing Complex Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Project

As part of a longer-term energy efficiency and solar development program on the Coeur d'Alene reservation, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe completed energy efficiency measures and deployed a solar photovoltaic system at its Senior Housing Complex. The project generated nearly 68,000 kWh of solar energy in its first year, and reduced energy used at the senior housing complex by 95,192 kWh, saving $7,144.56 in energy costs, and saving 48.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Transmission Interconnection Roadmap: Transforming Bulk Transmission Interconnection by 2035

The U.S. electricity system is amid a rapidly occurring and widespread energy transition. Regional, Tribal, state, and customer demand for new energy resources, combined with favorable policies, is driving a rapid rise of interconnection requests. Interconnection processes will need to evolve to handle this larger number of requests today and into the future, as policy and economic drivers continue to motivate significant resource development. This roadmap identifies and organizes nearer- and longer-term solutions to enable transmission interconnection processes to meet this expected demand, and it is intended for a diverse audience of stakeholders participating within transmission interconnection processes. The roadmap is a result of the Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program launched by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in June 2022 to convene stakeholders and address interconnection challenges. The roadmap is organized into four primary goal areas, each important to the overall i2X mission to enable a simpler, faster, and fairer interconnection of clean energy resources while enhancing the reliability, resiliency, and security of our electric grid. The first goal aims to improve interconnection data transparency, to aid interconnection customers’ ability to screen and site potential projects, better enable third-party modeling, facilitate more process automation, enhance competition while ensuring equitable outcomes, and enable benchmarking, tracking, and auditing of interconnection processes and reforms. The second goal covers solutions to improve queue management practices, affected system studies, fair processes, and workforce development. The third goal incorporates solutions that aim to improve cost allocation, reduce costs to electricity consumers, enhance the coordination between transmission planning and the interconnection process, and optimize the rightsizing of transmission investment through improvements in interconnection studies. The fourth and final goal aims to reduce the performance issues not identified during interconnection studies by updating technical requirements within interconnection studies, models, and tools while also improving industry interconnection standards.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

NNSA Minority Serving Institute Partnership Program (MSIPP)-- Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Education and Research (PAMER) (Q1 FY2022 Progress Report)

The following report summarizes the status update during this quarter for the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) initiated Minority Serving Institution Partnership Plan's (MSIPP) project titled, Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Education and Research (PAMER). In 2016, the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) initiated the Minority Serving Institution Partnership Plan (MSIPP) targeting Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to offer programs that will prepare students for technical careers in NNSA’s laboratories and production plants. The MSIPP consortium’s approach is as follows: 1) align investments at the college and university level to develop a curriculum and workforce needed to support NNSA’s nuclear weapon enterprise mission, and 2) to enhance research and education at under-represented colleges and universities.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Geographic Information System Based Emergency Response Training Assessments for DOE Radioactive Materials Transport - 20027

Safety and security are priorities of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) radioactive materials shipping campaigns. In the more than 70-year history of domestic transport of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), there has never been a transportation-related radiological injury. To support transportation planning, among the tools that DOE uses is the Stakeholder Tool for Assessing Radioactive Transportation (START). START contains geospatial data and transportation route analyses capabilities designed to support a range of DOE transportation planning initiatives. One of those functions is the capability to support emergency response planning and training for State and Tribal jurisdictions located on routes used for DOE shipments of radioactive materials. As part of the Department's commitment to public safety, DOE provides federally-funded radiological response training to emergency responders along DOE radioactive materials transportation corridors through its Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program (TEPP). START contains spatial data representing the locations and emergency-response capabilities of fire departments, police, hospitals, State emergency response centers, and where TEPP-trained personnel are based. The START tool supports State and Tribal users' ability to evaluate emergency-response coverage on active and potential DOE radioactive materials transport routes through their jurisdictions, provide expected response times to reach the scene of an incident, identify equipment available to support a response, and identify the number of response personnel and their respective training levels. In addition, START can be used to identify gaps in coverage along a transportation corridor where additional radiological emergency response training may be needed. This paper describes the data, features, and functionality DOE uses to provide a resource for emergency response training needs assessments for States and Tribes along active and potential routes for transporting radioactive materials, and illustrates its use. It also discusses future plans to integrate TEPP and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) radiological training data to provide a more comprehensive source of geospatial information on personnel who have received equivalent radiological response training. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2012

The Evolution of the Federal Monitoring and Assessment Center

The Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC) is a federal emergency response asset whose assistance may be requested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DoD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and state and local agencies to respond to a nuclear or radiological incident. It is an interagency organization with representation from the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), the Department of Defense (DoD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and other federal agencies. FRMAC, in its present form, was created in 1987 when the radiological support mission was assigned to the DOE’s Nevada Operations Office by DOE Headquarters. The FRMAC asset, including its predecessor entities, was created, grew, and evolved to function as a response to radiological incidents. Radiological emergency response exercises showed the need for a coordinated approach to managing federal emergency monitoring and assessment activities. The mission of FRMAC is to coordinate and manage all federal radiological environmental monitoring and assessment activities during a nuclear or radiological incident within the United States in support of state ,local, tribal governments, DHS, and the federal coordinating agency. Radiological emergency response professionals with the DOE’s national laboratories support the Radiological Assistance Program (RAP), National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC), the Aerial Measuring System (AMS), and the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS). These teams support the FRMAC to provide: Atmospheric transport modeling; Radiation monitoring; Radiological analysis and data assessments; and Medical advice for radiation injuries In support of field operations, the FRMAC provides geographic information systems, communications, mechanical, electrical, logistics, and administrative support. The size of the FRMAC is tailored to the incident and is comprised of emergency response professionals drawn from across the federal government. State and local emergency response teams may also integrate their operations with FRMAC, but are not required to.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Assessment of defense-related uranium mines in the United States and other US DOE office of legacy management domestic and international uranium initiatives - 15335

US DOE's Office of Legacy Management (LM) has taken several initiatives to improve domestic uranium mining and milling operations in the United States and to contribute to the management of legacy uranium mining and milling sites around the world. Initiatives include completing the 2014 Report to Congress on Defense-Related Uranium Mines, managing the Title X Uranium and Thorium Program with the Office of Environmental Management, and assisting IAEA with uranium issues in member state countries. The 2014 Report to Congress identified abandoned uranium mines (AUMs) in the United States that provided uranium ore to the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) between 1947 and 1970. The report identified AUM locations, reclamation/remediation status, radiological risks and other hazards, costs for reclamation and remediation, and potential prioritization schemes for mine cleanup. To develop reclamation and remediation cleanup cost estimates and assess risks, AUMs were grouped into six categories by tons of uranium ore produced, ranging from Small (less than 91 metric tons [100 tons]) to Very Large (greater than 453,900 metric tons [500,000 tons]). Radiological risk was calculated using the RESRAD computer code for five exposure scenarios: offsite resident, onsite resident, occasional visitor, recreational visitor, and mine reclamation worker. Results indicate that 69 percent of the AUMs are in Colorado and Utah and 23 percent are in Arizona, Wyoming, and New Mexico; and that the majority of the AUMs (68 percent) were considered Small or Small/Medium production mines, producing less than 908 metric tons (1,000 tons) of uranium ore. Although New Mexico has fewer AUMs (247) than the other states in the Colorado Plateau region, AUMs in that state (primarily those in the Grants Mineral Belt) produced 45 percent of the 79.5 million tons of AEC-purchased uranium ore. About 50 percent of the AUMs are on public land managed by the US Bureau of Land Management; 435 AUMs are on the Navajo Nation. Risk estimates for the onsite resident scenario (plausible on tribal and non-federal land) could result in an incremental cancer risk greater than 10{sup -4}. Radon inhalation was the dominant contributor to radiological risk for the five exposure scenarios evaluated. Different state and federal agencies are conducting cleanup of some AUMs under various remedial and legal authorities. Activities constituting mine 'reclamation' may reduce radiological risks to humans to acceptable levels for many mines on federal public lands if the occasional visitor and recreational visitor exposure scenarios are assumed. Addressing physical hazards (e.g., open shafts) at mines where conditions could cause serious injuries is typically a priority of public land management agencies. At locations where mine-related groundwater contamination occurs, it is a significant contributor to cleanup costs. However, most Small and Small/Medium AUMs were likely developed above the water table, and some wet mines are located in areas where groundwater has high, naturally occurring levels of the same constituents (including radioactive elements) that are typically associated with uranium mines. LM is also administering, with the US DOE Office of Environmental Management, the Title X program, which was developed by Congress to reimburse private companies (i.e., those that held active operating licenses prior to 1978) for a portion of their reclamation costs for mill sites that processed ore sold to AEC. LM recently updated the program guidance document and established internal protocols for annually auditing companies. LM is assisting IAEA on two different initiatives: assisting developing countries with training on the basic steps to take to perform reclamation of uranium mines, and developing technical guidance and case studies related to safety and environmental assessments and post-closure management of uranium legacy sites as part of the IAEA Regulatory Supervision of Legacy Sites initiative. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2012

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management's Tribal Interactions - 12513

Effective government-to-government interactions with tribal nations and maintaining stakeholder relations with members of tribes are increasingly important to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM). As of October 2011, LM was responsible for long-term surveillance and maintenance of 87 sites and facilities in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico, including some sites on tribal lands. The sites on tribal lands can affect natural resources that are managed or used by tribes, or the sites can potentially affect areas of cultural significance to tribal nations in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Tribes are separate sovereign governments recognized in the U.S. Constitution and are significant stakeholders for LM sites. The tribes are individual nations with diverse histories, cultures, customs, religions, and laws. LM has regular communication with the affected tribes to inform members of issues, to allow the tribe to participate in decision making, to provide technical reviews, and to ensure tribal concerns are addressed. Four LM sites are in the Navajo Nation. Three of those sites contain uranium mill tailings disposal cells regulated under long-term surveillance and maintenance programs that require monitoring and annual inspections. The fourth site was remediated but still has a groundwater plume that LM is responsible for. DOE and LM have worked with the Navajo Nation for almost 30 years on technical issues and to ensure tribal concerns are addressed. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗