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HLW Interpretation
The HLW interpretation, if implemented through subsequent actions, could provide a range of benefits to both DOE and the public, including:
- Reducing the length of time that radioactive waste is stored on-site at DOE facilities, increasing safety for workers, the public, and the environment.
- Removing reprocessing waste from the States where it has been stored for decades and providing for the disposal of these wastes in facilities constructed and regulated for such purposes.
- Enhancing safety at DOE sites by using lower-complexity waste treatment and immobilization approaches.
- Aligning the U.S. with international guidelines for management and disposal of radioactive waste based on radiological risk.
- Utilizing mature and available commercial facilities and capabilities to shorten mission completion schedules and reduce taxpayer financial liability.
These benefits were also highlighted in a June 14, 2019 local Op-Ed by
James Marra, PhD from the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness and Rick McLeod from the SRS Community Reuse Organization.
DOE has not made, and does not presently propose, any changes or revisions to current policies, legal requirements or agreements with respect to HLW. Decisions about whether and how this interpretation of HLW will apply to existing wastes and whether such wastes may be managed as non-HLW will be the subject of subsequent actions.
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NNSA Investment in Future Local Workforce
 The Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of DOE and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, made an announcement regarding support for programs at institutions surrounding the Savannah River Site focused on developing the future workforce. The agency will provide a new contribution of $1 million per year for the next five years in the Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) program administered by the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO).
Administrator Gordon-Hagerty announced the increase during an event at Aiken Technical College on June 17, flanked by leadership from the five educational institutions and the SRSCRO. Since FY16, DOE-EM and NNSA have been funding WORC at a combined total of $1 million per year. WORC partners with Aiken Technical College, Augusta Technical College, University of South Carolina Aiken, Augusta University, and the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie to support NNSA and DOE - Environmental Management (DOE-EM) long-term workforce needs, with focus on SRS missions.
 In 2016, NNSA and DOE-EM began working with SRSCRO to develop an avenue that would ensure a capable workforce at SRS. The result was the WORC grant, established to fund local colleges and universities in the region, to develop and retain workers with the requisite skills, experience, certifications, and proficiency across multiple scientific, engineering, technical, craft, and business support disciplines.
This new $1 million per year investment is in addition to that ongoing funding. Growing NNSA missions at SRS in support of the nation's nuclear deterrent, including the proposed plutonium pit mission and the long-standing tritium mission, prompted NNSA to enhance its efforts to develop an enduring workforce that will carry out these long-term missions.
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SRS Plutonium Pit Production EIS
On June 10, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced its intent through a
Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate plutonium pit production at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina (the SRS EIS).
In May 2018, NNSA announced its proposed preferred alternative for pit production to begin conceptual design and outline the steps toward the next milestone in this long-term effort. The preferred alternative, endorsed by the Nuclear Weapons Council, is to produce 30 war reserve pits per year at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) beginning in 2026, and repurpose the former Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) to produce 50 war reserve pits per year by 2030. This two-site approach would ensure resiliency, robustness, and flexibility for decades to come.
 Because pit production using the former MOX facility has not previously been analyzed, NNSA will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposal to produce a minimum of 50 war reserve pits per year at SRS. NNSA will also analyze the environmental implications of the 80 pits per year pit production mission complex-wide. Because extensive NEPA analysis of pit production on a complex-wide basis has previously been performed, NNSA will also prepare a Supplement Analysis to determine whether that analysis remains adequate or not.
NNSA invites Federal and state agencies, state and local governments, Native American tribes, industry, other organizations, and members of the public to submit comments to assist in identifying environmental issues and in determining the appropriate scope of the SRS EIS until July 25, 2019. NNSA will hold a public scoping meeting for the proposed EIS on June 27, 2019 (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. EST) at the North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave. North Augusta, SC 29841. You can review the SRSCRO comments presented at this meeting in the attached letter.
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Local Leaders Predict Healthcare Worker Shortage
 The U.S. must hire 2.3 million new healthcare workers by 2025 to care properly for its aging population, a new report finds. But filling those jobs will be a challenge. A constant shortage of qualified workers, from nurses to physicians and lab technicians, means thousands of jobs will remain unfilled.
What's projected on a national scale has a profound effect regionally, too. And while Mercer's latest analysis might sound alarming, it has helped hospitals and health systems prepare for critical occupation shortages.
Local business leaders, employers and hospital CEO's addressed this issue and more during the Healthcare and Education Connections forum, Tuesday, June 18, at the KROC Center in Augusta, Ga.
The SRS Community Reuse Organization hosted the forum. The
nonprofit group supports job creation in a five-county region of South Carolina and Georgia. The
event was the third Connections forum since 2017. Past events have focused on workforce issues and jobs in manufacturing and cyber security. A future event will focus on nuclear workforce needs in the region.
The session focused on how decision makers, from school superintendents to hospital CEOs, are preparing a labor pool to handle rapid healthcare changes. Major issues addressed included:
* The future of healthcare in Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Richmond and Columbia counties
* How changing healthcare needs will affect the economy in those counties
* How educators are re-thinking curriculum and training programs to meet changing healthcare needs
"Tomorrow's future healthcare workers sit in today's K-12 classrooms," said Aiken County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford, who addressed an auditorium of healthcare employers. "We're asking you to help us shape the workforce. Tell us what you need in a team member. Don't force us to make an educated guess. Help us turn out students who leave with a diploma but also a set of employment skills."
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Nuclear Education
Information Session
Spotlight
Career opportunities in the nuclear field are expanding locally.
Aiken Technical College is hosting Nuclear Education Information Sessions this summer to help people learn ways to develop the skills needed for jobs that are in our community. The College will focus on its Radiation Protection Technology and Nuclear Fundamentals Programs. Attendees will learn how these pathways lead to high-wage careers, how to apply for the programs and how to apply for scholarships. A tour of the training facility will be included.
The sessions are planned for June 26 and July 24 at 6:00 p.m. on the campus of Aiken Technical College,
Center for Energy & Advanced Manufacturing (1700 Building)
2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Graniteville, SC 29829
For more information, contact Dave Deal at 803-508-7340 or
dealj@atc.edu.
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Flag Day
Fun Facts
It is believed that the idea of celebrating Flag Day in the United States originated with a teacher in 1885 in Wisconsin.
The colors of the American flag are symbolic. The red stands for valor and hardiness. Blue stands for justice, perseverance, and vigilance. White stands for innocence and purity.
People sometimes refer to the American flag as 'Old Glory'. The term was first used by Captain William Driver in 1831. He was a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts and called the flag Old Glory after being given a flag by friends.
The American flag is also referred to as 'Stars and Stripes', which is a common nickname referring to the flag's design.
The design of the American flag has changed 27 times.
Rules exist for displaying the American Flag. They include: 1) display the flag from sunrise to sunset - if displayed at night it should be illuminated; 2) the flag should never touch the floor or the ground; 3) the blue field should be in the upper left hand corner when displayed on a window or wall; 4) when raising the flag it should be done quickly and when lowering it, it should be done ceremoniously.
There are six American flags located on the moon. Apollo crews 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 planted the flags on the moon.
Despite the fact that Flag Day is not a federal holiday many places around the United States hold parades and festivals to honor the American flag.
Flag Day is also the same day as the birthday of the United States Army.
Fairfield, Washington is home to the oldest continuous Flag Day parade in the United States. The parade has been held every year except for 1918, since 1909.
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6 Healthcare Jobs
Projected to Experience Supply Gaps by 2025
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On June 5, 2019, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued the 
