December 15, 2020 – EM and its cleanup contractor at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) conducted a training exercise with local emergency response agencies, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on a hypothetical emergency, the exercise tested the skills and response of the local agencies and WVDP’s security force and operational response team. Participants were tested on their ability to minimize the scenario’s potential impact to employees, the public, and the environment. Representatives from Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department, Cattaraugus County Special Response Team, and West Valley Volunteer Hose Fire and Rescue took part in the event. Link to Update

December 8, 2020 – The EM West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) Site workforce surpassed its goal for this year’s food drive, collecting 125,000 pounds of items for nine area pantries, including 400 turkeys.

This year’s collection raises the site’s total food donations for people in need to more than 2 million pounds since the annual tradition began in 1989.

“The success of our food drive is a direct result of the generosity and kindness of our employees, partners, and subcontractors,” said Lettie Chilson, WVDP facility manager and food drive coordinator. “It demonstrates the positive impact that kindness can have on a community. The WVDP food drive helps to improve the quality of life for our neighbors serviced by the local pantries.” Link to update

December 9, 2020 – Discussions concerning the small modular nuclear reactors got me thinking about why France has progressed so much farther than the U.S. in producing electricity from nuclear power. Seventy percent of its electricity is from nuclear. It doesn’t take long to figure out why. Link to article

December 1, 2020 – On November 29, 2020, 56 local, regional and national environmental, public health and safe energy organizations blasted proposed House Bill 104, the “Advanced Nuclear Technology Helping Energize Mankind Act” (“ANTHEM Act”) pending in the Ohio General Assembly.

Calling the proposal a “radioactive taxpayer giveaway,” the groups, representing hundreds of thousands of people, filed written testimony for a December 1 Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee hearing along with a one-page overview with 10 reasons to oppose HB 104. Link to article

November 26, 2020 – As part of the federal budget, efforts of the local Department of Energy Environmental Management Team and leaders in the Town of Ashford, the receipt of funding for specific projects in the Town of Ashford was announced. The projects need to be related to the presence of the West Valley Demonstration Project, and tied to needs of the town as a result of that presence. After much consideration by the town board, funding was approved by the Department of Energy for the following projects Link to article