In the News

Below are articles and other news published since the last West Valley Citizen Task Force Meeting. They relate to the West Valley Demonstration Project, nuclear waste cleanup or are otherwise relevant or of potential interest to stakeholders interested in the Project. After each Citizen Task Force Meeting, these articles are compiled into a single document and may be found with the meeting materials for that month.

Springville/Ellicottville Pennysaver & News – Purchase benefits employees, community and veterans

May 23, 2020 – CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV), the prime contractor at the West ValleyDemonstration Project, recently purchased cloth face coverings for its employees. “Throughout the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDOE and CHBWV have continued to follow the guidelines of the Administration, DOE, and other federal officials and state and local authorities, USDOE-WVDP Director Bryan Bower, said. One of those guidelines was the use of cloth face coverings when social distancing is not practicable. Link to article

Springville Journal – Ashford board discusses updates during COVID‐19 pandemic

May 21, 2020 – The Ashford Town Board, at its May 13 meeting via teleconferencing, discussed the COVID‐19 pandemic and the recent effects it is having within the town.

… Communications Manager for CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley, LLC Joe Pillittere reported on back to work policies at the West Valley Demonstration Project. Employees will have to check in on their arrival, with the process already being tested. Some employees at the site are essential and have continued to work on site, while being compliant with CDC guidelines. Link to article

Olean Times Herald – Ashford urges Congress to increase DOE’s Environmental Management funding

May 22, 2020 – A broad coalition of labor, community and industry organizations has sent a letter urging Congress to provide a one-time $7.25 billion increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management program to some of the regions hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Among those communities is the town of Ashford, home of the West Valley Demonstration Project. Link to article

Tri-City Herald – $7 billion stimulus plan for Hanford and others could add jobs and kick-start national economy

May 18, 2020 – Tri-Cities area supporters of Hanford nuclear reservation cleanup are asking Congress to provide a one-time boost to Hanford funding to help jump start the national and Tri-Cities economy during the new coronavirus pandemic.

The Tri-Cities Development Council and Hanford Communities joined with other local government, community and industry organizations asking for $7.25 billion in stimulus money for environmental cleanup of Department of Energy sites. Link to article

Idaho Falls Magazine – City of Idaho Falls Signs Letter to Increase DOE EM Funding to Create Jobs, Infrastructure

May 18, 2020 – Recently, a broad coalition of labor, community and industry organizations prepared a letter urging Congress to provide a much-needed economic boost to some of the regions hardest hit by the current pandemic through a one-time $7.25 billion increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) program. Link to article