Lively and often candid discussions took place at the Hanford Summit where Secretary of Energy, Hazel O'Leary and Washington state governor Mike Lowry presided over a group of nearly 1,000. The event took place in the Tri-Cities area of Washington state September 13-15. Representatives from both the private and public sectors participated in this national forum on the environment, technology, and the economy. Participants examined issues and developed recommendations for establishing Hanford as a model, not only for the cleanup and revitalization of Hanford and other Department of Energy (DOE) sites, but for the forging of new partnerships that will encourage economic development in the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick) area, and in areas near other DOE sites.
Participants and observers commented on the passion and candor with which Tom Grumbly (DOE's Assistant Secretary for Environmental Restoration and Waste Management) in particular, responded to questions and dialogue during the sessions on regulatory issues and economic development. Both Grumbly and O'Leary were well received at the summit. During luncheons and receptions, attendees expressed delight with what seemed to be a genuine attempt by DOE's top officials to create a new and open working environment of cooperation and change. In fact, O'Leary's closing comments and specific DOE commitments in the Hanford efforts inspired an enthusiastic standing ovation -- an unusual occurrence by all accounts, given the tenuous relationship that has historically existed between DOE and the communities in that area.
Approximately 25 panelists from government, environmental groups, the financial community, and academia discussed five topics -- public involvement, regulatory issues, training and education, technology transfer, and economic development and partnerships.
Grumbly responded specifically to some of the many recommendations and comments. For instance, under the subject of requiring DOE to conform to the same regulatory standards as industry, he committed to adhere to and exceed Occupational Safety and Health standards. He was also interested in looking at regulatory changes and reform across the board. Grumbly supported changing DOE management structure to provide incentives for managers to make decisions and take risks whether outcome is good or bad. He also committed to exploring the concept of setting aside separate funding for economic development activities at sites -- not only technology development. In addition to expressing enthusiastic support for research, cleanup, and economic development activities at Hanford, the Secretary of Energy endorsed any commitments made by Tom Grumbly during the proceedings and made some of her own based on meetings and discussions at the summit. She specifically committed to the following.
The Secretary promised to respond quickly and return to Hanford in six months for a progress report. Other top officials including many from Washington state attended the summit to endorse the use of Hanford as a model of cleanup and economic development. Washington state is encouraging businesses involved in environmental restoration efforts and diversified nuclear activities and others, to locate in the Hanford area. Former Washington governors Daniel Evans and Booth Gardner, Congressman Jay Inslee and other notable officials participated in the summit to promote these efforts. Representatives from the Tri-Cities Industrial Development Council, a local group dedicated to facilitating business opportunities in the Tri-Cities area, also attended.
