TCLBA works with our members and community partners in building a vibrant Tri‑Cities economy. We participate in events like Tri-Cities Connect and Bridging Partnerships. We get involved with initiatives like myTRI2030 and activities that are advancing STEM‑based leadership in our community. Joining our partners, we take positions on issues that relate to Hanford contracting and cleanup. We work to ensure local businesses have continued engagement in Hanford projects; and we support technologies, ideas and policies that will enhance the cleanup mission.
For example, TCLBA has extended strong support to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Proposal to Reclassify Nuclear Waste, allowing waste to be classified as high-level waste (HLW) or non-HLW based on it actual radiological characteristics rather than on its origin. Through outreach as a community voice, we are explaining the benefits that reclassification offers for making site cleanup safer, quicker, more effective, and less costly. Watch our video and read our TCLBA letter to DOE in Support of Reclassifying Nuclear Waste. Also, we invite you to read our letter to the editor , which we submitted to major newspapers in the Pacific Northwest.
To learn more about the U.S. nuclear waste disposal program, we invite you to download Dr. Jim Conca’s presentation What’s Happened to Our Nuclear Waste Disposal Program? which he delivered at our February 2019 meeting.
Our executive team and members are leading and participating in activities that leverage their Hanford involvement to support business growth, diversification, and contributions to the community. Our Executive Director, Dave McCormack, was a founding member of the Regional Chamber of Commerce project that launched the myTRI2030 community vision initiative in 2016, and continues to ensure TCLBA support for the initiative. Dave also supports the TRIDEC Mid-Columbia Energy Initiative (MCEI) as a member of two subcommittees, Nuclear Energy and Technology, and Energy Storage.
Our President, Steve Anderson, leads the FUSE Mentor program, and he has served on the boards for the Mid-Columbia STEM Network and the Community Economic Revitalization Board. Our Vice President, Meghan Chalk, serves on the Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.